Guyana useful facts

Guyana lies on the north-east corner of the South American continent between latitudes 1° and 9° N and longitude 56° and 62° W.

Georgetown –2m at high tide. This necessitates an elaborate system of drainage canals and sluice gates to drain water at low tide.                      

Mean shade temperature is 27°C.  Mean maximum is 31°C.  Mean minimum is 24°C. The heat is greatly tempered by cooling breezes from the sea.

There are two wet seasons in the north of the country, from May to June, and from December to January.  The south and the Rupununi region receive one wet season from May to July.  All wet seasons may extend into months either side.  Rainfall averages 2,300 mm a year in Georgetown.

The following countries do not need a visa : Commonwealth countries, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and the USA. 

Our operator in Guyana can obtain permission for a visa on arrival.  Information page from the passport and travel details should be faxed to our office.  The operator will apply to the Ministry of Home Affairs for the permission.  A copy of the permission will be faxed back and should be carried for travel.  A driver will have original at airport on arrival.  Administration cost is US$10 per passport.

Sealed road from Georgetown to the Suriname border, with a vehicle ferry crossing on the Berbice River.  Vehicle ferry crosses the Corentyne River, which forms the border with Suriname.  Road continues east to Paramaribo and onward to French Guiana and the Brazilian state of Amapa.

From Georgetown you can cross the Demerara River on the world’s longest floating bridge and continue west to the Essequibo River.  Cross the river by vehicle ferry or speed boat and then road continues to Charity on the Pomeroon River.  There is no direct road connection along the coast to Venezuela.

From Georgetown a sealed road leads south to Linden and then dirt road (sometimes a just a muddy track, but being upgraded) to Lethem in the south.  From Lethem you can cross by ferry or through the river in dry season (bridge being constructed) to Bom Fin, Brazil.  From here sealed roads link Boa Vista and onwards to Manaus.  From Boa Vista you can travel north to Santa Elena, Venezuela with road connections onwards to Caracas.  From Boa Vista you can also join the Varig Airlines routes.

Guyana has very few sealed or dirt roads.  This makes travel into the interior difficult and challenging. Long distances are covered by small aircraft which make journeys quick, comfortable and an adventure.

From the small interior airstrip, travel is then normally by four-wheel drive jeep or truck, boat, horse or bullock cart or even a mixture of these modes of transport.

The tracks in the interior can be extremely difficult and seem impassable.  However, the drivers are very experienced and are normally able to pass through flooded creeks and seemingly undriveable stretches of road.  Consequently, the 4x4’s range from excellent condition to battered old Land Rovers.  Inevitably, from time to time vehicles do break down, but the drivers are masters at fixing them on the spot and they are prepared for the more frequent repairs.   In many cases the travel can be in hot and dusty conditions and even in the back of a pickup or truck.

Boat travel in Guyana is frequently used and is in general a comfortable mode of transport.  It offers an opportunity to observe the wildlife and scenery whilst moving between locations. 

Horse back travel is on specially bred horses that are prepared for the tough conditions of the Rupununi.  Most persons from North American or European will at first be surprised at the small, scrawny looking horses.  But they are actually tough, work horse that are well suited to the hot, difficult conditions.

Ox cart travel is used occasionally to get into areas that are inaccessible to 4x4 vehicles.  Not the quickest or most comfortable ride, but a second class ride is better than a first class walk.  Or if you like to walk, leave the gear in the cart and follow the track yourself.

Travel in Guyana is part of the experience and adventure and can be a component of the highlights of a trip.  However, the nature of the often difficult travel can mean there may be delays due to mechanical breakdown, a tree across the road, a flooded river etc.  During these incidence having a patient disposition is an advantage as it may be necessary to wait, whilst staff deal with the situation.  Sometimes it might even be fun to join them in solving the problem.

Trans Guyana Airlines have scheduled flights to 22 locations within Guyana.  Aircraft used are Briton Norman Islander (max. 9 seats), Cessna Caravan (max. 13 seats) and Skyvan (max. 16 seats).

Air Services Limited offer limited scheduled flights to the interior with Cessna 206 (max. 5 seats) and Briton Norman Islander (max. 9 seats).

Roraima Airlines offer limited scheduled flights to the interior with Briton Norman Islander (max. 9 seats).

Baggage allowance on these flights is 15lbs per person.  Additional baggage can be carried but the weight must be reserved in advance.  Cost is US$0.59 per pound.

The blend of different ethnic influences – Indian, African, Chinese, Creole, English, Portuguese, Amerindian, North American – gives a distinctive flavour to Guyanese cuisine.  Try dishes such as Pepper Pot, meat cooked in casareep (bitter casava) juice with peppers and herbs.  Garlic Pork, a specialty at Christmas.  Curry and Roti is popular everywhere.  Seafood is plentiful and varied, as is the wide variety of tropical fruit and vegetables.  Try casava and yams.

Whilst on tour the food is of a very good standard with fresh beef, chicken and fish and plenty of vegetables and fruit.  On camping trips use is made of dried and salted produce, supplemented by fishing.

Special diets can be catered for but we must be informed in advance so that appropriate food can be supplied.

Rum is the most popular drink and Guyana blends some of the worlds best.  The are many inexpensive rums at about US$ 3.50 a bottle that are excellent rum with mixers.  The better rums such as Banks Extra, Banks XM 10 Year and DDL’s 12 year old King of Diamonds are smooth rums and great straight or on the rocks.  DDL’s 15 year old El Dorado was voted the best rum in the world in 1999, 2000 and 2001, and is as smooth as a good brandy.  It costs US$ 30.00 in Georgetown or US$ 20.00 duty free at the airport.  It makes a great gift. The local Banks Beer is a good beer and sells for about US$0.70 a bottle.