South America and South Atlantic Islands

No restrictions in this travel advice

Avoid all but essential travel to part(s) of country

Avoid all but essential travel to whole country

Avoid all travel to part(s) of country

Avoid all travel to whole country

• Travel Summary
• Safety and security
• Local laws and customs
• Entry requirements

• Health
• Natural disasters
• General
 

• French Guiana is a French Overseas Territory. There is no formal British diplomatic or consular representation. See General - Consular Assistance.

• 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.
  
  
• Although the risk from crime is also low, it does exist and you should take precautions. See Crime.
  
  
• You must produce a Yellow Fever certificate on arrival.
  
  
• Very few British nationals visit French Guiana each year. Most visits are trouble-free. The main type of incident for which British nationals required consular assistance in French Guiana in 2009 was in relation to those arrested for drug offences.
  
  
• The rainy season in French Guiana, during which tropical storms may occur, takes place between December and July.
  
  
• You should take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance. See the General - Insurance.

Safety and Security - 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. See our Terrorism Abroad page.

Safety and Security - Crime

Serious crime does occur in French Guiana.  Consequently, you should at all times take 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.

See our Victims of Crime page.

See our Your trip page.

Entry Requirements - Visas

French Guiana is an Overseas Department of France (départements d’outre-mer). If your passport describes you as a British Citizen you will not need a visa to enter French Guiana. Other British passport holders should check the current entry requirements here and if necessary confirm with the nearest French Diplomatic mission.   

Entry Requirements - Passport validity

You must hold a valid passport to enter French Guiana. Your passport must be valid for the proposed duration of your stay. No additional period of validity beyond this is required. However, it is always sensible to have a short period of extra validity on your passport in case of any unforeseen delays to your departure. You do not have to wait until your old passport expires to apply to renew it. Any time left on your old passport when you apply will be added to your new passport, up to a maximum of nine months. For passport applications in the UK, you should apply to the Identity and Passport Service.

Entry Requirements - Yellow Fever vaccination certificate

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

Entry Requirements - Travelling with children

For information on exactly what will be required at immigration please contact the French Embassy in London.

Dengue fever is common in French Guiana. Symptoms include severe headache, muscle and joint pains and severe pain and bright red rash. There may also be gastritis with a combination abdominal pain, nausea vomiting, or diarrhoea. Should travellers to French Guiana believe they are suffering such symptoms, they should consult a doctor.

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 nationals. You will not be covered for medical repatriation, on-going medical treatment or treatment of a non-urgent nature. 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.
 
Exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS. See our HIV and AIDS page.

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 check the websites of the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) and NHS Scotland’s Fit for Travel.

See our Travel Health page.

The rainy season in French Guiana, during which tropical storms may occur, takes place between December and July. See our Tropical Cyclones page.

General - Insurance

You should take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. Check for any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. See our Travel Insurance page.

If things do go wrong when you are overseas then see our when things go wrong page.

General - 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.
 

General - 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).