Friends, imagine a country where emerald rivers thread through vast rainforest, sandstone plateaus guard secret viewpoints, and friendly villages open doors to time-honored ways of life.

Guyana delivers big-nature drama with practical logistics if planning is sharp—this guide packs seasons, routes, prices, and on-the-ground tips into one reader-friendly plan.

Why go

English-speaking and nature-rich, Guyana blends equatorial rainforest, savanna, and mountain foothills into an accessible playground for small-group exploration. Highlights span the thunder of Kaieteur Falls, the biodiversity of Iwokrama, and riverfront lodges that anchor day trips by boat or short flights. Expect warm welcomes in interior communities, hands-on experiences, and landscapes that favor early starts and golden-hour walks.

When to go

Two main patterns guide trips: a coastal wet season from May–mid-July and mid-Nov–mid-Jan, and heavier interior rains May–Aug that shift more travel onto boats. Dry months ease overland routes, while rainy months cool afternoons and deliver atmospheric river journeys; both work with flexible planning. Peak interior months often run Sep–Nov and Jan–Apr; book transport and lodges early for these windows.

Getting there

Most international flights use Cheddi Jagan International (Timehri), about 41 km/1 hour south of Georgetown by road. Regional links often route via Trinidad or Barbados, while select services operate via Panama or Suriname depending on season and carrier. For domestic and some regional hops, Eugene F. Correia (Ogle) handles scheduled and charter flights close to town for faster turnarounds.

Getting around

Domestic flights save time on long interior stretches; typical one-way fares start near about $150 depending on route and operator. On the Georgetown–Lethem route, baggage allowance is commonly 20 lb total; pre-purchase add-ons run about $20 for +17 lb one-way or $80 for +50 lb, when available.

Minibuses are the cheapest option along the coast—around $0.40–$1 in town and up to $5 on regional corridors—while Lethem runs cost roughly $60–75. Taxis are widely used on paved corridors; for interior tracks, arrange 4×4 transfers with experienced drivers through lodges or operators.

Must-do trips

Kaieteur Falls day flights bundle round-trip air, a guide, and multiple viewpoints in roughly six hours; current rates often list about $325 per person. Iwokrama pairs canopy-level rivers, forest trails, and a rewarding half-day hike up Turtle Mountain with lodge or hammock-camp overnights. Arrowpoint Nature Resort near Santa Mission offers day or overnight packages with transfers, meals, and guided activities like canoeing, cycling, and forest walks.

Border notes

The legal Suriname crossing uses the Canawaima ferry near Moleson Creek with two daily returns and about 10 hours total between capitals including transfers. From Brazil, the Takatu Bridge links Bonfim to Lethem with formal border posts on both sides; continue to Boa Vista for onward routes. Always clear immigration at official posts, carry onward tickets, and confirm visa needs based on nationality before travel.

Stays & food

Interior bases such as Rock View, Surama, Karanambu, Rewa, and Caiman House pair community-guided activities with comfortable lodging close to trails and rivers. In Georgetown, expect full-service hotels and guesthouses near markets and museums, plus easy access to domestic flight check-ins. Meals in nicer city restaurants run about $10–25 for food, while local eateries serve generous plates around $2–5 with staples like roti, dhal, chow mein, and cook-up rice.

Costs to expect

- Kaieteur Falls day trip: about $325 per person including flights, guide, and park time.

- Domestic flight baggage: base 20 lb; pre-purchased add-ons approx. $20 (+17 lb) or $80 (+50 lb) each way on select routes.

- City dining: $10–25; local spots $2–5 per meal.

- Minibuses: $0.40–$1 in Georgetown; regional routes up to $5; Georgetown–Lethem roughly $60–75.

- Local driving permit: about $10, valid one month, required for visitors who plan to drive.

Smart prep

Healthwise, confirm routine vaccines, consider yellow-fever immunization, and consult a travel clinic about malaria prophylaxis for interior itineraries. Pack light, fast-drying layers, closed-toe footwear, strong repellent, a compact net if staying basic, and dry bags for boat days. For safety, use registered taxis at night, keep valuables discreet, and favor prebooked transfers for airport, banks, and long intercity moves.

Sample loop

Start with a Georgetown market stroll and museum stop, then fly to Kaieteur on a day trip before continuing inland via Ogle for lodge time. Split stays between savanna-edge bases and river lodges to mix hiking, easy paddles, and cultural visits, then exit via Lethem or return to the coast. If time allows, add a night at a field-station-style property for hands-on nature activities and evening river sorties.

Conclusion

Ready to shape a plan that matches the mood—waterfall fly-ins, forest basecamps, or a coast-to-savanna loop—without guesswork on costs and timing. Which combination fits best: Kaieteur plus a river lodge, a Rupununi circuit, or a light-and-fast sampler anchored in Georgetown.