Americas · South America

Guyana

Co-operative Republic of Guyana

Flag of Guyana
Local Time
--:--:--
UTC-04:00
🏛️ Capital
Georgetown
👥 Population
772,975
📐 Area
214,969 km²
💱 Currency
Guyanese dollar ($)
🗣️ Languages
English
📞 Calling Code
+592
🕐 Time Zones
UTC-04:00
🌐 Region
Americas / South America

About Guyana

Guyana is South America's only English-speaking country, a nation that defies easy categorization — geographically South American, culturally Caribbean, and ecologically one of the most pristine and biodiverse places on the entire planet. Roughly 80 percent of the country is covered by ancient Amazonian rainforest, much of it essentially untouched, making Guyana a frontier destination for wildlife enthusiasts and adventurers who want to experience genuine wilderness without the crowds found in more famous Amazon destinations. The Rupununi savannah stretches across the southwest like a golden sea broken by dramatic isolated mountains called tepuis, their flat summits wreathed in cloud and mystery.

Georgetown, the capital, is a city of Victorian wooden architecture, lively markets, and a remarkable cultural blend born from the mixing of Amerindian, African, Indian, Chinese, and European communities over several centuries. The city's Stabroek Market is one of the liveliest in the Caribbean Basin, its cast-iron Victorian clock tower presiding over a swirling scene of spices, fabrics, and fresh produce. Georgetown is a gateway rather than a destination in itself, but spending a day exploring its streets and rum shops gives you a rich sense of the complex, multilayered society this country has built.

Kaieteur Falls, in the heart of the country, is the reason many visitors come at all — a single massive plunge of the Potaro River that is roughly five times the height of Niagara Falls and entirely surrounded by pristine jungle, accessible only by small aircraft. Guyana's interior lodges offer world-class wildlife watching: harpy eagles, giant anteaters, giant river otters, jaguars, arapaima fish, and more than 800 bird species make it one of the top birding destinations in South America. This is a country that rewards the traveler who comes seeking the wild and the authentic.

History & Background

Guyana's pre-colonial history is the story of diverse Amerindian peoples — Arawaks, Caribs, Wapishana, and others — who inhabited the coast, rivers, and interior for thousands of years before European contact. The Dutch were the first Europeans to establish permanent settlements in the early 17th century, creating colonies at Essequibo, Demerara, and Berbice that developed sugar and cotton plantations worked by enslaved Africans. Britain seized the colonies in 1796 and formally received them under the Treaty of Paris in 1814, consolidating them as British Guiana in 1831. The abolition of slavery in 1834 was followed by indenture schemes that brought nearly 240,000 workers from India between 1838 and 1917, fundamentally reshaping the population.

Independence from Britain came in 1966, making Guyana the first country in South America to gain independence from a European power in the 20th century. The early post-independence decades were dominated by Forbes Burnham's socialist government, which nationalized the sugar and bauxite industries and pursued a policy of self-reliance that led to economic stagnation. The 1978 Jonestown massacre — in which more than 900 members of the US Peoples Temple cult died in the Guyanese jungle — brought the country sudden and tragic international attention. Modern Guyana has been transformed by the discovery of massive offshore oil reserves in 2015, and is now one of the fastest-growing economies in the world.

Culture & People

Guyana's cultural identity is shaped by one of the most diverse ethnic mixes in the Western Hemisphere. Indo-Guyanese, descendants of indentured laborers brought from India under British colonial rule, make up the largest ethnic group and have profoundly influenced the country's food, music, religion, and social life. Afro-Guyanese, descended from enslaved Africans, form the second major community and have equally shaped Guyanese music, cuisine, and cultural expression. Indigenous Amerindian communities — nine distinct peoples including the Macushi, Wai Wai, and Arawak — maintain traditional ways of life in the deep interior, serving as guardians of the country's extraordinary ecological heritage.

This ethnic diversity plays out in a vibrant calendar of cultural celebrations — Hindu Diwali and Holi, Muslim Eid, Christian Christmas, and Emancipation Day all receive public recognition and are celebrated with genuine communal joy. Chutney music, a lively fusion of Indian folk traditions and Caribbean rhythms, and reggae both fill the airwaves alongside traditional African drumming and Amerindian music. Cricket is followed with intense passion — as in much of the English-speaking Caribbean — and game days bring communities together with a spirit of collective excitement that says much about Guyanese identity.

Food & Cuisine

Guyanese cuisine is a delicious expression of the country's ethnic diversity, drawing equally from Indian, African, Amerindian, Chinese, and European culinary traditions. Pepperpot is the undisputed national dish — a slow-cooked, deeply flavored stew of meat preserved in cassareep, a thick sauce made from cassava, seasoned with cinnamon, clove, and hot peppers. Traditionally cooked in a cast-iron pot kept permanently on the stove and replenished over days, its complex, slightly sweet-savory depth is unlike anything else in South American cooking and is most often eaten at Christmas morning.

Roti and curry, brought by indentured Indian workers, have become so embedded in Guyanese daily life that they are effectively a national staple. Dhalpuri roti stuffed with split peas and wrapped around curried chicken, shrimp, or vegetables is the quintessential Guyanese street meal. Rice and black-eyed peas cooked together — cook-up rice — is a Friday tradition in many households, slow-simmered with coconut milk and seasoning. Fresh river fish, including the enormous arapaima and smaller gilbaka, are grilled or curried in waterside villages. Mauby, a bitter-sweet bark drink, and freshly made sorrel juice are the cooling beverages of choice in the tropical heat.

Top Attractions

  • Kaieteur Falls — One of the world's most powerful waterfalls, a single breathtaking plunge of the Potaro River surrounded entirely by pristine Amazonian jungle, accessible only by small aircraft.
  • Rupununi Savannah — A vast grassland studded with tepui mountains and seasonally flooded wetlands, offering unmatched wildlife encounters including giant anteaters, jaguars, and giant river otters.
  • Iwokrama Forest — A 371,000-hectare pristine rainforest reserve with canopy walkways and exceptional wildlife, home to harpy eagles, tapirs, and more than 400 bird species.
  • Georgetown's Stabroek Market — The bustling heart of the capital, a magnificent Victorian cast-iron market filled with local produce, spices, and the energy of everyday Guyanese life.
  • Shell Beach — A remote Atlantic coast beach that is one of the most important sea turtle nesting sites in the Western Hemisphere, where four species of sea turtle come ashore to lay eggs.
  • Atta Rainforest Lodge — A premier birding and wildlife destination in the heart of Iwokrama, with canopy walkways and night spotlighting tours yielding extraordinary wildlife sightings.

Practical Travel Tips

  • Book Kaieteur Falls flights well in advance through reputable Georgetown operators; flights are weather-dependent and can be cancelled or delayed with little notice.
  • Arrange interior travel through established eco-lodges and tour operators — the Rupununi in particular requires local guides and 4x4 vehicles, and independent travel is very difficult.
  • Carry Guyanese dollars in cash for all purchases outside Georgetown; ATMs are unreliable in smaller towns and non-existent in the interior.
  • Malaria prophylaxis is recommended for travel to interior regions; consult a travel health clinic before departure and bring insect repellent with DEET.
  • Pack light, breathable clothing for the coast and interior lodges, but bring long-sleeved shirts and trousers for evening mosquito protection in jungle areas.
  • Tipping is appreciated but not compulsory; 10 percent is customary in restaurants and for good guiding services.
  • Road travel outside Georgetown is slow on mostly unpaved roads — budget significantly more time than distances suggest and consider internal flights for long-distance legs.

Visa Overview

Citizens of the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, the European Union, and most Commonwealth countries do not require a visa to enter Guyana and are typically granted a 30-day stay on arrival, which can be extended at the immigration office in Georgetown. Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your stay. A return or onward ticket and proof of sufficient funds may be requested by immigration officers. Citizens of some countries do require visas and should apply in advance at a Guyanese diplomatic mission. Yellow fever vaccination may be required depending on your country of departure.

Getting Around

Cheddi Jagan International Airport in Georgetown connects Guyana to North America and the Caribbean. Domestically, Roraima Airways and other operators fly from Georgetown to Kaieteur Falls and interior airstrips serving lodges and villages. Road travel outside Georgetown is mostly on unpaved roads requiring 4x4 vehicles. Minibuses serve routes between coastal towns affordably. The interior is largely only accessible by small plane or boat, and many eco-lodges coordinate transfers for guests. Ferries cross the Demerara and Berbice rivers at Georgetown, as no bridges span these major waterways in all sections.

Safety Notes

Georgetown has elevated crime rates, including armed robbery and carjacking, and travelers should exercise heightened caution in the city, particularly after dark and in areas away from the main hotels and commercial districts. Keep valuables out of sight, avoid displaying cameras or phones on the street, and use trusted taxis rather than hailing vehicles from the roadside. Interior regions are generally safer, though river travel carries risks in high water conditions. Malaria and other mosquito-borne illnesses are present, especially inland; take prophylaxis and use insect repellent consistently.

Live Exchange Rates

Current exchange rates for currencies used in Guyana.

Guyanese dollar (GYD) $
Updated: 2026-08-21
Currency CodeRate
1INCH 0.053720
AAVE 0.000048
ADA 0.023317
AED 0.017541
AFN 0.315201
AGIX 0.076469
AKT 0.009105
ALGO 0.054447
ALL 0.378537
AMD 1.741536
AMP 11.987835
ANG 0.008616
AOA 4.384231
APE 0.036216
APT 0.008295
AR 0.002317
ARB 0.052334
ARS 7.151028
ATOM 0.003156
ATS 0.056217
AUD 0.006700
AVAX 0.000659
AWG 0.008549
AXS 0.004916
AZM 40.597557
AZN 0.008120
BAKE 6.383806
BAM 0.007991
BAT 0.071716
BBD 0.009552
BCH 0.000021
BDT 0.584223
BEF 0.164808
BGN 0.007991
BHD 0.001796
BIF 14.215821
BMD 0.004776
BNB 0.000007
BND 0.006068
BOB 0.055154
BRL 0.024813
BSD 0.004776
BSV 0.000296
BSW 12.790185
BTC 0.000000
BTG 0.010161
BTN 0.457249
BTT 16,856.839607
BUSD 0.004776
BWP 0.064196
BYN 0.014543
BYR 93.605145
BZD 0.009620
CAD 0.006578
CAKE 0.002887
CDF 10.949388
CELO 0.070537
CFX 0.106105
CHF 0.003818
CHZ 0.361771
CLP 4.407213
CNH 0.032111
CNY 0.032108
COMP 0.000252
COP 14.666815
CRC 2.170808
CRO 0.088991
CRV 0.016730
CSPR 1.812510
CUC 0.004776
CUP 0.126558
CVE 0.450506
CVX 0.002783
CYP 0.002391
CZK 0.098567
DAI 0.004777
DASH 0.000144
DCR 0.000388
DEM 0.007991
DFI 8.864609
DJF 0.850724
DKK 0.030542
DOGE 0.058150
DOP 0.279437
DOT 0.005647
DYDX 0.042073
DZD 0.634579
EEK 0.063924
EGLD 0.001599
EGP 0.243004
ENJ 0.181887
EOS 0.068336
ERN 0.071643
ESP 0.679767
ETB 0.778406
ETC 0.000685
ETH 0.000002
EUR 0.004085
EURC 0.004099
FEI 0.004775
FIL 0.006402
FIM 0.024291
FJD 0.010493
FKP 0.003500
FLOW 0.164361
FLR 0.686615
FRAX 0.004813
FRF 0.026799
FTT 0.021961
GALA 2.942235
GBP 0.003500
GEL 0.012421
GGP 0.003500
GHC 529.734353
GHS 0.052973
GIP 0.003500
GMD 0.354223
GMX 0.000687
GNF 41.989470
GNO 0.000039
GRD 1.392128
GRT 0.315943
GT 0.000663
GTQ 0.036456
GUSD 0.004783
HBAR 0.064412
HKD 0.037459
HNL 0.128135
HNT 0.026243
HOT 13.508981
HRK 0.030782
HT 0.101576
HTG 0.625604
HUF 1.489761
ICP 0.002003
IDR 84.750139
IEP 0.003218
ILS 0.014337
IMP 0.003500
IMX 0.043186
INJ 0.001008
INR 0.457249
IQD 6.265849
IRR 6,564.657740
ISK 0.580154
ITL 7.910596
JEP 0.003500
JMD 0.756505
JOD 0.003386
JPY 0.759205
KAS 0.165917
KAVA 0.112515
KCS 0.000635
KDA 0.978475
KES 0.618188
KGS 0.418146
KHR 19.225252
KLAY 0.176985
KMF 2.009925
KNC 0.043824
KPW 4.298197
KRW 6.598717
KSM 0.001495
KWD 0.001472
KYD 0.003973
KZT 2.182886
LAK 107.631199
LBP 428.723046
LDO 0.014068
LEO 0.000514
LINK 0.000443
LKR 1.577730
LRC 0.588769
LRD 0.867212
LSL 0.076912
LTC 0.000099
LTL 0.014106
LUF 0.164808
LUNA 0.103173
LUNC 89.546470
LVL 0.002871
LYD 0.030284
MAD 0.044184
MANA 0.067735
MBX 0.224385
MDL 0.082096
MGA 20.430152
MGF 102.150759
MINA 0.101890
MKD 0.251915
MKR 0.000003
MMK 10.028632
MNT 17.190394
MOP 0.038583
MRO 1.907057
MRU 0.190706
MTL 0.001754
MUR 0.222798
MVR 0.073838
MWK 8.290367
MXN 0.080907
MXV 0.009199
MYR 0.019317
MZM 304.827912
MZN 0.304828
NAD 0.076912
NEAR 0.002704
NEO 0.002405
NEXO 0.006010
NFT 17,174.951768
NGN 6.449074
NIO 0.175864
NLG 0.009003
NOK 0.044574
NPR 0.731942
NZD 0.008006
OKB 0.000044
OMR 0.001838
ONE 6.400157
OP 0.049312
ORDI 0.001141
PAB 0.004776
PAXG 0.000001
PEN 0.016014
PEPE 1,482.011961
PGK 0.021420
PHP 0.294593
PI 0.052440
PKR 1.326792
PLN 0.017639
POL 0.059089
PTE 0.819066
PYG 28.796250
QAR 0.017385
QNT 0.000077
QTUM 0.005868
ROL 214.538472
RON 0.021454
RPL 0.002933
RSD 0.479360
RUB 0.395437
RUNE 0.010639
RVN 1.576828
RWF 7.028876
SAND 0.108387
SAR 0.017911
SBD 0.038278
SCR 0.067070
SDD 286.636435
SDG 2.866364
SEK 0.045232
SGD 0.006068
SHIB 962.123307
SHP 0.003500
SIT 0.979045
SKK 0.123079
SLE 0.109375
SLL 109.374748
SNX 0.022436
SOL 0.000054
SOS 2.731124
SPL 0.000796
SRD 0.180618
SRG 180.618047
SSP 26.841615
STD 100.931465
STN 0.100931
STX 0.032163
SUI 0.006451
SVC 0.041792
SYP 62.094596
SZL 0.076912
THB 0.156837
THETA 0.029379
TJS 0.044183
TMM 83.498879
TMT 0.016700
TND 0.013844
TOP 0.011502
TRL 229,501.716740
TRX 0.014125
TRY 0.229502
TTD 0.032399
TUSD 0.004784
TVD 0.006700
TWD 0.152110
TWT 0.011624
TZS 12.636059
UAH 0.213329
UGX 17.763692
UNI 0.001258
USD 0.004776
USDC 0.004776
USDD 0.004777
USDP 0.004783
USDT 0.004777
UYU 0.191643
UZS 56.570494
VAL 7.910596
VEB 371,222,617.416809
VED 3.701938
VEF 370,193.770144
VES 3.701938
VET 0.918647
VND 124.368798
VUV 0.566344
WAVES 0.023193
WEMIX 0.024010
WOO 0.411381
WST 0.012975
XAF 2.679901
XAG 0.000070
XAU 0.000001
XAUT 0.000001
XBT 0.000000
XCD 0.012931
XCG 0.008616
XCH 0.003301
XDC 0.166612
XDR 0.003488
XEC 688.132074
XEM 10.410767
XLM 0.025831
XMR 0.000011
XOF 2.679901
XPD 0.000004
XPF 0.487528
XPT 0.000003
XRP 0.003718
XTZ 0.021315
YER 1.132322
ZAR 0.076912
ZEC 0.000008
ZIL 1.888294
ZMK 90.621932
ZMW 0.090622
ZWD 1.728501
ZWG 0.127192
ZWL 317.818267

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Visa Requirements

Check what visa a citizen of Guyana needs to enter any country.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the capital of Guyana?
The capital of Guyana is Georgetown.
What currency does Guyana use?
Guyana uses the Guyanese dollar ($) as its official currency.
What language is spoken in Guyana?
The official language(s) of Guyana include English.
What is the population of Guyana?
Guyana has a population of approximately 772,975 people.
What region is Guyana in?
Guyana is located in Americas, specifically in the South America subregion.
What is the international calling code for Guyana?
The international dialing code for Guyana is +592.
What time zones does Guyana observe?
Guyana observes the following time zone(s): UTC-04:00.
What is the current time in Guyana?
The local time in Guyana is currently --:--. This time applies to the primary time zone.
What is the total area of Guyana?
Guyana covers a total area of 214,969 km².
How many states or provinces does Guyana have?
Guyana is divided into 11 states or provinces.
What are the public holidays in Guyana in 2026?
You can view the complete list of public holidays for Guyana in 2026 on the Holidays 2026 page.
What are the visa requirements for citizens of Guyana?
Visa requirements for citizens of Guyana vary by destination. Use our Visa Requirements Checker below to look up requirements for any destination country.