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INFORMATION - Seychelles
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Pictures gallery of Seychelles |
It is imperative to be in possession of a valid passport. But you neither need a visa nor any kind of vaccination.
The official language is Creole, but almost all the inhabitants speak fluent French and English.
Sporting and informal dress is undoubtedly the most appropriate for a holiday in the islands, but in the evenings men will do well to wear long trousers in some of the hotels. And don’t forget your sunglasses, an electric torch, protective suntan creams, a cloth hat and, if you are a snorkelling fan, mask, fins and respirator mouthpiece.
The population of the Seychelles is for the most part Christian: Catholic, Anglican and Protestant. There are also Chinese, Hindu, Mueslin and Indian minorities, who practice their traditional religions.
The Seychelles are an independent republic within the British Commonwealth.
During the winter the time difference between the Seychelles and Italy amounts to three hours (i.e. noon in Italy corresponds to 3 p.m. in Mahé), but this is reduced to two hours during the period when summertime (depending when daylight saving is in force in your country).
Car hire. The best way of visiting the island of Mahé is to hire a car. All you need is an official driving licence of your own country. There is a speed limit of 45 km/h in inhabited centres and you have to drive on the left.
Public transport. A scheduled bus service is available at Mahé and Praslin between 5.30 a.m. and 7.00 p.m. (Attention: the service is reduced on Sundays!).
Regular ferry and hydrofoil services operate between the islands of Mahé, Praslin and La Digue.
One Euro values about 6.55 Seychelle Rupees at a bank. The banks publish the exchange rate fluctuations each three day and you can also change your money at the principal hotels. Credit cards (American Express, Visa, Diners) and traveller’s cheques are accepted in practically all the hotels.
The banks are open from 8.30 a.m. to 3.30 p.m. from Monday to Friday. Special counters at the airport open on the occasion of the arrival and departure of international flights.
We would suggest that you keep cash, passports and other valuable objects in the house. Carry only such cash as is strictly necessary when you go to the beach or on trips.
The electricity supply throughout the Seychelles is 240 V, three-phase. All the equipment installed at the house is designed for this voltage.
The dialing code for the Seychelles is 00248. Before you leave, find out in your own country (though you can also do this in the Seychelles) what dialling code you have to use when calling home. Card-operated public telephones (50, 100, 200 Rupees) are available in the Seychelles.
You will find the products of a flourishing local craftsmanship in the shops in Victoria and at the Artisan Village of Anse aux Pins: handbags, hats and palm-leaf baskets, objects made from coconut shells, seashell jewelry, and cosmetics derive from coconuts. At the market in Victoria, moreover, you can buy numerous spices and coco oil. While the boutiques offer you hand-printed cloths (batik), finely inlaid boxes and many other things. The shops are open from 8.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. from Monday to Friday and from 8.00 a.m. to 12.00 noon on Saturdays. Some shops are also open on Sunday mornings.
The production and sale of articles made from turtle shells has been forbidden in the Seychelles ever since 1 January 1995. Should you be offered such articles as contraband, it is as well to refuse, not only because the demand for such products encourages the massacre of a species in danger of extinction, but also because export is illegal in almost all the countries of the world and you would therefore risk substantial fines and the confiscation of the products.
Ambulance and Fire Brigade – Tel. 999
Hospitals
- Victoria Hospital – Tel. 388000
- North East Point Hospital – Tel. 241044
- Glacis Police Station – Tel. 261161
- Beau Vallon Police Station – Tel. 288000
Air Seychelles, National Flights – Tel. 381340