Tour info

Transport

4 flights (longest 1 hour), numerous 4×4 road journeys, 2 boat transfers. (Road and river transfers include wildlife spotting so durations will vary).

Accommodation

Accommodation in Georgetown is in a mid-range hotel. Elsewhere, stays are in simple properties with private facilities and extraordinary locations.

Meals

Breakfasts and 1 lunch (day 2) are included in Georgetown. All other stays are on a full board basis.

Guides

We carefully select our local partners, some of whom we have worked with for over 25 years. Their English-speaking guides understand the expectations of our clients very well, and are consistently singled out for praise by the latter on their return.

Summary Of Nights

12 days, 11 nights: 4 Georgetown; 2 Iwokrama region; 2 Karanambu region; 1 Yupukari; 2 Waikin region.

Currency

The unit of currency in Guyana is the Guyanese dollar.

Daily Spend

Most of your expenses are covered on this holiday, but you will need some Guyanese dollars for any alcoholic drinks at the lodges, souvenirs and craft work, snacks and tips. Your meals in Georgetown restaurants are also best paid for in cash.

How To Take It

Take your currency needs in the form of US dollars cash (no more than is covered by your insurance), which you can exchange into local currency. Dollar bills should be in good condition, soiled or torn bills may be refused.

There are one or two ATMs (Scotia Bank) in Georgetown which accept international cards. At most of the lodges you can pay your ‘extras’ bill in US or Guyanese dollars, but not by credit or debit card (this situation may change of course). Some shops and restaurants in Georgetown accept credit cards.

Tipping

Tips are expected and local guides often rely on their tip as a significant proportion of their income.

Most service industry workers will expect a tip of some kind and so it is useful to have spare change for guides, hotel and lodge staff, taxi drivers and waiters in Georgetown. It is common practice to leave 10 – 12% in restaurants.

Tipping guidelines can be found in our Briefing Dossier.

Insurance

Travel insurance is essential. Details of our recommended policy can be found on our Travel Insurance page.

Airport Taxes

An international departure tax is payable at Georgetown airport on departure (around US$12 – subject to change).

Nature Of The Trip

This holiday is suitable for all able, reasonably fit visitors.

There are some jungle walks which can be challenging if it is raining. Some walks involve steep stretches and some scrambling.

Climate

Equatorial Guyana’s temperatures range from 25-30°C throughout the year. Along the coastal strip, there are two distinct rainy seasons: May to mid-July, and mid-November to mid-January. In the south (Rupununi), there’s a single rainy season: May to July. Humidity can be as much as 90% at these times.  August – October are the hottest months.

Clothing And Special Equipment

The hot and humid climate dictates that you should bring lightweight, loose-fitting clothing including tee-shirts, and long-sleeved shirts combined with quick-drying trousers to avoid being bitten by insects. You should have a rain jacket, fleece or light jacket for cooler evenings, hat, good walking boots (preferably waterproof), and trainers or sandals. Don’t forget your binoculars and camera, and a light daypack to carry on excursions. Mosquito repellent and sun protection lotion are essential. Bear in mind that internal flights have strict weight restrictions, which can be as low as 9kg.

Please get in touch with the office before departure if you have any doubts. Good equipment is very important and hard to come by in South America.

Vaccinations

Preventative vaccinations are recommended against the following: yellow fever; typhoid; polio; tetanus; hepatitis A. You should consult your GP for specific requirements such as malaria prophylactics.

You can also find helpful information on the Masta Travel Health website.

Country info

When is the best time to visit Guyana?

The climate in Guyana is typically hot with average daily temperatures of 27^oC and it stays warm throughout the night. The north of the country experiences two wet seasons – May-Jun and Dec-Feb. The south and the Rupununi has only one wet season, May-Aug. The best months to visit for wildlife viewing and exploring the interior are Feb-Apr and Oct-Dec.

For more detailed information visit our When To Go section.

What is the official language of Guyana?

The official language of Guyana is English.

What is Guyana's official currency?

The official currency of Guyana is the Guyanese dollar. Notes can be withdrawn from ATM at the Scotia bank in Georgetown (protect your PIN number) using a UK credit or debit card. Some other banks will offer advances on a credit card.  Otherwise you can change cash at hotels and money exchanges. Never change money on the street. Guyana is largely a cash economy though credit cards are accepted in some establishments used by tourists.

What is the time difference between the UK and Guyana?

The time difference between the UK and Guyana is GMT-4 hours.

Do I need a visa for Guyana?

Holders of a full British passport do not require a visa, although passports must be valid for at least 6 months after the trip begins. Anyone with a different nationality should enquire with us or check with the relevant consulate. If flying to the US, or via the US you will need to fill in your online ESTA application.

What vaccinations do I need for Guyana?

Please check Travel Health Pro for information on health recommendations and vaccinations for the destinations you are visiting. Please note that many Latin American countries require proof of vaccination against Yellow Fever if you have recently travelled to another country where Yellow Fever is present.

Which countries combine well with Guyana?

A visit to the two other Guianas, which sit east of Guyana along the coast: Suriname, colonised by the Dutch, and Guyane, still a French overseas département. It’s not easy to do independently: we recommend you join our annual small group guided tour, named Coq of the Rock.

What are the festivals, cultural and sporting events in Guyana?

The religious festivals of all the main religions represented by the population are celebrated, Christian Christmas and Easter; Hindu Diwali; Muslim Eid al-Adha and Amerindian Mashramani.