Guyana Travel Guide

Social Conventions

Hospitality is important to the Guyanese and it is quite common for the visitor to be invited to their homes. Informal wear is widely acceptable, but men should avoid wearing shorts.

International Travel

Getting There By Air

Air France (AF) (website: www.airfrance.com) operates a flight to Cayenne in French Guiana. There are no direct flights from Europe. Airlines serving Trinidad & Tobago, from where connecting flights can be made, include BWIA (British West Indies Airways).

Departure Tax

G$2,500 or equivalent in US Dollars; transit passengers up to 48 hours, and children under seven years of age are exempt.

Main Airports

Georgetown (GEO) (Cheddi Jagan International) is 40km (26 miles) from the city (journey time – 45 minutes). To/from the airport: An irregular and crowded bus service to the city is available. Taxis meet every plane. Facilities: Duty-free shop, gift shop, restaurants, bars and post office.

Getting There By Water

Main ports: Georgetown.

Numerous schooners sail between Guyana and the Caribbean islands, but schedules are erratic. For details, contact local ports. Cargo vessels run by the Guyana National Shipping Corporation ply from Miami to Georgetown and vessels run by the Demerara Shipping Company ply between European ports and Georgetown weekly.

Following recent improvements in relations with Surinam, a ferry service across the Courantyne River now links the two countries. This is the only mode of transport that should be used when crossing the river; travelers using water taxis could be arrested.

Getting There By Rail

There are no passenger rail services.

Getting There By Road

There is a soft road from Georgetown via Kurupukari to Lethem to Brazil. The journey takes at least 12 hours in a 4-wheel drive vehicle. Improvements have been made to many roads in recent years and travel during the rainy season is now possible - although care should still be taken to avoid potholes.

Buses travel from Boa Vista in Brazil to Lethem and then onwards to Georgetown. Borders with Surinam and Venezuela are in dispute; although these disputes are on a back burner, travelers should be aware of the problems.

Duty Free

Overview

The following goods can be imported into Guyana by travelers aged 16 years or over without incurring customs duty:

• 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 225g of tobacco.
• Spirits not exceeding 750ml.
• Wine not exceeding 750ml.
• Computers.
• A reasonable amount of perfume for personal use.

Internal Travel

Getting Around By Air

The only reliable means of traveling into the interior is by air. Several local airlines depart from both Ogle Aerodrome (OGL) on the east coast of Demerara and from CBJ International Airport in Timehri. A number of different airlines and charter companies offer flights to most destinations; enquire locally for details.

Getting Around By Water

Guyana has 1,077km (607 miles) of navigable inland waterways, the most notable being the Essequibo, Demerara and Berbice rivers which are all navigable by oceangoing vessels. Government steamers communicate with the interior up the Essequibo and Berbice rivers, but services can be irregular owing to flooding. The government also runs a coast-hopping service from Georgetown to several northern ports. Smaller craft operate where there is sufficient demand throughout the country.

Getting Around By Rail

Mining concerns operate railways, but there are no scheduled passenger services.

Getting Around By Road

Traffic drives on the left. All-weather roads are concentrated in the eastern coastal strip, although there is a road inland as far as the Brazilian border and a bridge linking the two countries is nearing completion. The coastal road linking Georgetown, Rosignol, New Amsterdam and Crabwood Creek (Corentyne) is fairly good, but generally road conditions are poor. Because of Guyana’s many rivers, most journeys of more than a few miles outside the capital will involve ferries and the attendant delays. Avoid driving at night.

Bus: Georgetown’s Stabroek Market is the terminus for minibuses. These are regular but generally crowded. Buses run to all areas, departing whenever they are full. The first buses leave at around 0500, and services continue until about 2100. Within Georgetown, buses run all night. Services from Vreed-en-Hoop to Parika operate in conjunction with the passenger-ferry service across the Demerara to Georgetown; services from New Amsterdam to Crabwood Creek operate in conjunction with ferries across the Berbice River.

Taxi: At night, it is advisable to travel by taxi. Vehicles are plentiful. There is a standard fare for intercity travel; night fares are extra. For longer trips, fares should be agreed before departure. A 10% tip is usual in taxis. Travelers are advised to only use taxis from reputable companies and not to hail one from the roadside.

Car hire: Limited availability from local and international firms in Georgetown.

Regulations: Seat belts must be worn at all times; this law is enforced and failure to abide could lead to a fine.

Documentation: An International Driving Permit is recommended. A one-month local driving permit can be obtained from the License and Revenue Office in Georgetown, after showing a valid foreign license.