University of Seychelles American Institute of Medicine

Seychelles Facts

Currency

The Seychelles Rupee (SCR = 100 Cents). Notes: SCR 10, 25, 50, 100. Coins 5, 10, 25 cents, SCR 1, 5. Most credit cards and travelers’ cheques are accepted. Import: Local and foreign – no restrictions. Export: Local – up to SCR 100 in notes and 10 in coins. Any other excess may be exchanged at the airport banks. Foreign: No restrictions. Rates of exchange are published in the daily newspaper, The Nation.

Credit Cards

American Express, Diners Club and Visa cards are widely accepted.

Time

Seychelles is four hours ahead of GMT and three hours ahead of Central European Time.

Public Holidays

Climate

26º-29ºC all year round. Annual rainfall totals approximately 90 inches, with heavy showers between November and February. As the islands lie beyond the cyclone belt, high winds and thunderstorms are rare.

Electricity

240 volts AC 50 Hz.

Tourist Information

The Seychelles Tourist Office is located in Independence House, Victoria, and Mahe.

Emergency Services

The Emergency number for fire, police or ambulance is 999.

Victoria Hospital: 388000

Medical Services

Victoria has a large and efficient hospital and most islands have health clinics.

Post Office

The central office in Victoria is open from 0800 – 1600 Monday – Friday and 0800 – 1200 Saturday.

Telecommunications

Cable and Wireless in Francis Rachel Street, Victoria, operates a cable, telephone and telex service. Airtel provides with GCM mobile services with indoor/outdoor coverage on the three main islands of Mahe, Praslin, and La Digue: Prepaid Cellular cards are available one the islands as well as the Airport and has International Roaming facilities with over 20 countries. Public phone booths are also located on many of the islands. Internet and email available on many of the islands.

Language

Creole, English, and French are the official languages of Seychelles.

Tipping

Restaurant bills normally include a service charge. Although not widely expected, tips are warmly received for personal service.

Clothes

Very casual. For men, shorts and t-shirts during the day, and slacks for the evening, jackets and ties are rarely worn. For women, cotton wrap-around or shorts for daytime and cool dresses for evening wear.

Transport

An efficient bus service operates daily on Mahe, Praslin and La Digue between 0530-1900. Taxis are available and cars or mopeds can also be hired on Mahe and Praslin. A valid international license is required for self-driving.

Air Seychelles offers regular domestic services to five neighboring islands. A number of ferry services also operate to a selection of islands. Helicopter Seychelles flies shuttle services to La Digue, Silhouette and other islands. It also operates daily scenic flights from various hotels on Mahe.

Telephone: 248-373900

Accommodations

Seychelles offers a variety of accommodations, from international, resort and medium-size hotels with all facilities to guest houses, lodges, and chalets on the smaller islands. Camping is not allowed.

Sports and Water Sports

Most water sports are enjoyed throughout the islands. Seychelles also provides excellent facilities for diving, scuba-diving, and fishing.

Museum and Libraries

The National Museum is on Independence Avenue, Victoria. The History Museum is on Statehouse Avenue, Victoria. The National Library and National Archives are on Frances Rachel Street, Victoria.

Shopping

Local handicrafts include basket-wear, table-mats, hats, jewelry and paintings. Shops are open from 0800-1700 Monday-Fridays, 0800-1200 Saturday. Some open Sunday morning.

Restaurant

A range of cuisine is available, from traditional Creole to French cuisine to Chinese. In addition to hotels and restaurants, several take-away outlets can be found in Victoria.

Nightlife

There is one cinema in Victoria. Theatrical productions are sometimes staged in Creole, English and French.