From: owner-travel-advisories Subject: NEW TRAVEL INFO -- Seychelles Newsgroups: wstd.travel.advisories Date: Mon, 20 Jul 1998 19:26:14 GMT Organization: The World @ Software Tool & Die Xref: world wstd.travel.advisories:1829 Path: world!bzs Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Message-ID: <199807201530_MC2-53A4-C2EE@compuserve.com> Content-Disposition: inline Precedence: bulk Sender: "U.S. Department of State" <76702.1202@compuserve.com> Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Mime-Version: 1.0 Distribution: wstd Approved: usenet@world.std.com X-List-Info: LN=travel-advisories WHOM=76702.1202@compuserve.com Lines: 118 STATE DEPARTMENT TRAVEL INFORMATION - Seychelles ============================================================ Seychelles - Consular Information Sheet July 16, 1998 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: A valid passport, onward/return ticket, and proof of sufficient funds are required. A one-month entry visa may be obtained upon arrival, which may be extended for up to one year. There is an airport departure tax of Seychelles Rupees 100 (about $18). For further information, travelers may consult the Permanent Mission of Seychelles to the United Nations, 820 Second Avenue, Suite 203, New York, N.Y. 10017; telephone number (212) 687-9766. Medical Facilities: Medical facilities in Seychelles are limited, especially in the isolated islands where doctors are often unavailable. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services. Adequate medical services are available in Nairobi. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health care services. U.S. medical insurance is not always valid outside the United States. The Medicare/Medicaid program does not provide for the payment of medical services outside the United States. Travelers have found supplemental medical insurance with specific overseas and medical air evacuation coverage to be useful. For further information, travelers can contact the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's International Travelers Hotline at 1-888-232-3228, or their autofax service at 1-888-232-3299, or their Internet site at http://www.cdc.gov. Information on Crime: Petty crime is common. Violent crime against tourists is 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. Thieves may target boats left unlocked while in Victoria harbor. The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to local police and to the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. The pamphlets "A Safe Trip Abroad" and "Tips for Travelers to Sub-Saharan Africa" provide useful information on protecting personal security while traveling abroad and on travel in the region in general. Both are available from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402. Aviation Safety Oversight: As there is no direct commercial air service at present, or economic authority to operate such service, between the U.S. and Seychelles, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not assessed Seychelles's civil aviation authority for compliance with international aviation safety standards for oversight of Seychelles's air carrier operations. For further information, travelers may contact the Department of Transportation within the U.S. at 1-800-322-7873, or visit the FAA Internet Home Page at http://www.faa.gov/avr/iasa.htm. The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) separately assesses some foreign air carriers for suitability as official providers of air services. For information regarding the DOD policy on specific carriers, travelers may contact the Pentagon at (703) 697-7288. Drug Penalties: U.S. citizens are subject to the laws of the country in which they are traveling. Penalties for possession, use or trafficking in illegal drugs in Seychelles are strict, and convicted offenders can expect jail sentences and fines. Road Safety/Traffic Conditions: Roads are generally well-maintained, but are narrow and winding. Drivers should exercise caution due to a lack of shoulders and inadequate street lighting. Public transportation is good, but tends to be crowded during rush hours, and requires several transfers to reach a destination. Other Information: Many of the outer islands of Seychelles are extremely isolated, and travel by ship to these areas, including for rescue attempts, may be impossible in stormy weather. Many of the outer islands have no airstrips for accommodating air traffic. Import Prohibitions: Firearms and spearfishing equipment cannot be imported into Seychelles. Individuals cannot import fruits and vegetables. Warm-blooded animals must undergo a minimum quarantine period of six months. Registration/Embassy Location: The U.S. Embassy in the Seychelles closed August 30, 1996, and consular responsibility transferred to the U.S. Embassy in Mauritius, located at Rogers House (Fourth Floor) on John F. Kennedy Street in Port Louis. The telephone numbers are (230) 208-9764 through 208-9769, 208-2347 and 208-2354; fax (230) 208-9534. There is a consular agency in the Seychelles providing limited services, such as distribution of forms and information. U.S. citizens are encouraged to register at the consular agency and to obtain updated information on travel and security in the Seychelles. The agency is located at Victoria House, Victoria, Mahe; telephone (248) 225-256; fax (248) 225-189; e-mail usoffice@seychelles.net. The international mailing address is Victoria House, Box 251, Victoria, Mahe, Sechelles. No. 98-104 This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated October 18, 1996, to add information on Public Transportation, Civil Aviation Oversight, Crime, Import Prohibitions, and Embassy and Consular Agency e-mail addresses. ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- The "travel-advisories@stolaf.edu" mailing list is the official Internet and BITNET distribution point for the U.S. State Department Travel Warnings and Consular Information Sheets. 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