Skip to content
Territory of France

South America

French GuianaTravel guide

Explore French Guiana visa rules

French Guiana is part of France on the Atlantic coast of South America, between Brazil and Suriname. It has large areas of preserved rainforest, but prices are high and facilities for budget travellers are limited.

Why go

  1. Explore rainforest on a guided trip or the Montabo Trail near Cayenne.

  2. Visit the Guiana Space Centre near Kourou.

  3. Take a boat to the former prison islands of Îles du Salut.

  4. See wildlife, including leatherback turtles and squirrel monkeys.

  5. Join carnival celebrations from the first Sunday in January to Ash Wednesday.

Getting there

By air

  • Félix Eboué Airport (CAY), just outside Cayenne, is the only international airport.
  • Air France and Air Caraibes each have a daily flight from Paris Orly.
  • Flights also connect with Martinique, Guadeloupe, Paramaribo and Belém.

By land

  • The legal crossing from Brazil uses the Oyapock River Bridge.
  • Minibuses from Macapá in Brazil and Paramaribo in Suriname reach border towns. You must cross the border and take another bus afterwards.
  • The bridge crossing from Brazil is several kilometres outside the town on the French side. You may need a long taxi ride.

By sea

  • From Suriname, a boat crosses the Maroni River to Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni in about 15 minutes. You need to haggle over the fare, and taking a car costs more.
  • Dégrad des Cannes, near Cayenne, is the main seaport. Freighter travel is the only option for arriving by boat from farther away.

Customs

  • Your passport or identity card is checked on arrival, including when you arrive from mainland or Caribbean France.
  • French Guiana is outside the Schengen Area, the European area with shared border arrangements.
  • A yellow fever vaccination certificate is compulsory for everyone. Be ready to show it before boarding your flight or at the land border.

Getting around

  • Bus and minibus

    Public transport is limited. Transport Interurbain de la Guyane runs buses between major towns. Minibuses may run only a few times a day and leave when full. Fares are fixed by route. A shorter journey may still cost the full fare to Cayenne.

  • Car

    Hiring a car is an option because public transport is limited. The road from Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni to Saint-Georges de l'Oyapock is fully paved. Drive on the right.

  • Boat

    Boats provide access to inland areas where roads are scarce. Some remote rainforest places can only be reached by plane or a privately hired boat.

  • Plane

    Air Guyane Express flies from Cayenne to major inland settlements. Flights offer an alternative to boat travel in the interior, where there are few roads.

What to see and do

  • Guiana Space Centre

    Near Kourou, it offers free tours twice a day and a museum with an entry charge. Check the rocket launch schedule.

  • Cayenne

    The capital has museums and colonial architecture.

  • Îles du Salut

    Visit these former prison islands by boat from Kourou. Devil's Island itself is closed to visitors.

  • Plage les Hattes

    This beach at Awala-Yalimapo is the world's most important nesting site for giant leatherback turtles.

  • Zoo Guyane

    This wildlife sanctuary near Macouria has animals native to French Guiana.

  • Ilet la Mère

    This uninhabited island is home to sociable squirrel monkeys. The boat trip from Dégrad des Cannes takes about 30 minutes.

Food and drink

  • Local meals

    Fish, seafood or game often comes with rice, red beans or couac, a flour made from dried cassava. Ask the chef for less spice if needed.

  • Bouillon d'Awara

    A broth made from awara fruit.

  • Colombo

    A Creole dish made with pork or chicken.

  • Red beans and lentils

    Both are served with game or fish.

  • Kalou or Kalalou

    A fish dish with spinach and okra.

  • Pimentade

    Fish in tomato sauce, seasoned with pepper and lemon.

Money

Euro (EUR)

  • Expect high prices because many goods, including food and drinks, are imported.
  • Electronics are especially expensive. Local rum and carved wooden objects are relatively affordable souvenirs.
  • A shopping centre outside Cayenne sells everyday supplies.
  • Small city shops sell groceries, insect repellent, toothpaste and other basic supplies.

Typical costs

  • Many hotels cost well over €100 a night.
  • Even hostels can cost around €100 a night.
  • A hammock space in a traditional carbet shelter costs a few euros.
  • A minibus journey from Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni to Kourou may cost the full €25 fare to Cayenne.
  • Guiana Space Centre tours are free; its museum costs a few euros.

Language

  • French is the official language and the only one you can expect almost everyone to know.
  • A French-based Creole language is widely spoken.
  • Some people speak English.
  • Many people understand basic Portuguese and Spanish.
  • Some grocery shop and food truck operators speak Mandarin.
  • Sranan Tongo, also called Taki-taki, is often used along the Maroni River.
Métropole
Mainland France.

Staying safe

  • Keep your passport safe. If you are not a European Union citizen, replacing it may require travelling to Paris because there are very few consulates locally.
  • The French Foreign Legion patrols some areas, including the Kourou Space Centre and places affected by illegal gold mining.
  • Wear boots in the rainforest and avoid exploring hollow trees, where venomous snakes and spiders may hide. Reaching a hospital after a bite can take a long time.

Local customs

Do

  • Respect local pride in being French.
  • Call mainland France 'mainland France', 'metropolitan France' or 'métropole'.
  • Ask locals about their culture, history and religion; they are happy to answer questions.

Don't

  • Do not suggest that local people are not really French.
  • Avoid discussing slavery, which is a sensitive subject.
  • Think carefully before ordering threatened species, such as certain turtles or caiman, that may appear on restaurant menus.

Staying healthy

  • You must carry a yellow fever vaccination certificate to enter French Guiana.
  • Malaria and dengue occur in the region. Wear long sleeves and use insect repellent to protect against mosquitoes and ticks; the risk is lower in towns and cities.
  • Avoid swimming in standing water because it often contains parasites. This is less of a problem in rivers.
  • Water found in nature is unsafe to drink.

Phone and internet

  • A local prepaid SIM card can make local calls and calls to mainland France cheaper.
  • France Telecom's Alizé card offers 13 hours of calls for €15.
  • Mobile operators include Orange Caraïbe, Digicel and Only.

Where to stay

  • Hotels are expensive, with many charging well over €100 a night.
  • There are a few hostels, but they have no websites and can still cost around €100 a night.
  • The cheapest option is a hammock in a carbet, a traditional shelter without walls, for a few euros. This is the only accommodation type available in the rainforest.

Outdoor adventures in French Guiana

French Guiana offers rainforest walks, guided trips into the interior and river journeys by canoe. Coastal beaches, offshore islands and wetlands offer chances to see turtles, monkeys, caimans and birds.

  • Salvation Islands boat trip

    More to doOff the coast near Kourounear Kourou

    Take a boat from Kourou to visit the islands.

  • Leatherback turtles at Plage les Hattes

    WildlifeAwala-Yalimapo, northwest French Guiana

    Visit Plage les Hattes at Awala-Yalimapo.

  • Montabo Trail

    HikeOutskirts of Cayennenear Cayenne

    Walk the Montabo Trail on the outskirts of Cayenne.

    • Wear boots in the rainforest and avoid reaching into hollow trees.
    • Use insect repellent and wear long sleeves against mosquitoes and ticks.

  • Trésor Nature Reserve

    WildlifeKaw ecosystemnear Cayenne

    Travel from Cayenne by road. The drive takes about two hours.

    • Use insect repellent and wear long sleeves against mosquitoes and ticks.
    • Avoid swimming in standing water, which can contain parasites.

  • Squirrel monkeys on Ilet la Mère

    WildlifeOff the coast near Cayennenear Cayenne

    Take a boat from the marina at Dégrad des Cannes, just outside Cayenne. The crossing takes about 30 minutes.

  • Remire-Montjoly beach

    BeacheRemire-Montjolynear Cayenne

    Visit the beach at Remire-Montjoly, near Cayenne.

  • Zoo Guyane wildlife sanctuary

    WildlifeNear Macourianear Macouria

    Visit Zoo Guyane in the jungle near Macouria.

    • Use insect repellent and wear long sleeves against mosquitoes and ticks.

  • Guided inland rainforest tour

    More to doInterior of French Guiana

    Join a guided tour into the inland rainforest. The most remote places require a plane or charter boat.

    • Wear boots and avoid exploring hollow trees, where venomous snakes and spiders may hide.
    • Use insect repellent and wear long sleeves against mosquitoes and ticks.

  • River trip by pirogue

    More to do

    Take a river trip in a pirogue, a type of canoe.

    • Do not drink untreated river water.
    • Use insect repellent and wear long sleeves against mosquitoes and ticks.

  • Rainforest drive from Cayenne to the Brazilian border

    More to doCayenne to the Brazilian bordernear Cayenne

    Drive from Cayenne towards the Brazilian border to see rainforest along the route.

Airports, metros and trains in French Guiana

Airports with scheduled flights

  • CAYCayenne – Félix Eboué AirportMatouryMain international airport

People and safety in French Guiana

Religion

Most people are Christian. Mostly one faith.

  • Christian84%
  • Folk religions9%
  • No religion3%
  • Hindu2%
  • Muslim<1%
  • Other<1%

LGBT+ travellers

Legal and protected

  • Same-sex couples can marry.
  • Laws protect against discrimination.

Who can visit without a visa

Travellers from 29 of 101 countries can visit French Guiana easily: no visa, a visa at the airport, or a short online form.

  • Visa not required28
  • Freedom of movement1
  • Visa required72

Who can visit easily, by part of the world

For each part of the world: how many countries' travellers can come easily. Easy means no visa, a visa at the airport, or a short online form.

  • Americas16 of 19 countries
  • Europe3 of 4 countries
  • Oceania7 of 14 countries
  • Asia1 of 10 countries
  • Africa2 of 54 countries

Questions

Is French Guiana part of France?

French Guiana is a territory linked to France, with its own entry rules. Check them separately even if you can visit France.

Does a France visa let me visit French Guiana?

Not automatically. Many territories set their own entry rules, so a visa or visa-free entry for France may not cover French Guiana. Check the French Guiana visa page for your passport.

What weather should I expect?

The climate is hot and humid, with little change in temperature between seasons. Heavy rain falls through most of the year.

Can I get by with English?

Some people speak English, but French is the only language you can expect almost everyone to know.

What money is used, and is it expensive?

The currency is the euro. Many goods are imported, so food, drinks and other purchases can cost more than expected.

Can I travel around by public transport?

Buses and minibuses link major towns, but services are limited. Minibuses may leave only when full, and there are no passenger trains.

Can I visit Devil's Island?

Devil's Island itself is closed to visitors. You can visit other islands in the Îles du Salut group by boat from Kourou.

Where can I see rainforest near Cayenne?

The Montabo Trail on Cayenne's outskirts passes through preserved rainforest and a mangrove swamp.

What is the cheapest place to sleep?

A hammock in a carbet, a traditional shelter without walls, costs a few euros. It is also the only accommodation type available in the rainforest.

Will the food be very spicy?

Local dishes often use plenty of spices. You can ask the chef to make your meal less spicy.

Reviewed by