Tourism

VISITING GUYANA

Guyana is a unique and fascinating destination that offers a different form of tourism – mainly Eco-Tourism – which is focused on its ecology, wildlife and pristine rain forest. While historically, culturally and economically aligned with the English–speaking Caribbean, Guyana is geographically found on the continent of South America. About 80% of the country’s landmass is covered by Amazon rain forest teeming with various species of flora and fauna. These are unique characteristics in relation to the rest of the Caribbean.

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رمضان في غايانا

INSIGHTS TO GUYANA’S PARADISE FOR TOURISTS

Come to the land where the sun is always outside your window and nature gently awakens you with the sound of birds welcoming the new day. Come and feel the warmth of a people who live in the sunshine of land of many waters. To the east, south, and west of the capital, Georgetown, lay vast rivers and waterfalls, high mountains and rolling savannahs, stretching away to the borders of Brazil, Venezuela, and Suriname – an area as big as Britain.

The wide variety of pristine eco-systems within Guyana supporting a large bio-diversity is a unique aspect. The 270 miles of Atlantic coast has long shell beaches and extensive mud flats protecting large mangrove swamps teeming with fish, birds and animal life.

Behind this, the Amazon jungles, mountains, and savannahs rise above 9,000 feet, with a multitude of large waterfalls, creeks, and rivers.

At the edge of the Amazon, in a lost world where nature reigns supreme, a natural paradise awaits you. It is here that you can find mile after mile of lush, uninterrupted rain forest where 1,000 tree species grow, and where over 700 species of birds and species of mammals and reptiles are offered a haven. Should you venture into this natural world you would be sure to catch a glimpse of the Olivier Ridley, a sea turtle species on the verge of extinction and the giant Leatherback, Hawksbill and Green turtles as they share a nesting site.

In the blue distance above, the Harpy Eagle spreads its wings in freedom over the Rupununi, where savannahs stretch forever and mountains thrust into the sky. Stand at the edge of the Kaieteur Falls , the highest single-drop waterfall in the world as it spirals down onto mist-covered boulders and follow its course through mountains, forests, savannah and lakes.

Of its three counties (Essequibo, Berbice and Demerara), the Essequibo, named after Guyana’s mightiest river, is the largest, occupying the whole of western Guyana. It is in this county that you can visit Fort Island, once the headquarters of the Dutch; Itanami Falls once feared by travellers; and Lake Mainstay Resort. Lake Mainstay Resort, taking its name from the lake on which it is located, is a paradise for fun, relaxation, love, peace and happiness. It offers swimming, jet skiing, fishing, paddle-boat and canoeing, golf, interior trips, trail hikes, beach volleyball, and lawn tennis. Facilities include an indoor games room, conference room, and self-contained cabins. Tours of the capital Georgetown and Guyana’s vast hinterland can be arranged by tour operators. Contact details for these operators can be found here.

HERITAGE TOURISM
The cultural diversity in Guyana is unique in the Caribbean and has made significant contributions to the country and the region. A unique, yet growing market in tourism is that of Culture and Heritage tourism. Guyana has one of the richest and varied heritage in the region, beginning with the arrival of the Amerindians and developing and consolidating with the arrival of the Europeans: (Dutch, French, English and even the Spanish) along with the Africans, Chinese, Portuguese from Madeira and Indians. The legacy became increasingly cosmopolitan and polyglot. Each group brought to Guyana its cultural traditions and made its imprint on the Guyanese cultural landscape. The variety of these contributions provides the plural tapestry of which Guyanese are so very proud.

Guyana’s history is quite visible, as one only has to look at the colonial architecture of Georgetown, the rural landscapes and historical sites. Perhaps more than any other city in the English speaking Caribbean, Georgetown evolved with a distinctive architectural style that combined elegance with practicality.

THE PEOPLE

Guyana is a multicultural society – a melting pot of various ethnicities and cultures. The influence of this society is seen throughout the population on a daily basis and touches all aspects of life – social, religious and cultural. The people are open, friendly and hospitable.

CRAFT PRODUCTION
Guyana is the mecca of craft production in the Caribbean. The country’s huge reserves and variety of natural resources married to an Amerindian population which has been making use of these materials for centuries have led to an incredibly vibrant and diverse craft industry. In Guyana nothing is imported for craft production. Materials include tanned hides of cattle, sheep, goat, snake and caiman skins, woods of every hardness and color (e.g. purple heart, mahogany, samaan, silver bali et al), straws, vines and palm leaves such as tibisiri, nibbi and mukru, balata (rubber tree sap), calabash, coconuts, beads, stones (precious and semi-precious), and gold.

Crafted items include furniture, footwear of all kinds, belts, handbags, jewelary and jewel boxes, masks and sculptures, paintings, rolling pins, letter openers, hammocks, bowls, walking sticks, mortars and pestles and the list goes on. The prevalence of materials and the favorable exchange rate of the Guyana dollar to the US also make a veritable bargain emporium. There is even a promising fine arts industry among many contemporary Guyanese, not least the Amerindian artists. If you’re looking for original hand-made art, you can’t do better than a trip to Guyana. Some of the main craft selling points in Georgetown are the Amerindian Hostel, Guyana Stores, Hibiscus Plaza, Fogarty’s, House Proud, Stabroek Market and on many pavements around the city, including the GPO Building. You might also want to visit Amerindian settlements such as St. Cuthbert’s, Santa Anna Mission and the Pomeroon. Also check out the many reputable jewelary outlets that make use of local gold, diamonds and semi-precious stones set at very reasonable prices.

PLACES OF INTEREST IN THE CAPITAL – GEORGETOWN

Stabroek Market
Made entirely of cast iron, it extends into the Demerara River. The Market covers an area of 76,728 square feet. Designed and erected by an American engineer Nathaniel McKay, this structure bears the former Dutch name of the city of Georgetown. It was opened for business on 1st November, 1881.

St. George’s Cathedral
Designed by Sir Arthur Blomfield RIBA, the Cathedral was named after Saint George, a soldier saint who had been selected by the Norman Kings to be their patron. It is the mother of the Anglican Diocese in Guyana and reputedly the tallest timber church in the world. The Cathedral itself was completed in 1892.

Parliament Building (The Public Buildings)
Designed by Joseph Hadfield, this brick structure which was constructed from 1829 to 1834 rests on a foundation of greenheart logs. It is a model of 19th century architecture and is one of two domed buildings in the city. Today this building is home to the National Assembly.

City Hall
Regarded as the most elegant edifice of Georgetown, this building was designed by Father Ignatius Scoles. It was officially opened on 1 July 1889 by Lord Gormanston the then Governor.

Promenade Gardens
Originally constructed as an ornamental Garden for Government House, it was extended to its present proportions in 1884. The Garden is laid out in Victorian style without lawns and vistas.

Botanic Gardens
In 1878 American John Frederica Waby arrived in Guyana and spent thirty-five years landscaping one of the finest tropical gardens in this part of the world. Included in this garden is the National Zoo which has a cross-section of most of the country’s indigenous animals.

Umana Yana
This conical palm-thatched structure was erected by one of Guyana’s indigenous peoples – the Wai-Wai tribe. Members of this tribe inhabit Guyana’s deep interior regions and the Umana Yana is patterned after dwellings in these regions. In fact, the word “Umana Yana” comes from the language of the indigenous peoples and means ‘meeting place of the people’. The Umana Yana was constructed in 1972 as a V.I.P. lounge for the Non-Aligned Foreign Ministers Conference. It is 55 feet (16.78 metres) high and occupies an area of 460 square metres.

NATURAL FEATURES

Kaieteur Falls
This magnificent water-fall width varies from 250 feet in the dry season to 400 feet in the rainy season. It has a perpendicular drop of 741 feet. Kaieteur is twice as high as Victoria Falls and almost five times as high as Niagra Falls in Canada.

Orinduik Falls
The Ireng River on which this Fall is located thunders over steps and terraces of solid Jasper. However, unlike the mighty Kaieteur, this Fall is ideal for swimming and picnicking.

Potaro River
Begins at the Ayanganna Mountain Range in the North Rupununi Savannahs. It extends 140 miles to the Essequibo River. Located on this river are nine waterfalls. The most notable are Kaieteur and Tumatumari. A 1930 Suspension Bridge called Garraway Stream Bridge as well as Two Islands are also located on the Potaro River.

Essequibo River
This river is 21 miles wide at its estuary and approximately 270 miles long. There are 365 islands located on this River. This is the largest of the three major rivers. The other two are the Demerara River and the Berbice River.

Mount Roraima
This mountain is located in Guyana, Venezuela and Brazil. Guyana’s Roraima is 9,094 feet in height and was conquered in 1973.

Shea Rock
An unusual outcropping of igneous rocks in the South Rupununi Savannahs, it can easily be seen for miles and thus is a well-known landmark.

THE LAND OF THE LAKES’
Many regions in Guyana have their own special features, history and character. Those who are familiar with Guyana would readily associate a region with a particular set of attributes. The name Essequibo quickly conjures up images of spectacular waterfalls, rivers and landscapes that stretch to the horizon, rolling rice fields and serene, expansive lakes. The Pomeroon-Supenaam region of the Essequibo County (commonly known as the ‘Cinderella County’) is awakening to a new identity as ‘The Land of the Lakes’.

One of those lakes possesses an almost eerie quality that has been the subject of much local and national speculation, theorising and legend. That lake is called Ituribisci or the ‘hot and cold lake.’ It is nature itself gone schizophrenic, waxing hot this minute, then cold the next. It is normal to experience for bathers in the lake to find themselves the victim, in an area no wider than 20 meters, of nature’s contrasting moods. Essequibians have come to accept this phenomenon as normal if not, mysterious part of their creation in the lake; rarely even taking the trouble to seek answers to this riddle of nature’s moods. But visitors often become giddy with excitement and curiosity, wanting explanations, conjectures, legends, anything that would bring the inexplicable closer to the realm of comprehension.

The lake District of the Pomeroon-Supenaam area also boasts a recreational center in Lake Mainstay – one of the more picturesque and scenic in the ‘land of the lakes.’ Lake Mainstay is the venue of the annual August Regatta, an event of growing stature in Guyana’s calendar of events. Thousands flock to the ‘Cinderella County; in the month of August and trek to the Mainstay lakeside for a weekend of daredevil speedboat racing, jet skiing and beach activities. The famous Mainstay Resort spreads elegantly beside the lake, offering comfortable accommodation, fine cuisine and conference facilities. Lake Capoey although differently accessed, is linked to Lake Mainstay and is part of the axis of beauty in the Pomeroon-Supenaam region.

TRAVELLING TO GUYANA
All visitors to Guyana are required to have a valid passport with at least six (6) months validity and proof of return/onward journey. Visas are necessary for all visitors except those who are exempt. The list of visa exemptions can be accessed at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website or on this website under the Information Section.

Those requiring visas can make contact with the closest Guyana diplomatic or consular representative (list accessible at http://www.minfor.gov.gy) for guidance on the visa process. Alternatively, persons residing in countries where there is no Guyana representative can apply for visas on arrival.

Persons travelling from yellow-fever countries are required to present a yellow fever vaccination card as proof of vaccination. It is necessary that the vaccination be administered ten days prior to travel to allow for inoculation.

BY AIR
Guyana’s main international airport, the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, is located at Timehri, two (2) miles south of the capital. Flights from Europe are routed through Antigua, Barbados or Trinidad. There are direct flights to Guyana from Miami, New York, Toronto, Brazil and Suriname.

OVERLAND
Visitors can travel overland to Guyana via Suriname or Brazil. There is a twice-a-day ferry service across the Corentyne River between Guyana (Moleson Creek) and Suriname (Nickerie) to facilitate travel. Discussions are currently ongoing on the bridging of the river. The Takutu River Bridge links Guyana (Lethem) and Brazil (Bon Fim) and facilitates cross border travel. Customs and Immigration facilities are found at both crossings.

Visitors can also enter Guyana with Suriname, Brazil or French Guiana via registered vehicles.

BY SEA
Visitors travelling to Guyana on yachts are required to sail up the Essequibo River to the town of Bartica, some 35 nautical miles from the Atlantic for Customs and Immigration clearance. The Customs and Immigration Departments are located at the Police Headquarters in First Avenue and open from 08:00 am to 16:30 pm. Further information on sailing into Guyana can be found on the website of the Guyana Tourism Authority: www.guyana-tourism.com

CLOTHING
Lightweight, casual clothing can be worn throughout the year. Public Offices and some business entities however have dress codes and business attire is usually required for meetings/conferences.

HEALTH
There is a risk of malaria in certain parts of the Guyana interior. Consult your doctor for the required precautions if you intend to travel to Guyana. Georgetown and coastal areas are malaria-free. Visitors may prefer to drink bottled water; there are several local brands that are inexpensive and widely available.

HOSPITALS
There are numerous health units, both government and privately owned, in Guyana.

EMERGENCY NUMBERS
Police Department: 911
Fire Department: 912
Ambulance 913

ACCOMMODATION
There is a wide range of accommodation facilities throughout Guyana to cater to every kind of traveler. Details and contact information on the various facilities can be accessed at the following link here.

Voltage 110V in Georgetown; 220V in other places, including parts of suburban Georgetown. Some places are equipped with both 110 and 220V.

SHOPPING
Shopping in Guyana is an adventure worth embarking upon as you discover unique treasures that are Guyana’s claim to fame. A vast number of boutiques, jewlary and craft shops are available to be explored.

Shopping Hours
Normal shopping hours are 8.30 am until 5.00 pm (Monday-Friday and noon on Saturday). Market hours are 8.00 am until 4.00 pm Mon, Tue, Thur, Fri and Sat. 9.00 am until 12.00 pm Wed. 8.00 am until 10.00 am Sun.

Currency
The unit of currency is the Guyana dollar which floats against the US dollar, Check for daily rates. US dollars are widely accepted. British, Canadian and some other bank notes may be accepted as well. Foreign currency can be changed at banks, finance houses, and cambios. Many hotels will also change money but generally give less attractive rates.

Cambios
These are licensed currency exchange houses. Most cambios are open Monday to Friday from 8.00 am to 5.00 pm, and on Saturdays from 8.00 am to noon, sometimes to 2.00 pm. In order to exchange Guyanese dollars on departure, cambio receipts should be produced.

Credit Cards
Major credit cards and traveler’s cheques are accepted by most hotels, restaurants, car rental agencies and tour operators. Scotia Cards and Master Cards can be used to obtain cash from the Bank of Nova Scotia during banking hours. American Express cards can be used at Demerara Bank. Foreign credit cards cannot be used at ATM machines in Guyana.

Banking Hours
Banking Hours at most banks are relatively short – from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm. On Fridays, the banks operate until 2:30 pm. However, Bank of Nova Scotia is open until 2:30 pm, and until 4:30 pm on Fridays.

TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Guyana’s country code is ‘592’, followed by a seven-digit number for all areas of the country. Direct dialing is available from Guyana to any country in the world. Collect calls can be placed however to Canada, the US and UK using the numbers below:
Canada Direct: 161
USA Direct: 165
UK Direct: 169

Free internet access is available to guests at selected hotels. Completion of the Americas II cable has provided an international fiber optic link. The country has 100% digital switching and a full range of value-added customer services such as voicemail. Fibre network reaches most of the coast, as does a seamless digital cellular service. This service is provided by two companies – GT&T and Digicel Guyana. Prepaid SIM cards can be acquired from any of their outlets. Wi-Fi is also available at certain locations.

FOOD

Food in Guyana is representative of the ethnic and cultural melting pot that Guyana is and has been influenced by the various ethnic groups. Guyanese are particularly proud of their dishes – arguably the most popular and identifiable being pepperpot, cook-up, metagee, curry dishes, roti, and fried rice. A number of restaurants and corner shops provide a variety of these dishes. A listing of restaurants can be found here. A wide array of fruits and vegetables are always available at the markets.

TRANSPORTATION
Driving Traffic drives on the left-hand side. Seat belts are compulsory by law. If travelling to Guyana and you wish to drive, please inquire with the Customs Officer upon entry for a local driving permit. Be sure to have in your possession a valid driving license and provide details of your local address. Once issued, the permit is valid for the period of one (1) month and is free of charge.

Taxis and Buses
Georgetown and some parts of Guyana are well served with taxis and buses. Taxis are easy to find outside most hotels (some of which operate their own service) and throughout Georgetown. Inquire as to rates before embarking on travel since it varies depending on whether the car is from a taxi service or a private hire car. Taxis afford freer movement around the city and can also be easily arranged through your local hotel or by contacting one of the recommended taxi services.
Mini-buses present a cheaper alternative for travelling to and from various parts of Guyana – around the capital and along the coast, or to the Cheddi Jagan International Airport and Linden. Check and confirm fares before entering the vehicle. These buses are privately owned and operate in allocated zones for which there is a fare structure.

River Boats and Ferries
To reach certain areas of Guyana, like Essequibo, it is necessary to also use river transport. The fares for the use of speed boats and ferries vary. Speed boats however provide a quicker travel option as against ferries. Such transportation can be hired to take passengers as far as Bartica or other hinterland resorts and back in a single day.

Domestic Air Service
Air transportation is available for travelling to several interior locations, such as Lethem, whether for business or pleasure. Airlines that provide this local service depart from the Ogle International Airport on the East Coast of Demerara. Information on their availability and movement is easily obtainable from their office and tour operators. Private charter companies also operate interior flights from Ogle Airport.

Guyana featured on the cover of int’l travel magazine

June 17, 2019

Guyana has scored the coveted spot on the cover of the June/July 2019 issue of the international Travel Agent Magazine, as the country continues to make leaps in the tourism sector, the Department of Public Information (DPI) reported.

The cover of this edition of the magazine features the majestic Kaieteur Falls, the world’s largest single-drop waterfall, in all its splendour. This edition features a special report on Guyana, writer Adam Leposa tells of his “firsthand look at the intriguing, emerging destination of Guyana.”

Leposa acknowledged the work being done to improve the local tourism sector. He says, “Guyana, a relatively undiscovered country in South America bordered by Venezuela, Brazil and Suriname, has been making moves to promote itself as an ecotourism destination in the North American market.”

Leposa also pointed out that during their visit they “found a country with a unique, diverse natural environment that included rainforest, savannah and a coastal city, as well as a destination serious about developing a sustainable tourism product.”

In a response to this wonderful news, the Guyana Tourism Authority issued a release stating, “we are proud to be featured in another prominent travel publication that highlights exactly what makes Guyana such a special destination to visit. To be the featured cover story further illustrates that Guyana has become the next hot destination in the global marketplace.”

The GTA noted that this particular piece describes one writer’s journey through Guyana; showcasing our nature, adventure and cultural-based product offerings to travel agents across North America and beyond.

“This is just one of many examples of the earned media recognition that tourism in Guyana has received over the past year. The multiplier effect results in raising awareness of what we have to offer and increases the credibility of our tourism offerings, which in drives demand and results in more visitors,” the released further noted.

Travel Agent Central is an independent news organisation with journalists possessing deep expertise in vacation travel and business travel, covering the Caribbean, Mexico, Europe, Asia, Africa, the Middle East, North America and South America.

This new achievement comes on the heels of Guyana winning two recent accolades those being, Best Sustainable Tourism Award from the Latin America Travel Association (LATA) and the Best in Eco-Tourism destination in the world at the International Tourism Market (Internationale Tourismus-Börse, ITB) in Berlin. Guyana was also declared one of the top 10 sustainable destinations by the Green Destination, DPI reported. (Excerpts from DPI)

Ali Al Salom (Abu Dhabi, U.A.E), An Arabic explorer visits GUYANA and documents his trip with giving information about the country.

Droub 7 (Pathways) | From One Another

It is said that every unjust has a unique attribute of justice, That he distributes his injustice with justice to everyone! He does not leave anyone without his injustice getting anything. And when the invasion was the hump of injustice, The invader did not distinguish between the peoples of the Andes, the Caribbean, and the Latins in his oppression. He enslaved everyone, harmed everyone and chased everyone. As his poetic justice and the effects of his domination have not faded… but are there remains of traces of the hand of destruction?

دروب 7 | بعضكم من بعض

يقال بأن كل ظالم له صفة عدل وحيدة … … وهي أنه يوزع ظلمه بالعدل على الجميع! فلا يترك أحداً دون أن يناله من ظلمه شيء …… ولما كان الغزو هو سنام الظلم … فلم يميز الغازي بين شعوب الأنديز والكاريبي واللاتين في ظلمه … استعبد الجميع … وآذى الجميع … وطارد الجميع …. عدالته شاعريه … وآثار سياطه لم تزل … ولكن هل بقي لليد التي أمسكت بالسوط أثر ؟