Seychelles has a reputation as one of the most expensive destinations in the world. It can be. Top-end resorts run to EUR 2,000+ per night, but it doesn’t have to be. Knowing what things actually cost helps you budget realistically.
The Seychelles Rupee
The currency is the Seychelles Rupee (SCR). At the time of writing, EUR 1 ≈ SCR 16, USD 1 ≈ SCR 14, GBP 1 ≈ SCR 18. The rupee is reasonably stable. ATMs dispense rupees and US dollars. Most hotels and tour operators accept Euros and USD in cash at near-bank rates.
Cards, ATMs, cash
Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted in hotels, restaurants, dive shops, supermarkets, and most tour operators. American Express is hit-and-miss. Smaller takeaways, taxi drivers and bus drivers want cash. ATMs are common on Mahé, several on Praslin, two on La Digue. Withdraw small amounts at a time. Fees can be EUR 5+ per withdrawal.
What things actually cost
| Item | Typical price |
|---|---|
| Sit-down lunch (local Creole takeaway) | SCR 100–180 (EUR 6–11) |
| Sit-down dinner (mid-range restaurant) | SCR 400–700 (EUR 25–45) |
| Resort dinner (top-end) | SCR 1,500–3,500+ (EUR 95–220) |
| Local beer (SeyBrew, bar) | SCR 50–80 |
| Bottle of decent wine (restaurant) | SCR 600–1,500 |
| Espresso | SCR 30–50 |
| Public bus (any distance) | SCR 7 |
| Taxi airport to Beau Vallon | SCR 500–700 |
| Rental car per day | SCR 700–1,200 |
| Cat Cocos ferry Mahé → Praslin | ~EUR 70 one way |
| La Digue bike rental per day | SCR 100–150 |
| Snorkel boat day-trip (Curieuse + St-Pierre) | EUR 80–120 |
| One scuba dive (gear included) | EUR 55–80 |
| Vallée de Mai entry | SCR 450 |
| Mid-range guesthouse, double room | EUR 80–180/night |
| Mid-range hotel, double room | EUR 250–500/night |
| Top-end resort, double room | EUR 700–2,500+/night |
Realistic daily budgets
- Backpacker. EUR 100–150/day. Guesthouse, self-catering breakfast and lunch, one Creole dinner, bus + bike, one boat trip.
- Mid-range. EUR 250–400/day. Comfortable hotel, restaurant meals, rental car a few days, a couple of paid activities.
- Top-end. EUR 800+/day. Resort, restaurant dining, private transfers, multiple paid activities.
Tipping
Service charge (usually 10%) is included on restaurant bills. Extra tipping is appreciated but not expected. Rounding up taxis is standard. Hotel housekeeping: SCR 50–100 per night. Tour guides on shared boats: SCR 50–100 per person per day.
Frequently asked questions
Is Seychelles really as expensive as people say?
Yes and no. The top-end resorts are world-expensive. But local restaurants, public buses, ferries and self-catering apartments are very reasonable. Choosing the mid-tier accommodation and eating locally drops your costs by half.
Should I bring Euros or USD or just use ATMs?
A mix. Bring a few hundred Euros or USD cash for taxis, small purchases and emergencies. Use ATMs for rupees. Use a card with low foreign-transaction fees for everything else.
Are tips expected?
Service charge is usually already on the bill. Extra tipping is appreciated but not required. Round up taxis, leave SCR 50–100 for housekeeping.
What’s the best card to bring?
Visa or Mastercard with low foreign-transaction fees (Wise, Revolut, Chase Sapphire, Curve, etc.). Bring a backup card and keep them in different bags.