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: 2026-07-06
Currency CodeRate
1INCH 0.066649
AAVE 0.000054
ADA 0.025450
AED 0.017545
AFN 0.303747
AGIX 0.061234
AKT 0.007617
ALGO 0.053369
ALL 0.391617
AMD 1.757971
AMP 10.710857
ANG 0.008615
AOA 4.387612
APE 0.034080
APT 0.007639
AR 0.002393
ARB 0.059730
ARS 7.130698
ATOM 0.003021
ATS 0.057502
AUD 0.006897
AVAX 0.000692
AWG 0.008552
AXS 0.004731
AZM 40.608589
AZN 0.008122
BAKE 6.358138
BAM 0.008173
BAT 0.054247
BBD 0.009555
BCH 0.000020
BDT 0.588937
BEF 0.168572
BGN 0.008173
BHD 0.001796
BIF 14.222596
BMD 0.004777
BNB 0.000008
BND 0.006175
BOB 0.033094
BRL 0.024690
BSD 0.004777
BSV 0.000324
BSW 14.274142
BTC 0.000000
BTCB 0.090151
BTG 0.016557
BTN 0.455174
BTT 18,013.886913
BUSD 0.004773
BWP 0.064480
BYN 0.013873
BYR 93.647686
BZD 0.009622
CAD 0.006789
CAKE 0.003299
CDF 11.022811
CELO 0.071111
CFX 0.106785
CHF 0.003843
CHZ 0.264631
CLP 4.401015
CNH 0.032446
CNY 0.032433
COMP 0.000285
COP 15.968878
CRC 2.177035
CRO 0.079928
CRV 0.022348
CSPR 2.459927
CUC 0.004778
CUP 0.126616
CVE 0.460796
CVX 0.003972
CYP 0.002446
CZK 0.101070
DAI 0.004780
DASH 0.000136
DCR 0.000430
DEM 0.008173
DFI 5.750377
DJF 0.850835
DKK 0.031236
DOGE 0.061822
DOP 0.283144
DOT 0.005477
DYDX 0.036176
DZD 0.635376
EEK 0.065384
EGLD 0.001729
EGP 0.234679
ENJ 0.165079
EOS 0.065958
ERN 0.071662
ESP 0.695294
ETB 0.764185
ETC 0.000673
ETH 0.000003
EUR 0.004179
EURC 0.004182
FEI 0.004779
FIL 0.006051
FIM 0.024846
FJD 0.010728
FKP 0.003581
FLOW 0.170477
FLR 0.687317
FRAX 0.004830
FRF 0.027411
FTT 0.020057
GALA 2.085402
GBP 0.003581
GEL 0.012548
GGP 0.003581
GHC 542.768605
GHS 0.054277
GIP 0.003581
GMD 0.352312
GMX 0.000806
GNF 41.886755
GNO 0.000045
GRD 1.423927
GRT 0.251810
GT 0.000705
GTQ 0.036467
GUSD 0.004784
HBAR 0.063270
HKD 0.037470
HNL 0.127904
HNT 0.019936
HOT 13.239086
HRK 0.031485
HT 0.133342
HTG 0.625347
HUF 1.477637
ICP 0.002167
IDR 85.958825
IEP 0.003291
ILS 0.014350
IMP 0.003581
IMX 0.034578
INJ 0.000978
INR 0.455174
IQD 6.264205
IRR 6,574.210919
ISK 0.601754
ITL 8.091288
JEP 0.003581
JMD 0.756861
JOD 0.003387
JPY 0.773234
KAS 0.155743
KAVA 0.105887
KCS 0.000662
KDA 0.819684
KES 0.617685
KGS 0.417859
KHR 19.156896
KMF 2.055836
KNC 0.042859
KPW 4.300151
KRW 7.323210
KSM 0.001356
KWD 0.001482
KYD 0.003974
KZT 2.258521
LAK 108.014305
LBP 429.034157
LDO 0.017686
LEO 0.000510
LINK 0.000598
LKR 1.599955
LRC 0.388838
LRD 0.867705
LSL 0.077652
LTC 0.000106
LTL 0.014429
LUF 0.168572
LUNA 0.097283
LUNC 77.815271
LVL 0.002937
LYD 0.030645
MAD 0.044735
MANA 0.068659
MBX 0.189963
MDL 0.084089
MGA 20.273374
MGF 101.366868
MINA 0.100772
MKD 0.257421
MKR 0.000003
MMK 10.029494
MNT 17.123156
MOP 0.038594
MRO 1.907984
MRU 0.190798
MTL 0.001794
MUR 0.224574
MVR 0.073857
MWK 8.287193
MXN 0.083507
MXV 0.009469
MYR 0.019479
MZM 305.121053
MZN 0.305121
NAD 0.077652
NEAR 0.002398
NEO 0.002415
NEXO 0.006210
NFT 18,026.854005
NGN 6.546484
NIO 0.175863
NLG 0.009209
NOK 0.046993
NPR 0.728619
NZD 0.008397
OKB 0.000060
OMR 0.001839
ONE 3.822234
OP 0.044439
ORDI 0.001472
PAB 0.004777
PAXG 0.000001
PEN 0.016269
PEPE 1,751.560633
PGK 0.021018
PHP 0.293877
PI 0.042232
PKR 1.329142
PLN 0.017938
POL 0.064962
PTE 0.837775
PYG 29.059641
QAR 0.017390
QNT 0.000071
QTUM 0.006721
ROL 218.384573
RON 0.021838
RPL 0.002360
RSD 0.490140
RUB 0.368142
RUNE 0.011552
RVN 1.253567
RWF 7.003171
SAND 0.095754
SAR 0.017916
SBD 0.038660
SCR 0.068269
SDD 286.766051
SDG 2.867661
SEK 0.046116
SGD 0.006175
SHIB 1,091.177476
SHP 0.003581
SIT 1.001408
SKK 0.125891
SLE 0.109117
SLL 109.117444
SNX 0.020864
SOL 0.000059
SOS 2.728137
SPL 0.000796
SRD 0.179846
SRG 179.846471
SSP 22.689149
STD 103.140353
STN 0.103140
STX 0.027939
SUI 0.006395
SVC 0.041803
SYP 0.528116
SZL 0.077652
THB 0.158805
THETA 0.034055
TJS 0.044284
TMM 83.825462
TMT 0.016765
TND 0.014084
TOP 0.011506
TRL 223,659.938368
TRX 0.014548
TRY 0.223660
TTD 0.032372
TUSD 0.004787
TVD 0.006897
TWD 0.153311
TWT 0.013897
TZS 12.553354
UAH 0.212911
UGX 17.459381
UNI 0.001512
USD 0.004777
USDC 0.004779
USDD 0.004782
USDP 0.004792
USDT 0.004783
UYU 0.192289
UZS 57.175933
VAL 8.091288
VEB 307,879,326.813175
VED 3.078519
VEF 307,851.916391
VES 3.078519
VET 1.012722
VND 125.648775
VUV 0.574215
WAVES 0.017979
WEMIX 0.018453
WOO 0.403483
WST 0.013214
XAF 2.741114
XAG 0.000077
XAU 0.000001
XAUT 0.000001
XBT 0.000000
XCD 0.012932
XCG 0.008615
XCH 0.003031
XDC 0.170026
XDR 0.003524
XEC 899.390752
XEM 11.159945
XLM 0.023931
XMR 0.000015
XOF 2.741114
XPD 0.000004
XPF 0.498664
XPT 0.000003
XRP 0.004173
XTZ 0.019200
YER 1.132232
ZAR 0.077652
ZEC 0.000010
ZIL 1.548716
ZMK 87.663490
ZMW 0.087663
ZWD 1.728971
ZWG 0.128149
ZWL 320.209389

No currencies match your search.

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.