Welcome to French Guiana!

A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for all travelers aged 1 year or over!

Previously World Health Organization (WHO) listed French Guiana as requiring a yellow fever certificate for travelers aged 1 year or over arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission and for travelers having transited through an airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission.

There is a risk of yellow fever transmission throughout French Guiana and yellow fever vaccination is recommended for travelers from 9 months of age for personal protection. Travelers should also avoid mosquito bites day and night.

Take note:

Before you visit French Guiana, it is advisable to get vaccinations. Check this out with your Tropical doctor.

See our website for the Frequently Ask Questions about yellow fever.

Before traveling to French Guaina get the right vaccinations needed for tropical diseases.

YELLOW FEVER

A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for all travelers aged 1 year or over. Previously World Health Organization (WHO) listed French Guiana as requiring a yellow fever certificate for travelers aged 1 year or over arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission and for travelers having transited through an airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission.

There is a risk of yellow fever transmission throughout French Guiana and yellow fever vaccination is recommended for travelers from 9 months of age for personal protection. Travelers should also avoid mosquito bites day and night.

See our website for the Frequently Ask Questions about yellow fever.

DENGUE

There is a risk of dengue in French Guiana. Dengue is a viral infection transmitted by mosquitoes that predominantly feed between dawn and dusk.  It causes a flu-like illness, which can occasionally develop into a more serious life-threatening form of the disease. Severe dengue is rare in travelers. The mosquitoes that transmit dengue are most abundant in towns, cities, and surrounding areas. All travelers to dengue areas are at risk.

Prevention

All travelers should avoid mosquito bites, particularly between dawn and dusk. There is currently no medication or vaccination available for travelers to prevent dengue.

ZIKA VIRUS

French Guiana is considered to have a moderate risk of Zika virus transmission. Pregnant women should consider postponing non-essential travel until after the pregnancy.

Zika virus (ZIKV) is a viral infection transmitted by mosquitoes that predominantly feed between dawn and dusk. A small number of cases of sexual transmission of ZIKV have also been reported. Most people infected with ZIKV have no symptoms. When symptoms do occur they are usually mild and short-lived. Serious complications and deaths are not common. However, there is now a scientific consensus that the Zika virus is a cause of congenital Zika syndrome (microcephaly and other congenital anomalies) and Guillain-Barré syndrome.

Prevention

• All travelers should avoid mosquito bites, particularly between dawn and dusk.
• There is no vaccination or medication to prevent ZIKV infection.
• It is recommended that pregnant women planning to travel to areas with a moderate risk of ZIKV transmission should consider postponing non-essential travel until after pregnancy.
• Women should avoid becoming pregnant while traveling in, and for 8 weeks after leaving an area with active ZIKV transmission or 8 weeks after the last possible ZIKV exposure.
• Couples should follow guidance on the prevention of sexual transmission of Zika and avoid conception while traveling and for up to 6 months on return.
• If a woman develops symptoms compatible with ZIKV infection, it is recommended that she avoids becoming pregnant for a further 8 weeks following symptom onset.
• Pregnant women who visited this country while pregnant, or who become pregnant within 8 weeks of leaving this country, or within 8 weeks after the last possible ZIKV exposure, should contact their GP, obstetrician, or midwife for further advice, even if they have not been unwell.
• Further information about when to perform fetal ultrasound scanning, and, if necessary, referral to the local fetal medicine service is available.

Emergencies

FOR US CITIZENS: U.S. Embassy Paramaribo

Kristalstraat 165

Paramaribo, Suriname

Telephone: (597) 556-700 ext. 2129

Emergency After-Hours Telephone: (597) 710-1112

Email: caparamar@state.gov

Crime levels are low, but serious crime does occur in French Guiana.

Avoid isolated areas, including beaches, particularly after dark. Do not carry large amounts of cash or jewelry with you. Leave valuables and travel documents in safety deposit boxes and hotel safes.

Whole year summer in French Guiana!

The climate is tropical: hot and humid. The climate is hot and equatorial, with high annual temperatures. Rainfall is heavy, although August to October is dry. The rainy season in French Guiana, during which tropical storms may occur, takes place between December and July.

Rainforest covers c.90% of the land and contains valuable hardwood species. Mangrove swamps line parts of the coast; other areas are covered by tropical savanna.

The currency in French Guiana is the Euro.

Due to the fact that French Guiana is still a department of France. It is also the only country in South America where the Euro is the only currency that you can pay with.

We made a list of things that you must pack before going on holiday to French Guiana.

• Long-sleeved T-Shirt or Shirts (if you are allergic for mosquitoes, preferable a shirt special against mosquitoes)
• A few short-sleeve T-shirts or shirts
• Long cotton trousers ( mostly for the night adventures to protect you against mosquitoes)
• Swimming gear; bathing suit and water shoes
• 2 Travel towels (small towels that you can buy at the outdoor stores)
• Walking shoes with good grip and socks
• Sandals / flip-flops
• Passport (if you go on multi-day trips)
• Debit card, credit card, cash (preferable US Dollars)
• Camera, extra rechargeable batteries, charger, extra memory card
• Flashlight, rechargeable batteries, and charger
• Sunglasses & headgear
• Sunscreen (minimum factor of 30)
• If you wear contact lenses, also bring your glasses and spare pair of contact lenses
• Foldable umbrella, raincoat, or poncho (always keep it handy when you go into the rainforest)
• Anti-insect lotion with DEET (at least 50%)
• Neck pillow (airplane)
• Carrying bag or backpack (waterproof or with rain cover)
• Small backpack (for day trips and for in the car)
• Drybag (to store your valuables when you go into the rainforest)
• Moneybelt
• Small extra wallet for change
• Water bottle (to refill with drinking water)
• First aid kit

In French Guiana, you can choose to sleep in a hotel in 3 places; Cayenne the capital, Kourou, and Saint Laurant du Maroni that is the bordering village with Suriname. We made a list of hotels and resorts we use often.

In Cayenne, the capital of French Guiana:

• Hotel la Chaumiere, 3 stars, Chemin la Chaumiere, Matoury 97351 (15 km from Capital).
• Best Western Amazonia, 3 star, 26-28 Avenue Du General dE Gaulle.
• Royal Mercure Amazonia, 4 star, 45 Rue De L’Ara Bleu, Route de Zephir.
• Hotel Central,  3 star, Rue Mole.

In Kourou: 

• Hotel des Rouches, 3 star, Avenue des Rouches.
• Hotel Atlantis, 3 star, 1 Avenue st Exupery.

In Saint Laurent du Maroni: 

• Hotel Star, 26 bis rue Thiers, 97320.

Some hotels have breakfast included in the price. For more information call or email us.