As with any other country, be cautious, especially while travelling at night in the city.  Foreigners are often times very visible in public and should take precautions when visiting downtown areas. 

 

While the interior is one of the safest places in the world, travellers visiting Guyana’s capital city of Georgetown and other major urban areas must exercise caution due to crime. The general crime rate in Guyana is above the U.S. national average and below that of neighbouring countries like Brazil and Columbia.

 

Whenever deciding to travel abroad, we all take responsibility for our safety. If you decide to travel to Guyana, please:

• Be extra vigilant when visiting banks or ATMs. Visitors are advised to change currency only at legitimate exchanges at hotels or airports and are discouraged from exchanging currency on the street.

• Be aware of your surroundings. It is important to be cautious, especially while travelling at night.

• Travel in groups and, in general, avoid walking at night and opt to book taxis  from designated service providers

• Travelling in the interior is best done with the help of tour operators who can make all the necessary travel arrangements.

• Avoid travelling around with large amounts of cash, do not display signs of wealth, such as wearing expensive watches or jewellery, and do not physically resist any robbery attempt.

• Travellers are encouraged to make photocopies of IDs and passports.

• Always have a contingency plan for emergencies. Purchasing travel insurance is recommended.

• Consume filtered water, which is available throughout the country.  You can also use purifying tablets.

• Cooked food is perfectly okay to eat. Raw food should be thoroughly washed.

• Review our Travel Tips for a smooth journey to Guyana.

• Keep a copy of your passport and visa, travel insurance, itinerary and important phone numbers handy for checking in at hotels and lodges or in the case of an emergency.

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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 other countries, you can visit a nearby embassy or consulate to process your visa or work with your tour operator to process a visa on arrival. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs issues business, tourist/visitor, student and courtesy visas. Learn more at www.minfor.gov.gy 

 

Immunisations

Check your immunisation status before travelling and seek advice on the best antimalarials based on the parts of Guyana you will visit. You should also stay current on tetanus, diphtheria and hepatitis A. Immunisations against hepatitis B may be needed for longer trips and rabies if you travel in remote areas and work with animals. Proof of yellow fever is required to enter Guyana if you travel from a yellow fever endemic area or continue onto Suriname.  

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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, hydrogen peroxide, or rubbing alcohol should also be handy to clean out cuts and bruises.  Bring appropriately packaged and labelled prescription medications, which may be hard to find locally. Same for your preferred over-the-counter brands. While you can 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 an increasing number of establishments in Georgetown 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 pay local accommodations and tour operators in advance. This will allow you to limit the amount of cash you carry while visiting.

 

US$1 = approximately G$210

€1 = approximately G$235

£1 = approximately G$266

 

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 in different villages. 

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