From: 76702.1202@CompuServe.COM (Charlie Smith)
Newsgroups: rec.travel
Subject: *NEW* TRAVEL INFORMATION -- Seychelles
Date: 7 Jan 1993 20:55:47 -0600
Organization: UTexas Mail-to-News Gateway
NNTP-Posting-Host: cs.utexas.edu

STATE DEPARTMENT TRAVEL INFORMATION - Seychelles
============================================================
Seychelles - Consular Information Sheet
 December 24, 1992

Embassy Location:  The U.S. Embassy is located on the fourth floor 
of Victoria House, in the capital city of Victoria.  The mailing 
address from the United States is Box 148, Unit 62501, APO AE 09815. 
 The international mailing address is Victoria House, Box 251, 
Victoria, Mahe, Seychelles.  The telephone number is (248) 25256.

Country Description:  Seychelles is an island nation in the Indian 
Ocean off the east coast of Africa.  The principal island of Mahe 
has a population of about 50,000.  The two other islands with 
significant permanent populations are Praslin and La Digue.  
Facilities for tourism are generally well developed.

Entry Requirements:  With a passport, onward/return ticket and 
proof of sufficient funds for the required visit, a visa to enter 
Seychelles can be issued to the visitor upon arrival and is valid 
for a stay of one month.  There is no charge.  The visa may be 
extended for a period of up to one year.  For further information, 
the traveler can consult the Permanent Mission of Seychelles to the 
United Nations, 820 Second Avenue, Suite 203, New York, NY  10017.  
The telephone number is (212) 922-9177.

Medical Facilities:  Medical facilities in Seychelles are limited.  
Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health 
services.  Not all U.S. medical insurance is valid outside the 
United States.  Supplemental medical insurance with specific 
overseas coverage, including medical evacuation, has proved to be 
useful.  Seychelles has a healthy, although hot and humid, climate.  
There is no malaria or rabies in Seychelles, although there are 
occasional outbreaks of dengue fever.  This rarely affects tourists. 
 Current information on health matters can be obtained from the 
Centers for Disease Control's international travelers hotline, 
telephone (404) 332-4559.

Information on Crime:  Petty crime is common in Seychelles, 
although violent crime against tourists is considered to be rare.  
Travelers who keep valuables in hotel safes and who close and lock 
hotel windows at night, even while the room is occupied, are less 
likely to be at risk.  It is dangerous, particularly for women, to 
swim alone at isolated beaches.  Boats left unlocked while in 
Victoria Harbor may be targeted by thieves.  Further information on 
safeguarding valuables and protecting personal security while 
traveling abroad is provided in the pamphlet, "A Safe Trip Abroad," 
available from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government 
Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402.

Drug Penalties:  Penalties for possession, use or trafficking in 
illegal drugs are strictly enforced.  Convicted offenders can expect 
jail sentences and fines.  

Import Prohibitions:  Firearms and spearfishing equipment cannot be 
imported into Seychelles.  Fruits and vegetables cannot be imported 
by casual travelers.  Dogs must undergo a minimum quarantine of six 
months, which is strictly enforced, before being allowed entry into 
Seychelles.

Tips for Travelers:  The Department of State publication "Tips for 
Travelers to Sub-Saharan Africa" is available from the 
Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, 
Washington, D.C. 20402.  It contains general information on travel 
in the area.  

Registration:  U.S. citizens who register at the U.S. Embassy in 
Victoria can obtain updated information on travel and security in 
Seychelles and vicinity.

 No. 92-163



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