Guyana Travel Guide
Useful Tips
Everything you need to know before you fly to Guyana
Average Trip Cost
NA
When To Go
mid-October to May
Currency
Guyanese Dollar
Ideal Length Of Stay
7 to 14 days
About Guyana
Guyana, located in South America, is aligned with the Caribbean through history and culture. And if you love nature, Guyana is a veritable paradise for you. Guyana illustrates that a Caribbean vacation doesn’t have to mean relaxing on the beach or pampered massages. Guyana shows you that it can mean a trek across the country’s lush greenery and unspoiled beauty. For nature lovers and outdoorsy types alike, Guyana is a home away from home.
Guyana is most associated with rainforests and waterfalls. Mountainous and pristine, the Guyanese landscape is one to enjoy from several different perspectives. There are three counties (Essequibo, Demerara, and Berbice) and four geographical regions (the interior savannah, highland region, hilly sand, and clay area) to explore. Bird watchers can be on the lookout for at least 800 species of birds.
If you choose to stay in the capital city of Georgetown, you can still spot some of the birds and other wildlife at one or more of the local parks and Guyana Zoo. There are also many tourist attractions to visit, including St. George’s Cathedral, the National Museum, and the Botanical Gardens. Georgetown is also a great place to sample the diverse cuisine of Guyana.
Where To Stay In Guyana
Visitors to Guyana stay in a wide variety of accommodations, including private rental, guesthouses, ranches, lodges, and luxurious all-inclusive hotels. Some of the best hotels in Guyana include:
- Guyana Marriott Hotel Georgetown
- King’s Hotel & Residences
- Surama Eco-Lodge
- Iwokrama River Lodge & Research Center
- Manari Lodge
- Wichabai Ranch
- Saddle Mountain
- Rockview Lodge
Activities In Guyana
Major tourist activities in Guyana include:
- Exploring the capital city of St George’s and admiring the architecture including historic buildings like St George’s Cathedral completed in 1892
- Hiking one of the many trails at Kaieteur National Park, Iwokrama Rainforest Reserve, Kanuku Mountains, and Moco Moco Mountain
- Birdwatching and wildlife spotting for giant anteaters, giant river otters, and jaguars, etc.
- Trekking to Kaieteur Falls, one of the highest single-drop falls in the world
- Learning about the indigenous people and cultures of Guyana by visiting and staying at one of their community tourism sites
- Visiting a ranch and going along with the cowboys on a cattle drive
Facts About Guyana
Size:
133 square miles
Population:
109,000
Official Language:
English
Demonym:
Guyanese
Capital City:
Georgetown
Government:
Unitary Republic
Telephone Country Code:
592
Driving:
left side of the road
Local Beer:
Banks Beer
National Dish:
Pepper Pot
Main Airport:
Cheddi Jagan International Airport
Electricity:
240 V/60 Hz – plugs are type A, B, D & G
Visa Information For Guyana
Visitors from the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, Brazil and many other South American, Caribbean and European nations do not require a visa to travel to Guyana. All visitors to Guyana must have a current passport that is valid for six months after the visit and onward or return ticket.
How Long Does It Take To Get A Visa For Guyana
With a valid passport and supporting documents, it typically takes two weeks for a Guyana visa application to be processed by the nearest Guyana High Commission. The maximum stay under a tourism visa is thirty days, but extensions can usually be obtained from the Ministry of Home Affairs in Georgetown.
Is It Safe In Guyana
In comparison to major American and European cities, Guyana is relatively safe, but petty crime levels is somewhat high. As such, it is recommended that visitors be vigilant at all times, especially when away from the major hotels and tourist areas. Tourists to Guyana should take extra precautions to safeguard their passports, money, tickets, mobile phones, and other valuables.
How To Get To Guyana
Most visitors to Guyana arrive via the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (IATA: GEO, ICAO: SYCJ), formerly Timehri International Airport. The Cheddi Jagan International Airport is located on the right bank of the Demerara River in the city of Timehri, 25 miles south of Guyana’s capital, Georgetown.
From the United States, book flights to Guyana via:
- American Airlines: Miami, New York–JFK
- Eastern Airlines: New York-JFK
- Caribbean Airlines: New York–JFK
- JetBlue: New York–JFK
- Surinam Airways: Miami (Seasonal: Orlando/Sanford)
Within the Caribbean region, book flights to Guyana via:
- Caribbean Airlines: Port of Spain
- Surinam Airways: Paramaribo
From Latin America, book flights to Guyana via:
- Copa Airlines: Panama City–Tocumen
When To Go To Guyana
The most popular time to visit Guyana is during the dry season. On the coast, the dry season in Guyana runs from mid-January to May and then from mid-July to mid-November. In the interior, the dry season runs from January to early May; and September to December.
Major events attracting visitors to Guyana include:
- February: Mashramani, celebration around Guyana Republic Day
- March – April: Phagwag, festival of colors
- April: Rupununi and Sand Creek Rodeo
- May: Guyana Carnival
- November: Diwali
Weather In Guyana
The weather in Guyana is hot year-round, but there are two main seasons – the dry season and the rainy seasons.
On the coast, the dry season in Guyana runs from mid-January to May and then from mid-July to mid-November. In the interior, the dry season runs from January to early May; and September to December.
On the coast, the rainy seasons in Guyana runs from May to mid-July and then again from mid-November to mid-January. In the interior, the rainy season runs from mid-May to August.
Getting Married In Guyana
Marriage Requirements:
Couples wishing to get married in Guyana will need to get a marriage license from the Registrar’s Office. Plus, a petition of marriage must be purchased from the General Post Office and notarized by a Justice of the Peace. The ceremony is performed by a Minister of Region or Registrar General.
Documents Required:
In addition to the completed application for marriage, both the bride and groom will need their:
- passports
- birth certificates along with driver’s licenses or other forms of identification
- certificates of no impediment or single status report
Also, if applicable:
- divorce papers, i.e., decree absolute and/or death certificate of spouse
- proof of parental consent if under 18, stamped and signed by a solicitor
- proof of name change by Deed Poll, stamped and signed by a solicitor
Residency Requirement:
Guyana requires that people wishing to be married there have been in residence for at least 15 days before the wedding day. This time is reduced to 48 hours if the bride or groom is a resident of Guyana.
Fees:
If getting married at the Guyana Post Office, a fee of GY$2080/US$11 is payable.
Witnesses:
Two witnesses must be present at the ceremony.
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