Last updated: 24 Oct 2025
Guyana
About
| Guyana's attractions range from the 19th-century stilted wooden houses of its capital, Georgetown, to the awesome natural splendour of the towering Kaieteur Falls along the Potaro River, five times the height of Niagara. The Botanical Gardens and Zoo, covering 120 acres , have a fine collection of palms, orchids and lotus lilies; There are numerous beaches in Guyana; these include Almond Beach, Shell Beach, No 63 Beach and Saxacalli Beach. There are rainforests in Iwokrama with a Canopy Walkway and the Pakaraima mountains. The rivers and the interior abound in game fish, the best known of which is the man-eating piranha (locally called perai). Camping treks, hiking and white-water rafting have become increasingly popular over recent years. Horse riding is available at Manari Ranch in the Rupununi Savannahs. |
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| Official Name: | Co-operative Republic of Guyana |
| Capital: | Georgetown (GEO) |
| Currency: | Guyanese Dollar (GYD). USD is widely accepted. |
| Language: | English. Creole is widely spoken. |
| Dialling code from SA: | + 592 |
| Time Zones: | UTC / GMT -4 (6 hours behind South Africa) |
| Side of the Road: | Left. A drivers permit is required. This is issued by the Inland Revenue Department- License Revenue Division located on Smyth & Princess Streets in Georgetown. The permit is valid for 30-days. Ensure that you take a valid driver's license or an international driver's license when applying. |
| Best time to go: | February – April and October – December. |
| Best for: | Ecotourism |
| Plugs: | 110 volts AC in Georgetown and 220 volts AC elsewhere, 60Hz. American-style (two flat pins with or without grounding pin) and British-style plugs (three square pins) are used. |
| Drinking Water: | Although mains water is chlorinated and safe to drink, it is recommended to drink bottled water. |
| Health: | Medical facilities are very limited. It is advisable to carry basic medical supplies. Comprehensive health insurance is recommended and it should include emergency air evacuation coverage. If you require any medication on your travels it is best to bring it with you, in the original packaging, with a signed and dated letter from your doctor detailing exactly what it is and why you need it. |
| Travel Tips / Warnings: | Most ATM’s in the main cities accept foreign cards and credit cards are largely accepted. |
| Duty Free: | The following goods can be imported into Guyana by travellers aged 18 years or over without incurring customs duty: • 227g of tobacco (including cigarettes and cigars) • 758ml of spirits • 758ml of wine • Other goods to the value of US$100 |
Issuing Authorities
High Commission of the Republic of Guyana
235 Grosvenor Street, Suite H, Third Floor, Hatfield, Pretoria
Tel: 012 941 1694.
E-mail: consularservices@@hcguyana.co.za | ghcpretoria@hcguyana.co.za
Web: www.guyana-hc-south-africa.co.za
Mon-Thu: 09:00-16:30
Fri: 09:00-15:30
Public Holidays 2025: Jan 1; Feb 23-24; Mar 14; Apr 18, 21; May 1, 5, 26; Jun 7; Jul 7; Aug 1; Sep 5; Dec 25-26
Public Holidays 2026: Jan 1; Feb 23; Mar 3; Apr 3, 6; May 1, 5, 26-27; Jul 6; Aug 1; Dec 25-26
Visa Requirements
Visas are not required by South African passport holders for tourism or business purposes for a stay of up to 30 days.
On arrival in Guyana, the following must be produced :
- Valid passport, minimum 6 months, with at least one blank page.
- Evidence of sufficient funds for duration of stay.
- Address and telephone numbers in Guyana where staying.
- If travelling on business, letter of invitation from the company in Guyana.
- Tourism: Letter of invitation from sponsor in Guyana
SA Representative
Representation accredited from Kingston, Jamaica
Travel Health
| Compulsory: | Yellow Fever |
| Recommended Travel Vaccines: | Hepatitis A & B, Rabies, Typhoid, Tetanus, Polio |
| Malaria Risk |
