Entry Requirements
Visa requirements for Guyana depend on which passport you hold. Check the Traveller visa tool to see whether your passport needs a visa and, if so, how long you can stay.
Check if you need a visa for GuyanaEmergency Numbers
- General
- 911
Currency
- Name
- Guyanese Dollar
- Code
- GYD
- Symbol
- G$
ATMs in Georgetown. USD accepted at lodges and tours. Cash essential outside Georgetown. Cards accepted at upmarket hotels.
Power Outlets
- Outlet types
- Type A, Type B
- Voltage
- 110V/240V
- Frequency
- 60Hz
Time Zone
GYT (UTC−4) — no daylight saving
Best Time to Visit
Guyana has two wet and two dry seasons. The short dry season (September–November) and long dry season (February–April) are best for overland travel to the Rupununi and for Kaieteur Falls (a short flight from Georgetown). Kaieteur is five times the height of Niagara and sees only a handful of visitors daily — extraordinary.
Tipping Customs
| Venue | Typical | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurants | 10% | — |
| Lodge guides (Rupununi) | $10–15 USD per day | — |
| Kaieteur flight pilots | $5 USD | — |
Dress Code
- Casual throughout
- Long sleeves and trousers for rainforest and savanna (insects)
- Modest dress in Georgetown
Social Etiquette
- Guyana is the only English-speaking country on the South American mainland — it feels more Caribbean than South American in culture
- Amerindian communities (Macushi, Wapishana, Wai Wai) make up 10% of the population — engage through ethical, community-run lodges in the Rupununi
- Oil discoveries since 2015 have begun transforming the country — Guyana is one of the world's fastest-growing economies
- Kaieteur Falls is one of the world's great natural wonders and sees almost no tourists — visiting feels genuinely remote and special
Local Laws
Laws change. Verify current rules with your country's official travel advisory before departure.
- LGBTQ+ activity was decriminalised in 2024 (court ruling) — a historic change; social attitudes remain mixed
- Drug trafficking carries severe penalties
- Photography of military and government buildings restricted
Common Phrases
| English | Local | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Hello (Guyanese Creolese) | Wha' happenin'? / How yuh goin'? | wha' HAP-en-in / hao yoo GOWIN |
| Good (Creolese reply) | All good, all good | standard response |
| Thank you | Tanks / Thank you | TANKS |
| No problem (Creolese) | Nuh worry | nuh WOR-ee |
| Kaieteur Falls | Kaieteur | KAY-eh-tur — the name in Patamona means 'Old Man Falls' |
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