Saint-André and Saint-Benoît ride-hailing: east coast, windward road

The east coast of 974, known as the windward coast because it catches the trade winds and tropical rains, concentrates Saint-André (60,000 residents), Bras-Panon, Saint-Benoît (40,000 residents), Sainte-Anne and the entrance to the Salazie cirque. Less touristy than the west, more authentic, this is creole and Tamil Reunion at its purest. Here is how Zoot ride-hailing works in this area.

Contents

• Saint-André: 974's Tamil heart
• Bras-Panon and the Salazie road
• Saint-Benoît and the south-east coast
• Zoot fares east coast
• Frequent routes
• Excursions: Salazie, Anse des Cascades
• FAQ
• Related reads

Saint-André: 974's Tamil heart

Saint-André hosts the island's largest Tamil community. The Karli and Pandialé temples are open to visitors (respect the rules: barefoot, limited photos). The Sunday market is a must, spices, gâteaux piment, samosas, achards. The Rivière du Mât distillery (traditional rum) can also be visited.

Neighbourhoods: town centre, Champ-Borne, Cambuston, Rivière-du-Mât-les-Hauts.

Install Zoot for the east coast→

Bras-Panon and the Salazie road

Bras-Panon is known for its Bourbon vanilla co-op (visit + shop), its pools (Bassin La Paix, Bassin La Mer) reachable via short trails, and its role as the gateway to the Salazie cirque.

The Salazie road (RN6 then RD48) climbs in 45 min to the village of Salazie, then 30 min more to Hell-Bourg (one of France's most beautiful villages). It's gentler than RN5 to Cilaos, but has waterfalls right next to the road (the "Voile de la Mariée", spectacular after heavy rain).

Saint-Benoît and the south-east coast

Saint-Benoît, the easternmost town, is the pivot toward the wild coast: Sainte-Anne with its baroque church, Anse des Cascades (palm trees + waterfalls into the sea, photogenic), Sainte-Rose and the Virgin with Umbrella spared by a 1977 lava flow.

Neighbourhoods: centre, Beauvallon, Bras-Madeleine, Bras-Canot.

Zoot fares east coast

• Point-to-point: from €25.
• Hourly hire: from €41/h, for Salazie or south-east coast day trips.

Driver coverage is continuous in daytime. At night, waits can reach 15-20 min. Book ahead for flights or late nights.

Book Zoot for Saint-André or Saint-Benoît→

Frequent routes

Excursions: Salazie, Anse des Cascades

Two day-trip ideas:

Salazie day (from Saint-André)

• 8:00 depart Saint-André.
• 9:00 arrive Salazie, market if Sunday.
• 10:00 Hell-Bourg, visit Maison Folio (creole house).
• 12:00 cari coq lunch.
• 14:00 Voile de la Mariée waterfall.
• 15:00 return Saint-André.
• 7 hours hourly hire = €287.

Wild coast day (from Saint-Benoît)

• 9:00 depart.
• 9:30 Anse des Cascades.
• 11:00 Sainte-Rose, Virgin with Umbrella.
• 12:00 2007 Sainte-Rose lava flow.
• 13:00 lunch Sainte-Rose.
• 15:00 return Saint-Benoît.
• 6 hours hourly hire = €246.

For full itineraries, see what to do on Reunion by ride-hail.

FAQ

How much for Saint-André to Roland Garros? 30 min, price shown before booking. One of 974's fastest airport runs.

Are there ride-hails in Saint-André at night? Yes, continuous coverage. Longer waits after 22:00 (10-20 min). Book ahead for late outings.

Saint-Benoît to Salazie by ride-hail? Yes, via Saint-André and RN6. Count 1h15. Hourly hire recommended for the day.

Is the Salazie road dangerous? Less than RN5, but sinuous and exposed to rockfalls after heavy rain. A Zoot driver knows the closures and detours.

Can I ride up to the Volcano from Saint-Benoît? Yes, via the Bourbier forest road then Plaine des Palmistes to Bourg-Murat. 1h30. Longer than from Saint-Pierre. See Le Tampon, Petite-Île, Plaine des Cafres.

Related reads

• Reunion Island ride-hailing pillar guide
• Saint-Denis ride-hailing: rates, zones, night
• What to do on Reunion by ride-hail
• Roland Garros airport shuttle