Plan Your Trip
Travel Essentials
Best Time to Visit
Peak (Dry) Season
Coast mid-January to May; and mid-July to mid-November
Interior January to early May; and September to December
The dry season is the peak season. It is the most convenient to get around and explore the country since
there is not too much rainfall. This makes the roads much easier to navigate, and it’s easier to see Guyana’s
wildlife. No matter your location, the coast or the interior of the country, it will feel like summertime most all
of the time. Fortunately, it cools down a bit a night, and in the day time, light scattered showers and cool
swimming holes offer intermittent relief.
Green (Wet) Season
Coast May to mid-July; and mid-November to mid-January
Interior Mid-May to August
The green (or rainy) season in Guyana gets its name from the rain showers that roll through during this time. Expect no rain or light showers on some days, heavy rains at times, and extended periods of sunshine on some of the rainiest of days. The days are usually somewhat cooler, but it is more humid. Getting around the rainforest and savannah in the wet season is challenging by road, yet it is the best time to travel by boat and see Guyana’s waterfalls in full. As an added bonus, the raised rivers get you closer to the trees for great birdwatching experiences
Visa Details
Travellers from about 125 countries, including 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. For those with citizenship from the other countries, you can visit a nearby embassy or consulate to have your visa processed or work with your tour operator to process a visa on arrival. Learn more at www.minfor.gov.gy or review the requirements below.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs issues for business, tourist/visitor, student and courtesy visas. All requests, with supporting documents, should be addressed to:
Head
Immigration Support Services Department of Citizenship and Immigration
Ministry of the Presidency
164 Waterloo Street
Georgetown, Guyana
Expect 2-4 weeks for processing. Please have your local tour operator or travel agency follow-up on the request. Once they secure your visa, ask for a scanned copy, print it out and present it to an immigration officer on arrival.
A great deal of information is required to process a Visa on Arrival or otherwise. Supporting documents include:
1. A letter requesting a Visa on Arrival (usually from your tour operator, company or yourself) indicating the reason(s) for the request, your expected date of arrival, and the duration of your stay in Guyana
2. A coloured copy of your or the applicant’s passport bio-data page, marriage certificate (if applicable), and birth certificate
3. A copy of the sponsor’s passport bio-data page
4. A bank statement or pay slip from the sponsor
5. A job letter for the sponsor and/or applicant
6. One passport-size photograph for the applicant
7. Copies of the Business Registration, income tax receipts, and NIS receipts
8. Police Clearance
9. Medical Report for the applicant
10. Credentials for the applicant
Immunisations
Be sure to check your immunisation status before you travel and seek current advice on the best antimalarials to take based on the parts of Guyana you will be visiting. It is also recommended that you stay up to date on tetanus, diphtheria and hepatitis A. Immunisations against hepatitis B may be needed for longer trips and for rabies if you are travelling in remote areas and working with animals. Proof of yellow fever is required for entry into Guyana if you are travelling from a yellow fever endemic area or if you are continuing onto Suriname.
Health Matters
A personal med kit is a good idea if you do not react very well to climates you are not accustomed to. Motion sickness medication, sunburn salve, antibiotics, antihistamine tablets and cream (for travellers’ diarrhoea), ibuprofen or another anti-inflammatory, aspirin, band-aids, and of course good old Pepto-Bismol should be among any travellers’ go-to kit. Antibacterial soap, and hydrogen peroxide or rubbing alcohol should also be kept handy to clean out cuts and bruises. Bring appropriately packaged and labelled prescription medications, as they may be hard to find abroad. Same for your preferred over-the-counter brands. While you may be able to access them in the city and some of the lodges maintain a small supply, it is best to be safe and bring your own.
Handling Money
Guyana has a cash-based economy, and the Guyanese Dollar (G$, GY$, GYD) is the official currency. While there are an increasing number of establishments in Georgetown that will take payments via credit card, you will need to have cash on hand, especially when you head into the rainforest and savannahs of the country. The banks in Georgetown allow limited daily withdrawals for international travellers (usually G$100,000 or US$475). ATMs in other towns are limited. It is best to make payments in advance to local accommodations and tour operators. This will allow you to limit the amount of cash you have to carry around while visiting.
US$1 = approximately G$210
€1 = approximately G$235
£1 = approximately G$265
Shopping
The most classic holiday purchase from Guyana would be a woven souvenir by the Indigenous communities – baskets, plates, jewellery and such, but widen your horizon to include the traditional balata curios made from the latex of the bulletwood tree. Colourful cotton hammocks, local paintings, wooden curios and old Dutch bottles are the perfect takeaways to remind you of Guyana. Buy these at numerous shops in Georgetown or better still, spend your money at the craft shops located in different villages. Here is a list of main places that you can head to for souvenirs.
Georgetown: Regent Street, North Road, and Giftland Mall
Lethem: Rupununi Weaver Society and Don & Shirley’s Airport Bar
Bartica: First Avenue and Regional Craft Shop
Corriverton: Port Mourant Market
Linden: Mackenzie & Wismar Market and Irene’s Creative Handicraft Workshop
New Amsterdam: Bristol Mall, Pitt Street, The Church View Gift & Flower Shop and The New Amsterdam Market
Packing List
Packing for tropical travels takes some thought, especially if you have never travelled into the rainforest. Here is a handy packing list that includes clothing, accessories and more.
- Bring versatile activewear that covers you from head to toe. Layers, breathable fabrics, and light-coloured clothing are recommended. This includes a few pairs of pants, long-sleeved shirts, and t-shirts.
- Pack a lightweight, compact rain jacket that can easily be added to any outfit. This will protect you from the elements and pesky insects.
- Comfortable footwear for relaxing and hiking shoes are preferred, as are extra socks to keep your feet warm during the cool nights or to change out during the day if your feet happen to get soaked.
- Sun protection is key. Don’t forget a sun hat, a towel or bandana to protect your neck, and your favourite pair of sunglasses with polarized lenses will protect your eyes. Pack a lightweight reusable water bottle to stay hydrated.
- A bathing suit and a pair of waterproof sandals should also be a part of your list. Waterproof sandals are great for swimming in blackwater creeks and for outdoor showers too.
- Insect repellent is a must and local brands and the local crab tree oil are recommended. If you do get bitten, anti-itch cream and treatments such as calamine lotion should provide fast relief.
- A good pair of binoculars is indispensable as well, making it much less likely that you will miss out on the perfect view.
- A flashlight or headlamp is absolutely indispensable as well, especially if you have to get up out of your tent/hammock during the night or if you’re taking part in night time wildlife spotting.
- Reusable plastic bags are also recommended to protect your phone, camera and other belongings from damp or wet conditions.
- If you rely on your phone for photos, be sure to pack a battery back-up. Many lodges are run on solar and generators, which means you can’t always charge your electronics overnight.
- Determine what size luggage you need based on your itinerary and the number of days you’ll be travelling. There is usually a 20-pound weight limit when flying to remote areas in small planes. A day pack is nice for outings.
Visitor Guidelines For Sustainable Travel
