It is located on the south-central part of the island of Reunion, adjacent to Saint Pierre.

In the early twentieth century, the town was the base for the murderer and sorcerer Sitarane.

The average annual temperature in Le Tampon is 13.8 °C (56.8 °F).

The average annual rainfall is 2,020.2 mm (79.54 in) with February as the wettest month.

The temperatures are highest on average in February, at around 17.3 °C (63.1 °F), and lowest in July, at around 10.3 °C (50.5 °F).