Guyana

Guyana Travel Guide

Guyana is a small country filled with epic adventures.

Located on the northern coast of South America, Guyana is part of the ‘3 Guianas’, next to Suriname (Dutch Guyana) and French Guiana. The three countries share a similar variations of a tangled colonial history and form the edge of the Amazon Biome.

From dense rainforests to deep rivers, golden savannah plains and towering mountains, Guyana is one of the most wild places we’ve ever been. If you like hard adventure, exotic wildlife, colorful birding or all the above, you’ll want to visit before word gets out about this undiscovered gem.

Keep reading or save this article for later ⇟

History

Guyana has a unique background, especially in comparison to the rest of South America.

In the 16th century, colonial powers vied for control of the South American coastline, drawn by a desire to plant lucrative sugar plantations along the riverbanks. While neighboring Suriname was occupied by the Dutch, Guyana was settled by the British. An unexpected consequence is that today, Guyana is the only country in South America where English is the official language.

The sugar and plantation trade brought about socioeconomic upheaval. Local indigenous people were used first, to work the land. Then African slaves were imported and eventually, East Asian and Indians were brought in as demand for workers increased. The plantation trade in coffee, sugar, cotton and tobacco continued far later than one might think – all the way until the 20th century.

Guyana finally gained independence in 1970, making it a relatively new country. Today, you’ll find a wonderful melting pot of people, cuisine and culture. In fact, when we explored Georgetown, the capital almost felt very similar to the Caribbean – more so than stereotypically ‘South American’.

Best Places to Visit in Guyana

Georgetown

The capital of the country, Georgetown is also its political and commercial heart. Chances are, you’ll be flying in to Georgetown so spend at least a day or two exploring its bustling open air markets, flavorful cuisine and colonial heritage.

Here’s everything we saw and did in Georgetown.

North Rupununi

Looking for the start of the Amazon Basin? Head to the pristine rainforests and river communities of the North Rupununi. Stay in community owned and operated eco-lodges, try your hand at living off the land or piranha fishing and spot some of the most unique wildlife in the world.

Here’s a tour that takes you through the Rupununi Savanna and Kaieteur Falls.

South and Central Rupununi

The South and Central Rupununi is characterized by vast wilderness and influenced by its neighbor Brazil. Head to Lethem, the local capital, and give ranch life a go. From bull rodeos to horseback riding, you’ll find active adventure and breathtaking scenery. There are also plenty of challenging hikes, rustic eco lodges and unique birdlife to explore while you’re here!

Here’s