Guyana Travel Guide

Full Name

Co-operative Republic of Guyana

Former Name

British Guiana

Capital City

Georgetown

Government Type

republic within the Commonwealth

Area Size

214,970 sq km

Time Zone

UTC/GMT -4 hours

Climate

Guyana's climate is warm and tropical throughout the year. The rainfall is generally high for most of the year, as is the humidity. December to January and May to June are the rainy seasons, while in coastal areas the climate is tempered by sea breezes.

Geography

The third-smallest country in South America after Suriname and Uruguay. An Amerindian word meaning Land of Many Waters is often times described as the Caribbean gate to South America due to its unique positioning.It lies on the North Atlantic Coast of South America, bordered by Venezuela , Surinam and Brazil .

Languages

English, Amerindian dialects, Creole, Hindi, Urdu

Culture

Guyana's culture is very similar to that of the English-speaking Caribbean, to the extent that Guyana is included and accepted as a Caribbean nation and is a founder member of the Caricom (Caribbean Community) economic bloc and also the home of the Bloc's Headquarters, the CARICOM Secretariat. Its geographical location, its sparsely populated rain forest regions, and its substantial Amerindian population differentiate it from English-speaking Caribbean countries. Its blend of East Indian (Asian Indian) and West Indian (black) cultures gives it similarities to Trinidad and distinguishes it from other parts of the Americas. Guyana shares similar interests with the islands in the West Indies, such as food, festive events, music, sports, etc. Guyana plays international cricket as a part of the West Indies cricket team, and the Guyana team plays first class cricket against other nations of the Caribbean. In addition to its CARICOM membership, Guyana is a member of CONCACAF, the international football federation for North and Central America and the Caribbean. Another aspect of Guyanese culture is its rich folklore about Jumbees.

History

Originally a Dutch colony in the 17th century, by 1815 Guyana had become a British possession. The abolition of slavery led to black settlement of urban areas and the importation of indentured servants from India to work the sugar plantations. This ethnocultural divide has persisted and has led to turbulent politics. Guyana achieved independence from the UK in 1966, but until the early 1990s it was ruled mostly by socialist-oriented governments. In 1992, Cheddi JAGAN was elected president, in what is considered the country's first free and fair election since independence. Upon his death five years later, he was succeeded by his wife Janet, who resigned in 1999 due to poor health. Her successor, Bharrat JAGDEO, was reelected in 2001.

Travel Information

Air France (AF) 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. Georgetown (GEO) (Cheddi Jagan International) is 40km from the city (journey time – 45 minutes). 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.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 ports: Georgetown. 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, travellers should be aware of the problems.

Accommodation

Hotels in Georgetown range from good to reasonable. There are no high-season charges. Nature lovers can stay in cabins at the interior resorts and camps. As power cuts are common, it is advisable to take a torch.

Visa Requirements

Visas are not required by all nationals of the EU, Australia, Canada and USA for stays of up to 90 days except the following: nationals nationals of Austria, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovak Republic, Slovenia and Sweden who do need a visa;transit passengers continuing their journey to a third country by the same aircraft or by first connecting aircraft within seven hours, without leaving the airport. A Guyanese citizen travelling on a foreign passport does not require a visa if the passport clearly indicates the place of birth to be Guyana or a well-recognised place in Guyana such as Georgetown, Demerara, Essequibo, Berbice or Corentyne. If this is not the case, documentary proof of birth in Guyana must be presented to the Immigration authorities in Guyana, such as a birth certificate (both birth and marriage certificates in the case of a married woman) or an expired Guyana passport. Nationals not referred to above are advised to contact the embassy/high commission to check visa requirements. Visas are usually valid for three months from the date of issue. However, the length of stay and extension is at the discretion of the Immigration Office. Apply to consulate or consular sectioron at embassy or high commission. Passport valid for at least six months beyond intended stay required by all nationals referred to above.

Getting Around

The only reliable means of travelling 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. Guyana has 1,077km 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. 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.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. 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. Travellers are advised to only use taxis from reputable companies and not to hail one from the roadside. Limited availability from local and international car rental firms in Georgetown.

Health & Safety

Travellers should take special precautions for Hepatitis A, Malaria, Tetanus, Typhoid and depending on the season you may need a vaccination for Diphtheria and Rabies. A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travellers over one year of age coming from infected areas. Travellers arriving from non-endemic zones should note that vaccination is strongly recommended for travel outside the urban areas, even if an outbreak of the disease has not been reported and they would normally not require a vaccination certificate to enter the country. Hepatitis B and D are highly endemic in the Amazon basin and precautions should be taken. Tuberculosis occurs. Jungle yellow fever may be found in forest areas. Dengue fever and American trypanosomiasis (Chagas disease) may occur. Rabies occurs. For those at high risk, vaccination before arrival should be considered. If you are bitten, seek medical advice without delay. Mains water is normally chlorinated in main cities, and whilst relatively safe may cause mild abdominal upsets. Bottled water is readily available and is advised for the first few weeks of the stay. Milk is unpasteurised and should be boiled. Powdered or tinned milk is available and is advised. Avoid dairy products that are likely to have been made from unboiled milk. Local meat, poultry, seafood, fruit and vegetables are generally considered safe to eat. Comprehensive health insurance is recommended. Hospital treatment in Georgetown is free, but doctors will charge for an appointment. Medical care and prescription drugs are limited and sanitary conditions are poor in many medical facilities. Travellers are advised to bring prescription medicines sufficient for their length of stay. Most visits to Guyana are trouble-free, but crime levels are high especially in Georgetown and towns in the coastal regions. Visitors to the eco-sector generally experience no problems.

National Holidays

1 Jan - New Year’s Day. 23 Feb - Republic Day (Mashramani). 3 Mar - Phagwah (Holi). 31 Mar - Yum an-Nabi (Birth of the Prophet). 6 Apr - Good Friday. 9 Apr - Easter Monday. 1 May - Labour Day. 5 May - Indian Heritage Day. 26 May - Independence Day. 3 Jul - Caricom Day. 1 Aug - Freedom Day. 9 Nov - Diwali (Hindu Festival of Light). 13 Oct - Eid Al Fitr. 20 Dec - Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice). 25-26 Dec - Christmas.

Currency

Guyana Dollar (GYD)

Electricity

110/220v AC, 60Hz

Working Hours

Office hours: Mon-Fri 0800-1200 and 1300-1630.

Emergency Numbers

999