Guyana
With its incredible wildlife, biodiversity and untouched
tropical forests, Guyana is an authentic wilderness experience and an ideal
destination for avid trekkers and adventurers to get off the beaten path into
truly remote places.
Here at Kandoo Adventures we operate several fantastic trips
to Guyana and in this blog, we’ll answer some of the most asked questions about
travelling to Guyana and provide you with some interesting facts about Guyana.
For more information about our trips to Guyana, get in touch with our friendly
team who are happy to answer any questions you may have.
Where is Guyana?
Guyana is located in the northeast of South America, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the north, Venezuela to the west, Brazil to the south and southwest and Suriname to the east.
Although Guyana is actually a South American country, many consider it to be part of the Caribbean region because, like many of the Caribbean islands, Guyana was once a British colony. This part of the country’s history has undoubtedly affected the lives of the people who live there and also given them a shared history with many Caribs.
What is the population of Guyana?
As of December 2024, the current population of Guyana is 833,335, based on the Worldometer’s elaboration of the latest United Nations data. The majority of these people live along the country’s narrow coastal belt on the Atlantic Ocean, meaning Guyana’s interior is almost untouched by human development and nature has been left to thrive.
What is the capital of Guyana?
Georgetown is the capital of Guyana, the largest city of Guyana and the chief port of Guyana. The 2024 population of Guyana is 235,017 based on the Worldometer’s Guyana demographics.
Situated at the mouth of the Demerara Estuary, Georgetown is where your Guyana trip will begin and end. The primary international airport of Guyana is located on the right bank of the Demerara River in Timehri, 41 kilometres (25 miles) south of Guyana’s capital, Georgetown. All Kandoo Guyana trips commence here and airport transfers to your hotel will be provided.
Despite its position on the coast of South America, Georgetown has an inherently Caribbean feel. Most buildings here are still wooden with a unique architectural style that dates back to the 18th and 19th centuries. Main Street also has several examples of fine old colonial homes, set in lush gardens.
There are a number of interesting sights here in Georgetown that can be easily included in a half day city tour including the Demerara Harbour Bridge, the longest floating bridge in the world, which connects the east and west banks of the Demerara River. It is a must for places to visit in Guyana when travelling here to embark on one of our Guyana adventures.
What languages are spoken in Guyana?
The official language of Guyana is English, this is a result of the country’s colonial past as formerly British Guiana. It’s actually the only English-speaking country in South America and English is mainly regarded as the language of media, commerce, education and government in Guyana. As a result, it’s a great place to experience different cultures but still be able to understand the language. Most of the population speak Guyanese Creole which is English based with some African and East Indian influences. Additionally, some communities speak indigenous languages including Macushi, Kapong, Wai Wai, Warao, Pemon, Arecuna, Taurepen and Mapidian.
What is the currency in Guyana?
The currency in Guyana is the Guyanese dollar. The international abbreviation is GYD, and you can find exchange rates online. There are ATMs in the capital of Guyana, Georgetown. Here most places will accept bank cards, but in more remote parts of the country you’ll need cash. On a Guyana trip with Kandoo, most meals and activities will be included, but you’ll want to take money for tips and any shopping you might want to do while you’re there.
What time is it now in Guyana?
Guyana only has one time zone, and it is GMT/UTC-4. It does not observe daylight savings time, meaning the time in Guyana is 4 hours behind the time in the UK when the UK is on standard time, and 5 hours behind the time in the UK when the UK is on daylight saving time. Guyana is 1 hour ahead of New York and 4 hours ahead of Los Angeles.
How long is the flight to Guyana?
The main international airport in Guyana is Cheddi Jagan International Airport, formerly Timehri International Airport, and it is located on the right bank of the Demerara River in the city of Timehri, 41km south of Georgetown, the capital of Guyana. British Airways have identified Guyana as an emerging destination and now offer direct flights there.
The flight duration will differ depending on the country you are flying from. A flight from London to Guyana takes around 11 hours and 30 mins with a short stop on the way in St Lucia, while the shortest flight from New York to Georgetown has a duration of 5 hours 35 minutes and the total flight duration from Los Angeles to Georgetown is approximately 9 hours.
What is Guyana weather like?
Guyana is close to the equator, meaning it is hot year-round. The dry season brings heat, while the slightly cooler rainy season provides humidity. Guyana’s average temperature is 27.5 degrees Celsius (81.5 degrees Fahrenheit) and receives 91 inches (2.31m) of rain annually.
The country’s interior receives more rain than the coast, while Guyana’s savannah is its driest region. For this reason, the interior has slightly different rainy and dry seasons. Guyana’s interior dry seasons are from February to March and late August to September and the interior wet seasons are between May to early August and late December to January. In Guyana’s coastal areas, however, the dry seasons are from February to March and late August to September while the wet seasons are between May to mid-July and mid-November to January.
When is the best time to visit Guyana?
Like most destinations, the best time to visit Guyana may depend on travel preferences.
For trekking in Guyana, the best time to visit Guyana is during one of its two dry seasons, between February to March or late August to September. These dry season bring lush, verdant forests and loaded waterfalls, making a scenic experience for Guyana trekking expeditions. The jungle also becomes more navigable as it becomes less swamp-like under foot and it is a great time for wildlife viewing. Average high temperatures reach 31 degrees Celsius (88 degrees Fahrenheit), then drop to around 24 degrees Celsius (75 degrees Fahrenheit) at night.
Remember, it can be rainy during the dry season and be sunny and rain-free during the rainy season.
What to wear in Guyana?
Loose fitting, cool clothing is best for a Guyana trek as it is usually hot and humid. As aways, we recommend packing a comfortable pair of trekking boots and several pairs of moisture wicking walking socks. Merino wool is best and avoid cotton. You will also need several pairs of lightweight trousers and lightweight shirts.
Protection from the sun is important too. A sun hat with a full brim will keep the sun off you in the heat of the day and a high UV Sunscreen will provide extra protection. Other useful items include insect repellent, good footwear and a flashlight. For more detailed information on what to wear in Guyana, head over to our Guyana equipment list.
Is Guyana safe to visit?
When visiting any travel destination, there may be potential risks to your safety and security, and these should be identified and considered before travelling. It’s important to remember though that these risks can be minimised with proper planning, prudence and awareness.
Like most countries, Guyana has areas that are less savoury to visit. The capital of Guyana, Georgetown, is an area where you’ll need to exercise more caution. To protect yourself, keep your valuables secure by using money belts and lockable bags. You could also refrain from wearing expensive jewellery or overtly using high-value electronics and when withdrawing money, find an ATM inside a bank and count your cash discreetly.
One of the main reasons travellers visit Guyana is to experience the incredible wildlife. We feel we should emphasise that there is little to no crime in these jungle areas and the people here are extremely friendly. At Kandoo, our priority is your safety. To ensure you stay safe in the wild, we advise you to always follow your guide’s instructions. They are experts in the local terrain and animal behaviour, are trained to ensure your safety and will be with you at all times during your trek.
Guyana entry requirements
If you’re travelling to Guyana from the UK, your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 6 months after the date you arrive. Visitors can normally stay for 30 days without a visa, but you can apply for one-month extensions from Guyana’s immigration and support services. All travellers from the UK should be up to date with routine vaccination courses and boosters as recommended in the UK including measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine and diphtheria-tetanus-polio vaccine. For most travellers visiting Guyana, hepatitis A vaccine, tetanus vaccine and yellow fever vaccine are recommended. For some travellers, hepatitis B, rabies, tuberculosis and typhoid are recommended.
Travellers from the US must have a valid US passport and do not need a visa to enter Guyana. However, the passport must be valid for at least 6 months and some airlines may not allow boarding if it’s not. The CDC and WHO recommend the following vaccinations for Guyana: typhoid, hepatitis A, polio, yellow fever, chikungunya, rabies, hepatitis B, influenza, COVID-19, pneumonia, meningitis, chickenpox, shingles, Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis) and measles, mumps and rubella (MMR). While proof of yellow fever vaccination is not required for entry to Guyana, it is highly recommended and some countries may require proof of immunisation when travelling from Guyana.
Things to do in Guyana:
1. Trekking in Guyana
Trekking in Guyana is an experience like no other. Hike through pristine rainforest with expert, local guides and discover an ancient natural world where very few walkers have stepped foot, sometimes on pioneering trails through the dense vegetation. There are countless must-see attractions found here. We’re talking trekking into the depths of the jungle to see spectacular waterfalls, hiking through the picturesque Kanuku Mountains and witnessing endemic animals in Guyana in the wild.
2. Experience wildlife in Guyana
There are few places on Earth that offer adventure as raw and authentic as Guyana. It is, in fact, home to only one of 4 pristine tropical forests in the world. With nearly 80 percent of its land covered by dense tropical rainforest and extensive rivers, Guyana is a remaining haven for some of the rarest animals in South America. Astonishingly, this small country is home to over 200 species of mammal, more than 800 species of bird, in excess of 300 species of reptile and 6,500 species of plant, making it a top destination for anyone passionate about nature.
3. Explore the capital of Guyana
While most visitors come to discover the Guyana countryside, there are great places to visit in Georgetown, the capital of Guyana. With colonial architecture and eclectic cuisine, Georgetown is home to a thriving arts and culture scene that is not to be missed on any Guyana holiday. Things to do in Georgetown include St. George’s Cathedral, Stabroek Market, the botanical gardens and zoo and the longest floating bridge in the world, The Demerara Harbour Bridge. You can easily spend a few days here before or after your Guyana trek.
Guyana is South America’s hidden gem. No really, it is! There is so much more to this spectacular country than we can put down in writing here. Whilst you’re here though, check out our blogs on 10 reasons to visit Guyana, wildlife in Guyana and mountains in Guyana for more travel inspiration for this captivating destination or talk to the friendly team at Kandoo HQ.