Seychelles: prices, how much does a vacation on the islands cost

Known for its picturesque beaches with crystal clear waters, Seychelles is one of the most beautiful island nations in the world. The three main islands - Mahe, La Digue and Praslin - attract tourists from all over the world. But visiting this tropical paradise comes at a cost. For example, the average cost of a weekly rather modest vacation in the Seychelles for 2 people is about $ 2,400, not counting air tickets to outlying islands. In terms of accommodation, food and shopping, Seychelles is more expensive than other popular tourist destinations such as Bali, Thailand and Mauritius.

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Housing cost

Accommodation prices in the Seychelles can vary greatly, from $50 to $1,000 per night and up. Lodging options are plentiful, including resorts, hotels, apartments, and guest houses.

There are not so many budget housing in the Seychelles yet. The cheapest option is guest houses and self-catering apartments. The price usually depends on the services offered and the location of the guesthouses. Prices start at $50 per night.

Mid-range hotels typically start at $200 per night, some of which are located on the seafront. If you want to stay in luxury resorts and 5-star hotels, expect $300-1000 per night for a double room.

To find the right option, when booking accommodation, indicate the island where you plan to stay. You will see options in your price range.

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Approximate prices for holidays in the Seychelles

Budget: less than $150 per day

• Double room in a guest house: $60–90
• Takeaway: $5
• Dinner at a mid-range restaurant: $20
• Bus ticket to Mahe or Praslin: $0.50

Medium range: $150–300

• Double room in a mid-range hotel: $150–250
• Lunch at a mid-range restaurant: $25
• Car rental per day: from $40
• One-time excursions: $55–100
• Ferry ride: $60

Expensive vacation: over $500

• Luxurious hotel room: from $ 350 - this is not the limit
• Dinner at an elite restaurant: from $50
• Helicopter transfer: from $400

There is also an association of couchsurfers in the Seychelles. Most hosts are located on Mahe. You can try to find a host to stay in the Seychelles for free.

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How much does food cost in the Seychelles

Food in the Seychelles is much more expensive than, for example, in Thailand. A plate of pasta will set you back $20, while a three-course meal with alcoholic beverages will cost $70–$80 per person.

The cost of food and drink in the Seychelles will vary depending on where you choose to eat.

The Seychelles is also full of takeaway places, small establishments and mobile vans throughout the island. And here they serve local dishes at incredibly low prices. It is here that many locals dine, as well as guests who want to dine tasty, but on a budget.

You can have a very inexpensive meal for 2-5 dollars near the stalls. Try the local Creole rice and curry. For just $3-$5, you can buy two main courses with a generous helping of rice and salad. Often they offer fish, chicken, beef or vegetable curries, served with rice and salad. There is also a lot of takeaway Chinese food, traditional fried noodles and rice.

The cost of lunch in a traditional restaurant is about $20. These are middle class establishments.

Fine dining restaurants are often located in hotels and resorts in the Seychelles. Seafood dishes in these restaurants will cost about $30 per person. The quality of food and service is top notch!

Leaving a tip in the Seychelles is not a common practice. Expensive hotels and restaurants sometimes add a service charge of 10-15% to the bill.

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Transport in the Seychelles

Traveling between major islands such as Praslin, La Digue and Mahe is very easy. But not cheap.

• The cheapest way is to take the ferry. For example, a ferry ride from Praslin to Mahe will cost $60. A ticket from La Digue to Praslin costs $20 per person. Unfortunately, only one monopoly ferry carrier operates. It serves routes between the three main islands and prices are high. Therefore, the less you travel between the islands, the cheaper the Seychelles vacation will cost.
• You can travel between the islands by plane. The flight from Mahe to Praslin (takes only about 15 minutes!) and will cost 150-200 dollars.
• Taxi in the Seychelles is quite expensive - $ 20 for a trip of just a couple of kilometers.
• You can rent a car for around $40 a day, which is pretty reasonable if you're traveling in a group and splitting the cost.
• The cheapest option is the bus. By the way, incredible views of the ocean open up along the way! Both on Praslin and Mahe, a bus ticket costs 6-7 SCR (approximately $ 0.5). Buses run infrequently, so it's worth checking the schedule. You can ask for it at the hotel.
• On La Digue, it's best to walk or rent a bike for 10 euros. As a rule, this situation is on all small islands.

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The cost of beaches in the Seychelles

In the Seychelles, there are closed beaches that are only available to guests of a certain resort. But most of the beaches are completely free to visit and free of charge.

You can enjoy white sand and blue water. Watch birds, bats and turtles moving around the island. Explore amazing underwater nature right from the beach - all completely free. Among these beaches can be noted Anse Coco on La Digue, Anse Lazio on Praslin and Beau Vallon on Mahe. Paid beaches are rather an exception. For example, the entry on Anse Source d'Argent on La Digue, recognized as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, costs 100 SCR ($7).

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Excursions in the Seychelles: price

There are few paid attractions outside of day tours. Visit Anse Source D'Argent on La Digue will set you back $8 and the entrance fee to Vallee de Mai on Praslin is $26 per person.

Snorkeling or diving is one of the best things to do in the Seychelles. For example, a trip that allows you to admire the beauties of marine life costs $40. If you want to go diving with a professional guide, expect $100.

Travelers visiting the Seychelles can also take a boat trip to one of the many nearby islands. These excursions usually include lunch, snorkeling and visiting several different islands.

The cost is about $70 and each dive at the dive center is about $60 (less if you have your own gear).

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Road to Seychelles: flight

The cost of a flight to this tropical paradise depends on the country of departure, the airline and the date of the flight. You can find flights to the Seychelles for between $500 and $2,000 depending on where you're flying from. For example Air France and British Airways offer direct flights to the Seychelles from London and Paris.

How to spend less in the Seychelles

• Opt for a self-catering apartment instead of a resort or hotel. This way you cut down on food costs.
• To keep costs down, try to stay in an apartment with a kitchen or a guesthouse that serves breakfast. Fruit, toast, yogurt, eggs are usually served.
• Skip the busy tourist restaurants and try the local Creole takeaway.
• Use public transport! The cheapest way to travel is by bus.
• If you are staying on the island of La Digue, walk: the length of the island is only 5 km. Renting a bike costs about $10 per day.
• Take your snorkeling and diving equipment.
• As elsewhere, buying from street vendors is cheaper than shopping malls or supermarkets, which are full of imported goods.

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Seychelles prices

According to numbeo.com, life in the Seychelles is quite high. Average cost of services and goods:

Going to a restaurant

• Inexpensive restaurant - $12.99
• Lunch for 2, mid-range restaurant, three courses - $61.91
• McMeal at McDonalds - $6.19
• Local beer (0.5 l) - $4.23
• Imported beer (0.33 l) - $4.02
• Cappuccino - $4.72
• Cola / Pepsi (0.33 l) - $1.86
• Water (0.33 l) - $1.40

Shopping in markets and shops

• Milk (1 liter) - $1.55
• Bread (500 g) - $1.24
• Rice (1kg) - $2.07
• Eggs (12) - $2.43
• Local cheese (1 kg) - $23.95
• Chicken fillet (1 kg) - $4.81
• Beef (1 kg) - $9.20
• Apples (1 kg) - $2.68
• Banana (1 kg) - $ 2.53
• Oranges (1 kg) - $1.07
• Tomato (1 kg) - $4.66
• Potatoes (1 kg) - $0.93
• Onion (1 kg) - $0.94
• Salad (1 head) - $0.94
• Water (1.5 liter bottle) - $0.99
• Bottle of wine - $8.92
• Local beer (0.5 l) - $2.52
• Imported beer (0.33 l) - $2.91
• Cigarettes (Marlboro) - $10.39

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Travel and accommodation

• Travel - $ 0.64
• Taxi landing - $4.72
• Taxi for 1 km - $3.21
• Gasoline (1 liter) - $1.20
• Renting an apartment (1 bedroom) in the city center per month - $ 890.91
• Renting an apartment (1 bedroom) outside the center - $568.60

How much does a trip to the Seychelles cost? The amount you require depends on many factors, such as the length of your trip, your preferred mode of transport, choice of accommodation, area, and food. Budget travelers staying in hostels and self-catering apartments should expect $100 a day. This includes sightseeing, getting around the Seychelles, food and lodging.

But a traveler on an average budget will spend roughly $150-$200 a day on accommodation, boat trips, food and drink.

Wealthy travelers can spend well over $1,000 a day in the Seychelles, especially if they plan to stay in 5-star resorts, rent a car and dine in luxury restaurants.

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Summing up, we can say that the average cost of a holiday in the Seychelles is about the same as in the Maldives. Seychelles is not a budget destination. But even here you can live on $100 a day.