Mayotte, a French overseas department in the Indian Ocean, offers a mix of volcanic landscapes, white-sand beaches, and coral reefs, with popular sights including the lagoon (one of the largest enclosed lagoons in the world), Mount Choungui, and the Dzaoudzi market. The local currency is the Euro, and prices tend to be higher than in nearby African nations, reflecting its French administrative status. The weather is tropical, with a hot, humid rainy season from November to April and a cooler, drier period from May to October—ideal for travel.
Getting around Mayotte can be challenging due to limited public transport and infrastructure. Shared taxis (called “bush taxis”) are the most common way to travel between towns, but they can be irregular and crowded. Within cities, walking is often necessary, as there’s little organized urban transport. Roads are often narrow and in mixed condition, so renting a car is an option, but driving can be slow and tricky, especially in more remote areas.