Shopping in Seychelles is limited to buying souvenirs. And there are not too many of them here. The only unique purchase that makes sense to take home from a shopping tour of Seychelles is the famous Coco-de-mer nut. The nut grows on the island of Praslin. This is where it makes sense to buy it.
Why purchase souvenirs rather than attempting to find them in local forests? One key reason is that the forests have long been exploited by resellers, making it unlikely to stumble upon these items. Furthermore, even if you discover a sought-after Coco de Mer nut, exporting it from Seychelles requires a special permit from the Department of Natural Resources, or else this valuable souvenir may remain in the country. Coco de Mer nuts typically start at around 200 EUR each. It's advisable to prioritize obtaining the necessary certificate to avoid any customs issues.
In addition to the renowned Coco de Mer nut, you can also bring home liquor crafted from it, locally-made sailboat models, and exquisite pearl jewelry. Seychelles doesn't offer many other valuable souvenirs, except for the memories captured in your own photographs.
Large stores are primarily found in the capital, Victoria, operating from 8 am to 5 pm. Meanwhile, small private shops often have flexible hours at the owner's discretion. It's important to note that Seychelles doesn't have traditional sales seasons; however, you may have the opportunity to negotiate prices when shopping in smaller establishments, as bargaining is not customary in larger stores where prices are fixed.
