South America and South Atlantic Islands

French Guiana

Still current at: 30 August 2008

Updated: 06 May 2008

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 Abroad.

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. 

General health care facilities, including emergency services, in health service general hospitals are good.  The availability of doctors is also good and some specialist treatment is available.

The Form E111 is no longer valid.  You 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.  It also does not cover you for medical repatriation, on-going medical treatment or treatment of a non-urgent nature.  For more general information see EHIC.

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 41.
 
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 to French Guiana 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.

Natural Disasters

 

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

Insurance
 
We strongly 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.

If things do go wrong when you are overseas then this is How We Can Help.

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.  More information about registering with LOCATE can be found here.
 
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.