money

Money, Banking, Currency

The local currency is the Seychelles Rupee (SCR) which is divided into 100 cents. Coins come in 5, 10, 25 cents, and 1 and 5 Rupee denominations. Notes come in 10, 25, 50, 100 and 500 Rupee denominations.

Exchange rates are featured on the Central Bank of Seychelles website, in the Nation newspaper and are also available at all banks.

Banking hours are generally Monday-Friday 0800hrs-1400hrs, and Saturday 0800hrs-1100hrs. All banks process traveller’s cheques and foreign exchange transactions. Passports are required for visitors’ transactions and nominal commissions may be charged. ATM facilities exist at major banks on Mahé, Praslin and La Digue and at the airport on Mahé and Praslin. Please note that these provide cash in local currency.

Visitors to the islands are now entitled to make payments for services/products in Seychelles rupees.  The discretion to pay in another currency other than the Seychelles rupee shall lay solely with the visitor.  Exchange rates will be determined by the market and may differ from bank to bank or at various bureaux de change.

Exchanging foreign currency into Seychelles Rupees must only be done at banks, with authorised money dealers such as a bureau de change, or with other licenced operators.

Visitors should refrain from exchanging money with any individuals who approach them in a public place as there is a very high possibility that those persons are engaging in unauthorized dealing, possibly with counterfeit currency.

BE WARNED! It is a criminal offence to change money with any person or business other than those authorised to do so and who are mentioned above.

Credit cards are widely accepted throughout Seychelles. When acquiring rupees by credit card, it is advisable to exchange only what is needed on a daily basis.

Subject to availability at the different banks, visitors wishing to exchange Seychelles Rupees for foreign currency may shop around at banks and bureaux de change in order to gain the best rate.

Credit Cards

MasterCard / Access and Visa cards are widely accepted while Diners Club and American Express cards are honoured to a somewhat lesser extent. Such cards may be used for car hire, hotel and restaurant services, for all of which the visitor will be charged in foreign currency.Shops and boutiques accepting credit cards will typically display the relevant card logo on their doors or windows.

ATM facilities exist at major banks on Mahé, Praslin and La Digue and at the airport on Mahé and Praslin. These machines provide cash in local currency; Seychelles Rupees (SCR)