Guyana

Guyana Holidays – Tours & Adventure Travel Guide

PureTravel Says
“Guyana is also spelt as Guiana and Guayana and is located in the north of south America and is in fact one of the few Caribbean countries that is not an island. Formerly a British colony, Guyana achieved independence in 1966 and today borders Suriname in the east, Brazil in the south and southwest, Venezuela in the west and the Atlantic Ocean in the north. The official language is English although regional languages are also spoken such as Guyanese Creole, Akawaoi, Macushi, Wai-Wai, Arawak and Cariban. Guyana is home to 860,000 people and is covered in forest and is rich in natural scenery and wildlife, which is perfect for ecotourism. Explore the colonial capital of Georgetown and savor the Caribbean-like atmosphere. Visit Kaieteur Falls, Kanuku Mountains and the Dutch Fortress. The towns and cities have a bussing atmosphere and have many bars and restaurants.”

Holiday Highlights

Culture & History – Explore the colonial capital city of Georgetown which is charming although crumbling a little in places. The streets are based on a grid system and so are easy to navigate. Explore the colonial architecture, some of which is falling into a state of disrepair. Visit the parks, markets and experience the Caribbean style nightlife with restaurants and bars.

An area called Corriverton encompasses the towns of Springlands and Skeldon and is situated on the west bank of the Corentyne River. The area is 200km from George-town and Main Street is alive with mosques, churches and a Hindu temple. Wandering markets are Brahman (zebu) cattle and in town is the Skeldon Estate of Guysuco.

Visit Bartica which is friendly and has the ruined Dutch fort Kyk-Over-Al dating from 1616 and is between the Mazuruni and Cuyuni rivers.

Surama is an Amerindian village where huts have been built specially for visitors to observe and the school often has singing and dancing for visitors to the village.

Nature & Wildlife - Visit the Rupununi Savannas whose plains are home to Amerindian villages and an abundance of wildlife. There are rivers caimans, which are the world’s biggest water lilies (the Victoria amazonica) and colorful birds. At Annai are more settlers and at Lethem, a cowboy town which is on the Brazilian border. The savannas are 104,000sq km and have brought many visitors interested in wildlife, birdlife and eco preservation. The Kanuku Mountains is where 70% of all bird species in Guyana live and Kanuku means ‘rich forest’ in Macushi. The Kanuku Mountains are home to jaguars, giant otters monkeys and anteaters. The area is also home to vaqueros (cowboys) and there is an Easter rodeo each year. If you wish to visit the Amerindian communities you will need permission so ensure you engage a specialist tour operator who will be able to organize this for you.

Travel to the interior of Guyana and wonder at the Kaieteur National Park which has a massive waterfall which more than holds its own compared to Angel Falls, Iguazú Falls and Niagara. Kaieteur Falls shoots out 30, 000 gallons of water every second over a 250m cliff, which probably makes it the highest single-drop falls in the world. The Park is situated in an ancient jungle which feels deserted. If you’re feeling brave you can stand at the top of the waterfall and stare over the precipice. The falls vary in size from season to season between 76m to 122m wide. You can also see amazing wildlife such as swifts, scarlet red cock-of-the-rock birds and golden frogs which although a rare sighting has a potent poison.

You can also visit Orinduik Falls, which is a 15-minute flight south of Kaieteur Park and you can swim here. The mining town of Bartica, a mining town is home to Marshall Falls

Visit the Iwokrama rainforest with 371,000 ha (916,760 acres) of virgin rainforest and also has the highest recorded number of fish and bat species in the world.

Shell Beach is 140km (87miles) long and on it nest four of the eight sea turtle species, such as olive ridleys, hawksbills and the magnificent giant leatherbacks. These turtles are now part of a conservation program.

Adventure & Activities – Many of the areas are ideal for walking trekking and hiking. Surama village has trained some guides to take visitors hiking or canoeing in the area. There are several choices for adventures and activities and it is always a good idea to engage a specialist tour operator who will be able to advise you, using their local knowledge.

When to Go

Guyana has a tropical climate with an average annual temperature of around 27C. There are two rainy seasons, one starting in December through January and another beginning in April and ending in July.

Top Tips

-Respect the local culture.
-If you wish to visit the Amerindian communities you will need permission so ensure you engage a specialist tour operator who will be able to organize this for you.
-The Coastal Plain road east of Georgetown heads to the Suriname border and ends at Rosignol where the ferry goes over the Berbice River to New Amsterdam.
-Check the latest travel advice before visiting Guyana.

Classic Itineraries

-Culture of colonial capital city Georgetown.
-Culture of Corriverton towns Springlands and Skeldon.
-Culture and wildlife at Bartica with Marshall Falls and Dutch fortress Kyk-Over-Al.
-Culture at Surama, an Amerindian Village.
-Nature at Iwokrama rainforest.
-Nature at Kaieteur Falls.
-Nature of Kanuku Mountains in the Rapununi savanna.
-Nature at Marshall Falls, on Essequibo and Mazaruni Rivers.
-Nature of Orinduik Falls on the Ireng River between Guyana and Brazil.
-Wildlife on Rupununi Savannas.
-Wildlife including giant turtles at Shell Beach.