If you don’t know about shopping in the Seychelles and its supermarkets, continue reading this blog till the end to collect local souvenirs and others from the right place. Seychelles may be the smallest African country, with only around 1,00,000 population, but in 2022, over 3,00,000 people visited it. It is because of being an archipelago with 115 islands, like a string of pearls in the middle of the Indian Ocean. You cannot expect big malls like in India or other developed countries, but you can find shops in Victoria, Mahe, La Digua, and Praslin islands in most of its corners.
Formed over 150 million years ago, people inhabited the Seychelles only in the 16th century, when it had two UNESCO World Heritage Sites. It gained independence from the British in 1976 and became one of the most popular tourist destinations worldwide. Also, many shops and supermarkets have opened on a few islands to sell local things to be bought as souvenirs. Jewelry, black pearls, fragrances, spices, woodwork, and other souvenirs to buy or eat to remember the fantastic experience in the Seychelles
Seychelles is only 451 square kilometers in area but has many private islands to enjoy nature at its best, as most islands are still unspoiled. Hence, except for a few islands, you cannot shop in others as only essential things will be available. Though indigenous people never inhabit Seychelles, most islanders maintain their Creole heritage. Creole cuisine consists of mouthwatering dishes like shark chutney, unique to Seychelles. Apart from tasting Creole food, it would help to buy many of its heritage things to be a souvenir of visiting Seychelles and remind you of your good times.
Though found only in a few numbers, supermarkets in the Seychelles have many colorful and vibrant markets. There are a few supermarkets in the Seychelles, from the Sir Selwyn Clarke Market and others in Victoria on Mahe Island to Baie Lazare Market in Praslin. Hence, if you want to know what and where to buy on the many islands, you should read the blog. It will help you not waste money purchasing unwanted things, but the right ones to remember the joyful time spent in the stunning Seychelles for your entire life.
Things to shop in Seychelles
The following are the few things you can buy on the many spectacular Seychelles islands at the correct cost to save money and memories.
1. Coco de Mer, or double coconut, is a Seychelles specialty fruit that weighs around five kilos and costs from 500 to 3,000 SCR Seychelles rupees. It needs an export certificate from the seller to be taken as a souvenir.
2. Jewelry locally crafted and made of beads like seashells, coins, etc. is another souvenir to buy, and the most popular is Kreolor jewelry, which costs around 600 to 50,000 SCR and is another favorite among tourists.
3. Tea in many flavors is grown in Mahe and other islands because it is the land of perpetual summer, with temperatures ranging only between 23 and 33 C throughout the year. It is popular among tourists to take it back home, use it, or gift it to others.
4. Black pearls are the rarest pearls found on the planet in the Seychelles, especially in Praslin. Buying from Pearl Farm de Praslin at the correct cost is an excellent shopping experience.
5. Seybrew beer and Takamaka rum are indigenous drinks that local islanders love to have and tourists take back home for their fantastic taste. It costs SCR 2700 for 25 cl of beer and SCR 75,000 for a bottle of 8 years of rum.
6. Yi-King essential oils and other fragrances are unique to Seychelles for visitors to take home to remind them of the beautiful experience in the archipelago. Essential oils cost from 200 to 350 SCR, and perfumes cost 330 to 450, depending on the quantity, from 30 to 100 ml.
7. Vanilla pods are gems with historical ties to the Seychelles. They are helpful in the flavoring industry for keeping it even in bags to give exquisite flavors whenever opening it, and it is best to buy it from The Union Estate Park in Victora, Mahe.
8. Local artwork available in art galleries has an aesthetic appeal to attract tourists to buy the local prints, paintings, sculptures, etc. To keep in their homes, offices, or other places to remind them of the Seychelles every time they see it.
What are the best supermarkets in the Seychelles?
The following are a few of the best supermarkets in the Seychelles where you can shop for authentic things at the correct cost.
· Sir Selwyn Clarke’s market in the capital city, Victoria, is the largest and most famous market in Seychelles, where you can buy many souvenirs.
· Beau Vallen Market in Mahe is the best supermarket for buying local crafts and eating fresh seafood.
· Bale Lazare Market in Praslin island sells many of the above things to buy at the correct costs so as not to waste money.
· Bois de Rose shopping complex in Victoria, Mahe has an STC hypermarket, food court, pharmacy, and many shops.
· Eden Plaza in Eden Island Mahe is a shopping center with a Spar supermarket, pharmacy, Euro Medical Center, and many restaurants.
The above facts and details of the supermarkets will help you shop in Seychelles at the correct costs and buy genuine things to be reminders of the fantastic experience for a long time.