South America and South Atlantic Islands

Guyana
Still current at: 08 November 2009 Updated: 30 September 2009

This advice has been reviewed and reissued with amendments throughout. The overall level of the advice has not changed.

(see travel advice legal disclaimer)

Travel advice for this country

Travel Summary

There are confirmed human cases of A (H1N1) - Swine Flu in Guyana. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has raised its Pandemic Threat Alert Phase to Level 6. The WHO website at WHO website has further details. You should monitor media reports for any developments and advice. There is a dedicated Swine Flu page on this website. Guidance on Pandemic Flu can be obtained on the UK Department of Health website.
You should exercise caution when travelling in Guyana. In 2008 there were several major attacks by armed criminal gangs resulting in multiple murders. Similar attacks anywhere in the country in the future cannot be ruled out. Armed robbery levels remain high. See the Crime section of this advice for more details.
Guyana is extremely vulnerable to flooding. During periods of heavy rainfall visitors, especially those going to low-lying areas, including Georgetown, should take sensible precautions and follow local advice.
Most visits are trouble-free. 5 British nationals required consular assistance in Guyana in the period 01 April 2008 – 31 March 2009 for the following types of incident; deaths (1 case); and arrests, for a variety of offences (4 cases). During this period assistance was also requested with regard to lost or stolen passports (9 cases).
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.
We recommend 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. See the General (Insurance) section of this advice and Travel insurance for more details.

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. For more general information see Terrorism abroad.

Crime

You are advised to exercise caution when travelling in Guyana. Crime levels in Guyana are high. There have been indiscriminate shootings in the recent past. There are regular armed robberies against businesses and individuals where the perpetrators often use extreme violence. The Police tend to respond with firearms if shot at or threatened.

There was an upsurge in violent criminal activity in the first half of 2008 with multiple killings in two separate incidents. In June 2008, eight gold miners were killed at Lindo Creek off the Berbice River in so far unexplained circumstances. Many of the perpetrators of these attacks are believed to have been captured or killed. But similar attacks elsewhere in the country in the future cannot be ruled out.

Many of the crime risks in Guyana are common to countries with wide disparities in wealth and where the perception is that all foreigners are wealthy. Exercise due care and common sense.

Burglary and theft from cars are commonplace. Take extra precautions to protect your passports, money, tickets, mobile phones and other valuables. Even if staying with family, do not leave valuables in view. Keep them somewhere less obvious than your baggage. If staying in a hotel, make use of hotel safes. You should be particularly vigilant when leaving local banks to ensure that you are not being followed.

In Georgetown, avoid the Tiger Bay area. Exercise caution in the Stabroek Market, the area around St George’s Cathedral, all of south Georgetown and in Buxton and Agricola.

Avoid walking alone around Georgetown, even in the main areas. Do not dress ostentatiously. Do not carry valuables, large quantities of money, video cameras, laptops, iPods, expensive jewellery or other obvious signs of wealth. There have been a number of muggings of expatriates, some of them violent, and some in broad daylight. Avoid walking anywhere at night. Although some taxis have been the target for robbers, they remain the safest means of getting about town for visitors. Only use taxis from reputable companies (see Local Travel section below). Exercise constant vigilance.

If you walk along the sea wall avoid the more deserted stretches and walk at times when other walkers are most likely to be about, e.g. around 17:00 to 18:00 hours. Avoid the sea wall after dark. Carry nothing to draw attention to yourself and do not carry valuables.

There have been armed attacks against boats in and around the waters of Guyana. Mariners are advised to be vigilant and take appropriate precautions.

For more general information see Victims of crime abroad.

Political Situation

Guyana Country Profile

Elections were last held on 28 August 2006. Unlike earlier elections in Guyana, they passed off peacefully.

You should avoid large crowds, demonstrations and political gatherings.

Local Travel

The north coast of Guyana is below sea level and protected by a sea defence and dam system. Guyana experiences heavy rainfall. The main rainy seasons are May/June and December/January. Poorly maintained infrastructure, including drainage systems, adds to Guyana's extreme vulnerability to flooding. In 2005, there was widespread flooding in Georgetown, East Coast Demerara and several coastal regions affecting some 30% of the population. The rainy season in early 2009 saw heavy rainfall with flooding in some areas in East Coast Demerara. Visitors should be aware, take sensible precautions and follow local advice.

Avoid using minibuses. They are driven extremely dangerously and are responsible for the majority of road accidents in Guyana. Only use taxis from reputable companies. Do not hail taxis from the roadside.

The UN’s International Tribunal on the Law of the Sea ruled in 2007 on the maritime border dispute Guyana and Suriname. But there remains a dispute over land in the New River Triangle area in the South East of Guyana. Also, Venezuela does not formally recognise the legitimacy of its current border with Guyana. These issues are on a back burner, but if you are near the border areas you should keep this in mind. Only scheduled ferry services should be used when crossing the Corentyne River between Guyana and Suriname. Use of water taxis (backtracking) from Suriname to Guyana can lead to arrest and deportation.

If travelling on Guyana’s rivers use registered boat services equipped with lifejackets. Do not travel by boat after dark.

Road Travel

Driving in Guyana can be dangerous because of poor road conditions in some areas and poor driving habits and some unroadworthy vehicles. You should exercise caution at all times while driving. Driving at night should be restricted as much as possible.

If planning to drive in Guyana, an International Driving Permit is recommended. Alternatively, a local driving permit, valid for one month can be obtained from the Licence and Revenue Office in Georgetown on submission of a valid British driving licence.

For more general information see Driving abroad.

Local laws and customs

Drug trafficking is a serious problem. Possession and trafficking in drugs leads to lengthy prison sentences and heavy fines. The minimum jail sentence for illegal drug offences is three years. Prison conditions in Guyana are tough. Pack all luggage yourself and do not carry any items that do not belong to you.

People are regularly offered free air tickets to Guyana. On arrival the same people find their "sponsors" will only allow them to leave Guyana if they carry a "package" (usually cocaine). The Guyana anti-drug authorities at the airport will routinely stop or search foreigners fitting a certain profile. There are a number of British citizens in prison in Guyana for drug offences.

For more general information for different types of travellers see Your trip.

Entry requirements

Visas

British visitors do not need visas to enter Guyana. Visitors are generally given 30 days to remain in Guyana, but extensions can usually be obtained from the Ministry of Home Affairs in Georgetown. Before travel you should check entry requirements with the Guyana High Commission in London.

Departure Tax

All passengers leaving Guyana must pay a compulsory departure tax/security levy. The current fee is G$4,000/£13/US$20 and must be paid in cash (Guyana dollars, Sterling or US dollars).

Health

Medical facilities are severely limited and standards are low. You are advised to ensure that your insurance covers the costs of medical evacuation which is recommended for any serious or invasive treatment.

There are confirmed human cases of A (H1N1) - Swine Flu in Guyana. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has raised its Pandemic Threat Alert Phase to Level 6. The WHO website has further details. You should monitor media reports for any developments and advice. There is a dedicated Swine Flu page on this website. Guidance on Pandemic Flu can be obtained on the UK Department of Health website.

Typhoid, malaria and dengue fever are common to Guyana (although Georgetown itself is malaria-free). Dengue Fever is endemic and can occur throughout the year. There were numerous cases of dengue in 2008 and early 2009 in Georgetown and the interior. In the 2008 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic the UNAIDS/WHO Working Group estimated that around 12,000 adults aged 15 or over in Guyana were living with HIV; the prevalence rate was estimated at around 2.5% of the adult population. This compares to the prevalence rate in adults in the UK of around 0.2%. You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS. For more general information on how to do this see HIV and AIDS page of the FCO website.

You should seek medical advice before travelling to Guyana and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up-to-date. For further information on vaccination requirements, health outbreaks and general disease protection and prevention you should visit the websites of the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) and NHS Scotland’s Fit for Travel or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.

For more general health information see Travel health.

General

Insurance

We recommend 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.

If things do go wrong when you are overseas then this is How we can help.

Registering with the British High Commission

In view of the general security situation in Guyana, all long-term visitors are advised to register their presence with the British High Commission in Georgetown. You can 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. More information about registering with LOCATE

Mobile phones

The following UK mobiles work with roaming services - tri-band or quad phones; Vodafone and O2.A 3G data service is also available.

Money

Credit card use is growing in the retail and hospitality sectors but Guyana is still a largely cash-based economy. The Bank of Nova Scotia’s ATMs accept international bankcards (Visa/Master Cards). Some UK credit card companies have been known to block credit cards once they are used in Guyana. To avoid this, you may wish to inform your credit card company before departure of your intention to travel to Guyana. You may wish to consider bringing sufficient currency or travellers' cheques to cover your anticipated expenditure. American Dollars are more widely accepted than other foreign currencies (it is advisable that you carry some small denomination notes).

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Contacts

Guyana, Georgetown, British High Commission

Address:

British High Commission
44 Main Street
(PO Box 10849)
Georgetown

Telephone:

(592) 226 5881/2/3/4

Fax:

(592) 225 3555 Development/Commercial/Public Diplomacy/Management
(592) 225 0671 Consular/Immigration
(592) 223 7321 Chancery

Email: bhcguyana@networksgy.com

Office hours:

GMT:
Mon-Thu: 1200 2000; Fri: 1200-1800

Local Time:
Mon-Thu: 0800-1600; Fri: 0800-1400

Website: http://ukinguyana.fco.gov.uk/en

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