Highlights
Kaieteur Falls
One of the world's most powerful single-drop waterfalls, where the Potaro River plunges about 226 metres into a forested gorge. Most visitors fly in by small plane from Georgetown for a few hours on the edge of the falls, with no railings and few people.
Iwokrama Forest
A large protected rainforest in the centre of the country, with a canopy walkway, river trips, jaguar sightings for the lucky and research-led conservation that involves local communities.
The Rupununi
Wide savannah in the south-west, dotted with Indigenous villages, ranches and wetlands. Lodges here offer giant river otters, black caimans, giant anteaters and excellent birding, often guided by local community members.
Georgetown
The capital has Dutch-planned canals, wide avenues and wooden colonial buildings, including St George's Cathedral, one of the tallest wooden churches in the world. Stabroek Market and the seawall promenade show city life.
Shell Beach
A long stretch of coast in the north-west where several species of sea turtle nest. Visits are arranged with local conservation groups and are remote and basic.
The Essequibo River
South America's largest river between the Orinoco and the Amazon has hundreds of islands at its mouth, some of them substantial. Boat trips visit Fort Zeelandia on Fort Island and the town of Bartica.
Orinduik Falls
Wide, stepped falls on the Ireng River at the border with Brazil, where you can swim in the pools. They are often combined with Kaieteur on a day flight.
Interesting facts about Guyana
- Guyana is the only country in South America where English is the official language, and it is culturally closely linked to the Caribbean; it is also a member of CARICOM.
- The name Guyana is generally said to come from an Indigenous word meaning 'land of many waters'.
- Much of the coastal strip where most people live lies at or below sea level and is protected by a seawall and drainage canals.
- The national bird, the hoatzin, has chicks with claws on their wings that help them climb back into trees.
- Guyana plays international cricket as part of the West Indies team.
Best time to visit
Guyana is hot and humid all year. It has two dry periods, roughly from mid-August to November and from February to April, which are the best times for travel to the interior. The main rainy season runs from about May to July and a shorter one in December and January; rain makes some roads in the Rupununi difficult, although Kaieteur Falls is at its most powerful. Turtle nesting at Shell Beach peaks roughly from March to August.
Practical information
| Capital | Georgetown |
|---|---|
| Currency | Guyanese dollar (GYD) |
| Languages | English |
| Plugs | Type A, B, D, G |
| Voltage | 240 V, 60 Hz in many places, with 120 V in some buildings; check before plugging in |
| Emergency | 911 police, 912 fire, 913 ambulance |
| Driving | On the left |
| Tipping | Around 10 percent in restaurants if service is not included. Tips for guides and lodge staff are appreciated. |
Getting around
Roads link the coastal towns, but the interior is mostly reached by small plane or river boat. Light aircraft fly from Georgetown's Ogle airport to Kaieteur, lodges and the Rupununi. A largely unpaved road runs south through Iwokrama to Lethem on the Brazilian border, and travel along it can be slow, especially in the rainy season. In Georgetown, taxis are the usual way to get around; ask your hotel to call one. Many visitors book interior trips as packages that include flights, transfers and guides.
Staying connected in Guyana
4G coverage is generally good in Georgetown and along the coastal strip. In the interior, coverage is limited to some towns and villages, and large parts of the rainforest, rivers and savannah have no signal at all. Some lodges offer Wi-Fi, often via satellite and limited in speed. Download offline maps and bird guides before you travel. Install an eSIM before you fly and switch it on when you land.
See Guyana eSIM plans · How to install an eSIM
Useful apps for Guyana
- Google Maps: Getting around Georgetown and the coast; download offline maps for the interior.
- Merlin Bird ID: Identifying birds by sight or song, with an offline pack for South America, useful in a country known for birding.
- WhatsApp: Contacting lodges, drivers and tour operators, many of whom use it for bookings.
- XE Currency: Converting Guyanese dollar prices.