From Wikitravel

Guyana is a country in north-eastern South America. It has a Atlantic Ocean coastline in the northeast, and lies between Suriname to the east and Venezuela to the west, with Brazil to the south.

is now the third-smallest country in South America after Suriname and Uruguay. The name Guyana(From Arawak Guayana) Means: Land of many waters It is related to the name Uruguay: River of the colorful birds another country in South America

Contents 1 Regions 2 Cities 2.1 Ports and harbors 3 Other destinations 4 Understand 4.1 Climate 4.2 Terrain 4.3 History 5 Get in 5.1 By plane 5.2 By train 5.3 By car 6 Get around 7 Talk 8 Buy 9 Eat 10 Drink 11 Sleep 11.1 Georgetown 12 Learn 13 Work 14 Stay safe 15 Stay Healthy 16 Respect 17 Contact

Regions

Administrative divisions 

10 regions;

• Barima-Waini
• Cuyuni-Mazaruni
• Demerara-Mahaica
• East Berbice-Corentyne
• Essequibo Islands-West Demerara
• Mahaica-Berbice
• Pomeroon-Supenaam
• Potaro-Siparuni
• Upper Demerara-Berbice
• Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo

Cities

• Georgetown - Capital

Ports and harbors

• Bartica
• Linden
• New Amsterdam
• Parika

Other destinations

• Kaieteur Falls (5 times the height of Niagara Falls)
• Orinduik Falls
• The Rupununi Savannah
• The Kanuku Mountains
• Iwokrama
• Marshall Falls
• Kyk-Over-Al
• Shell Beach

Understand

Climate

Tropical; hot, humid, moderated by northeast trade winds; two rainy seasons (May to mid-August, mid-November to mid-January); Natural hazards : Flash floods are a constant threat during rainy seasons.

Terrain

Mostly rolling highlands; low coastal plain; savanna in south

Highest point 

Mount Roraima 2,835 m

History

Originally a Dutch colony in the 17th century, by 1815 Guyana had become a British possession. The abolition of slavery led to black settlement of urban areas and the importation of indentured servants from India to work the sugar plantations. This ethnocultural divide has persisted and has led to turbulent politics.

Independence 

26 May 1966 (from UK)

National holiday 

Republic Day, 23 February (1970)

Constitution 

6 October 1980

Guyana achieved independence from the UK in 1966, but until the early 1990s it was ruled mostly by socialist-oriented governments. In 1992, Cheddi JAGAN was elected president, in what is considered the country's first free and fair election since independence. Upon his death five years later, he was succeeded by his wife Janet, who resigned in 1999 due to poor health. Her successor, Bharrat JAGDEO, was reelected in 2001.

Get in

By plane

There are daily international flights into and out of Cheddi Jagan International Airport about 40km south of Georgetown. International flights include flights to the US and Canada with BWIA (British West Indies Airways) and Universal Airlines and flights to the Caribbean with Caribbean Star and BWIA. BWIA, a state ran airline ran by Trinidad & Tobago, is notorious for delays and cancellations, so be sure to give yourself a cushion if returning to a connecting flight via Miami, Washington DC or New York.

By train

Guyana's rail system was sold by the late President Forbes Burnam. Remnants of the railway can be noted throughout Georgetown. The president sold the system to some of the vast African nations.

By car

Guyana has road access to Suriname to the East and Brazil to the south. In Suriname enquire in Paramaribo for mini-buses traveling to Guyana. Note that entering Guyana by water travel from Niuewe Nickerie in Suriname is illegal. Buses leave Georgetown for the Surinamese border daily. Ask at the bus park near Stabroek Market.

The bus ride from Georgetown to Lethem, at the Brazilian border takes about 10 hours through rainforest and southern savannah. Inquire about buses to Brazil at the Interserv Bus Office located on Charlotte Street in downtown Georgetown. Buses usually leave very late at night and it is recommended that you take a taxi to the bus station as the area around there is unsafe at night. For buses from Brazil travel to Bonfim on the border and walk across the border. Find a minibus or taxi to take you to Lethem city center and inquire about buses traveling to Georgetown.

There are no road links between Venezuela and Guyana. Travel to Venezuela may be done by air via Trinidad or overland through Roraima State in Brazil.

Get around

Minibuses travel throughout Guyana and are the cheapest way to travel. Minibus fairs range from $.20 - $5.00 depending on length. Do not take minibuses at night.

Many parts of Guyana are separated by large rivers. These areas can be traversed by way of river taxi. Go to the port village and ask where the speedboats launch from. Ask other passengers what the fare is while traveling as boat operators tend to seek higher fees from tourists. Do not take "specials" without first negotiating the price.

Taxis are a good way to get around in Georgetown. Fares should never be more than $2.50 (Guyanese $475) for travel within the city and most fares should be around GD$260.

Talk

Languages 

English, Creole, Amerindian dialects, Hindi

Buy

With an exchange rate of 190 Guyana Dollars per US Dollar, Guyana's has great shopping with amazing bargains. There are numerous markets and recently, shopping malls, in Guyana. Stabroek Market is a notorious market located in Georgetown, it is one of the largest in Georgetown. Guyana Stores is the main mall in Georgetown and many tourist stores are located here. Every item a person could want can be purchased in the many stores in Guyana.

Eat

1. the Brazilian reastaurant in Alexander street is very nice.
2. "New Thriving" - Chinesse restaurant - has few branches - one of them at Camp street.
3. BRL's (Barrow Restaurant and Lounge) is the place to go when you're in Linden (Mackenzie)
4. KFC (Kentucky Fried Chicken) - There are several branches located in the Georgetown Area.
5. Popeyes and Pizza Hut - Located on Vlissingen Road
6. El Dorado- A fine dining experience inside the Le Meridien Pegasus in Georgetown, also in the hotel are Browne's Cafe and Le Poolside which are very elegant restaurants.

Drink

The most popular national drink is Caribbean-style dark rum. The two national favorites are El Dorado and X-tra Mature which both offer 5, 10, 12 and 25 year varieties. El Dorado also offers a 15 year old variety which has won the "Best Rum in the World" award since 1999. Mix the cheaper ones with Coke or coconut water if you please. All are quality enough to drink neat or by themselves with the 25 year-olds comparing with high-quality scotch.

Banks is the national beer. It comes in a lager and a stout (Milk Stout). Also available are the lighter Carib (Trinidad and Tobago) and darker Mackisson's. Guinness is brewed locally under license and is a bit sweeter than its Irish counterpart, but just as good. Polar (Venezuelan) and Skol (Brazilian) can be found randomly throughout the country. You can also find Heineken and Corona at posher bars in Georgetown.

Sleep

There are several hotels in Guyana, all are equipped with great ammenities.

Georgetown

• Le Meridien Pegaus
• Hotel Tower
• Grand Coastal Inn
• Grand Coastal Suites
• Sleepin
• Buddy's Hotel
• Buddy's Providence Hotel and Resort (slated for completion by winter of 2006)
• Roraima Inn
• many more!

Learn

Work

If you really want to work here, I'm sure you can pay off a customs official to give you a work visa.

Stay safe

Georgetown is notorious for petty street crime. Do not walk at night. Do not walk alone, even in the day, unless you know the area well. Never go to the Tiger Bay area east of Main Street and the entire southeastern part of the city including, in particular, Albouystown and Ruimveldt areas as armed robbery is almost certain. Avoid the covered area of Stabroek Market. Police are unlikely to help you unless they see the crime in action. Do not wear flashy jewelry or expensive clothing.

There is escalation in crimes today , mainly and only in Buxton. It is advised to excercise common sense, it's also advised to stay out of Buxton, due to crime in Buxton, many people are thinking of Guyana as a horrible and crime filled place, however, it is not. The interior regions with the breath taking waterfalls and the beautiful rainforests and mountains are perfectly safe. Many rural areas along the east coast are filled with a friendly atmosphere and are perfectly safe. Trust me I've spent 3 weeks in Guyana and I never felt that i was in danger, trust me, the brutal crimes are just a false statement. Unless you are part of the PPP then you're in slight danger. CRIME IS NOT DIRECTED AT TOURISTS, so don't feel intimidated.

Homosexuality is illegal in Guyana and carries a sentence of life in prison.

Guyana is currently in a border dispute with Venezuela to the west and Suriname to the east. Moreover, there are increasing black riots and crime, making it a dangerous place to visit. Expect no help from weak, corrupt police forces.

Also, it is best to avoid at all costs mentioning the current affairs of Black-East Indian relations in the country, as this is a topic that can lead to very heated and intense debate and possibly something much worse.

Stay Healthy

The country's largest hospital is the Georgetown Public Hospital and is located in the capital. Facilities here are basic, even though it is a tertiary referral centre. There is very poor disposal of 'sharps' (needles etc.) - worrying given country's growing HIV prevalence.

You are better off using the private facilities at St. Joseph's Mercy Hospital near the US Embassy. While not first rate, the facility is far superior to GPH and practices basic hygienic standards. Rooms are not overcrowded.

Yellow fever is endemic to this area; monkeys are a reservoir, but you can catch it even in cities. Be sure to get immunized before you leave, and take mosquito repellent with you. Also be careful of Malaria and Dengue Fever in the interior.

Do not drink the tap water, unless you want to spend a great part of you vacation in the toilet. Bottled water is readily available in a variety of brands.

Stay away from Buxton and surrounding areas due to high crime.

Avoid walking around with large sums of cash.

Avoid the sun between 1pm and 3pm. Tends to be at its hottest during those hours.

Respect

Contact

• Police 592.226.2487 emergency - 911
• Fire 592.226.2411 emergency - 912
• Ambulance Service emergency - 913
• Cheddi Jagan International Airport 592.261.2245
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs 592.226.1606
• Ministry of Tourism Industry & Commerce 592.226.2392
• Guyana Telephone & Telegraph 592.225.1315
• Licence Revenue Office 592.223.5501

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