- Destinations
- South America
- Guyana
Guyana
Guyana is fascinating, friendly and lush tropical destination
that draws adventure travellers and nature lovers in increasing
numbers. It is one of South America's smallest countries, situated
on its north-east coast, and bordered by Suriname to the
south-east, Venezuela to the west, Brazil to the south and the
Atlantic ocean to the west.
Its star attraction is the awesome Kaieteur Falls - five times
higher than Niagara and, thanks to its lush rainforest location,
immeasurably more impressive.
Travellers to Guyana will find that it is quite unlike any other
country on the continent. For one, it is the only English-speaking
nation, a legacy of its time as a British colony when it was known
as British Guiana. It is also has a distinctly Creole culture, and
enjoys cricket as the national sport, making this a more Caribbean
destination than its neighbours. The capital Georgetown is famous
for its 19th century wooden houses on stilts, and its gently
decaying colonial architecture.
Inland, however, Guyana takes on the tropical jungle and
Amazonian character of a true South American country. Here you will
find ample trekking, biking and other eco-tourism activities in the
hilly plains around the Pakaraima mountains and a multitude of
rivers to raft on and fish in. This region is also home to some 120
Amerindian tribes that still live in relative isolation to the more
developed settlements along the coastline.
Guyana is truly a fascinating destination that hasn't allowed
its corrupt and chaotic politicians get in the way of its many
tourist offerings. The roads are bad, crime is high and prices
relatively steep, and yet for visitors who come here little Guyana
lives large and long in the memory.
Information & Facts
Customs
Guyanese society is generally quite laid-back and accepting, and
western travellers should not be unduly worried about 'clashing'
with the social mores and customs that they will find in Guyana.
Note that the Guyanese favour a frank, direct communication style,
and that public displays of affection or anger are common. Note
also that in Guyana, it is actually considered rude NOT to use your
car's hooter when passing another vehicle, travelling through an
intersection, or driving past pedestrians.
Duty Free
Travellers to Guyana over the age of 16 may import up to 200
cigarettes/50 cigars/225g of tobacco, 750ml of wine, 750ml of
spirits, computers, and an amount of perfume reasonable for
personal use.
Passport Visa
All foreign passengers to Guyana must hold return/onward
tickets, the necessary travel documentation for their next
destination, and proof of sufficient funds to cover their stay in
the county. Those without return/onward tickets may be required to
deposit funds, as a security (with the amount depending on their
country of origin). A yellow fever vaccination certificate is
required, if arriving in Guyana within 6 days after leaving or
transiting through the following countries: (in Africa) Angola,
Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic,
Chad, Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon,
Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Niger,
Nigeria, Rwanda, Sao Tome & Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone,
Somalia, Tanzania, Togo or Uganda; (in America) Belize, Bolivia,
Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guatemala,
Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Suriname and Venezuela.
Passengers without valid a yellow fever vaccination certificate -
if required - will not be allowed to disembark. Note that yellow
fever vaccination certificate exemptions apply to passengers who
have transited through one of the countries listed above, but did
not leave the airport/aircraft. NOTE: It is highly recommended that
your passport has at least six months validity remaining after your
intended date of departure from your travel destination.
Immigration officials often apply different rules to those stated
by travel agents and official sources.