• Introduction
• Reports (0)
• Useful information

  Identity card

  Know before you go

  Practical A to Z

  Sport and leisure activities

• Eating out
• Electricity
• Embassies and consulates
• Getting around
• Health
• Money
• Post
• Public holidays
• Shopping
• Sightseeing
• Telephone
• Units of measurement

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Eating out

Opening times

Restaurants are generally open from 11.30am and from 7pm in the evening.

Tips

Tipping is not compulsory, but appreciated if you are satisfied.

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Electricity

The voltage is 240V and the sockets are for standard British 3-pin plugs.

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Embassies and consulates

British High Commission – 3rd floor - Oliaji Trade Centre - Francis Rachel Street - Victoria - Mahé - t 283 666 - http://ukinseychelles.fco.gov.uk/en

Ireland does not have a representative in Seychelles, so Irish citizens are requested to contact the nearest office of another EU member state.

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Getting around

By car

Cars are left-hand drive and motorists must give way to vehicles coming from the right.

By coach

Mahé operates a good network but services are more limited on Praslin. To get off, shout “devant!”

By ox-drawn carriage

An amusing means of locomotion available on La Digue for excursions round the island. Rates can be quite high.

By bicycle

On Praslin and above all, La Digue, where motor vehicles are forbidden.

From island to island

Air liaisons – Air Seychelles runs regular services between Mahé and the main islands of the archipelago.

By helicopter – All the islands are connected by helicopter, with the exception of the farthermost islands.

Maritime links – Regular, quick liaisons that are cheaper than planes.

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Health

Also see Know before you go.

Illnesses

Turista, the bane of many tourists, is more or less serious diarrhoea. A few cases of chikungunya have been reported, so it is advisable to take mosquito repellent.

Drinking water

Tap water is in theory drinkable in Seychelles, but it is advisable to drink bottled water.

Emergencies

T 999.

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Money

Currency

The currency is the Seychelles Rupee (SCR), subdivided into 100 cents.

Banks / Exchange

Banks are generally open Monday-Friday from 8am-2pm, Saturday 8-11am. Exchange offices are available in tourist areas. Many foreign currencies are accepted except for small everyday purchases.

Traveller’s cheques

Exchanged more or less everywhere for a commission per transaction.

Credit cards

The majority of hotels, restaurants and souvenir shops accept credit cards. ATMs are available everywhere.

Budget

Prices can vary twofold depending on the season.

A double room in a simple hotel on Praslin costs between SR1 400 and 1 800; a meal in a simple restaurant on Mahé or La Digue costs between SR100 and 200; a bottle of mineral water between SR10 and 15.

Customs duty

It is forbidden to leave Seychelles with more than SR200 without authorisation.

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Post

Five post offices are generally open Monday-Friday 8am-3pm or 4pm; two on Mahé, two on Praslin and one on La Digue.

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Public holidays

National holidays

1 and 2 January – New Year

1 May – Labour Day

5 June – Liberation Day

18 June – National Reconciliation Day

29 June – Independence Day

Religious holidays

March or April – Good Friday, Easter Saturday and Sunday

May-June – Corpus Christi

15 August – Assumption Day

1 November – All Saints’ Day

8 December – Immaculate Conception

25 December – Christmas Day

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Shopping

Souvenirs

Arts and crafts – straw hats and wicker baskets, decorative earthenware, wooden and coconut objects, shell jewellery.

Other ideas – Batik painting and fabrics, boat models, kreofleurage perfumes, coco de mer (or love nut) (strictly regulated).

Spices – Vanilla, patchouli, cinnamon, peppers, teas, vanilla essence.

Opening times

Shops are generally open Monday-Friday from 9am-5pm, Saturday 8am-12noon.

Customs duty

It is strictly forbidden to export shells, coral, fish, turtles, etc. An official export certificate is required for coco de mer.

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Sightseeing

Museums are generally open Monday-Friday from 8.30am-4.30pm (sometimes closed during lunchtime), Saturday 9.30am-1pm. Privately run sights operate variable opening hours.

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Telephone

To call Seychelles from abroad

Dial 00 + 248 + number of the person.

To call home from Seychelles

Dial 00 + country code (UK 44 and Ireland 353) + the number of the person (without the first 0).

National calls

Dial the 6-digit number of the person.

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Units of measurement

The metric system is used, including for distances, which are indicated in kilometres .