Hostels in MAHE ISLAND, SEYCHELLES

City of Mahe Island in Seychelles – City with Many National Parks

Largest island in Seychelles, Mahe or the City Mahe Island in Seychelles has an area of approximately 155 square km. It is located towards the north of the country. Housing more than 80,000 people, around 90% of the entire population of the nation, it was named after a French Governor of Mauritius.

Accommodation
Mahe not only has some beautiful hotels, but most of the other accommodation types too are located on this island. There are luxury hotels, budget hotels, hostels and guest houses. Some of the low cost hotels serve as bed & breakfast facilities to cater to the needs of the continental visitors. Many resorts are also available in the city. At the same time some rented apartments are also available. Accommodations offer the basic amenities of life in all cases except the self help apartments.

Brief History
First visited by British people way back in 1609, it was visited next by a European in 1742 when Lazare Picault took up an expedition there. Till 1812, it was under French possession and then became a British colony and remained as such till 1976 when Seychelles became independent. Currently Mahe is undergoing a huge resettlement program to sort out housing problems in the city.

Getting Around
While taxi services on the island are expensive, Mahe has got an excellent bus service as public transport. One can choose taxi where the taxi driver could also act as a guide. Only Mahe and Praslin islands have paved roads. Bus system is not only good but the cheapest mode of transport. Buses do not allow luggage and on Sundays there is no service. Car rental is better than taxi and bus service for convenient journey even if costs more than the bus service. Over one hundred car rental companies offer variety of vehicles including online booking.

Places of Interest
905 m tall Morne Seychellois is the tallest peak in Mahe. It is a part of the famous Morne Seychellois National Park. International Airport opened in 1971 is located towards the north of the Island. Baje Ternay Marine National Park and Port Launave Marine National Park are in the south.

An offshore park is the Ste Anne Marine National Park. Other offshore places of interests are Conception Island, Anonyme Island, Therese Island and Silhouette Island. One of the major interests in Mahe is the rare endemic plants found only in Seychelles. Beau Villon with gorgeous white sands; Victoria, the largest settlement on Mahe and North Mahe are other places of interests in the city.

Currency in Mahe
Seychelles Rupee is the official currency in Mahe. News on currency exchange rates should be referred to learn about the fluctuating currency exchange rates.