The capital
City of Victoria on the island of Mahe
Language
French, English and Creole
Time
+1 hour to Moscow
Accommodation
There is no official classification of hotels in the Seychelles. Only five of all have IATA certificates.
Electricity
Voltage – 240V, 50Hz. The appliances use plugs with three square-shaped pins. Adapters are usually available in hotels.
Money
The official currency in the country is the Seychellois rupee (about 1 USD to 5.5 SCR chickens). Consists of 100 cents. In circulation are coins of 25 and 10 cents, 5 and 1 rupees, as well as banknotes of 100, 50, 25 and 10 rupees.
Banks and exchange offices
On weekdays, banks are open from 8.30 to 14 hours, and on Saturday from 8.30 to 11 hours.
Currency exchange at the official rate is possible in banks, in many hotels, as well as at the airport in special exchange offices.
In large shops, hotels and banks on large islands you can use a credit card, on numerous small islands it is not possible to use it.
It is more profitable to change traveler’s checks than currency. Courses are constantly printed in newspapers.
The shops
Large shopping centers on weekdays are open from 8 am to 4 pm. In the afternoon between 13 and 14 hours they usually have a break. Some of them are also open on Saturdays, from 8 am to 12 pm. Small shops are open from 9 am to 5 pm. See liuxers for Seychelles customs and traditions.
Shopping
The assortment in stores in the Seychelles is not too large, especially when compared with large European stores. Also, the goods are quite expensive, so everything you need for a vacation should be taken on a trip from home.
The best souvenir from the Seychelles is sea nut liqueur. But the sea nut itself is too expensive, and its export from the country is prohibited.
Useful phones and communication
At almost every step in the country you can find a pay phone. You can call from them using special cards that can be purchased at the post office and at kiosks.
To call the Seychelles, you need to dial 8-beep-10-248 (country code) – the number of the called subscriber.
To call an ambulance, the fire department or the police, dial 999.
Transport
There are not many taxis in the country. For the first kilometer you need to pay 15 rupees, for each next – 5 rupees. The metropolitan parking lot on Albert Street, located behind the post office building, is open around the clock.
You need a license to rent a car. No matter what, even Russian ones will do. You must also be at least 22 years of age.
The roads in the country are in rather poor condition, the locals do not drive very carefully. There are 6 gas stations on the island of Mahe, and 2 on Praslin. A liter of gasoline will cost about a dollar.
Tips
In restaurants, tips are 10% of the total order. A few rupees are supposed to be given to the maid or porter.
It is not customary to tip taxi drivers, but if you rented a taxi for a long trip or even a tour around the island, then a tip would be quite appropriate.
Security
There is a small risk of getting hepatitis A, so you should definitely get yourself vaccinated against this disease.
It is better to drink water on the islands only from special sealed bottles, but in no case from the tap.
Anti-mosquito cream is very useful.
