Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a passport or visa to enter Guyana?
What's the climate like? What clothes should I take?
Can I use my credit cards/ATM cards in Guyana?
What's the exchange rate? Where can I exchange my money?
What is the voltage in Guyana?
When are Public Holidays in Guyana?
Do I need a passport or visa to enter Guyana?
All visitors require a valid passport. Those arriving by plane are required to have an onward plane ticket. Visas are necessary for all visitors except nationals of the following countries: Commonwealth Countries, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, USA. Visitors are advised to check with the nearest Guyana Embassy or Consulate or their travel agent.
What's the climate like? What clothes should I take?
Guyana's climate is equatorial: hot but pleasant for most of the year, with a mean shade temperature of 27°C (81°F) and an average temperature range of 24°C to 31°C (75°F to 87°F). The heat is tempered by the sea breezes on the coast. An umbrella is useful during the two wet seasons, extending roughly from May through July, and from December to the end of January. Rainfall is 2,300mm a year in Georgetown.
Lightweight, casual clothing can be worn throughout the year.
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Can I use my credit cards/ATM cards in Guyana?
Most hotels, major restaurants, car rental agencies and tour operators accept major credit cards and travelers cheques. Foreign ATM cards can only be used at select ATM machines in Guyana. The interior is largely a cash economy.
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What's the exchange rate? Where can I exchange my money?
The Guyana Dollar has a fluctuating exchange rate of G$200 to US$1; G$360 to £1 pounds sterling; G$260 to €1 euro; and G$120 to $1 Canadian. Cambios are licensed currency exchange houses. Most Cambios are open weekdays from 8 am to 5 pm and on Saturdays from 8 am to 2 pm. It is important that you keep your Cambio receipts, as you will need to produce them to change Guyanese dollars on departure.
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What is the voltage in Guyana?
110v in Georgetown, 220v in most other places, including parts of suburban Georgetown.
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When are Public Holidays in Guyana?
New Years Day
Republic Day and Mashramani (February 23)
Good Friday
Easter Monday
Labour Day (May 1)
Independence Day (May 26)
CARICOM Day (First Monday in August)
Christmas Day,
Boxing Day (December 26).
The following public holidays follow a lunar calendar and thus the actual day varies annually:
Hindu holidays of Phagwah (usually March)
Deepavali (usually November)
Muslim Holidays of Eid ul Fitr (end of Ramadan)
Eid ul Azah and Youman Nabi.
