Packing List
Your packing list must include full-length light clothing to keep mosquitoes and bugs away in the jungles. A strong repellent (in addition to the local crab tree oil) is recommended when you’re heading out on trails. Prescribed medication and hats and umbrellas to keep you cool from the sun are musts on the list. And don’t forget your comfortable sneakers or hiking boots for the interior regions.

Beekeepers are advised to bring along new protective gear ONLY. Alternatively you can procure these at the congress from the Grand Honey Show Exhibition.

Safety
As with travelling in any other country, it’s important to be cautious, especially while travelling at night. While the interior is one of the safest places in the world, when travelling in urban areas like Georgetown we recommend booking cabs from designated service providers, travelling in groups, avoiding wearing expensive jewellery, or travelling around with large amounts of cash, so you can stay safe and have fun. It’s also a good idea to have photocopies of your IDs and passports. Travelling in the interior is best done with the help of tour operators who offer guided trips and take care of all your bookings in the villages and eco-resorts.

Handling Money

While credit cards are accepted at many establishments in Georgetown, you will need to use cash in many places and when you head south into the interior. The banks in Georgetown allow limited withdrawal for international travellers and ATMs in other cities are limited. This is why many travellers opt to book with tour operators and pay for their trips in advance, so they only need to carry a little cash to get around while visiting.

Shopping
Indigenous communities produce some of Guyana’s most popular gifts and souvenirs in the form of colourful woven baskets, plates, jewellery and such. But widen your horizon to include the traditional balata curios made from the latex of the bulletwood tree. Colourful cotton hammocks, local paintings, wooden curious and old Dutch bottles are the perfect souvenirs to remind you of Guyana. Buy these at numerous shops in Georgetown, including Guyana Stores, the Craft Plaza found on Main Street, or better yet spend your money at the craft shops located in different villages.

Visitor Guidelines For Sustainable Travel

Honour our Indigenous People and Protected Areas

You will encounter a brilliant array of cultural differences in Guyana. Research local customs, social norms, and environmental issues before you arrive, especially when planning to visit our indigenous communities. Follow advisories and regulations when visiting protected areas and respect the rights of community and private landowners. Remember the usage fees you pay to visit communities and protected areas support indigenous people’s livelihoods and conservation efforts necessary to protect and maintain these areas.

Protecting Our Environment
Guyana does not currently have any recycling facilities. Help protect the natural resources you’ve come to visit and reduce your environmental impact. Reduce energy consumption by turning off the lights and AC and unplugging electronics like cell phone chargers when not in use. Avoid the use of single-use plastics and utilise water filtration bottles.  Support tour operators, accommodations and other tourism service providers that incorporate sustainable tourism practices in their operations.

Keep Guyana Wild
Help protect Guyana’s abundant wildlife, birdlife, and marine life. Maintain a respectful distance, use binoculars and telephoto lenses and refrain from feeding wild animals of any kind. Wildlife and “bush fish” may be served in select restaurants and available in some markets. Reduce demand by not contributing to the problem.

Buy Local
Support the local culture and regional character you’ve come to experience by consciously spending your money at local businesses and your time in local communities that offer locally produced meals, products and handicrafts. Your expenditures will benefit the people you meet. They also encourage communities to preserve their cultural heritage.

Plan for the Unexpected
Learn about local conditions and regulations before venturing out or off the beaten path.  Determine the weather forecast and the condition of the roads upon which you wish to travel. Remember that many roads in Guyana are not paved. Dress to keep cool and dry. Always consider hiring a local guide for adventurous activities.

Leave a Positive Impact

Enhance the value and meaning of your visit by actively seeking out ways to make a positive impact on the people and places you visit during your time in Guyana. Consider volunteering or making financial donations to reputable non-profit organisations that are achieving demonstrable results.