The Seychelles comprises 115 islands scattered over 1.3-million square kilometers of the Indian Ocean. The contrast in scenery
is remarkable as it varies between the lush green vegetation of the granitic islands and the barren landscape of the coralline islands.

The Seychelles has three national languages, Creole, English and French. All notices and road signs are in English. The language most widely spoken by the local people in everyday life is Creole but the majority of people speak English.

Changes in legislation have seen Seychelles rupees now being accepted in all hotels. All major credit cards are also accepted for
purchases in shops, restaurants and at the hotels; Diners Club cards are only accepted by certain merchants.

On arrival in Seychelles it is not necessary to access the Red Route at Customs unless you are importing goods.

Items per adult over 18 years which are duty free include:
2 litres of alcoholic beverages
200 cigarettes
200 ml eau de toilette

A Duty Free shop is located in the Arrivals as well as the Departure Hall. Payment can be made either in foreign currency or Seychelles rupees.

A valid South African or international drivers licence is required on hiring a car.

Many different vehicles are available for hire. An imprint of your credit card will be taken and you will be required to show your international drivers' licence.

It is essential that travel insurance be purchased prior to departure, covering cancellation or curtailment of flights, personal
accident, medical expenses, baggage or loss of accommodation.

Ensure that your passport, air tickets and travellers cheques are safely stored in the individual safe in your room. Do not leave
jewellery, cellphones, cameras or any other valuables in your room or in public areas.

The capital city of Victoria on Mahé Island is by far the most interesting shopping destination in the Seychelles. Head to the bustling market at the city centre and peruse local artwork, jewellery, textiles and handcrafts like basket-ware and bead-ware, curios and items such as spices.
Be sure to buy the traditional Seychelles souvenir, the coco-de-mer, a rare nut species grows almost exclusively in the Vallee de Mai on Praslin Island. This does however require an export licence.
Some larger hotels offer boutique shopping, while Praslin also features a few shopping outlets.
Please note that it is illegal to purchase or remove shells from the island unless from a licensed vendor.

Shopping Hours:
Monday – Friday 09h00 – 17h00
Saturday 09h00 – 13h00
Sunday Closed
Market Shopping Hours:
Monday – Friday 05h00 – 18h00
Saturday 05h00 – 13h00

All hotels and most shops accept all recognized credit cards. Diners Club is only accepted at certain establishments. Cash is
really only required for tips and purchases from the market or local vendors.

Traffic conditions and narrow roads require careful driving habits. Driving is on the left side of the road.

MOTORISTS
Speed should be adjusted according to the road conditions.
Drive at a safe speed and always observe the speed limit.
Always wear your seat belt and ensure that your passengers do the same.
Do NOT drink and drive.
Follow other vehicles at a safe distance.
Do not use a mobile phone while driving.
Overtake with care.
Do not tailgate.
Before you drive a vehicle ensure that:
The vehicle is properly licensed,
It has a valid insurance policy,
You have the valid and appropriate licence to drive the vehicle.
PEDESTRIANS
Always cross the road at designated pedestrian or zebra crossings.
Always use footpaths where they are available.
Do not cross at bends in the road where you cannot see the danger of oncoming vehicles.
If you are walking in a group, walk in single file facing oncoming traffic.
When crossing the road, be attentive and on the lookout for oncoming vehicles.
COMMUTERS
Always wait for the bus to stop completely when boarding or alighting.
Do not stick out any part of your body when you are in a moving bus or car.

Throughout Seychelles the voltage is 220-240 volts AC 50 Hz. Seychelles uses the British standard square three-pin, 13 amp sharp electric plug.

Visitors from countries other than the United Kingdom are advised to bring their own adaptors.

MasterCard / Access and Visa cards are widely accepted while Diners Club and American Express cards are honoured to a somewhat lesser extent. Such cards may be used for car hire, hotel and restaurant services, for all of which the visitor will be charged in foreign currency.Shops and boutiques accepting credit cards will typically display the relevant card logo on their doors or windows.

ATM facilities exist at major banks on Mahé, Praslin and La Digue and at the airport on Mahé and Praslin. These machines provide cash in local currency, Seychelles Rupees (SCR).

Most charges (restaurant, hotel, taxis, porters, etc) already include a 5% to 10% service charge or "tip" and so tipping is not obligatory in Seychelles.

However, as a reward for exceptional service, a nominal tip is sure to be warmly received.

Although Seychelles has a relatively low level of crime it is advisable not to carry large sums of money, items of value or important documents such as passports on your person. Most hotels offer facilities for safeguarding these.
Similarly, do not take these to the beach or leave them in your hired vehicle or on display in your hotel room.

As with many tourism destinations be prudent when it comes to walking alone at night or in secluded places such as remote beaches. If you are intending to go out alone then it is wise to advise someone at your hotel of your proposed whereabouts.

Avoid changing all your foreign exchange into Seychelles Rupees (SCR) at one time but rather calculate your daily requirements and change only what you need for a specific period of time.

Do not change your foreign exchange illegally with unauthorised traders but rather through banks, hotel cashiers and at the Bureau de Change at the airport.

Travellers cheques may be exchanged at cashiers desks at the hotels. There are Bureaux de Change at the Airport.
Banking Hours:
Monday to Friday 08h30 – 14h00
Saturday 08h30 – 11h00
The banks are mainly in Victoria and some have branches in local villages or on Praslin and La Digue. Remember you cannot
exchange travellers' cheques for foreign currency.

There is no risk of contracting malaria in the Seychelles.

Bring any chronic medication that you need, as well as an adequate supply of essentials such as painkillers, plasters, sun block, antihistamines, anti-nausea, mosquito repellent and anti-diarrheal medication.
It is recommended that you only drink bottled or purified water.
Generally inoculations are not required either but it is advisable that visitors to Seychelles check requirements with their
local travel clinic prior to departure.

Medical facilities and call-out doctors are available to visitors on request from accommodation establishments and island resorts.

Private clinics/doctors' rates vary.
A call-out can cost from SCR75 to SCR2000 and a consultation in a clinic for all non-residents ranges from SCR150 to SCR300.

Government clinics are located in most areas and charge a fee of SCR100 for a non-resident consultation.

Private clinics remain open until 17h00 and some until 20h00. The Ministry of Health casualty is open 24 hours a day every day.

For emergency situations please call 999.

There are several dental outlets on Mahé, Praslin and La Digue. Clinics are generally open from 0800hrs-1600hrs and call-outs can also be made for visitors on request from most accommodation establishments. The average charge for oral examinations is SCR100 for government dental clinics and from SCR300 for private dental clinics.

Please resist the urge to collect seashells along the beaches as many are used as habitation by hermit crabs.
Collecting shells is prohibited in nature reserves, marine parks and reserves in Seychelles. The unique and unusual tropical flora is beautiful and for it to remain so, it is important that you admire it, but leave it for others to enjoy.
Any flora taken as souvenirs must have a certificate and an official export permit which must be produced, when checking in at the international airport.
Be considerate towards the fauna and sensitive to its sometimes fragile nature.
Please walk carefully on the reefs and do not feed sea birds, mammals, turtles or tortoises or disturb them or their nesting grounds.

The duty free allowance for all liquors (including wine, beer, stout, ale and port) perfumes and tobacco is:
200 cigarettes or 250g of tobacco
2 litres of spirits and 2 litres of wine
200ml of Parfume or Eau de Toilette
All personal possessions intended to be re-exported on departure are exempt from tax. In addition to the duty free allowances listed above, each visitor may import tax-free a video camera, other camera, musical instrument, portable electronic or electric equipment, sports requisites and other leisure equipment.

Offensive weapons such as stun guns, mace, bows and arrows, knuckle dusters, daggers, swords, tear gas, whips, firearms and ammunition are prohibited imports unless the appropriate import permit or official authorization has been obtained in advance from the relevant authorities.

This also applies to spear guns, fireworks, pyrotechnic products and explosives of any kind.

The import of plants and parts of plants, animals and animal products, biological specimens, radioactive substances and apparatus, dangerous drugs, chemicals, medicines, pharmaceutical items and poisons is forbidden without the necessary import permit or official authorization having been obtained in advance from the relevant authorities.

The value of food items brought into Seychelles by a passenger must not be in excess of the SCR3,000 personal/household allowance unless the relevant import permits have been obtained in advance.

Pornography in the form of obscene articles, publications, video tapes and software is strictly forbidden.

Where goods are imported in excess of allowances, payment of import tax is to be made in cash (or personal cheque drawn on a local account). Credit card facilities are not available for the payment of import tax.
For additional information, please visit:
https://www.iatatravelcentre.com/SC-Seychelles-customs-currency-airport-tax-regulations-details.htm#Import

Official:
New Year - 1st & 2nd January
Labour Day - 1st May
Liberation Day - 5th June
Constitution Day - 18th June
National Day - 29th June

Religious:
Good Friday - 3th April
Easter Sunday - 5th April
Corpus Christi - 4th June
Assumption Day - 15th August
All Saints' Day - 1st November
Immaculate Conception - 8th December
Christmas Day - 25th December

Irrespective of the nationality of the visitor and his or her family members, there are NO VISA requirements to enter Seychelles, unless you are travelling from an Ebola affected country, in which case you are required to apply for a visa PRIOR to being granted permission to enter Seychelles.
However, the following documents must be shown in order to obtain immigration clearance at the Seychelles International Airport:

1. A passport valid on the date of entry to and exit from Seychelles
2. Return or onward ticket
3. Proof of accommodation; including contact details
4. Sufficient funds for the duration of the stay

Holders of a "Kinderausweis" issued to German minors (up to and including 15 years of age) may enter Seychelles provided that this travel document contains a photo of the minor concerned.

Presentation of all of the above documents will grant you a Visitor’s Permit that will be issued upon arrival by the Seychelles Department of Immigration.

The Visitor’s Permit is initially valid for the period of visit of up to one month. It can be extended for a period of up to three months from the date of issue and capable of further extensions for successive periods not exceeding three months at a time to a maximum period of twelve months, provided that the person still meets the criteria of a bona fide visitor.

The visitor's permit is issued free of charge for the first three months after which there is a fee of SCR5,000 for extension covering each period of three months or any part thereof.

For all visa exemptions and extensions and other enquiries regarding immigration issues please contact:

Department of Immigration
Independence House
PO Box 430, Victoria
Mahé, Seychelles
Tel: +248 4 29 36 36
Fax: +248 4 22 50 35
Email: info@immigration.gov.sc

Seychelles time is 2 hours ahead of South African time, 4 hours ahead of GMT, 3 hours ahead of British summer time and 2 hours ahead of European summer time.

Visitors may enjoy almost 12 hours of daylight throughout the year with sunrise occurring just after 06h00 and the sun setting around 18h30

Consult a detailed bus schedule, which can be obtained from the bus depot, for exact departure and arrival times.

Independently operated taxis are available on Mahé and Praslin, and a handful on La Digue. You can hail one from the street, at designated taxi stands or by simply phoning a driver directly. It is advisable to request a metered ride, or if a particular taxi is not equipped with a meter, quotes should be negotiated and agreed prior to the trip. Many drivers will take clients on sightseeing tours for a set tariff.

Cars may be hired only on Mahé and Praslin with several companies represented at the International airport on Mahé and at the larger hotels. Hired vehicles, which can also be booked through your ground handling operator, range from Mini-Mokes to saloon cars, 4-wheel drives, chauffeured Mercedes Benz and small vans. A valid E.U. or International licence is required to rent vehicles and most companies will deliver your rental to a location of your choice. Vehicles are driven on the left-hand side.

There are also the services of knowledgeable guides who will help you to discover the numerous walking trails and interesting sites on the islands, by foot or in the comfort of a tour bus.

You can also discover the islands by bicycle, readily available for hire on La Digue and Praslin, where they are a popular mode of transport.

Island-hopping is made possible through a regular network of air and sea transport primarily operating out of the principal island, Mahé.

Air Seychelles operates a shuttle service between Mahé and Praslin, the second largest island. The flight lasts only 15 minutes with an average of 20 return flights every day. Air Seychelles also operates other inter-island flights, usually on the request of hotels to Bird, Denis, Desroches and Alphonse Islands.

Also part of the air network is Zil Air, a helicopter charter company which is specialising in island transfers, excursions and chartered scenic flights throughout Seychelles. The Islands Development Company (IDC) specialises in charter flights mostly to the Outer Islands of Seychelles.

Two types of sea ferry operate in Seychelles: the traditional and the modern.

The traditional, sail-assisted schooner-type ferries operate from the BaieSte.Anne Jetty on Praslin to La Passe Jetty on La Digue.

The modern modes are the Cat Cocos service, that operate transfers between the Inter-Island Quay of Victoria and the BaieSte. Anne Jetty on Praslin (less than 1hour duration), and the Kat Roses, a catamaran that operates mainly from the BaieSte.Anne Jetty on Praslin to La Passe Jetty on La Digue.

Online bookings and e-ticketing has been made possible for trusted ferry operators in the Seychelles by Seychellesbookings. Cat Cocos and Inter Island Ferry offer their routes between Praslin, Mahe and La Digue through this site, making live seat availability and reservation accessible online.

Light clothing suitable for Seychelles' warm tropical climate is recommended and visitors should prepare themselves for the relatively hot, humid atmosphere. Also, for plenty of sun.

Bring hats, sunglasses and adequate UV protection - SPF30+ is advisable. It is important to remember that even on an overcast day the tropical sun is still strong and able to cause unpleasant sunburn. Wearing a t-shirt for the first swim or snorkel is a good idea.

A camera is an absolute must! Please bring a stock of film (particularly for non-standard cameras and video cameras) together with a supply of batteries.

Casual evening wear (long trousers for men), together with appropriate footwear, is necessary for dining out and for gaining entrance to casinos and most hotels.

Sturdy walking shoes are recommended if you intend to take guided walk and trail excursions.

Visitors suffering from a specific medical condition should be sure to bring an adequate stock of the appropriate medication along as well as their preferred brand of sun cream, mosquito repellent etc.

Seychelles office hours are Monday to Friday 0800hrs-1600hrs.Most government offices and some private businesses close on Saturdays and remain closed on Sundays and also on public holidays.

The Seychelles archipelago comprises 115 islands scattered over 1.3-million square kilometers of the Indian Ocean, and is recognised as one of the world’s most unspoilt natural havens, where rare species of bird and animal life thrive, undisturbed by modern threats to this delicate eco system.

The contrast in scenery is remarkable as it varies between the lush green vegetation of granitic islands, the barren landscape of the coralline islands, and the azure calm of the clear and exquisite ocean. Seychelles is one of the world’s very last frontiers, promises adventure and breathtaking natural beauty in pristine surrounds still untouched by man.

Map for Seychelles