As many tourists come to Guyana every year as to Machu Picchu in just one day. And that is exactly the secret of the country’s lush nature and wildlife. Wild, touched and rich in species – this is how Guyana can be described in just three words. Hardly disturbed, the golden rocket frog, lowland rock pheasant, manatee, jaguar and anteater live together with hundreds of other species in a natural paradise that can hardly be found anywhere else.
We have specialized in organizing trips to Guyana that are individually tailored to your needs. In addition, a detailed consultation is extremely important, because Guyana is not a destination for mass tourism. Make an appointment with us, we will be happy to advise you.
Caribbean mentality in the exception of South America
The Kaieteur waterfalls are probably THE sight of Guyana for all nature fans. Surrounded by dense jungle, the masses of water plunge wildly and loudly almost 250 meters into the depth. Not far from the thundering masses of water and completely withdrawn in the thick foliage live here the fingernail-sized golden rocket frog that has made its home in the bromeliads, or the lowland rock pheasant that glides majestically through the treetops. The capital, Georgetown, is the opposite of the Kaieteur National Park and is bursting with hustle and bustle with a Caribbean flair. Steel drum bands ensure a relaxed atmosphere here. A little tip: Accompany Delven chef on a visit to the market and then eat with him in the backyard. A culinary highlight!
Travel information in brief
Travel time
The best time to travel to Guyana are the dry seasons from February to April and August to October. The months in between is the rainy season, when heavy showers and floods can occur. The roads inland are hardly or not at all passable in the rainy season and there are no trekking tours during this time. The famous Kaieteur Falls carry most of the water at the end of the rainy season.
Currency / money
The official currency of Guyana is the Guyana Dollar (GYD). In the capital, Georgetown, US dollars are also accepted in larger shops (not so much in the hinterland). It is advisable to take a cash amount in US dollars with you and exchange part of it for the local currency on site. When you think of the denominations, think of enough 1 and 5 US dollar bills. Major hotels and most upscale restaurants in Georgetown accept credit card payments.
Vaccinations
The Federal Foreign Office recommends standard vaccinations such as tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, measles, mumps and rubella for a trip to Guyana. An additional vaccination against hepatitis A for shorter stays and vaccinations against typhoid, rabies and hepatitis B for longer stays should also be considered. A yellow fever vaccination and malaria prophylaxis should also be considered for stays in the rainforest.
Visa / entry
German citizens can enter Guyana for up to 90 days without a visa. All you need is your passport. This must be valid for at least six months after your planned return date and have a free page. When entering the country, you will occasionally be asked for an onward or return ticket, which you must show on request.
Guyana vacation – out and about on the beaten track
The whole of Guyana is covered by a dense, tropical rainforest that covers the mountains and valleys like a carpet. Only occasionally do small towns like the capital Georgetown break open this panorama and you can feel that not everything in Guyana is nature. But the beauty of the country lies mainly in its nature. Picturesque table mountains, thundering waterfalls and the lush green of the dense jungle with its inhabitants can be marveled at on a nature trip through Guyana.
Guyana is particularly interesting for bird lovers, because in addition to the national bird Hoatzin, more than 730 bird species live here in the canopy of leaves of the rainforest. But also monkeys, manatees, caimans, coatis and even the rare jaguar belong to the inhabitants of Guyana. If you are out at the right time, you can also visit one of the turtle beaches such as Shell Beach and take the opportunity to watch leather and hawksbill turtles lay their eggs.
In small, simple lodges, in the midst of fantastic nature, you can start unforgettable excursions in Guyana, on which you will meet almost no other human soul. A tour of the river landscape is an absolute must for nature-loving travelers. A river length of up to 960 kilometers can be navigated in a dugout canoe or another boat. From the water you get a glimpse into the exciting world on the bank and, if you look closely, you can certainly observe one or the other animal eating, sleeping or “hanging out”. In addition, the curious manatees cavort in the rivers and may pay a visit to the boat.
Another jungle perspective can be obtained on the canopy walkway, a suspension bridge system in the tops of the trees. If you are a little afraid of heights, you should still take all your courage, because the walk is a unique experience. A trip to the Kaieteur waterfall is just as high and even higher, as this is best reached by glider or small airplane. The view on approach is terrific and no less spectacular than when you stand directly in front of the waterfall and the spray of the lashing mass of water blows in your face. Behind the thundering wall of water, with a bit of luck, you can watch the tepui swifts come in for hours or pay a visit to the queen of the jungle – the harpy.
Guyana consists mainly of dense rainforest, savannahs, mountains and alluvial land. There is not much space here for cities and so even the capital Georgetown with its around 35,000 inhabitants is more of a town. Due to the Caribbean flair, the city was given the name “Garden City of the Caribbean”. The streets are lined with flowering plants and giant water lilies and lotus flowers grow in the drainage canals. The residents here also live the leisurely Caribbean pace. Steel drum bands provide the best entertainment, while the mainly Indian and Chinese cuisine provides the growling stomach with a culinary delight.
Admittedly, there is no pronounced tourism in Guyana and therefore no well-developed infrastructure – but that is exactly what makes Guyana a dream destination for individual travelers and the adventurous. It is best to plan the round trip in advance and take it easy if things turn out differently than planned on site. So you can get involved much better with nature and the wonderful landscapes.
