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South America

GuyanaTravel guide

Explore Guyana visa rulesCommon scams in Guyana

Guyana is an English-speaking country in South America with rainforests, waterfalls and rich wildlife. Most people live along the coast, while the interior is sparsely populated. Its culture has a strong Caribbean influence.

Why go

  1. See Kaieteur Falls, about 250 metres tall.

  2. Explore rainforests and watch birds and other wildlife.

  3. Visit inland Indigenous villages on a guided trip.

  4. Experience Guyana's mix of cultures, food and festivals.

Getting there

By air

  • Arrive at Cheddi Jagan International Airport.

By land

  • Road routes enter from Brazil in the south and Suriname in the east. The Suriname route includes a river ferry.
  • There are no road links from Venezuela and no international train services.
  • From Brazil, travel to Bonfim and walk across the border. Take a minibus or taxi to Lethem, where you can ask about buses to Georgetown.

By sea

  • The official ferry crosses the Courantyne River between Suriname and Guyana. The crossing takes about 30 minutes, with extra time needed for border checks.
  • Small boats may be unreliable or dangerous, and their legal status is unclear. Locals advise using the official ferry.

Customs

  • On the Suriname ferry route, complete border checks before boarding and again after reaching Guyana.
  • When buying a ferry ticket, staff take your passport. They return it when they call your name and admit you to the main waiting area.

Getting around

  • Minibuses and coaches

    Locally, “bus” usually means minibus. Minibuses run throughout Guyana and are the cheapest way to travel. Minibus fares range from G$60 to G$1,000, depending on distance. Travelling this way at night can be risky. Guyon Coaches runs services from Georgetown to Linden and New Amsterdam.

  • River taxis

    River taxis connect places separated by large rivers. Ask in the port village where speedboats leave. Ask other passengers what the usual fare is. Operators may ask tourists to pay more. Agree on the price before accepting a “special” boat trip.

  • Taxis

    Taxis are a useful way to travel around Georgetown. Taxi number plates begin with H. The source gives most Georgetown fares as about G$400, with a maximum of G$500 within the city. Listed fares include G$5,000 from the airport to town and G$1,500 from Ogle to downtown. The RideGY app offers rides across the country.

  • Rental vehicles

    Cars and four-wheel-drive vehicles are available to rent. Compare several agencies because prices vary and may be negotiable. A deposit is usually required. Check whether the agency accepts your driving licence. Drive on the left. Traffic offences can lead to time-consuming court visits.

What to see and do

  • Kaieteur Falls

    This waterfall is about 250 metres tall, five times the height of Niagara Falls. Tour companies offer day trips by plane from Georgetown, mostly on Sundays, so booking ahead is advised.

  • Orinduik Falls

    This smaller waterfall is also included on plane trips visiting Kaieteur Falls.

  • Iwokrama Rainforest Reserve

    A rainforest reserve.

  • Jonestown Compound

    A historic site near Port Kaituma. Go with a local because the thick forest makes it easy to get lost.

  • Join Mashramani

    Guyana celebrates its republic anniversary on 23 February with colourful floats, costumes and music. The celebrations start at about 10am.

  • Take a guided rainforest trip

    Overnight trips can include boat travel, forest walks and stays in thatched huts with mosquito nets. Some visit inland Indigenous villages.

Food and drink

  • Pepperpot

    Guyana's national dish is a slow-cooked meat stew with red peppers, cinnamon and casareep. Eat it with white bread or roti; some Georgetown restaurants serve it year-round.

  • Curries and roti

    Common curries include chicken, pork, beef, pumpkin and aubergine, served with roti bread or rice. Larger roti shops and coastal shops may also serve seafood.

  • Chinese food

    Chinese restaurants are common. Look for chow mein, lo mein, and meat dishes with rice.

  • Brazilian barbecue

    Outdoor barbecue restaurants and Brazilian grill restaurants can be found in Georgetown and near the border in Lethem.

  • Food outside Georgetown

    Smaller towns may offer only a few dishes, often curries and noodles. Jungle lodge meals may rely on tinned food, rice and locally caught or grown ingredients.

  • Dark rum

    Caribbean-style dark rum is the most popular national drink. Local names include XM, El Dorado and X-tra Mature.

Money

Guyanese dollar (GYD), written as G$ or $.

  • Guyanese dollars are difficult to exchange outside Guyana and neighbouring countries.
  • Scotiabank and Republic Bank cash machines accept Mastercard.
  • Bring US or Surinamese dollars in cash for the ferry from Suriname.
  • Georgetown has markets, craft shops and gold jewellery. Visit Stabroek Market with a group or a trusted local because muggings can happen.

Typical costs

  • Minibus journeys: G$60–1,000, depending on distance.
  • Georgetown taxis: usually about G$400; the source gives G$500 as the maximum within the city.
  • Airport to Georgetown taxi: G$5,000.
  • Kaieteur Falls day trip by plane: US$200–300.
  • Suriname ferry, as of December 2025: US$20 one way or US$30 return.

Language

  • English is the only official language and is widely spoken.
  • Most people speak Guyanese Creole as their first language.
  • Arawak and Macushi are among the Indigenous languages spoken in the Amazonian region.

Staying safe

  • Georgetown has petty street crime. Avoid walking alone at night, or during the day in areas you do not know well.
  • Tiger Bay, Albouystown and Ruimveldt are identified as high-crime areas. Travel with a group or a trusted local.
  • Be careful about wearing jewellery. Police may be unlikely to help unless they see the crime happening.
  • Many rural and interior areas are described as safe. Still take care about where you go and whom you travel with.
1 common scams in Guyana, and how to avoid them

Local customs

Do

  • Remove your shoes when entering someone's home.
  • Use tact and patience when discussing ethnic relations, politics or social and economic issues.

Don't

  • Do not push sensitive discussions into arguments. These topics can lead to heated debate.

Staying healthy

  • Do not drink tap water. Bottled water is widely available.
  • Ask your healthcare provider about malaria medicine before travelling. Malaria is widespread in much of Guyana.
  • The source recommends yellow fever vaccination before travel. Yellow fever can occur even in cities.
  • Use mosquito repellent. Malaria and dengue fever are also concerns in the interior.

Where to stay

  • Georgetown has the widest choice of places to stay. Cara Lodge and Herdmanston Lodge are among its three- and four-star options.
  • Tropicana Hostel is above a club that plays through the night.
  • The interior has jungle lodges, camps, ranch stays and community-supported nature lodges.
  • Some Indigenous towns along the Linden–Lethem road offer community-supported huts.

Outdoor adventures in Guyana

Guyana offers rainforest trips, large waterfalls, wildlife watching and remote Atlantic beaches. Guided jungle trips combine boat travel, forest walks and an overnight stay. Rainy seasons run from May to mid-August and mid-November to mid-January, when flash floods are a threat.

  • Kaieteur Falls and Kaieteur National Park

    More to donear Georgetown

    Day trip

    Book a short flight from Georgetown through a tour company. Most companies run these day trips only on Sundays, so book ahead.

    • Cost: US$200–300 for the day trip
    • Flash floods are a threat during the rainy seasons.

  • Orinduik Falls

    More to do

    Visit as part of a flight trip to Kaieteur Falls that also includes Orinduik.

    • Flash floods are a threat during the rainy seasons.

  • Guided overnight rainforest excursion

    HikeInterior rainforest

    Overnight

    Join a guided tour. Travel by boat to the overnight site, then walk jungle trails and visit an Indigenous rainforest village.

    • Use a mosquito net at night.
    • Take mosquito repellent; malaria and dengue occur in the interior.

  • Kanuku Mountains wildlife watching

    WildlifeKanuku Mountainsnear Lethem

    The mountains are an attraction in the Lethem area. Transport and tour arrangements are not specified.

  • Shell Beach

    BeacheAtlantic coastnear Mabaruma

    Hire a boat from the Kamaka docks in Mabaruma.

  • Almond Beach

    BeacheAtlantic coastnear Mabaruma

    Hire a boat from the Kamaka docks in Mabaruma.

  • Kumu Falls

    More to doLethem areanear Lethem

    Visit from the Lethem area. Transport and tour arrangements are not specified.

    • Flash floods are a threat during the rainy seasons.

  • Mocomoco Falls

    More to doLethem areanear Lethem

    Visit from the Lethem area. Transport and tour arrangements are not specified.

    • Flash floods are a threat during the rainy seasons.

  • Essequibo River and islands

    More to doEssequibo Islands

    Start river travel from Parika, a departure point for trips down the Essequibo River.

  • Teperu Resort river and spring recreation

    More to doMazaruni Rivernear Bartica

    Visit Teperu Resort in the Bartica area. Access arrangements are not specified.

  • Aruwai White H2O Resort pool recreation

    More to doMazaruni Rivernear Bartica

    Visit Aruwai White H2O Resort in the Bartica area. Access arrangements are not specified.

Airports, metros and trains in Guyana

Airports with scheduled flights

  • GEOCheddi Jagan International AirportGeorgetownMain international airport

Trains

Rail network
127 km

People and safety in Guyana

Religion

Most people are Christian. Mixed.

  • Christian66%
  • Hindu28%
  • Muslim6%
  • No religion2%
  • Other<1%

LGBT+ travellers

Same-sex relationships are illegal

  • The law allows life imprisonment.
  • Some laws protect against discrimination.

Check your own government's travel advice before you go, and be careful with public displays of affection and dating apps.

Women travellers

Ranked #52 of 181 countries for women's safety, inclusion and justice.

64% of women say they feel safe walking alone at night where they live.

Who can visit without a visa

Travellers from 63 of 198 countries can visit Guyana easily: no visa, a visa at the airport, or a short online form.

  • Visa not required61
  • Visa on arrival2
  • eVisa44
  • Visa required91

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.

  • Americas25 of 34 countries
  • Europe19 of 46 countries
  • Asia10 of 50 countries
  • Oceania2 of 14 countries
  • Africa7 of 54 countries

Questions

Can I get by speaking English?

Yes. English is the official language, though the local Caribbean accent and Guyanese Creole may take time to understand.

When are the rainy seasons?

They run from May to mid-August and mid-November to mid-January. Flash floods can happen during these periods.

What money should I bring for the ferry from Suriname?

Bring enough US or Surinamese dollars in cash. The ferry does not accept other payment methods, and the nearest cash machine is a 40-minute drive away.

What is the cheapest way to get around?

Minibuses are the cheapest option and run throughout Guyana. Travelling in them at night can be risky.

How can I visit Kaieteur Falls?

Tour companies offer day trips by plane from Georgetown. Most operate these trips only on Sundays, so booking ahead is advised.

What local food should I try?

Try pepperpot, the national meat stew, or a curry with roti bread or rice. Georgetown has the widest choice of food.

Can I drink the tap water?

No. Choose bottled water, which is widely available.

Is it safe to walk around Georgetown alone?

The source advises against walking alone at night, or during the day unless you know the area well. Go with a group or a trusted local.

Where can I stay outside Georgetown?

Options include jungle lodges, camps, ranch stays, community-supported huts and basic guesthouses. Some guesthouses have fans or mosquito nets.

What should I do when visiting someone's home?

Take off your shoes. Guyanese hosts expect visitors to follow this custom.

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