Guyana

Travel Facts

US State Dept Travel Advisory

The US Department of State currently recommends US citizens Reconsider Travel to Guyana due to crime. Consult its website via the link below for updates to travel advisories and statements on safety, security, local laws, and special circumstances in this country.

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html

Passport/Visa Requirements

US citizens should make sure their passport will not expire for at least 6 months after they enter the country even if they do not intend to stay that long. They should also make sure they have at least 1 blank page in their passport for any entry stamp that will be required. A visa is not required.

US Embassy/Consulate

+(592) 225-4900/9; EMER: +(592) 623-1992; US Embassy Georgetown, 100 Young and Duke Streets, Georgetown, Guyana; acsgeorge@state.gov; https://gy.usembassy.gov/

LGBTQIA+ Travelers

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual (LGBTQIA+) travelers can face unique challenges when traveling abroad. Laws and attitudes in some countries may affect safety and ease of travel. Legal protections vary from country to country. Many countries do not legally recognize same-sex marriage. Approximately seventy countries consider consensual same-sex sexual relations a crime, sometimes carrying severe punishment.

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/before-you-go/travelers-with-special-considerations/lgbtqi.html

Telephone Code

592

Local Emergency Phone

999

Vaccinations

The CDC and WHO recommend the following vaccinations for Guyana: hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, yellow fever, rabies, meningitis, polio, measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis), chickenpox, shingles, COVID-19, pneumonia and influenza.

http://www.who.int/

Climate

Tropical; hot, humid, moderated by northeast trade winds; two rainy seasons (May to August, November to January)

Currency (Code)

Guyanese dollars (GYD)

Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s)

120 V, 240 V / 60 Hz / plug types(s): A, B, D, G

Plug Type APlug Type BPlug Type DPlug Type G

Major Languages

English, Guyanese Creole, Amerindian languages (including Caribbean and Arawak languages), Indian languages (including Caribbean Hindustani), Chinese

Major Religions

Protestant 34.8%, Hindu 24.8%, Roman Catholic 7.1%, Muslim 6.8%, Jehovah's Witness 1.3%, Rastafarian 0.5%, other Christian 20.8%

Time Difference

UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Potable Water

Opt for bottled water

International Driving Permit

Suggested

Road Driving Side

Left

Tourist Destinations

Kaieteur Falls; Canopy Walkway; Marshall Falls; Saint George's Cathedral; Orinduik Falls; Shell Beach

Major Sports

Cricket, soccer, field hockey, rounders (similar to baseball)

Cultural Practices

Direct eye contact is appreciated in Guyana, and refusal to meet someone's gaze can be seen as suspicious.

Tipping Guidelines

In restaurants, 10-15% of the bill is conventional. A tip of $2-10 (USD) a day for your guide and $1-3 (USD) for your driver is acceptable.

Souvenirs

Carved wooden animals, handmade slippers, leather goods, beadwork, woven cloth hammocks and dyed fabrics, glassware

Traditional Cuisine

Pepperpot — a stewed meat dish with beef, pork, or mutton, flavored with cinnamon, cassareep (a sauce made from the cassava root), and other ingredients, including Caribbean hot peppers; typically served with homemade bread, rice, or roti and/or boiled vegetables such as cassava, eddoes, sweet potatoes, and green or ripe plantains


Please visit the following links to find further information about your desired destination.

World Health Organization (WHO) - To learn what vaccines and health precautions to take while visiting your destination.

US State Dept Travel Information - Overall information about foreign travel for US citizens.

To obtain an international driving permit (IDP). Only two organizations in the US issue IDPs:
American Automobile Association (AAA) and American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA)

How to get help in an emergency? 
Contact the nearest US embassy or consulate, or call one of these numbers:
from the US or Canada - 1-888-407-4747 or from Overseas - +1 202-501-4444


Page last updated: Saturday, September 23, 2023