Guyana
General Information for Guyana
Geo-political:
Capital City: Georgetown.
Nationality: (noun) Guyanese, (adjective) Guyanese.
Population: 752,940.
Communications:
International Direct Dial Code: 592.
Number of Internal Airports: 10.
Major Languages Spoken: English, Amerindian dialects, Creole, Caribbean Hindustani (a dialect of Hindi), Urdu.
Economy:
Currency: 1 Guyana Dollar (GYD) of 100 Cents.
Main Industries: Bauxite, sugar, rice milling, timber, textiles and gold mining.
Environment:
Territorial Sea: 12 n.m.
Other Maritime Claims: Continental Shelf: 200 n.m. or to the outer edge of the continental margin. Exclusive Economic Zone: 200 n.m.
Coastline Extent: 459 km.
Climate: Tropical; hot, humid, moderated by northeast trade winds; two rainy seasons (May to
August, November to January).
Natural Resources: Bauxite, gold, diamonds, hardwood timber, shrimp and fish.
Natural Hazards: Flash floods are a constant threat during rainy seasons.
Terrain: Mostly rolling highlands; low coastal plain; savanna in south.
Average Temperatures:
| Month | High | Low |
|---|---|---|
| January | 29° C | 33° C |
| June | 29° C | 24° C |
| September | 32° C | 24° C |
OVERVIEW:
Guyana, officially the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, is a country on South America’s
north Atlantic coast, bordered by Brazil to the south and southwest, Venezuela to
the west, and Suriname to the east. The landscape is a combination of narrow and fertile
marshy plain along the Atlantic coast, a white sand belt more inland, dense rain forest
in the interior, and savannah and mountainous in the SW along the border with Brazil.
The coast of Guyana is below sea level and protected by a sea defence and dam system.
Guyana is unique among South American countries in that it is an anglophone (English-speaking)
country; Guyana has strong cultural, historical and political ties with other Anglo-Caribbean
countries. Guyana gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1966.
The Ports and Harbours Division of the Maritime Administration Department is responsible
for the management and development of the ports in Guyana. They provide pilotage services
to international vessels in and out of port Georgetown and New Amsterdam. In addition,
the division is in charge buoyage, and the dredging of the channels in Georgetown.
CHARTS:
The Ports and Harbours Division of the Maritime Administration Department produces
navigation charts for all the rivers in Guyana, and tide tables for the entire country.
Notices to Mariners are available to view and download at
PRE-ARRIVAL INFORMATION:
CARICOM APIS:
CARICOM Advance Passenger Information System (APIS) came into effect in 2007. Regional
and international vessels (and aircraft) are required to submit advance passenger
information prior to arrival in and upon departure from any of the 12 member states
forming the single domestic space. The 12 member states are Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados,
Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the
Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago.
Electronic notices of arrival and departures (eNOAD) files must be submitted within
the time period specified as follows: arriving from a port outside the domestic space
no later than 24 hours prior to arrival; arriving from a port within the domestic
space no later than one hour prior to arrival at the next port within the domestic
space; departure to a port outside the domestic space no later than 15 minutes after
departure from a port within the domestic space.
The Joint Regional Communications Centre (JRCC) was nominated by the CARICOM participating
member states as their agent for collection, collation and dissemination of API.
Access to the system is for registered users only, with registration and log in at
www.caricomeapis.org
Contact:
JRCC Bridgetown, Barbados. T: +1 246 435 4659. F: +1 246 228 4040.
[email protected]
www.caricomeapis.org
POLLUTION:
Oil spill notifications should be made to the Harbour Master, Maritime Administration
Department. T: +592 226 7842. F: +592 227 5271.
[email protected]
MEDICAL:
Medical facilities are very limited, even in Georgetown and non-existent in remote
areas. Standards are low. Make sure you have adequate health insurance and accessible
funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment abroad, and repatriation. Medical
evacuation is recommended for any serious or invasive treatment.
There is a risk of Zika virus transmission in Guyana.
Malaria and dengue fever are common to Guyana and can occur throughout the year. You
should take steps to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes.
In the 2016 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic the UNAIDS/WHO Working Group estimated
that around 8,500 people in Guyana were living with HIV. You should exercise normal
precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS.
If you need emergency medical assistance during your trip, dial 913 and ask for an
ambulance. You should contact your insurance/medical assistance company promptly if
you are referred to a medical facility for treatment.
PIRACY:
There have been armed attacks against fishing boats in and around the waters of Guyana
and Suriname. Be vigilant and take appropriate precautions.
REGULATIONS:
Maritime laws available from the Maritime Administration Department website at
marad.gov.gy/maritime-laws-2
HOLIDAYS:
1 January (New Year's Day); Youman Nabi; 23 February (Republic Day); Phagwah (Holi);
Good Friday; Easter Monday; 1 May (Labour Day); 5 May (Arrival Day); 26 May (Independence
Day); 2 July (CARICOM Day); 1 Augusut (Emancipation Day); Eid Al Adha; 13 November
(Diwali); 25 December (Christmas Day); 26 December (Boxing Day).
WEATHER/TIDES:
Guyana experiences heavy rainfall and is vulnerable to flooding. The main rainy seasons
are generally May/June and December/January. Infrastructure, including drainage systems,
is poorly maintained.
CONSULS:
Contact details of foreign consulates and representatives in Guyana is available from
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at
www.minfor.gov.gy/demo/honorary-consul-gy
BANKS:
Credit card use is growing in the retail and hospitality sectors but Guyana is still
a largely cash-based economy. Scotia Bank’s ATMs accept most international bankcards
(Visa/Mastercard). US Dollars are more widely accepted than other foreign currencies
(carry some small denomination notes).
CUSTOMS:
Guyana Revenue Authority.
www.gra.gov.gy
SHORE LEAVE:
Crime levels remain relatively high and police capacity is low. There are regular
armed and violent robberies against businesses and individuals. There is a risk of
passers-by being caught up in such incidents; the police tend to respond with firearms
if shot at or threatened.
Many of the crimes in Guyana are common to countries with wide gaps in wealth and
where the perception is that all foreigners are wealthy. Muggings have taken place
in broad daylight, often at gun or knife point. Burglary and theft from cars is commonplace.
Take sensible precautions to protect yourself and your belongings. Try to avoid showing
obvious signs of wealth. Take extra precautions to safeguard your passports, money,
tickets, mobile phones and other valuables, and use safety deposit boxes or safes
if possible. You should be particularly vigilant when leaving local banks to ensure
that you are not being followed.
In Georgetown, avoid the Tiger Bay and Albouystown areas and take care in Sophia,
all of south Georgetown, Buxton and Agricola. Take particular care in the Stabroek
Market area where robberies are a daily occurrence. Avoid walking alone around Georgetown,
even in the main areas and do not walk anywhere at night. A number of assaults have
taken place in the Botanic Gardens.
Avoid using minibuses. They are driven dangerously and are responsible for the majority
of road accidents in Guyana.
Although some taxis have been the target for robbers, they remain the safest means
for visitors to get around town. Only use taxis from reputable companies and book
them in advance (or take them from official hotel taxi ranks). Do not hail taxis from
the roadside.
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 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.
REPATRIATION:
If possible, avoid travel to and from Georgetown Cheddi Jagan international airport
late at night and before dawn. There have been incidents of violence and fatal accidents
caused by erratic driving. There have also been incidents of violent theft by gangs
who follow cars travelling from the airport, and attack their victims when they reach
their final destination. Always drive with windows closed and doors locked.
Departure tax is no longer required. All taxes are now included in the ticket.
Visas:
Nationals of the following countries do not require a visa for entry to 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. T: +592 227 1193.
Full details from available at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
www.minfor.gov.gy/demo/consular-services
Antigua & Barbuda; Argentina (for 90 days); Aruba (for 90 days); Austria; Australia;
Bahamas; Barbados; Belgium; Belize; Botswana (for 90 days); Brazil; Canada; Cayman
Islands (for 30 days); Costa Rica (30 days for tourism); Denmark; Dominica; Dominican
Republic (for 30 days); Ecuador; Eswatini (60 days); Finland; France; Germany; Greece;
Grenada; Hong Kong (for 90 days); Indonesia (for 30 days); Ireland; Italy; Jamaica;
Japan; Republic of Korea; Lesotho (for 14 days); Luxembourg; Malaysia (for 60 days);
Montserrat; New Zealand; North Korea; Norway; Panama (for 180 days for tourism); Portugal;
South Africa (for 30 days for tourism or business); Spain; St Kitts & Nevis; St Lucia;
St Vincent & the Grenadines; Suriname; Sweden; Switzerland; The Netherlands; Trinidad
& Tobago; Turks and Caicos Islands; UK; USA.
Restricted Passport Holders:
Nationals of the following countries holding certain types of passport do not require
a visa for entry to Guyana:
Bangladesh (30 days for holders of Diplomatic/Official/Special passports); Bolivia
(holders of Diplomatic/Service/Official Passport; tourist visa on arrival for regular
passport holders); Cape Verde (holders of Diplomatic/Service passports); Chile (90
days for holders of Diplomatic/Service/Official passports); China (holders of Diplomatic/Service
passports); Colombia (holders of Diplomatic/Service passports and 90 days for holders
of regular passport for tourism purposes); Cuba (holders of Diplomatic/Official/Service
passports); Cyprus (only for holders of Diplomatic/Service passports); Egypt (Diplomatic
Passport, 30 days holders of Service/Special passports); Georgia (holders of Diplomatic/Official/Service
passports for 90 days); Guatemala (90 days for holders of Diplomatic/Official passports
and holders of a US Permanent Resident Card or a valid US/Canadian/Schengen Visa);
Haiti (90 days for holders of Diplomatic /Official/ Special passports); Honduras (90
days holders of a US Permanent Resident Card or a valid US/Canadian/Schengen Visa);
India (holders of Diplomatic/Service passports); Iran (holders of Diplomatic/Special
passports); Israel (holders of Diplomatic/Service passports); Mexico (90 days for
holders of Diplomatic/Official/Service passports; 90 days holders of a US Permanent
Resident or a valid US/Canadian/Schengen Visa); Peru (holders of Diplomatic/Service/Official
passports and 90 days for tourism); Russian Federation (90 days for holders of Diplomatic/Service/Official
and ordinary passports); Turkey (90 days for holders of Diplomatic/Service/Special
passports); Uruguay (holders of Diplomatic/Official/Service passports and 90 days
for ordinary passports); Venezuela (holders of Diplomatic/Official/Service passports).
AUTHORITY:
Government of Guyana, Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Transport and Harbours Department,
Battery Road, Kingston, Georgetown, Guyana.
T: +592 225 9350.
F: +592 227 8545. [email protected] www.mopi.gov.gy
Contact: Claudette Rogers, Director of Maritime Administration.
T: +592 225 7330.
F: +592 226 9581.
