Guyana
Guyana: how to get there and transport

How do you get to Guyana?
Airplane
The only international airport in the country is the Cheddi Jagan International
Airport, which is about 40 kilometers south of the capital, Georgetown. It's
easy to get to from Georgetown or Linden by minibuses and taxis. Porters
approach the travelers directly at customs and bring their luggage to the
minibus. A small fee is charged for this, which is calculated on the number of
pieces of luggage. You should tell the porters immediately whether you want to
go to Linden or Georgetown. The prices for the bus trips are fixed and are paid
to the driver. The taxi prices, however, should be negotiated before starting
your journey.
There are daily flights from/to Cheddi Jagan International Airport. These
include destinations in the USA and Canada, UK and the Caribbean.
Railroad
The country's former railroad was sold by President Forbes Burnam. There are
only a few remains to be seen outside of Georgetown.
Bus
Guyana has a road connection
with Suriname and Brazil. Those arriving from Suriname will find minibuses in
the capital Paramaribo that go to Guyana. Conversely, there are several buses
daily that leave Georgetown for the Surinamese border. In about 10 hours (from
Georgetown) you are in Lethem on the Brazilian border, although the travel time
can be considerably longer in the rainy season. Since the buses
to Brazil usually leave very late at night, it is advisable to take a taxi to
the bus station for safety reasons. Anyone from Brazil Arriving across the
border will take a minibus or taxi to Lethem city center and from there to
Georgetown.
Ship
There are no international ship connections to Guyana. Entry by water from Nieuw
Nickerie (Suriname) is illegal.
Car There is no road connection
between Venezuela and Guyana. If you want to get to Venezuela from Guyana, you
either have to take the plane and fly via Trinidad or via the Brazilian state of
Roraima. After Surinam is reached by a coastal road that also leads through
Georgetown.
Travel in the country
Airplane
You can get to many parts of the Guyana hinterland by air. Various local
airlines operate from Ogle Airport near Georgetown and from Cheddi Jagan
International Airport near Timehri.
Bus
The cheapest way to travel in Guyana is still with mini buses. Relatively
efficient minibus systems exist in all urban areas of the country. Stops are the
places where you want to get off or get on. The buses travel on a fixed line,
but can deviate from this if the request is made at the beginning of the line
and the drivers are able to comfortably return to the original line. A whole bus
can also be rented. At night, driving a mini bus is less advisable for safety
reasons.
Car
While there is a highway between Georgetown and Linden, all other road
connections in the country require a four-wheel drive vehicle. Before starting
your journey, you should definitely make detailed inquiries about the
navigability of the intended route, because very often bridges collapse and are
not renewed again.
Cars can be rented in Guyana. You should visit more than one rental company
before deciding. Because the prices vary a lot. It is often possible to push
prices down a little.
Taxi
Taxis can be hailed right on the roadside with waves. There are no taxi centers
in the country. You should inquire about the price before starting your journey.
Ship and boat
Many parts of Guyana can be reached via rivers with water taxis. You should
inquire about the price of other passengers before using it, because the boat
operators tend to charge tourists higher fares.
Traffic rules
There is left-hand traffic in Guyana.
In order to avoid trouble with the police or even the courts, one should
strictly adhere to the traffic rules applicable in the country. The maximum
speeds shown can of course be reduced or increased by traffic signs. Regardless
of the information given here, it is advisable to obtain detailed information
from the ADAC, the AvD or the traffic clubs in the country concerned.
If you want to drive a car in Guyana, you need an international driver's
license. You can apply for this in Germany at the driving license office of the
district office or at the city administration. The international driving license
is then valid for three years. However, it is only available to all those who
also have an EU driving license that was not issued before 1999.
International license plate
According to
Abbreviationfinder,
the Guyana international license plate is:
Guyana: Embassies, Consulates and Tourist Office
Visit Countryaah for a full list of Guyana embassies and consulates in each
country around the world.

Representations of Guyana in Europe
Embassy
The embassy in Brussels is responsible for Germany, Austria and
Switzerland.
Embassy of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana in
Brussels
Avenue du Bresil, 12
1050 Brussels, Belgium
Tel: 0032 - (0) 2 - 6 75 62 16
Fax: 0032 - (0) 2 - 6 72 55 98
0032 - (0) 2 - 6 75 63 31
Email: [email protected]
German representations in Guyana
Embassy
The embassy in Trinidad and Tobago is responsible (see here
>>>).
German Honorary Consulate in Georgetown
24 Water Street
Georgetown, Guyana
PO Box 10647
Tel: 00592 - 227 33 44
00 592 - 227 33 50
00 592 - 227 33 63
Fax: 00592 - 226 18 81
00 592 - 227 33 60
Email: chris @ jf-ltd. com
Austrian representations in Guyana
Embassy
The embassy in Venzuela is responsible (see here >>>).
Austrian Honorary Consulate in Georgetown
106 Laluni & New Garden Streets
Queenstown, Georgetown
:
POBox 10903
Georgetown
Tel: 00592 - 231 40 71
00592 - 623 02 61
Email: [email protected]
Swiss representations in Guyana
Embassy
The embassy in Venzuela is responsible (see here >>>).
Tourist office
Guyana Tourism Authority
National Exhibition Center
Sophia, Georgetown
Guyana
Tel: 00592 - 219 00 94-6
Fax: 00592 - 219 00 93
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.guyana-tourism.com
www.guyanabirding.com
Entry and exit regulations
Formalities, visas
Citizens of the member states of the EU and numerous other countries do not
require a visa when entering as a tourist. In principle, tourists are only
allowed to enter the country if a return ticket and sufficient financial
resources are available to finance their stay in the country themselves.
Issuing of visas
If you do not enter the country as a tourist or if you want to stay for
a long time, a visa may be required.
Visa department of the Embassy of Guyana
12, avenue du Brésil
1050 Bruxelles
Tel: 0032 26756216
Fax: 0032 26755598
Email: [email protected]
Import and export of foreign currency
- Local currency
The import and export of 200, - GYD in cash is allowed.
- Foreign currencies
There are no restrictions on import and export, but the amount must be
declared upon import. Up to this amount may also be carried out on
departure.
Import and export of goods The import and export of
explosives is strictly prohibited. Bringing weapons and ammunition for sports or
other purposes requires a special permit from the Guyanese authorities before
the trip. In addition, the import and export of plants and animals protected
under the Washington Species Protection Act is prohibited. Violation can result
in severe penalties. Import of drugs and pornographic material is prohibited.
Entry with pets
An import permit from the Ministry of Agriculture is required to import pets
into Guyana. In addition, an official veterinary health certificate must be
issued for the animal in question, confirming that the animal has been
vaccinated against rabies. This rabies vaccination must have taken place at
least 30 days before entry and must not be more than twelve months ago.
Pets from Germany, Switzerland and Austria must also be quarantined for 90 days,
which means that pets are practically no longer required when traveling on
vacation.
Guyana: Travel Medicine, Vaccinations, and Warnings
Infectious Diseases
In Guyana, the following infectious diseases are to be expected, which are
not or less common in Germany or Central and Northern Europe:
- Malaria, there is a national risk, with the exception
of Georgetown and New Amsterdam, of becoming infected with the malaria
pathogen. About 45 - 50% of the infections occur with the very dangerous
malaria tropica, the rest with malaria tertiana
- Chagas disease, especially when staying in wooden or
adobe buildings
- Cholera, but usually only for high-risk travelers who
come into contact with contaminated water or infected food, such as
backpackers
- Dengue fever, incidence nationwide
- Intestinal infections caused by contaminated food or
water, including amoebas, lamblia, salmonella, shigella, worm infestation
and all kinds of viruses and bacteria
- Filariasis, nationwide occurrence
- Yellow fever, national occurrence
- Hepatitis A and B
- Leishmaniasis Disease
- tetanus
- Rabies, but only for travelers who come into contact
with infected animals
- Typhoid, but only for travelers who come into contact
with contaminated water or infected food
Vaccination recommendations
When traveling to Guyana, the following vaccinations recommended:
- Diphtheria, a vaccination against diphtheria, should
always exist in your home country
- Yellow fever (absolutely !!)
- Hepatitis A and B, vaccination against hepatitis B, is
only required for travelers who may come into contact with human blood
- Tetanus, a vaccination against tetanus, should always
exist in the home country
- Rabies, but only in high-risk travelers who can come
into contact with the vector animals
- Typhoid, but only in travelers who may come into
contact with polluted water or contaminated food
Compulsory vaccination
There is a compulsory vaccination against an illness with yellow fever
for all persons over one year who come from a yellow fever infection area
designated by the WHO. Since Guyana is itself a yellow fever infection area, a
vaccination against yellow fever is urgent! advisable.
Malaria prophylaxis
When traveling in the country, it is strongly advised to undergo
malaria prophylaxis. If the side effects seem questionable to you, you should at
least have a "stand-by product" with you.
Current warnings
Foreign Office (AA) of the Federal Republic of
Germany
Citizens' Service
D-11013 Berlin
Tel: 0049 - (0) 30 - 5000 - 2000
Fax: 0049 - (0) 30 - 5000 - 51000
www.auswaertiges-amt.de
Guyana: Currency, Shopping, and Exchange Rate
The local currency of Guyana is the
Guyanese Dollar (G $).
The following banknotes are valid and in circulation in the country:
- 20 G $
- 100 G $
- 500 G $
- 1000 G $
As well as the following coins: 1, 5, 10 G $
Exchange rate
The conversion rate to the euro is updated here about every 14 days. If
significant course changes occur, they are displayed up-to-date immediately. A
currency converter for converting into all common currencies can be found at:
http://www.bdb.de/html/reisekasse/waehrungsrechner.asp
Note
The exchange rate of the legal currency exchange offices in the country
may be cheaper than the rate of the banks. For safety reasons, you should
definitely refrain from changing on the street.
Bank opening times
Monday to Friday: 8 a.m. to 2.30 p.m.
Shop
Shop opening times
Monday to Friday: 9:00 a.m. to
5:30 p.m. Saturday: 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Inexpensive or country-specific goods, souvenirs
The traditional goods such as baskets, ceramics, jewelry and straw hats
are popular with tourists. It is advisable to keep all receipts for customs. In
the duty freeshops you present the return ticket to negotiate an additional
discount. Street vendors in Georgetown are willing to go down the price on
multiple goods purchases.
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