Visitor Essentials

Everything you need to know before visiting Guyana — plus guides, tools, and local tips

Before You Go

Essential information to prepare for your Guyana trip

Visa & Entry

125+ countries visa-free entry
Visa on Arrival $25 USD (standard) / $35 USD (expedited) — pre-approval from Ministry of Home Affairs required
Stay Duration Up to 30-90 days depending on nationality
Passport Validity Must be valid for 6+ months
Required Documents Return ticket, hotel booking, proof of funds
Online Immigration Form (E/D Card)

Required for ALL travelers. Complete within 48 hours before arrival/departure.

Fill Form Now
Visa Guide Passport Guide Visa Requirements

Health & Vaccinations

Yellow Fever Required if arriving from risk countries. Get vaccinated 10+ days before travel.
Malaria Prevention Present in interior regions. Use repellent & consider antimalarials.
Recommended Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Tetanus
Drinking Water Stick to bottled water outside Georgetown
Hospitals Pharmacies

Safety Tips

Use registered taxis, especially at night
Keep valuables secure and out of sight
Avoid walking alone in unfamiliar areas after dark
Stay in well-lit, populated areas
Keep copies of important documents separate
Register with your embassy before travel
Most tourist areas in Georgetown are safe. Exercise normal precautions as you would in any city.
Safety Guide Embassies

Good to Know

Electricity 110V/60Hz (US-style plugs)
Time Zone GMT-4 (no daylight saving)
Tipping 10-15% at restaurants, round up for taxis
ATMs Available in Georgetown. Daily limit ~$475 USD
SIM Cards Digicel & ONE Communications available at airport
Language English (official)
SIM & Internet Guide Banks Currency Converter

Packing Essentials

Clothing

  • Light, breathable clothes (it's tropical!)
  • Rain jacket or umbrella
  • Comfortable walking shoes
  • Long sleeves/pants for interior trips

Health & Safety

  • Insect repellent (DEET-based)
  • Sunscreen (SPF 30+)
  • Basic first aid kit
  • Prescription medications

Essentials

  • Power adapter (if not US plugs)
  • Waterproof bag for electronics
  • Binoculars for wildlife
  • Cash (USD widely accepted)
Full Packing List Best Time to Visit

Customs & Duty-Free

Duty-free allowances for travelers 18+:

227g tobacco products
758ml wine + 758ml spirits
250ml perfume/cologne
Other goods up to $100 USD duty
Cash Declaration Amounts over $10,000 USD must be declared. Failure to declare can result in fines or seizure.
Customs Calculator Vehicle Import Guide

Plan Your Trip

When to go, how to get around, and what to expect

Best Time to Visit

Best Feb - Apr & Aug - Oct Dry seasons - ideal for wildlife & waterfalls
Wet May - Jul & Nov - Jan Rainy seasons - lush greenery, fewer tourists

Year-round temperature: 25-28°C (77-82°F). Tropical climate - always warm!

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Georgetown, Guyana
Best Time Deep Dive Public Holidays

Kaieteur Falls Day Trip

The world's largest single-drop waterfall (226m) — a must-see! Day trips depart from Ogle Airport.

Duration: ~5-6 hours (full day)
Cost: $250-350 USD per person
Flight: ~1 hour each way (scenic!)
Includes: Guided walk to 3 viewpoints

Tip: Book through tour operators like Evergreen Adventures or Wilderness Explorers. Best visibility in dry season (Feb-Apr, Aug-Oct).

Kaieteur Guide All Waterfalls Tour Operators

Getting Around

Airport to Georgetown

Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) is 41km south of Georgetown. Travel time: ~50 minutes.

Official Airport Taxi $7,000 GYD (~$35 USD) Look for cream shirt & black pants uniform
Minibus #42 $300 GYD (~$1.50 USD) Budget option. ~1 hour. Limited late night.

Domestic Flights

Best way to reach interior (Kaieteur, Lethem, Rupununi). Book in advance. Baggage limit: 9kg (20lbs) for Lethem flights.

Trans Guyana Airways Air Services Ltd (ASL)

Taxi Services

Knight Rider Transportation 4.8★ (197) 225-1429 Mathieson's Enterprise 4.9★ (45) 751-2900 Book A Ride GY 4.5★ (43) 223-9988 Cyril's Transportation 4.2★ (20) 226-6300

Minibuses

Minibuses run fixed routes across Georgetown and to other regions. Look for route numbers on the front.

Transport Guide Airlines Car Rental

Interior Travel Tips

Visiting Rupununi, Lethem, or other interior regions? Here's what to know:

  • Cash only — No ATMs in most interior areas. Bring enough GYD/USD.
  • Limited medical care — Consider evacuation insurance for remote areas.
  • Phone coverage — Spotty at best. ONE Communications (formerly GTT) has better interior coverage than Digicel.
  • Electricity — Generators only at most lodges. Charge devices when possible.
  • Pack light — Small plane baggage limits (9kg/20lbs for checked bags).
  • Malaria prevention — Antimalarials recommended. Use repellent, sleep under nets.
Rupununi Guide Iwokrama

Tools & Resources

Free calculators and planners to help you prepare

Currency Converter

Convert between GYD, USD, CAD, EUR & more with live rates

Customs Calculator

Estimate import duties and taxes before shipping to Guyana

Itinerary Builder

Plan your perfect Guyana trip day by day

Shipping Calculator

Estimate barrel and cargo shipping costs to Guyana

Vehicle Duty Calculator

Calculate import duty for vehicles entering Guyana

Remittance Calculator

Compare money transfer rates and fees to Guyana
View All 12 Tools & Calculators

On The Ground

Useful info once you've arrived in Guyana

Emergency Numbers

Police 911
Fire 912
Ambulance 913
GPHC Hospital 227-8231
US Embassy 225-4900
Canada Embassy 227-2081

US Embassy: 100 Young & Duke Streets, Georgetown. After-hours: 623-1992

Hospitals Embassies

Currency Converter

Result $20,900 GYD
1 USD = 209 GYD
Full Converter Tool Banks & ATMs

Must-Try Local Food & Drinks

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Pepperpot National dish - slow-cooked meat stew with cassareep
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Cook-up Rice Rice, beans & meat cooked in coconut milk
🥘
Metemgee Ground provisions in rich coconut milk sauce
🫓
Roti & Curry Indian-style flatbread with curry chicken or duck
🍺
Banks Beer Guyana's favorite local lager since 1961
🥃
El Dorado Rum Award-winning Demerara rum - try the 15-year
Full Food & Drink Guide
Cuisine Deep Dive Restaurants

Upcoming Events 2026

Apr 3-5
Rupununi Rodeo Annual rodeo in Lethem — cowboys, horse racing & cultural celebration
Apr 5
Easter Kite Flying Iconic Guyanese tradition — massive handmade kites fill the sky
May 5
Arrival Day Celebrating the arrival of Indian indentured workers
May 26
Independence Day Diamond Jubilee! 60 years of independence! Special celebrations year-round.
Aug 1
Emancipation Day Celebrating the end of slavery
Full Events Calendar

Local Secrets

Best Cheap Eats Skip the restaurants and hit the "cookshops" — home-style meals for $500-800 GYD. Bourda Market area has some of the best.
Rum Secrets El Dorado 15-year wins awards, but locals drink the 5-year or XM. Try "high wine" — potent overproof rum.
Where to Buy Crafts Visit the Umana Yana for authentic Amerindian crafts at fair prices — tourist shops mark up 3x.
Transport Hack Use local WhatsApp ride-share groups instead of taxis — 30-50% cheaper. Ask your hotel to add you.
Beat the Heat Outdoor activities before 9 AM or after 4 PM. Midday is for malls, museums, or a siesta.
Photo Spots Best city photos from Giftland Mall rooftop at sunset. Nature shots at Demerara River Bridge at dawn.
Budget Travel Tips Georgetown Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers to common questions about visiting Guyana

How do I get to Guyana?

Cheddi Jagan International Airport (GEO) receives flights from Miami, New York (JFK), Toronto, and Caribbean hubs. Caribbean Airlines, JetBlue, American Airlines, Air Transat (Toronto), and KLM (Amsterdam via Bridgetown) operate routes. Flight time from Miami is about 4.5 hours.

Flights Guide Airlines

How much time do I need?

Minimum 5-7 days to see Georgetown + Kaieteur Falls + one interior destination. 10-14 days for a comprehensive trip including Rupununi. Kaieteur day trips are possible from Georgetown.

Itinerary Builder Complete Guide

Is there internet in the interior?

Limited to none. Most eco-lodges have no WiFi — that's part of the appeal! Georgetown has good 4G coverage. Buy a local SIM (Digicel or ONE Communications) at the airport if needed.

SIM & Internet Guide

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