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Unusual stay · Cilaos · 1,200m
C Cibeaulaos, Cilaos: sleeping in a transparent bubble in a lychee forest
An unusual stay in Cilaos: 3 transparent bubble tents in a lychee forest, on the road to Bras-Sec. Sleep under the stars at 1,200m altitude, and watch the sky wake up over the cirque in the morning. Rated 8.8/10 from 83 reviews.
Bras-Sec, Cilaoslocation€130 to €150 / nightrate1 or 2 people / bubblecapacity8.8/10 (83 reviews)rating
C Cibeaulaos, on the road to Bras-Sec in Cilaos, offers one of the most memorable unusual nights in Reunion Island: sleeping in a transparent bubble tent in the heart of a lychee forest, at 1,200 metres altitude. The promise is simple: fall asleep watching the stars, wake up with the cirque lighting up above you. An average rating of 8.8/10 from 83 reviews, among the best unusual stays on the island.
This page brings together everything worth knowing before booking: rates (€130-150 depending on the bubble format), three tent types (solo, double, panoramic view), access from central Cilaos via Bras-Sec, facilities (continental breakfast included, toilets, on-site dining, wifi) and ideas for activities to follow up with in the cirque (Fleur Jaune canyoning, the Chapelle hike, an ascent of Piton des Neiges).
At a glance
The stay essentials
The experience
A night in a bubble, under the stars of Cilaos
Arriving at C Cibeaulaos. The estate sits on the road to Bras-Sec, a few minutes' drive from central Cilaos. You arrive in a lychee forest, the island's iconic red-fruited trees, growing here at 1,200 metres in a cool, humid atmosphere. Three transparent bubbles are set up there, spaced apart to preserve each guest's privacy.
Three bubble formats. Depending on your trip: a solo tent (1 person), a double tent with a large double bed (2 people maximum), or a panoramic-view tent with a double bed and the best outlook over the cirque (2 people maximum). All are fitted with a wooden platform, beds with linen provided, a mosquito net, and access to nearby shared toilets.
The night-time experience. This is what makes the place unique. The bubble's transparency lets you see the sky without moving: stars with a clarity few spots on the island can offer (minimal light pollution in Cilaos), sometimes the moon passing overhead, sometimes sunrise over the cliffs. The silence is broken only by the rustle of lychee leaves and the night-time calls of frogs.
The continental breakfast.Included in the rate. Served in the morning with regional produce where possible, in the estate's shared space. It's a chance to chat with other guests and with the owners about activities to do in the cirque.
How to get there
How to get to C Cibeaulaos
From central Cilaos, head towards Bras-Sec as you leave the town. Drive a few kilometres along the road, and C Cibeaulaos is at number 3 on the Bras-Sec road, signposted at the roadside.
Allow about 1h15 by car from Saint-Pierre (the road to Cilaos is very winding, famous for its 400 bends), 2 hours from Saint-Denis. The route is fully tarmacked and accessible to any regular car, but the road to Cilaos demands patience.
Parking directly on the estate. Central Cilaos is 5-10 minutes by car for shops, restaurants, and the starting points of the cirque's main hikes (la Chapelle, Piton des Neiges, the Col du Taïbit crossing over to Mafate).
On site
Services and facilities at the bubble
- 3 transparent bubble tents (solo, double, panoramic view)
- A wooden platform, a bed with linen provided, a mosquito net
- Continental breakfast included in the rate
- Shared toilets (showers, WC, sinks)
- Facilities accessible to guests with reduced mobility
- On-site dining
- Wifi available in shared areas
- Parking on the estate
- A water point and shared BBQ
- Rated 8.8/10 from 83 reviews on Booking
Rates
How much does a night cost
Rates range from €130 to €150 a night depending on the bubble format (solo, double, panoramic view) and the season. Continental breakfast is included, bringing the experience closer to an upscale half-board stay.
It's one of the most affordable unusual stays on the island, compared with other bubbles or domes in the west, which start at €180. Booking reviews (8.8/10 from 83 reviews) confirm the good value for money. Confirm current rates when booking.
Contact & booking
Booking C Cibeaulaos
Address: 3 Rte du Bras-Sec, Cilaos 97413
Bookable on Booking.com (8.8/10 from 83 reviews) or by contacting the estate directly. Plan several weeks ahead in high season (July-August, the Christmas holidays): the 3 bubbles get booked up fast.
Combine it with
Activities to combine with the unusual stay
Cilaos is one of the most active cirques for adventure sports: canyoning, hiking, an ascent of Piton des Neiges. Make the most of your stay to explore the trails and pools nearby.
La Chapelle hike, Cilaos
A guided outing into the spectacular Chapelle canyon, 30 minutes from the estate.
See the activity
Fleur Jaune canyoning, Cilaos
Jumps, abseils and slides through the pools of the Fleur Jaune canyon, accessible from Cilaos.
See the activity
Guided trek in Mafate
A crossing of the neighbouring cirque via the Col du Taïbit, direct access from Cilaos.
See the activity
Also combine withAerial view
Cilaos, Piton des Neiges and Mafate from the sky
The bubble gives you the starry sky above your bed. The helicopter flips the angle: in a few minutes it flies over the Cilaos cirque and Piton des Neiges (3,071m), then crosses over to Mafate on the other side of the Col du Taïbit.
The Saint-Pierre aerodrome is 1h15 from the estate. 8 routes, from 15 minutes to 1 hour.
From €125 · 210 Manawa reviews · Saint-Pierre / Saint-Paul
See helicopter rates
See also
Other unusual stays in Reunion Island
Dome at Domaine de Petite-Île
A geodesic dome in the south, from €90/night, panoramic views.
See the unusual stay
Glamping at Gadiamb City, Saint-Pierre
Unusual glamping near Saint-Pierre, from €150/night.
See the unusual stay
Lodge Roche Tamarin, La Possession
Premium bungalows in the western highlands, from €180/night.
See the unusual stay
Stay nearby
Alternative accommodation nearby
To compare other unusual or more conventional options, here are partner places to stay within 25 km.
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auberge< 1 kmFrequently asked questions
FAQ: everything to know before booking
How do you book C Cibeaulaos?
Bookable on Booking.com (8.8/10 from 83 reviews) or by contacting the estate directly. Plan several weeks ahead in high season (July-August, the Christmas holidays): the 3 bubbles get booked up fast.
How much does a night in the bubble cost?
Between €130 and €150 a night depending on the bubble format (solo, double with a bed, panoramic view) and the season. Continental breakfast is included.
What are the differences between the 3 bubble formats?
The solo tent accommodates 1 person. The double tent has a large double bed for 2 people maximum. The panoramic-view tent offers the same facilities with the best outlook over the cirque (it's the most sought-after format).
Is the experience really immersive?
Yes, the bubbles' transparency lets you see the sky without moving. With minimal light pollution in Cilaos, the stars are exceptionally clear. The rustle of lychee leaves and the night-time calls of frogs are the only sounds. That is what earns it the 8.8/10 rating on Booking.
What's included in breakfast?
A continental breakfast included in the rate: pastries, bread, jams, coffee, tea, juice, sometimes fresh fruit (depending on the season). Served in the estate's shared space.
Are there toilets inside the bubble?
No, the bubbles don't have a private bathroom. The toilets are shared and immediately nearby (showers, WC, sinks). It's the classic glamping format: high comfort for sleeping, shared facilities.
How do you get to the estate?
From central Cilaos, head towards Bras-Sec. C Cibeaulaos is at number 3 on the Bras-Sec road, signposted at the roadside. Allow 1h15 by car from Saint-Pierre, 2 hours from Saint-Denis. The road is fully tarmacked but very winding (400 bends).
Which activities pair well with the stay?
Cilaos is one of the most active cirques: the Chapelle hike, Fleur Jaune canyoning, an ascent of Piton des Neiges, a crossing to Mafate via the Col du Taïbit. For the widest perspective, the helicopter flyover remains unbeatable.
When's the best time to visit C Cibeaulaos?
The southern winter (May to October) offers the most stable conditions: often clear skies for stargazing at night, cool but pleasant temperatures. At 1,200m, nights are cool: blankets are provided in the bubble. Cyclone season (January to March) can affect the road to Cilaos, so check conditions before heading up.
Page updated on 20 September 2026. GPS coordinates, contact details and rates verified as of this date. Confirm availability with the venue before travelling.
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C Cibeaulaos, Cilaos
RateFrom €130/night