Welcome to Guyana!

SAFETY ISSUES IN GUYANA

Poverty in the country leads to an increase in petty crimes such as robberies and pickpocketing. Be alert, especially in and around the capital Georgetown and at marketplaces. Also, be alert when you go out on the street in the evening. Threats and robberies occur in taxis.

Corruption at checkpoints

Corruption in paying bribes regularly occurs when in contact with the police. For example, at the police checkpoint (Mabura Hill) on the road to Lethem / Brazil. Or for a minor offense, along the coastal road. This applies more to Guyanese than to foreigners.

Pirates off the coast

Pirates are active off the coast of Guyana and in the border area at sea with Suriname. This is especially a problem for Guyanese people.

CRIME IN GUYANA

Therefore, be careful in all of Guyana. Are you traveling alone or in a group to Guyana? For your safety, take the following precautions:

• Be vigilant if you go out on the street in the evening;
• Be alert when traveling alone. It can be safer to travel with others or join a tour;
• Avoid remote places such as quiet streets and ruins. Especially if you are traveling alone;
• Public transport is not safe. Take hotel taxis for shorter trips within the cities. Do not keep taxis on the street;
• Keep an eye on your luggage. Especially in places where many people come, such as a bus station;
• Do not carry too much money and do not wear striking jewelry;
• Carry money, credit cards, and other valuable documents on your body. For example in a money belt;
• Do not withdraw a large amount of money from the bank at once;
• Keep your passport, airline ticket, and money that you do not need immediately in a safe place;
• Keep a photocopy of your passport separate from your passport;
• Do not offer resistance in the event of robbery or robbery. If you are a victim of this, hand over your possessions. Resistance often leads to (more) violence.
• Be extra vigilant when visiting banks or ATMs.

DRUGS IN GUYANA IS FORBIDDEN!

Drug trafficking is a serious problem: possession and trafficking in drugs lead to prison sentences and heavy fines! The minimum jail sentence for illegal drug offenses is three years. Prison conditions in Guyana are different from those in Europe. Pack all luggage yourself and do not carry any items that do not belong to you!

In addition, there is regular violence between drug gangs. This concerns shooting, kidnappings, and armed robberies. Furthermore, in Guyana theft and robberies occur, even from slow-moving cars.

CURRENCY IN GUYANA

In Guyana, the Guyana dollar (GYD) is the only legal tender accepted in this country. The Guyana dollar is a floating currency and the value fluctuates in accordance with the changes in the value of the US$. The exchange is approximately US$1 – GY$209.00 (2020). Exchanges of currencies are possible at banks, Cambios, and most hotels for tourists.

You can change your money safe at the Cambios. The Cambios have licensed currency exchange houses. Opening hours of most Cambios are from 08:00hrs to 17:00hrs, and on Saturdays from 08:00hrs to 12:00hrs, sometimes to 14:00hrs. Keep your Cambio receipts; you will need to produce them in order to change Guyanese dollars on departure.

CREDIT CARDS IN GUYANA

Credit cards and traveler’s cheques are accepted by most hotels, restaurants, car rental agencies, and tour operators. Master Card, International VISA,  Maestro and Cirrus credit, and debit cards can be used to obtain cash from Scotiabank in Branch during banking hours or at ABMs. Above mentioned cards can also be used at the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI) at their branches and at certain ATM locations. ATM Machines are accessible to persons with ATM Debit Cards. 

TAKE NOTE:

Dutch bank cards are not accepted in Guyana!

BANKS IN GUYANA

Opening hours of Banks: 08:00 hrs. and 14: 00 hrs. from Monday to Thursday and 08:00hrs and 14: 30hrs on Friday. Banks are closed on national holidays. 

HOMOSEXUALITY IS PUNISHABLE IN GUYANA!

You are subject to local laws if you violate local laws, even unknowingly, you may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. Homosexuality is punishable in Guyana, this also applies to foreigners! Homosexual activity is illegal. Public displays of homosexuality like holding hands or kissing in public places could lead to arrest and imprisonment.

TRAVELLING TO SURINAME?

If you are traveling from Suriname to Guyana, pay attention to the validity of your Surinamese tourist card. Have you traveled to Suriname with a tourist card and do you want to go to Guyana and then back to Suriname? Then you have to buy a new tourist card to return to Suriname.

EMERGENCY NUMBERS IN GUYANA

Ambulance: 913.

Police: 911.

Fire department: 912.

International code: +592.

In case of emergency for Dutch and Belgium passport holders, you can call 24/7  Minister of Foreign affairs in the Netherlands +31247247247.

Make sure you have your world adapter and plug with you!

The electricity in Guyana varies, from 110 to 240 volts. Both frequencies are also used, of both 50 Hertz and 60 Hertz. The country thus uses different types of outlets and plugs. In many places, you will find American sockets that are suitable for plugs with two flat pins. It is therefore advisable to bring an adapter and a world plug.

Take note: Power breaks do occur often in Georgetown! So bringing a simple toothbrush instead of the one working on electricity can be helpful!

Before your vacation to Guyana please check with your tropical doctor to make sure you have all the vaccinations for tropical diseases.

Yellow fever

When entering Guyana you need to have the yellow fever vaccination card with you!

The control will be conducted by the Immigration officers at all border crossings, ports, and international airports in Suriname. Travelers who are not vaccinated against yellow fever will be refused entry to the country. Vaccination must be undertaken at least 10 days prior to travel to Suriname. A vaccination certificate is required for children over 1 year of age. Travelers should carry their vaccination card with them at all times while traveling to Guyana.

In response to the yellow fever epidemic in Africa, the Ministry of Health has announced that control of yellow fever vaccination will be increased for travelers from yellow fever risk regions:

AFRICA: Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, C6te d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Sudan, South Sudan, Togo, and Uganda.

SOUTH AMERICA: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela.

NOTE: Persons are advised to refrain from consuming alcohol 24 hours before and after receiving vaccines.

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

DENGUE

There is a risk of dengue in Guyana.  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.

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

Guyana 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 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

Before you visit Guyana, it is advisable to check with your Tropical doctor which vaccinations you should get before entering the country.

When entering Guyana you need to have the yellow fever vaccination card with you!

See also our Frequent Ask Questions about yellow fever vaccination on our website.

The control will be conducted by the Immigration officers at all border crossings, ports, and international airports in Guyana. Travelers who are not vaccinated against yellow fever will be refused entry to the country. Vaccination must be undertaken at least 10 days prior to travel to Guyana. A vaccination certificate is required for children over 1 year of age. Travelers should carry their vaccination card with them at all times while traveling to Guyana.

In response to the yellow fever epidemic in Africa, the Ministry of Health has announced that control of yellow fever vaccination will be increased for travelers from yellow fever risk regions:

AFRICA: Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, C6te d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Sudan, South Sudan, Togo, and Uganda.

SOUTH AMERICA: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela.

NOTE: Persons are advised to refrain from consuming alcohol 24 hours before and after receiving vaccines.

In the capital of Guyana, Georgetown you can choose to stay in a hotel or apartment.

Just to name a view:

• Ramada Georgetown Princess hotel
• Herdmanston Lodge
• Signature Inn
• Guyana Marriott
• Pegasus hotel
• Roraima Duke Lodge, near the American Embassy

ALWAYS SUMMER IN GUYANA!

In Guyana, the average temperatures vary very little. Humidity is high, temperatures feel hot all year with a fair chance of precipitation about half of the year.

The warmest time Guyana, are November, August, September, and November where highs are regularly around 32.°C with temperatures rarely dropping below 25.°C at night.

The best time to travel to Guyana is February – April, August – November.

National holidays where schools, banks, markets, and shops are closed

Due to the fact that Guyana has different religions, Guyana has also a couple of national holidays where schools, banks, markets, and shops are closed. Take note that some religious holidays may differ from year to year.

• NEW YEAR’S DAY: December 1
• REPUBLIC DAY: 23 February
• PHAGWAH: 21 March
• GOOD FRIDAY: 19 April
• EASTER DAY: 22 April
• LABOUR DAY: 01 May
• ARRIVAL DAY: 05 May
• INDEPENDENCE DAY: 26 May
• CARICOM DAY:  01 July
• EMANCIPATION DAY: 01 August
• EID-UL-ADHA**: 11 August
• DEEPAVALI: 27 October
• YOUMAN –NABI **: 09 November
• CHRISTMAS DAY: 25 December
• BOXING DAY: 26 December

**= tentative dates, days may vary. Before you leave home for a holiday in Guyana check out the national holidays first!

We made a list of things you need to pack that will become very handy while on vacation in Guyana.

• 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 Towel (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