French Guiana Travel Guide

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Top Things to See

Cayenne
In French Guiana’s capital and chief port, points of interest include the Jesuit-built residence of the Prefect in the Place de Grenoble, the Canal Laussat, and the Botanical Gardens. In the center of town, the Musée Départemental Franconie and the Musée des Cultures Guyanaises feature good exhibits on indigenous peoples and the notorious penal settlements on Devil’s Island.

Fourgassé Falls
Organise a picnic at the picturesque Fourgassé Falls, located about an hour from Kourou.

Haut-Maroni and Haut-Oyapoc
Visit the Amerindian villages in Haut-Maroni and Haut-Oyapoc. Visits are restricted and a permission must be obtained from the Préfecture in Cayenne before arrival in the country.

Iles du Salut
The Iles du Salut include the infamous Devil’s Island where political prisoners were held. Do not miss the Iracoubo Church painted entirely by hand by the famous convict Huguet. There is a hotel (an ex-mess hall for the prison warders) on Ile Royale.

Kourou
The main French Space Center is something of a European enclave. Ultra-modern buildings now dominate the city, and there are several restaurants and a couple of good hotels. A tour of the Space Center is a must.

Top Things to Do

Canoe
Organise a trip in a dugout canoe. Trips range from an hour and a half to full day adventures and take place throughout the country including, the Kourou, Iracabo, Counamana and the lower Sinnamary. The rivers are a mixture of calm water and more challenging rapids, such as those at Hermina.

Join the carnival
King Carnival starts after Epiphany and goes on until Ash Wednesday. Every Sunday for over two months, carnival groups delight the thronging crowds with their multicolored costumes and the frenetic rhythm of their music. On Mardi Gras, the towns are almost literally painted red for the parade of the red devils. Ash Wednesday sees the crowd dressed in black and white and ready to witness the final moments of the life of King Carnival, soon to be burnt at the stake amid a seemingly incessant hullabaloo.

Microlighting
Microlighting can be organized, and mountain bikes can be hired in Cayenne, Saül, Montsinery-Tonnegrade, St Laurent and St Georges for trips through the primary forest.

Mouragues Nature Reserve
Discover nature and wildlife at the Mouragues Nature Reserve, which stretches from Roura to Régina and is renowned for its diverse scenery and flora. The Kaw Swamps, near Rora, are host to many species of birds, such as the Toco toucan and the flamingo.

Sea fishing
Sea fishing is popular and can be undertaken from rocks, as well as from boats. Fishing for sharks and other big fish can be done in the open sea. Devil’s Island is popular with swimmers and fishermen alike. Freshwater fishing and fly fishing are also popular.

Trekking
Trek into the interior; jungle shelters are available for overnight stops. A special permit is necessary from the Préfecture in Cayenne.

Turtle spotting
Montjoly, Cayenne's best beach, is a short drive away from the city. Watch leatherback turtles lay their eggs here from April to July.

Watersports
Swim, waterski or sail at Ile de Cayenne, Kourou and Montjoly.