Tourist info A – J
This section aims to provide you with instant knowledge of the destination, orientating you in such a way as to allow you to make the most of your vacation. Everything you need to know is here, from immigration and health requirements to banking regulations and credit cards, medical services and information about electricity, communications and drinking water.
Of particular note is the ENTRY FORMALITIES section that lists all the requirements for entering Seychelles. Among other things, it advises that, whatever the nationality of the visitor and his or her family members,
NO VISAS are required for entry.
ATM
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).
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. Please keep your receipt to prove that your exchange of money is legal
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.
Credit Cards
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.
Customs facilities
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.
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.
Do’s and don’ts
Do’s & Don’ts
This section covers those areas or activities which, in the interests of enjoying a fine holiday experience, are best avoided. 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.
Do not stay at unlicensed tourism premises as these may not offer you the quality of vacation that you had envisaged and may lead to a range of disappointing experiences.
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.
Remember that the sun in Seychelles is very strong. Do not lie in it without applying sun block of an appropriate strength for your skin.
Please do not litter. If there are no litter bins immediately available, then please take your litter back to your hotel and dispose of it accordingly.
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.
Electricity
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.
Emergency
Emergency Numbers
The following are specific emergency numbers which you may contact during your stay in Seychelles
POLICE
Emergency: 999
Hotline: 133
Central Police Station: 4 28 80 00
HOSPITAL
Emergency: 151
Seychelles Hospital: 4 38 80 00
Praslin Hospital: 4 23 23 33
La Digue Logan Hospital: 4 23 42 55
SEYCHELLES FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICES
Emergency: 999
Hotline: 4 32 32 42
Fire and Rescue: 4 28 99 50
DIVISION OF RISK AND DISASTER MANAGEMENT
Emergency: 4 67 22 10 / 4 67 22 11
Risk and Disaster Management: 4 67 22 00
Health clinics can be found in most districts. Their respective contact numbers can be supplied by your hotel or found in the local telephone directory.
Remember to add the international dialling code (248) when dialling a Seychelles number from abroad.
Entry formalities
Irrespective of the nationality of the visitor and his or her family members, there are NO VISA requirements 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
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.
Health Regulations
Health requirements for visiting in Seychelles are minimal. You will be asked to fill a small section on the arrival form that will be handed over at the airport immigration desk.
There is no yellow fever in Seychelles and as a precaution, a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travelers over 1 year of age who come from or who have passed through a partly or wholly infected area within the preceding 6 days.
There is NO risk of contracting malaria in Seychelles given that the anopheles mosquito does not exist in Seychelles.
Health clinics exist on the islands of Mahe, Praslin and La Digue and there are dispensaries on each of the islands offering accommodation. There are also private health and dental clinics on Mahe, Praslin and only one private health clinic on La Digue. Hotels have the contact of these private practitioners should their in house resident guests need medical assistance.
Hours of business
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.
Internet
The offices of internet service providers and internet cafés are located in or around central Victoria. Among the increasing number of Internet cafés, several may be found in the Beau Vallon area on Mahé. Most of the accommodations has internet-facilities WiFi for free or at cost. Just to be sure: take your own device with you.
