South America › Guyana

Guyana

Scroll
South America's pristine rainforest gem

Guyana is a country in South America where dense rainforests cover most of its land. The Essequibo River flows through wide valleys and connects remote villages to larger towns. Indigenous communities live alongside people who work on sugar plantations or gold mines near the coast. Mountain ranges rise along borders, offering trails for hikers seeking quiet paths away from cities. Weather stays warm year-round with regular rain that keeps rivers full. Wildlife thrives here, including jaguars and macaws, making Guyana a place where nature remains largely untouched by large crowds.

Country
Climate zone: Tropical rainforest

Tropical rainforest: Equatorial climates with year-round high temperatures and heavy rainfall, supporting dense evergreen forests and rich biodiversity.

See climate table
Price level: $$$
$Cheap
$$Medium
$$$Expensive, upscale
$$$+Very expensive, luxury

Note: There can be large regional differences in price levels within a country. Be sure to check the price data of individual cities or regions to get a more detailed view.

See price details
Safety: 4.2
General Safety:4
Health & medical:5
Accessibility:2
Tap water:6
Read details
Tourist English: 5/5
English is the official language of Guyana and is spoken fluently throughout the country. As the only English-speaking nation in South America, visitors will have no trouble communicating with locals in all regions.
Last update: 12 Oct 2026
* We earn a commission from some links on this page.
Guyana Summary

These place ratings give you a quick overview of how well a destination matches different types of trips.

‘Best for’ scores:
The specific interest scores show where this place really shines – whether it's ideal for hiking, food & drink experiences, museums or other activities. These highlights help you understand what makes the destination special at a glance.

‘Your personal’ scores:
This reflects how well a place matches your personal preferences. You can adjust the importances of travel topics or other personal requirements categories in your account settings.

‘Suited for’ badges:
These give you a quick overview of how well a destination suits specific types of travellers, to help you find the places that match your lifestyle, preferences or travel situation.

Read how our scores work
Outstanding for rainforest wildlife and waterfalls. Trek jungle trails, visit Kaieteur Falls, spot birds and monkeys and explore remote rivers and villages.
Place score
6.9
Best at:
Natural sites
10
Forests
9
Waterfalls
9
Wildlife
9
Secluded
8
Personal score
?
Log in to see how this place matches your personal travel interests.
Suited for
👶 6
Families
🧓 5
Seniors
♻️ 8
Sustainability
❤️ 7
Couples
Guyana – Quick facts
Power Grid: 110 V, 60 Hz
Plug: Type A , Type B
Type A:
Diagram of a Type A power plug
Type B:
Diagram of a Type B power plug

Read about power adapters
Currency: Guyanese Dollar (GYD)
£1 ≈ GYD 278.88
Cashless info: Rating 3/5
Cashless payments are becoming more common in urban areas of Guyana, but cash is still widely used. Larger businesses may accept credit cards.

Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers: Best value: Saily
Flexibility: Airalo
Read our in-depth comparison
Tipping: Tipping is generally appreciated in Guyana, but not mandatory. A 10% tip in restaurants is common. Taxi drivers often expect small tips for good service.
Public drinking: Public drinking is not widely accepted in Guyana, and alcohol is consumed in licensed establishments such as bars and restaurants.
Public smoking: Smoking is prohibited in many indoor public spaces, including restaurants and bars.
Mashramani
(23 February)
A major national holiday celebrating Guyana’s Republic status, with parades and festivities
Christmas
(25 December)
Celebrated throughout the country with family gatherings
Emergency contact: Emergency Numbers: 911 (Police), 913 (Ambulance), 912 (Fire)
Taxi apps: Uber, TaxiLink
Other: Guyana is known for its natural beauty, including rainforests, waterfalls, and wildlife. Travellers should be prepared for humid weather and be cautious about malaria in rural areas.
Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Guyana, Guyana
🌧️
Jan
🌧️
Feb
🌧️
Mar
🌧️
Apr
⛈️
May
🌧️
Jun
🌧️
Jul
🌦️
Aug
🌦️
Sep
🔥
Oct
🌧️
Nov
🌧️
Dec
High season: Feb. - April, Sep. - Oct.
Shoulder season: Jan., Aug., Nov. - Dec.
Crowdedness: 3 (Few tourists)
Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info
Two wet seasons on the coast, mid-May to mid-August and mid-November to mid-January; the Rupununi savanna is wettest May to August and driest September to April
Interior roads and jungle lodges are often cut off by flooding during the main rainy season, May to August
Rupununi Rodeo in Lethem takes place around Easter; Mashramani carnival in Georgetown is on 23 February

Why travel to Guyana?

What makes Guyana truly special is its remarkable combination of unspoiled natural beauty and authentic cultural experiences without the crowds found in more popular destinations. The country offers some of South America's most impressive wilderness areas, including vast rainforests, expansive savannahs and the stunning Kaieteur Falls – the world's largest single-drop waterfall by volume. Wildlife enthusiasts can spot jaguars, giant river otters, harpy eagles and over 900 bird species in their natural habitats. Beyond its natural wonders, Guyana's cultural diversity creates a fascinating tapestry of traditions, cuisine and festivals influenced by indigenous peoples, East Indian, African and European heritage.

🏙️Cities & Regions
  • 1 Kaieteur National Park
    This UNESCO World Heritage site features the world's largest single-drop waterfall, Kaieteur, plunging into a deep gorge. Surrounded by dense rainforest and home to rare wildlife, it offers an untouched natural experience in Guyana.
🏯Places worth seeing
  • 1 St. George's Cathedral
🎡Places for activities
  • 1 Burro Burro River
  • 2 City of Georgetown
  • 3 Rewa River
  • 4 Iwokrama River Lodge
🏞️Natural landmarks
  • 1 Entrance to river essequibo
  • 2 Kaieteur Falls
  • 3 Kanuku Mountains
  • 4 Mount Roraima
  • 5 Orinduik Falls
  • 6 Siparuni River
  • 7 Rupununi Savannah
  • 8 Shell Beach Protected Area
🛍️Shopping
  • 1 Bourda Market
  • 2 Giftland Mall
  • 3 Foot Steps Mega Store
  • 4 Stabroek Market
🎈Events
  • Mashramani
  • Phagwah (Holi)
  • Guyana Carnival
  • Rupununi Rodeo
  • Amerindian Heritage Month
  • Diwali
  • Christmas Celebrations
  • Guyana Festival
  • Independence Day Celebrations
  • Emancipation Day

Knowledge before you go

  • Use hotel taxis only; avoid roadside hails.
  • Never drive at night; poor roads and erratic minibus drivers cause frequent accidents.
  • Join guided tours for Kaieteur Falls and rainforest; interior lacks cell service and police.
  • Beware cocaine smuggling scams offering free flights; authorities target suspicious arrivals.

How to travel to Guyana

Most international visitors arrive in Guyana through Cheddi Jagan International Airport, located about 40 kilometers from Georgetown. Direct flights connect from major hubs including New York, Miami, Toronto and Panama City, with airlines such as Caribbean Airlines, American Airlines and Copa Airlines operating regular services. Overland entry is possible from Brazil and Suriname, though border crossings can be remote with limited transportation options. Some visitors also arrive via cruise ships that occasionally dock at Georgetown, though these visits are typically brief. Visas are required for many nationalities and should be arranged in advance through Guyanese embassies or consulates.

Access summary

  • Georgetown: Fly to Cheddi Jagan (GEO) from New York, Miami, Caribbean hubs.
  • Kaieteur Falls/Rupununi: Connect via domestic flights or overland tours from Georgetown.
  • Caribbean Airlines serves Guyana; unaffiliated with major global alliances.

Where to stay in Guyana

Accommodation in Guyana ranges from international hotels in Georgetown to eco-lodges in the interior and community-run guesthouses in indigenous villages. Georgetown offers the widest selection, including business hotels and colonial-era guesthouses, while the interior provides more rustic options focused on nature experiences. Facilities become more basic as you venture into remote areas, with some lodges operating off-grid with limited electricity and hot water. Advance booking is essential, especially for interior lodges which have limited capacity.

How to get around Guyana

Getting around Guyana requires patience and flexibility due to limited infrastructure. In Georgetown, taxis are the most convenient option, while minibuses connect the capital to nearby towns. For longer journeys to the interior, small aircraft operated by local carriers are the most practical option, as road travel can be time-consuming and challenging, especially during the rainy season when some roads become impassable. River travel is common for accessing remote communities, with boats ranging from small dugout canoes to larger passenger vessels. For exploring the interior, organized tours with experienced guides are highly recommended, as they handle logistics and provide valuable insights into the local environment and culture.
Budget snapshot
Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-37 %
Daily expenses in Guyana are around 37% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend considerably less on meals and getting around.
Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-4 %
Your exchange rate (GBP to GYD) is 4% better than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.

Travel costs

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

Backpacker Mid-range Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation
£39
£84
£240
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person
£14
£34
£90
🍝 Food per day
£23
£44
£119
🚕 Transportation per day
£2
£5
£31
Food & Drink
🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person
£20
🍛 Lunch Set, per person
£7.50
🍟 Fast food combo
£6.50
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day
£9
☕ Cappuccino
£4
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l
£1.50
Transportation
🚌 Public transport ticket
£0.43
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi
£20
⛽ Petrol, 1 l
£0.80
Other
🎞️ Cinema ticket
£4.70
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult
£17
🤧 Cold medication
£8.50
💇 Basic haircut
£4.80

Safety information overview

General safety
4
Exercise increased caution in Guyana, particularly in Georgetown where petty crime and occasional violent crime occur. Avoid displaying valuables, use reputable transportation and be vigilant in crowded areas. The interior regions are generally safer, but always travel with experienced guides.
Health & Medical
5
Medical facilities in Guyana are limited, with basic care available in Georgetown but few resources in rural areas. Comprehensive travel insurance with evacuation coverage is essential. Mosquito-borne diseases including malaria are present, so take precautions against insect bites.
Accessi­bility
2
Accessibility infrastructure is minimal throughout Guyana. Georgetown has limited accommodations for mobility-impaired travelers, while rural areas and natural attractions present significant challenges with uneven terrain, limited transportation options and few accessible facilities.
Tap water
6
Tap water in Guyana is generally not safe for drinking. Stick to bottled or purified water, which is widely available in Georgetown but may be harder to find in remote areas. When traveling to the interior, carry water purification tablets.

Packing recommendations for Guyana

Log in to add this place to a travel list and get a summary of all recommended items for your whole trip.

Looking for inspiration?

Discover
Top birdwatching destinations and avian hotspots
Birdwatching has a way of changing how you travel. Once you start paying attention to what's flying, perching and calling overhead, a destination opens up in ways that a standard…
Read more
Discover
Best couple holiday destinations
Travelling as a couple sounds simple enough, yet the best couple holiday destinations mean something different to almost every pair. What feels romantic to one couple can feel like…
Read more
Discover
Top waterfall destinations and famous falls
Waterfall destinations range from the towering single-drop falls of high plateau edges to the vast multi-channel cascade systems where rivers break across wide fronts before…
Read more
Discover
Top rural retreat destinations and countryside getaways
Rural retreat travel is defined by the deliberate removal from urban pace and density, with landscape immersion, slower rhythms and direct engagement with food, nature and local…
Read more
Discover
Extraordinary natural wonders and scenic landscapes
Natural wonders occupy a different category from other travel destinations. They are places where the scale, the geology, the light or the sheer improbability of what exists there…
Read more
Discover
Amazing wildlife encounters and natural habitats
Wildlife encounters of real quality are becoming rarer and finding them requires more intention than it once did. The destinations that still offer genuine, undisturbed wildlife in…
Read more
Discover
Top adventure destinations and outdoor activities
Adventure travel covers an enormous range of activities and risk tolerances, from multi-day wilderness trekking and white water rafting to technical climbing, polar expeditions and…
Read more
Discover
Best birdwatching destinations in South America
South America is the undisputed capital of global birdwatching. The continent holds more bird species than any other, with over 3,400 recorded, and the levels of endemism in…
Read more
Discover
Best wildlife destinations in South America
South America's wildlife is as extraordinary as its landscapes, shaped by an unmatched range of ecosystems and some of the highest levels of biodiversity on earth. From vast river…
Read more
Discover
Stunning national parks and wilderness areas
National parks exist because someone decided that certain landscapes were too important to lose. The best of them protect ecosystems, wildlife and natural processes that would…
Read more
Discover
Best rural retreat destinations in South America
South America's rural retreat offer is shaped by the continent's extraordinary landscape diversity, with Andean valley farmsteads, Patagonian estancias, cloud forest lodges and…
Read more
Discover
Best couple vacation destinations in South America
South America suits couples who want passion in their surroundings as well as in each other. It is a continent of drama, from its landscapes to its dance floors. Some pairs come…
Read more
Discover
Top up-and-coming destinations and trending hotspots
The most interesting up and coming destinations are typically those where a combination of improved access, growing regional tourism infrastructure and word-of-mouth reputation has…
Read more
Discover
Best natural wonder destinations in South America
South America holds natural wonders on a genuinely extraordinary scale, from waterfall systems among the most dramatic on earth to vast desert landscapes known for extraordinarily…
Read more
Discover
Best waterfall destinations in South America
South America's waterfalls include some of the highest volume and most dramatic cascade systems in the world, with the continent's vast river networks and abrupt plateau and…
Read more
What other users say about travelfilters
“travelfilters made it easy for me to find ski areas and compare what else they offer, so that I could find the best place for my personal travel style.”
Chris
Snowboarding & Onsen trip to Japan
“I love how transparent the data feels. There is no pushy upsell, just honest information and settings I can tune to my own travel style.”
Maria
After booking her 2027 winter escape
“The level of detail for each destination and how well those are displayed, make planning feel confident instead of overwhelming.”
Mina
Planned a week in New York City
“We used travelfilters for our planning from start to end. The trip turned out even better than expected, thanks to all their tools and customisation options.”
Allan & Etienne
Trip to Japan to see autumn foliage
“Thanks to travelfilters, I found some hidden gems to see. Being able to filter for exactly your interests is a game changer for my travel planning.”
Michael
Tour through the old cities of Northern Italy
“The customizable filters helped me find a quiet beach town with good wifi and low season crowds in under five minutes.”
Diego
Weekend Escape to Llanes, Spain
“The airport connection map saved me hours by showing good flight options from my home airport to lesser-known cities.”
Nguyen
Planning a 2027 trip to France
“The website is clean, fast and focused on the search itself, which makes travelfilters feel more like a professional tool than an ad-heavy booking site.”
Hassan
Christmas Market trip, Germany
Feedback