South America and South Atlantic Islands

Terrorism

 
There is a low threat from terrorism.  But you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks which could be in public areas, including those frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers. For more general information see Terrorism Abroad.

 

Crime

 
French Guiana is not without serious crime.  Consequently, you should at all times take sensible precautions to limit your vulnerability.  Avoid isolated areas, including beaches, particularly after dark.  Do not carry large amounts of cash or jewellery.  Valuables and travel documents should, where possible, be left in safety deposit boxes and hotel safes.  If travelling or walking around, especially after dark, try to avoid doing so alone. For more general information see Victims of Crime.

Visas

 

French Guiana is an Overseas Département of France (départements d’outre-mer).  If you are a British Citizen or British Subject with Right of Abode in the United Kingdom, you will not need a visa to enter French Guiana.  Other British passport holders should confirm the current entry requirements with the nearest French Diplomatic mission.  All British passport holders require a valid passport. 

 

Passport validity

 

There is no minimum passport validity requirement but you should ensure that your passport is valid for the proposed period of your stay.

 

Yellow Fever vaccination certificate

 

You must produce the relevant Yellow Fever vaccination certificate on arrival.

 

Travelling with children

 

Single parents or other adults travelling alone with children should be aware that some countries require documentary evidence of parental responsibility before allowing lone parents to enter the country or, in some cases, before permitting the children to leave the country.  For further information on exactly what will be required at immigration please contact the French Embassy in London.

At present, there have been no cases of Swine Flu confirmed in French Guiana. The World Health Organisation (WHO) Pandemic Threat Alert Phase has been raised to Level 6. The WHO website has further details. The French Authorities advise that travellers in French Guiana who think that they have flu symptoms should telephone "15" or contact a local General Practitioner for advice and assistance. Further information and advice on what to do if you are in French Guiana and think you have flu symptoms can be found on the website of the French National Institute for Health Education. In addition, you should monitor local media reports for any developments. There is a dedicated Swine Flu page on the FCO website. Guidance on Pandemic Flu is available on the UK Department of Health website.

British nationals making short term visits to French Guiana should obtain a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) before leaving the UK. The EHIC is not a substitute for medical and travel insurance, but entitles you to emergency medical treatment on the same terms as French Guianan nationals.  You will not be covered for medical repatriation, on-going medical treatment or treatment of a non-urgent nature.  For more information about how to obtain the EHIC please see European Health Insurance Card.

British nationals planning a permanent move to French Guiana, especially those who have not yet reached retirement age, should consult the UK Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) at the earliest opportunity to obtain advice on their longer-term entitlement as residents to health care provision under the French national system.  Enquiries should be made to the DWP Overseas Medical Benefits help-line on 00 44 191 218 1999 which is open on Mondays to Fridays from 08.00 to 20.00 daily. Alternatively, information can be obtained direct from the English language service of the Caisse Primaire d’Assurance Maladie (French social security service) on 00 33 8 20 90 42 12 or Center of European and International Liaisons for Social Security (CLEISS) (select English version) on 00 33 1 45 26 33 4.
 
Dengue fever is common in French Guiana.

You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS. For more general information on how to do this see HIV and AIDS.

You should seek medical advice before travelling and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up-to-date.  NHS Direct (0845 46 47) can provide you with advice on the vaccination requirements for French Guiana.

For further information on endemic diseases, like malaria, health outbreaks and vaccination requirements for French Guiana you should check the websites of the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) and NHS Scotland’s Fit for Travel.

For more general health information see Travel Health.

Insurance

 
We recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling.  You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. For more general information see Travel Insurance.

Here's how we can help if things go wrong.

Registration

Register with our LOCATE service to tell us when and where you are travelling abroad or where you live abroad so our consular and crisis staff can provide better assistance to you in an emergency. 
 

Consular assistance

There is no resident British Diplomatic Mission in French Guiana.   Routine consular matters are covered by the British Embassy in Paris.  In case of emergency, contact the Honorary British Consul in French Guiana, 16 avenue President Monnerville, BP 211 97324 Cayenne, (tel:  00 594 594 311 034,  fax: 00 594 594 304 094).