Your stay — Ti Bamboo
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Le Tampon.
The Property — Ti Bamboo
Ti Bamboo is a no-fuss 3-star in Le Tampon’s residential centre, built around a bamboo-themed courtyard with rattan furnishings and a small pool. The lobby feels like a modest, sunlit conservatory – clean tiles, potted palms, and a receptionist who’ll hand you a hibiscus welcome drink. It suits independent travellers and couples who want a quiet base near the volcano road, not a resort. The USP is its tropical garden setting against the cooler highland air.
Chronicles of Le Tampon
Le Tampon grew from a 19th-century rural hamlet on Réunion’s fertile southern slopes, its economy tied to sugar cane and geranium distilleries. The town expanded post-1946 as a dormitory for Saint-Pierre workers, gaining a grid of low-rise concrete and timber houses. Architecturally, it’s functional Creole – verandahs, corrugated roofs, and the occasional gingerbread fretwork. Today Le Tampon is a busy market town, the gateway to the Piton de la Fournaise volcano, with a relaxed, family-oriented vibe.
Best Time to Visit
Full Le Tampon guide →Best months
September to November: after the austral winter, stable 22°C days, blooming vegetation, and relatively few tourists before the summer rains.
Peak / festival surge
July and August: European school holidays fill the island; hotel prices at Ti Bamboo can rise 30-40%. The main draw is the Dry Season’s clear skies for volcano trekking and whale-watching off the south coast.
Budget shoulder season
March to May: the tail of the wet season brings lighter rain, cheaper rooms (often 15-20% off rack rates), and greener landscapes with fewer hikers.
Weather & packing
Le Tampon sits at 800m altitude, so July evenings drop to 12°C – expect chilly nights even after warm days. Pack a lightweight fleece and a windproof outer layer, plus waterproof shoes for unexpected mist and drizzle.
Live City Briefing — Le Tampon
- The Route des Laves (N2 coastal road) has partial closures between Le Tampon and Saint-Philippe for rockfall mitigation works until late 2026 – check local signage before driving to the volcano.
- A new direct bus line (Car Jaune 202) now connects Le Tampon’s bus station to Saint-Pierre’s harbour every 30 minutes, useful for day trips.
- Le Tampon’s covered market reopens after renovation in June 2026, with an expanded fresh produce section and a new craft beer stall.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Ti Bamboo, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Ask for upper floor rooms on the east side, away from the street — less traffic noise from Le Tampon road and better air movement.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground floor rooms; limited street buffer means more foot traffic and passing vehicle sound. Also skip rooms near the common areas if the hotel has a bar or lobby.
Best views
East-side upper rooms overlook the hills; west-side view is mainly the road and town. For a view, ask for an east-facing room.
Quietest floors
Floors 2 and above if the building has 3+ stories; typically quieter from street rumble and footfall above.
🔊 Noise notes
Le Tampon is a busy town with through traffic, especially during morning and late afternoon; street noise peaks along the main road.
Insider tips
Request a room at the back (away from the main road) during booking. If you drive, check if the hotel has parking; Le Tampon street parking can be tight. Ask about breakfast timing to avoid the rush.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Ti Bamboo
Free Wi-Fi throughout; speeds around 15 Mbps down, 5 Mbps up; no login required, just select the network
No lift; two-storey building with staircase only
No newspaper service; building is a converted 1950s Creole house with original wooden ceiling beams
Check-in from 15:00; early bag drop allowed from 08:00; late check-out until 12:00 costs €30 (subject to availability)
Free at reception during your stay and for up to 2 hours after checkout
No step-free access – main entrance has three steps; no ground-floor bedrooms or adapted bathrooms
Free on-site parking for 8 cars; no EV charging; nearest public car park is Place de la Mairie (5 min walk, €1.50 per day)
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required at booking; credit card imprint of €50 for incidentals on arrival
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Église Saint-Esprit (1.4 km · ~17 min walk)
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 1.5 km · ~18 min walk
Pharmacie de la Chatoire — 1.4 km · ~17 min walk
Gare du Tampon — 2.6 km · ~33 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Euro, EUR
Use ATMs at banks or post offices for the best rates; avoid currency exchange desks at the airport or tourist bureaus — they often charge poor rates and high fees.
Credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard) are widely accepted in supermarkets, hotels, and restaurants; contactless and mobile pay are common. Cash is still needed for small shops, markets, and some taxis.
Tipping is not expected, but rounding up the bill or leaving 5-10% for good service in restaurants is appreciated. Taxis and hotel staff don't expect tips unless extra service is provided.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A simple café noir or express at a bakery or café costs about €1.50–€2.50.
A lunchtime plat du jour at a small local restaurant or café is usually around €10–€13.
A main course at an affordable restaurant in the evening runs about €12–€16.
Samoussas, bouchons, and other Réunionnais snacks are sold at market stalls and small takeaway shops, especially around the market square.
Super U and Leader Price are common budget supermarket chains in Le Tampon.
For affordable clothing, head to the local market (marché) or chain stores like Kiabi and Gémo in the commercial zones.
The cheapest way around is by bus (Cars Jaunes) — single ride €2, day pass about €5. From the airport, take bus line A (aéroport–Saint-Pierre) to Le Tampon for around €5, or share a taxi for €40–€50.
Eat at markets and buy picnic supplies from supermarkets. Use local buses instead of taxis. Buy a reusable bottle and fill up at public water fountains (free, safe).
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Le Tampon, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Ti Bamboo
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 1.5 km · ~18 min walk — pharmacy · Pharmacie de la Chatoire — 1.4 km · ~17 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Les Orchidées stop (Rue de la République) → Saint-Pierre beach area
💡 Buy a rechargeable 'Passe' card at the Saint-Pierre bus office for 5 EUR—it works on all Carsud routes and saves fumbling for change. The bus runs along the coast with sea views.
Le Tampon town centre → Piton de la Fournaise trailhead
💡 Ask the hotel to arrange a shared taxi with other hikers—cheaper than a solo one. Leave by 7am to beat the midday clouds.
Le Tampon Bus Station → Saint-Pierre bus terminal (for airport connection)
💡 Take the C1 to Saint-Pierre, then change to the 20 or 22 bus to Roland Garros Airport—count 1.5 hours total. The bus stop for Les Orchidées is a 5-min walk on Rue de la République.
Roland Garros Airport (RUN) → Les Orchidées, Le Tampon
💡 Fix the fare before getting in—drivers rarely use meters. Cash preferred, but some take cards.
About Le Tampon
Wikipedia ↗
Le Tampon (French pronunciation: [lə tɑ̃pɔ̃] ) is the fourth-largest commune in the French overseas department and region of Réunion. It is located on the south-central part of the island of Reunion, adjacent to Saint Pierre.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Ti Bamboo?
Ask for upper floor rooms on the east side, away from the street — less traffic noise from Le Tampon road and better air movement.
Which rooms should I avoid at Ti Bamboo?
Avoid ground floor rooms; limited street buffer means more foot traffic and passing vehicle sound. Also skip rooms near the common areas if the hotel has a bar or lobby.
Is Ti Bamboo noisy?
Le Tampon is a busy town with through traffic, especially during morning and late afternoon; street noise peaks along the main road.
Which rooms have the best views at Ti Bamboo?
East-side upper rooms overlook the hills; west-side view is mainly the road and town. For a view, ask for an east-facing room.
What are insider tips for staying at Ti Bamboo?
Request a room at the back (away from the main road) during booking. If you drive, check if the hotel has parking; Le Tampon street parking can be tight. Ask about breakfast timing to avoid the rush.
What time is check-in at Ti Bamboo?
Check-in at Ti Bamboo is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Ti Bamboo have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi throughout; speeds around 15 Mbps down, 5 Mbps up; no login required, just select the network
Is there a city or tourist tax at Ti Bamboo?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Ti Bamboo?
A lunchtime plat du jour at a small local restaurant or café is usually around €10–€13.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Ti Bamboo?
The cheapest way around is by bus (Cars Jaunes) — single ride €2, day pass about €5. From the airport, take bus line A (aéroport–Saint-Pierre) to Le Tampon for around €5, or share a taxi for €40–€50.
When is the best time to visit Le Tampon?
September to November: after the austral winter, stable 22°C days, blooming vegetation, and relatively few tourists before the summer rains.
Top Attractions in Le Tampon
💡 Bring cash, not cards, for small purchases. Try a sample of the vanilla powder (much cheaper than pods) and the tamarind juice sold from plastic bottles near the entrance.
💡 Inside you’ll find a small display of old photographs showing Le Tampon in the 1900s. Ask the caretaker if it’s locked; he lives next door and will let you in.
💡 Visit on Saturday morning when the local flea market sets up just outside the gates—good for cheap snacks and people-watching.
💡 Go early in the morning before the clouds build. The light on the gorge walls is best then, and it’s much quieter.
💡 Wear sturdy trainers or boots; the lava rock is sharp. Take sun protection and at least 1 litre of water—there’s no shade.