Seychelles
READ MORESeychelles is an idyllic vacation getaway in the Indian Ocean, around 1,000 miles (1,600 km) east of Kenya. Often described as the “most beautiful place on earth”, it is actually an archipelago of 115 separate islands. Home to dazzling white-sand beaches and crystal-clear seas, it has (unsurprisingly) become one of the most desired tourist destinations on the planet. Attractions include fascinating nature parks, gorgeous natural formations, and, of course, world-class sunbathing.
Other
Information
CURRENCY
Seychellois Rupee (1 USD = 13.68 SCR – May 2019).
LANGUAGE AND POPULATION
Seychelles has three official languages: Seychellois Creole, English, and French. The most widely spoken is Creole, a language with French roots and influences from Africa and Asia. However, English is the official language of business and the majority of people within the tourist industry speaks English.
Capital City
Victoria, on Mahé Island, is the capital of Seychelles.
Religion
Christianity, by a long way, is the most practiced religion in Seychelles. The majority of Christians (76%) are Roman Catholics. However, as a multicultural nation, Seychelles does have followers of many other faiths including Hinduism, Islam, and the Baháí Faith.
SIZE
Made up of 115 islands, the landmass adds up to 459 km2 with a population of 95,843 (2017).
Government
Seychelles runs democratic elections every five years to choose their president who is both their head of state and government leader. The current president (2019), Danny Faure of the People’s Party, was sworn in during 2016 following the resignation of former president James Michel.
Highlights
01 Pristine White Sand Beaches
02 Lush Green Forests and Jungles
03 Diving and Snorkeling
04 Amazing Seafood
Top 5 Destinations
01 Morne Seychellois National Park
02 Curieuse Island
03 Anse Lazio beach in Praslin
04 Vallee de Mai Natural Reserve
05 La Digue Island
Unique Experience
• Head to Bird Island to meet Esmeralda, the largest free-roaming tortoise in the world, weighing more than 300 kg (661 lbs) and he is estimated to be around 170 years old
• Go on an animal safari looking out for the rare black parrot and the Gardiner’s Seychelles frog, one of the world’s smallest frogs
• Go on a day tour at Curieuse Island from Praslin Island where you can snorkel, see a giant tortoise, swim and sunbathe, and enjoy a sumptuous lunch
• Try the famous Takamaka drink, best mixed with pineapple juice
• Rent a car and drive along the coast on Mahe, the main island, and go all around the island. You will see local eateries, food night market (south) and lots of green nature and amazing white sand beaches
Local Cuisines
Breadfruit Chips
A tropical food which is salted and fried, much like regular chips, and enjoyed as a snack.
Shark Chutney
A dish that combines boiled shark, lime juice, bilimbi juice, onion, pepper, salt, and turmeric.
Bat Curry
A local delicacy, the main ingredient is the Seychelles fruit bat which is cooked with a curry sauce, often with a fruity/coconut flavor.
Ladob
A delicious dessert created with either bananas or sweet potato and combined with coconut milk. Sweeteners such as nutmeg, cinnamon, and fresh vanilla are added.
Grilled Fish
Ubiquitous in Seychelles, it sees fish taken straight from the surrounding waters and then barbequed. The fish might come stuffed with garlic, ginger, and chilis, while extra depth comes from coconut husks smoked on the barbeque’s hot coals.
Type of Travel
Pre-plan with Agencies
We recommend a DIY as it is the norm for most visitors especially because most people only stay in 1 or 2 places. You can then arrange your chosen activities and excursions via a tour operator arranged through your accommodation. You will also find independent tour providers on the streets.
Hotel Information
If you are hoping to save some money on your trip, it’s possible to organize it yourself. Stay in cheaper hotels, eat street food, and use public transport.
Transportation
If you’re staying on the larger islands of Mahé and Praslin, it’s possible to ride the local buses. However, if you’re on a smaller island, such as La Digue, hiring a bike and cycling is more convenient.
Island Hopping
If you’re planning on doing some island hopping, you can take the inter-island ferries which also provide magnificent views. Domestic flights can take you between Mahé and Praslin, taking around 15 minutes.
Least Favorite
Almost everything, from accommodations to restaurants is expensive. Budget travel is possible in Seychelles, however even that is still expensive and choices are limited.
Everything is set up to be romantic and mostly directed toward couples. So don’t expect to meet and hang out with a new group of friends since most are there on their honeymoon.
They don’t permit AirBnB, Couchsurfing or similar arrangements, which makes it more difficult to do budget travel and to get in contact and meet the locals.
Planning Your Trip
Time allocation 3and itinerary suggestion
• If you’re taking an international flight, you will arrive on Mahé island, near the capital Victoria. Spend the next three to four days exploring the island, making sure to visit the Morne Seychellois National Park, Sir Selwyn Selwyn-Clarke Market, Port Glaud Waterfall, and the Botanical Gardens.
• If you have time, fit in a trip to Bird Island, which is a 30-minute flight away from Mahé. We recommend arranging a boat transfer though if that option is available to you. Better for the environment! Here you can spend a couple of days watching the local wildlife and a bit of time with Esmeralda, the tortoise.
• Next, take a ferry over to Praslin. Here, you should visit the Vallee de Mai Nature Reserve, relax on the beautiful Anse Lazio Beach, and visit the Giant Tortoise Farm in Curieuse Island.
• After, head to La Digue for another three days. Here, you’ll be able to visit Anse Marron (“perhaps the most stunning natural pool and beach combo on the planet,” according to Lonely Planet). You could also visit the Notre Dame de L’Assomption, a yellow Catholic church, and finally relax on the Anse Source d’Argent Beach.
• Finally, spend your last day or two on the beaches of Mahé, such as Anse Takamaka, relaxing before your flight home.
Budget
Seychelles is not a budget destination, although it’s possible to save money along the way. Street food is a cheaper alternative to pricier restaurants while hiring a bike or riding the local bus is relatively cost-effective. You should budget for at least $160 per day for your trip, which includes accommodation.
An excellent meal in one of Seychelles’ best restaurants can cost upwards of $50 per person. Street food is significantly cheaper at just $3 to $5. Expect to pay around $1.30 for a 1.5-liter bottle of water and around $1.60 for a half-liter of domestic beer.
A stay in a guesthouse costs anywhere from $60 to $90 while a luxury hotel room can go from $350 upwards. There are also some AirBnB places available even though it is actually not allowed to rent out via AirBnB locally. So if you go with this option, make sure to coordinate properly with your host first, especially what address to put at the immigration when you arrive in Seychelles.
Getting Here
International travelers will arrive by plane into the Seychelles International Airport (also known as Aéroport International des Seychelles). There are direct connections from the UK, Europe, and Asia but the majority of travelers will have a layover, which will take place either in mainland Africa or the Middle East.
FROM UK
FROM US
FROM EUROPE
FROM ASIA
Safety & Security
If you come to the Seychelles, you shouldn’t be overly concerned about becoming a crime victim. The majority of tourists will feel very safe when they come to the islands. However, you should take the normal precautions you would anywhere in the world.
You should also take caution when you are driving anywhere. The roads can lack safety barriers and may have sheer drops.
Getting Around
Getting around Seychelles really depends on where you are. As mentioned previously, the larger islands, such as Mahé and Praslin, has a fairly reliable (and cheap) bus network. Otherwise, renting a car is also a great way to get around and explore especially the bigger island of Mahé. The most convenient is to rent in Victoria, we took a bus to the southernmost tip and rented a car by asking our hotel and the price was significantly lower. If you go during the busy season, make sure to rent your car from home. Hiring of taxi is also available.
Hopping between islands is fairly easy. Opt for the ferry, which is the cheapest and more environmental-friendly option.
More than just a
honeymoon destination”
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