Guyana
Guyana is South America's only English-speaking country, and most of it is still rainforest. Kaieteur Falls is among the world's most powerful single-drop waterfalls, the Rupununi savanna holds giant anteaters, otters and jaguars, and Amerindian-run lodges open up the interior. Getting there takes effort, which is exactly why it stays so wild.
Overview
Guyana feels like a Caribbean nation on the South American mainland: English is the official language, cricket is the national obsession, and the culture blends Indian, African, Amerindian, Chinese and Portuguese heritage. Almost everyone lives on the narrow coastal strip, much of it below sea level and protected by sea walls and Dutch-era drainage canals, while the interior is rainforest, rivers and savanna. A first trip usually combines a day or two in Georgetown with a flight to Kaieteur Falls, then a loop south through the Iwokrama forest to the Rupununi savanna, staying at community-run lodges such as Surama and Rewa.
Guyana is not a cheap destination. Interior lodges charge all-inclusive rates, transfers often involve light aircraft or 4x4s, and the oil boom has pushed Georgetown's hotel prices up sharply. The payback is wildlife watching with almost nobody else around: harpy eagles, black caiman, giant otters and even jaguars are realistic sightings on a well-planned trip. It suits keen naturalists, birders and adventurous travellers comfortable with heat, insects and changing plans. Most visitors are surprised by how friendly and easy-going Guyanese are, and by how good the food is, from Georgetown's curries to Christmas pepperpot.
Map of Guyana
Top 5 highlights
- 1Nature
Kaieteur Falls
The Potaro River drops 226m in a single plunge, more than four times the height of Niagara, into a forested gorge. Most visitors fly in from Ogle for a few hours; look for tiny golden frogs in the giant bromeliads beside the trail.
- 2Wildlife
Rupununi savanna
Vast grasslands and wetlands in the far south-west, where Karanambu Lodge pioneered the rehabilitation of orphaned giant otters, and giant anteaters, black caiman and arapaima are regularly seen. Cattle ranches and Makushi and Wapishana villages complete the picture.
- 3Nature
Iwokrama Forest
Nearly a million acres of protected rainforest straddling the road to the Rupununi, with a river lodge, hikes up Turtle Mountain and a canopy walkway near Atta where harpy eagles and jaguars are sometimes seen. Guides come from local Makushi communities.
- 4Architecture
St George's Cathedral, Georgetown
One of the world's tallest wooden churches, a white Gothic Revival Anglican cathedral completed in 1899 and built largely from local greenheart timber. Combine it with Stabroek Market's iron clock tower and the manatees in the botanical gardens.
- 5Wildlife
Shell Beach
A remote 120km stretch of the north-west coast where four species of sea turtle, including giant leatherbacks, nest from roughly March to August. Getting there involves long river and sea boat journeys, so most visitors go with a specialist operator.
Biggest cities
Georgetown
The capital's white-painted wooden buildings, canals, botanical gardens and Stabroek Market deserve a day or two before you fly into the interior.
Linden
A bauxite-mining town on the Demerara River, about two hours south of Georgetown, mostly passed through on the long road to Iwokrama and the Rupununi.
New Amsterdam
A quiet Berbice River town with colonial wooden churches and a busy market, worth a stop on the coastal road east towards Suriname.
Ranked by urban-area population where available. Figures are rounded estimates, and sources define city limits differently, so rankings of similar-sized cities can vary.
When to go to Guyana
Best time: Sep–Nov.
Average climate in Georgetown
Festivals & events
- FebMashramani
Guyana's carnival on Republic Day, 23 February, with costumed bands, steel pans and calypso competitions parading through the streets of Georgetown.
- MarPhagwah
The Hindu spring festival of colours, a national holiday in Guyana, when coloured powder and water are thrown with abandon across Georgetown and the Berbice villages.
- Mar–AprRupununi Rodeo
Held in Lethem over the Easter weekend, with vaqueros from the savanna ranches competing in bronco riding, roping and races, plus music and food stalls.
How much does Guyana cost?
Estimates per person per day, excluding flights. Prices vary by season and city.
Food to try
Pepperpot
Guyana's national dish: beef, pork or mutton stewed for hours in cassareep, a bittersweet cassava extract from Amerindian cooking, and eaten with bread on Christmas morning.
Cook-up rice
A one-pot Saturday favourite of rice and black-eyed peas simmered in coconut milk with salted meat, chicken and fresh herbs.
Roti and curry
Soft, flaky dhal puri or paratha roti for scooping up chicken, duck or goat curry, a legacy of the Indian indentured labourers who arrived from 1838.
Getting around
Small planes from Ogle airport are the quickest way to Kaieteur, the Rupununi and the interior lodges. The only road south, from Linden to Lethem on the Brazilian border, is partly unpaved and slow, served by buses and 4x4s. On the coast, numbered minibuses and taxis are cheap, and speedboats from Parika run up the Essequibo to Bartica.
Practical information
- Plugs & voltage
- ABDG120V — UK plugs fit
- Emergency numbers
Source: FCDO “Getting help”
- Dialling code
- +592
- Time zone
- UTC-4 (standard time)
- Tap water
- Not safe — drink bottled or treated water
- Driving
- On the left
- Tipping
- Check the bill for a service charge; if there is none, leave about 10%. At interior lodges, a pooled tip for guides, boatmen and kitchen staff is customary.
- Etiquette
- Greet people with 'good morning' or 'good afternoon' before asking for anything. In Amerindian villages, follow the village council's rules, ask before photographing people, and don't wander off unaccompanied.
- Main airports
- Cheddi Jagan International Airport (GEO), Georgetown; Eugene F. Correia International Airport (OGL), Georgetown
Visas & entry for Guyana
Shown for a British passport.
No visa needed
You do not need a visa to visit Guyana. Visitors can normally stay for 30 days, but you can apply for one-month extensions from Guyana’s immigration and support services.
The Guyanese authorities can arrest visitors who overstay or abuse the conditions of their stay. You could get a one-year prison sentence, a fine of up to 50,000 Guyana dollars (about 250 US dollars) and deportation – at your own expense – upon your release.
From the UK government's FCDO entry requirements for British passport holders — read the full page for passport validity, permits and exceptions.
Health & vaccinations
- Recommended for most travellers
- Hepatitis ATetanusYellow fever
- Sometimes advised — depends on your trip, activities and health
- ChikungunyaDengueHepatitis BRabiesTuberculosisTyphoid
- Yellow fever certificate
- A yellow fever certificate is only required if you arrive from (or transit through) a country with yellow fever risk — not if you fly direct from the UK. There is a risk of yellow fever in parts of the country — vaccination may be advised.
- Malaria
- Malaria risk in some areas
- There is a risk of malaria in all interior regions of Guyana: antimalarial tablets recommended.
- There is a very low risk of malaria in Georgetown and the coastal region: awareness of risk and bite avoidance recommended.
Source: TravelHealthPro (National Travel Health Network and Centre), checked 21 October 2026. This is a summary, not medical advice.
Public holidays in Guyana
The next 12 months. Banks, offices and some sights may close, and transport and hotels get busy around these dates.
| Sun 8 Nov 2026 | Diwali |
| Mon 9 Nov 2026 | Diwali (observed) |
| Fri 25 Dec 2026 | Christmas Day |
| Sat 26 Dec 2026 | Day After Christmas |
| Mon 28 Dec 2026 | Day After Christmas (observed) |
| Fri 1 Jan 2027 | New Year's Day |
| Tue 23 Feb 2027 | Republic Day |
| Mon 22 Mar 2027 | Holi |
| Fri 26 Mar 2027 | Good Friday |
| Mon 29 Mar 2027 | Easter Monday |
| Sat 1 May 2027 | Labour Day |
| Wed 5 May 2027 | Arrival Day |
| Mon 17 May 2027 | Eid al-Adha (date may shift) |
| Wed 26 May 2027 | Independence Day |
| Mon 5 Jul 2027 | CARICOM Day |
| Sun 1 Aug 2027 | Emancipation Day |
| Mon 2 Aug 2027 | Emancipation Day (observed) |
| Sun 15 Aug 2027 | Prophet's Birthday (date may shift) |
| Mon 16 Aug 2027 | Prophet's Birthday (observed, estimated) (date may shift) |
National holidays only. Dates based on lunar calendars can move by a day or two depending on official announcements.
Know before you go
- Kaieteur flights from Ogle need enough passengers and clear weather to go, so book early, keep a spare day in your plans and expect occasional delays or cancellations.
- Sockets supply 110–120V in some buildings and 220–240V in others, sometimes side by side, so check before plugging in anything that isn't dual-voltage.
- Pack long sleeves, strong repellent and a head torch for the interior, and check TravelHealthPro's malaria advice for the Rupununi and other inland regions before you go.
Guyana travel FAQs
When is the best time to visit Guyana?
The best time to visit Guyana is generally Sep–Nov. Peak months are September, October and November. Average highs in Georgetown range from 29°C to 32°C across the year.
How much does a trip to Guyana cost per day?
Roughly £55 a day on a tight budget, £140 mid-range and £320+ for comfortable travel, per person including accommodation, food and local transport. Flights are extra.
What currency is used in Guyana?
Guyanese dollar (GYD).
What plug type does Guyana use?
Type A, B, D and G sockets at 120V. UK visitors need a travel adapter.
Which side of the road do they drive on in Guyana?
Traffic drives on the left in Guyana — the same as in the UK.
Is tap water safe to drink in Guyana?
Not safe — drink bottled or treated water.
Do I need a visa for Guyana?
For British passport holders, the FCDO says: You do not need a visa to visit Guyana. Entry rules change, so check the official FCDO entry requirements for Guyana before you travel: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/guyana/entry-requirements
What vaccinations do I need for Guyana?
TravelHealthPro recommends Hepatitis A, Tetanus and Yellow fever for most travellers, with Chikungunya, Dengue, Hepatitis B, Rabies, Tuberculosis and Typhoid sometimes advised depending on your trip. Make sure routine UK vaccinations are up to date and see a travel health professional 6–8 weeks before you go.
