Guyana Travel Safety

Road safety

Avoid driving at night. Travel to the interior (also known as the hinterlands) is not safe due to low police presence. Always drive in a convoy when visiting the hinterlands. Driving in Guyana can be dangerous due to poor road conditions, inadequate lighting, roaming animals and poor driving habits. Travel in convoys when possible. Response time in the case of traffic accidents may be slow due to a lack of resources. Injured persons are frequently transported to hospitals or the nearest medical facility by bystanders, unless they are seriously injured.

Precautions

Avoid showing signs of affluence. Do not walk alone after dark, and avoid deserted or under-populated areas. Pay attention to your surroundings, especially when entering or leaving vehicles, residences and public places. Use your hotel safe to secure your personal belongings, passports and other travel documents. Stay in accommodations with good security. Always verify the identity of a visitor before opening the door. Foreigners have been injured while being robbed at gunpoint, and some have been attacked after withdrawing money at financial institutions, in shopping districts and in hotels. Avoid carrying large amounts of cash. Do not change money in the street with street changers, do so at banks, exchange offices and hotels. Robberies and assaults also occur in taxis. Do not offer resistance. Gang members commit violent attacks on the road to and from Cheddi Jagan International Airport, mainly at night. Arrange to arrive and leave from the airport during the day only. Assaults have taken place in the Botanical Gardens in Georgetown. Visit such sites with an organized tour group, or stay in the more populated areas closer to Vlissengen Road. Theft from cars is common. Keep doors locked and windows closed at all times.

Border crossings

It is illegal to use the services of independent boaters to cross into Suriname. Foreigners have been fined and, in some cases, detained and subsequently deported. Use only official ferry services and ensure that you receive an entry stamp in your passport. Avoid using water taxis. Cross the border only at official ports of entry.

Taxis

Taxis are the safest means of transportation. Do not hail taxis from the roadside. Only use taxis that are connected to major hotels or from a reputable company. Exercise constant vigilance and make note of the vehicle's licence plate before entering, in order to track down the driver in the event of overcharging or lost luggage. Avoid using water taxis to cross international waters.

Marine transportation

Use the scheduled ferry service, which has a formal border control check point.

Public transportation

Avoid using public minibuses, as they tend to be overloaded, poorly maintained and badly driven. Minibuses are often involved in accidents.

Women's safety

Women travelling alone may be subject to some forms of harassment and verbal abuse. Avoid dark or non-tourist areas at night. Instead try to be around larger crowds, whether they are fellow tourists or local citizens. In addition, don't flash money or valuables in public. Doing so may make you a potential victim of criminal activity.

Piracy

Pirate attacks and armed robbery against ships occur in coastal waters. Mariners should take appropriate precautions.

Crime

Crime is prevalent across Guyana. Assaults, break-ins, armed robberies, pickpocketing, purse snatching, theft from cars and carjacking are common. Be particularly cautious in Georgetown: in Stabroek Market, Tiger Bay and south of Brickdam Street. Many crimes are committed along and around the sea wall, from east of the Pegasus Hotel Guyana to Sheriff Street, including the wharf. Violent incidents occur in the East Coast Demerara region (especially near the villages of Buxton and Friendship, the East Bank Demerara region and the New Amsterdam area). Criminals prefer to target foreigners and returning Guyanese citizens.

LGBT

Homosexual activity is illegal. Public displays of homosexuality like holding hands or kissing in public places could lead to arrest and imprisonment. LGBT travellers should carefully consider the risks of travelling to Guyana.

Illegal or restricted activities

The importation/exportation of restricted items, including firearms and ammunition, without the proper permits may result in heavy fines and prison sentences. Many birds are protected species. You may not export an exotic bird unless you have been a legal resident of Guyana for at least a year and received permission from the Ministry of Agriculture. Possession and trafficking of illegal drugs are considered a serious offence. Convicted offenders can expect heavy fines and lengthy prison sentences, which must be served in Guyana. The minimum jail sentence for illegal drug offences is three years. Conditions in Guyanese prisons can be particularly harsh. Pack all luggage yourself and do not carry any items that do not belong to you.

Driving

Vehicles drive on the left. An International Driving Permit is recommended. If you cannot obtain an IDP before leaving your country, you may apply for a local permit based on a valid driver's licence. Penalties for drivers responsible for an accident causing injury or death are severe and may include imprisonment. If you are involved in an accident, contact the Traffic Department of the Guyana Police Force at 911 and/or an ambulance at 913. Ensure you have sufficient insurance coverage to drive in Guyana.