Seychelles is a breathtaking place with spectacular nature and unforgettable beaches.
Recently, I took a trip to explore this beautiful destination and see it for myself.
Why did I decide to travel to Seychelles knowing it’s so expensive?
The reason might surprise you.
When I was looking for my next adventure, I read a quote that said, “if something both excites you and scares you, you should definitely do it.”
I decided to make a move and book a ticket to Seychelles.
In the spirit of “definitely doing it,” I went all in and booked a ticket. I think I was a little too excited because I did this before running the research on costs. Let’s say I had a little bit of sticker shock when I started reserving hotels and activities!
don’t be me! You should always double-check those things before booking your flights, especially if you’re traveling on a budget!
However, I wasn’t shocked for too long. With careful planning, I had a wonderful solo female travel experience!
If you’re interested in traveling to this beautiful destination, here are some insights I gained throughout my travels to Seychelles.
Planning your trip
There were a few logistics I had to take care of before embarking on my journey. Importantly, I have a Lebanese passport and Emirates residency, meaning that I could get my visa upon arrival.
If you are arriving from another country, you can check if you need a visa or have any other requirements in case you do need a visa.
You should keep in mind that it is still COVID-times, which means that you need to do a PCR test before arrival.
When booking hotels, it’s best to start looking early. I kept things affordable and was able to see multiple islands by hotel hopping.
Working out your itinerary
I visited throughout the months of May – and I spent 6 nights & 7 days. My itinerary covered mainly Seychelles’ largest island Mahe and the second largest Praslin. Because I wanted to see so much, I decided to move around between different hotels. Most of these hotels were budget-friendly mainly because I was traveling solo and I didn’t have the budget to cover the luxurious hotel stays that is associated with how Seychelles is viewed. I did treat myself for one night at a luxury hotel. However, this doesn’t mean that all their stays are not filled with opulence. The complete opposite, all of the hotel stays I booked were beautiful.
When planning your days there, it’s good to look at the spots that you’d like to visit or the activities that you would want to do. Are you looking for more of a “spend the day by the beach” holiday? or do you want some adventure. There’s a common misconception that Seychelles is a honeymoon destination. It’s also a haven for adventurers. Here’s a few things you can add to your list when traveling to the Seychelles.
1. Copolia Lodge Trail, Mahe Island:
This is a gorgeous hiking trail that takes you up to the 497-meter high Copolia which sits at 1,630 feet and provides you with a panoramic overview of the entire island of Mahe as well as neighboring islands. The trail takes you through a shaded forest where you’ll be able to see Sainte Anne Marine National Park and Victoria, the capital as you ascend up the trail. When the skies are clear, the views will stretch out all the way to Praslin & La Digue.
The trail takes about 2 hours (return trip) where you can start from Port Launay. There is an entrance fee to the park but it’s 100 Seychelle Ruppees (SCR) or 7 Euros.
2. Valleé de Mai, Praslin Island:
Known as the real Garden of Eden to the residents of the island. This place is considered one of the smallest UNESCO World Heritage sites mainly because it is home to the unique Coco De Mer palm trees. These trees produce the latest seeds in the world, a living remnant of the ancient palm tree forests on Praslin. A free information leaflet is distributed to all the visitors on their entrance. You can even opt for an independent tour guide that offer a unique and informative experience of the place.
Opening times is from 9:00 AM until 4:00 PM
3. Anse Marron, La Digue Island
Taking you away from those guidebook highlights, this is one of the most secluded beaches you’ll ever lay your eyes on, definitely an adventurous tour to embark on. Anse Marron is a wonderful beach that’s split into two different sections. There’s one side where the waves are massive and dangerous to swim in and another that is protected from the open ocean by the giant boulders, forming a crystal clear lagoon.
The hike is best accompanied by a tour guide because the way to get there can be a little bit dangerous. the tour will also generally include lunch, with a bit of relaxing time. Overall the whole thing would be around 6-7 hours which makes it great for a half day.
4. Curieuse & St. Pierre Islands
One of my favorite activities is snorkeling, and having done that in Curieuse & St. Pierre islands with Geoli Charters allowed me to explore the underwater world. Snorkeling is great because it doesn’t require a lot of equipment. You’ll just need your mask and flippers and you’re good to go. Over there in those islands, the underwater world is just crazy. You’ll see angel fish, plenty of corals, manta rays, sea turtles and sometimes even reef sharks. The fascinating marine landscape is endless.
5. Victoria Market, Mahe Island
If you’re like me and love to get your hands on fresh fruit then the best place to explore and indulge is at the Victoria Market (Sir Selwyn Clarke Market). It’s a small, yet really colorful local market that offers fresh produce, fish, spices and even souvenirs to take home. The market is known to come alive every day except on Sundays. It’s usually also really busy on Saturdays too. The country has one of the best papayas i’ve ever tried so definitely make sure to grab some while you’re there!
Transportation
ISLAND TO ISLAND
There are two main airports in Seychelles. There’s one in Mahe, the capital island and another one in Praslin, the second largest island. Etihad Airlines offer direct flights to both those and Emirates Airline too. You can also look at Skyscanner if you’re looking for cheaper options.
Once you arrive to the islands, and if you want to move in between islands, then the best way to do it is through Cat Cocos Ferry, the leading ferry operator in Seychelles. they provide daily operations between the main islands of Mahe, Praslin and La Digue. The best time to book is 48 hours in advance to secure your spot as they start to fill up quite quickly. It’s also important to note that you should keep an eye out on their schedule as it can change depending on the weather.
WITHIN THE ISLANDS
The easiest way to get around both Mahe and Praslin Island is by renting a car. La Digue Island is relevantly small, so car transportation isn’t that common on the island (you could instead rent a bicycle and bike around the whole island)
Car rentals in Seychelles usually start from EUR 40, depending on the type of car you’re looking to rent. I managed to get by just fine with a Hyundai i10. It was small and compact and highly fitting for a solo traveler like me. but you can opt for a bigger car if you’re a family or groups of 2 or more people. There are plenty of car rentals in Mahe and Praslin which you can also find on booking.com
you have to be a little careful driving around though, especially in Mahe it can get a little challenging since the roads are super narrow and there are a lot of steep uphill battles if you drive around the entire island. Be extra careful if it’s raining as well, just take it slow and you’ll be totally okay.
You can also choose to book a private taxi, which can get a little expensive (probably around 40 – 120 USD) depending on the distance. it’s just much more convenient in my opinion to book your own car rental. You’ll have the freedom to explore the entire island at your own pace, which makes it all the more raw.
Another transportation option you might want to know about too is taking the bus. It costs around 7 Seychelles Ruppees (SCR) which is EUR 0.4 but the trips are quite long and time consuming.
Where To Stay:
ah! the 1000 dollar question
is Seychelles affordable? Well, yes and no. It really all depends on the plan that you have at hand. Say you’re a group of 4 people – you can definitely save up some money by renting an airBNB or just booking 2 twin rooms. Or you might be the type of person who enjoys luxury stays, which means you’ll be looking at a more pricier range. That’s what’s so beautiful about the Seychelles, it really does have options for all. I can say that I am the type of person who likes to move around a lot and explore as much as I can with the time that I have. Depending on the itinerary i have, i adjust the hotel & apartment stays accordingly.
Below are some of the hotels that i’ve stayed in throughout Seychelles. They range from affordable to palatial, factoring in where I wanted to stay and how close it is from the beach.
- Aqua Boutique Hotel is a hillside property that overlooks the north-coast side of the beach. Their king suites are like a one bedroom apartment, super spacious and cozy. costs can go as high as 200 Euros a night,
I really loved staying in this hotel. Comparative to the prices, the services, location and hospitality, the 200-250 Euro a night range is justifiable. It’s also only 150 m walk to the stunning Cote D’Or beach and a 10 minute drive to Anse Lazio.
This is considered the most luxurious out of the entire selection of hotels. Prices can go up to 500 Euros a night, but if you’re looking to indulge yourself, similar to the way I often enjoy, then one or two nights here wouldn’t hurt.
Should you travel to Seychelles despite how pricey it might get?
Absolutely!
With the proper planning, I’m confident that you too will have a fantastic time there and you’ll be able to work around your budget.
I was hesitant to visit as a solo female traveler initially, considering the costs, but all my worries melted away when I got there. it was worth it.
Traveling solo almost made me feel important, because everyone immediately knew who I was when I checked in. technically because I was literally he only solo traveler checking into the hotels haha.
The people I met there were so sweet and hospitable.
If you have the chance, I would highly recommend taking a journey to Seychelles.
Check out my instagram @dimavisuals if you want the latest updates of my travels