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SEYCHELLES - TOURIST INFORMATION
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
United States citizens must be in possession of a valid passport. On arrival, visitors are granted Visitor Visas valid for one month, which may be extended provided they have onward or return tickets, valid travel documents, sufficient funds for their stay and a valid cholera vaccination certificate if arriving from Africa.
CURRENCY
The currency of the Seychelles, known as the Seychelles Rupee (SR), is issued by the Central Bank of Seychelles. It is divided into 100 cents and is issued in the following denominations:
Notes: SR1OO, SR50, SR25, SR1O
Coins: SR5, SR1, 25c, lOc, 1c.
There are no restrictions on the import of local currency, but export is limited to SR100.
CREDIT CARDS
American Express, Diners Club and Visa cards are accepted by most establishments.
BANKS
All banks are open from Monday to Friday variously from 8:1 5AM to 4:00PM (please check for individual banks with hotel reception). Some banks are also open on Saturday mornings.
The Bureaux de Change at the International Airport operated by Barclays Bank International and the Bank of Credit and Commerce International are open for all incoming and outgoing flights.
BEACHES
Most beaches in the Seychelles are protected by reefs and consequently are safe for swimming. The outstanding ones are: Beau Vallon Beach, Anse Intendance, Anse Royale and Anse Takamako on Mahe; Cote d'Or and Anse Lazio in Praslin; Grand Anse, Petit Anse La Source d'Argent on La Digue.
WHAT TO WEAR
Since the temperature rarely drops below 80 degrees (Fahrenheit) throughout the year, light clothes are advisable. For women, light cotton dresses, slacks and shorts for the daytime and a long skirt, cool dresses or caftans for evenings. Men are most comfortable in light-weight slacks, and short 'Bermudas' and open neck shirts. For business a safari suit is acceptable. Ties are not worn. Sandals or light canvas shoes are adequate. Plastic shoes are advisable if you go on the reefs.
VOLTAGE
240 volts AC. Hotels can provide adaptors.
LANGUAGE
Creole, English and French are the official languages of the Seychelles. The government newspaper NATION and Radio-Television Seychelles carry news and features in all three languages.
RESTAURANTS
Besides hotel and guesthouse restaurants, there are several Creole restaurants as well as Italian, Chinese, Indian and Japanese. Victoria has several small take-out food shops. On Praslin, it is best to phone first in the evening as some restaurants open only if there are reservations.
WHAT TO BUY
Shopping facilities are limited. The Home Industries shop in Victoria is part of a government cooperative selling handicrafts and there is a market outside the building on most days. There are many handicrafts made from coconuts, raffia, land coral, and tortoiseshell (which cannot be brought into the U.S. since tortoise is an endangered species) as well as woven articles. The Oceana Crafts boutique turns out tie-dye and block prints, sarongs, and T-shirts. Otherwise shopping is done in the local supermarkets. Locally grown and prepared spices such as pepper, nutmeg and vanilla are usually souvenirs.
MEDICAL SERVICES
There is a well-equipped Central Hospital in Victoria and several clinics in the Mahe districts and on Praslin and La Dique. The islands are free of malaria and other diseases.
TIME
Seychelles is 11 hours ahead of Los Angeles and 8 hours ahead of New York.
DRIVING
They drive on the left side of the road in the Seychelles. An international drivers license is required. The speed limit is 35MPH in Victoria and village centres, and 40MPH for the rest of Mahe. On Praslin, it is 35 MPH.
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