Local handicrafts include work with textiles (such as batik), fibers (such as basketwares, table-mats and hats) and wood (such as traditional furniture, ornaments and model boats). Pottery and paintings may also be bought. Special souvenirs might include jewelry made from green snail shells. Tea-growing and manufacturing in the Seychelles is done on a small scale. Local tea can be bought in the shops or when visiting the tea factory on Mahé, where many blends of tea may be sampled at the
Tea Tavern. Vanilla is cultivated as a climbing plant around the base of trees as it can be pollinated
by hand. Pods can be bought in shops and used as flavoring. Cinnamon grows wild on all the islands. It can be bought as oil or in quills made from dried bark which can be freshly grated before use.
Shopping hoursMon-Fri 0800-1700, Sat 0800-1200. Some shops close weekdays 1200-1300.
Currency Information:CurrencySeychelles Rupee (SCR) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of SCR100, 50, 25 and 10. Coins are in denominations of SCR5 and 1, and 25, 10 and 5 cents.
Note: Tourists must pay hotel bills in foreign currency (in the form of cash, traveller’s cheques or credit or debit cards). Payment in local currency is only allowed if an exchange receipt can be shown as proof of the conversion from foreign currency into local currency. The duty-free shop at the airport
only accepts credit cards or foreign cash.
Currency ExchangeExchange facilities are available at the airport banks, which are open for all flight departures and arrivals. The following banks have branches in the Seychelles and will exchange traveller’s cheques and foreign currency:
Barclays Bank,
Bank of Baroda,
Banque Française Commerciale,
Central Bank of Seychelles,
Development Bank of Seychelles,
Habib Bank Ltd,
Nouvo Banq and
Seychelles Savings Bank. Currency exchange receipts should be kept in order to facilitate re-exchange on departure.
Credit/Debit Cards and ATMsAmerican Express, MasterCard and Visa are widely accepted; Diners Club has more limited use. ATMs are available in Mahé and Praslin.
Traveller's ChequesAccepted in most hotels, guest houses, restaurants and shops. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travelers are advised to take traveller’s cheques in US Dollars or Pounds Sterling.
Banking HoursMon-Fri 0830-1430, Sat 0830-1100.
Exchange Rate Indicators| Date | Apr 07 |
| £1.00= | SCR12.10 |
| $1.00= | SCR6.12 |
| €1.00= | SCR8.18 |
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