Guyana: Best Things to Do – Top Picks

Did you know that Guyana is home to Kaieteur Falls, the world’s largest single-drop waterfall by volume? At 741 feet (five times higher than Niagara Falls), this natural wonder thunders through pristine rainforest, yet remains one of South America’s least visited treasures. This hidden gem on the continent’s northern coast offers adventurous travelers a rare glimpse into unspoiled nature and authentic cultural experiences that few destinations can match.

Planning Your Journey to Guyana

Guyana remains one of South America’s best-kept secrets, offering an authentic experience for those willing to venture off the beaten path. With 87% rainforest cover, this English-speaking nation provides a unique blend of Caribbean and South American cultures, pristine nature, and remarkable biodiversity.

Getting There

International flights to Guyana typically arrive at Cheddi Jagan International Airport, located about 25 miles from the capital, Georgetown. Direct flights are available from the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, and increasingly from the UK and other European destinations. British Airways recently recommenced service to Guyana, making access easier for European travelers.

Best Time to Visit Guyana

Guyana has two distinct seasons: wet and dry. The coastal rainy season falls between mid-November and mid-January, while the interior experiences heavy rainfall from May to August. For exploring beyond Georgetown, it’s best to avoid the second wet season as travel becomes difficult and many accommodations close.

Sunrise over the Kanuku Mountains during the dry season offers spectacular views

The ideal time to visit is during the dry season from February to April or September to November. These periods offer the best conditions for wildlife viewing, hiking, and exploring the interior. If you’re interested in the Rupununi Rodeo, plan your trip around Easter weekend when this major cultural event takes place in Lethem.

Getting Around Guyana

Travel within Guyana requires patience and planning. The main road from Georgetown to Lethem is unpaved red clay and takes about 14 hours in a 4×4 vehicle. During the rainy season, this road can become impassable.

Domestic flights are the quickest way to travel between regions, with daily services connecting Georgetown to Lethem and other interior locations. These small aircraft have strict weight limits, so pack light. River travel is another option for reaching remote areas, offering a scenic if slower alternative.

Where to Stay in Guyana

Accommodation in Guyana ranges from international hotels in Georgetown to community-owned eco-lodges in the interior. These lodges not only provide authentic experiences but also support local communities and conservation efforts.

Community-owned eco-lodges offer authentic experiences while supporting local communities

Recommended Stays

Top Things to Do in Guyana

Guyana offers extraordinary experiences for nature lovers, adventure seekers, and cultural enthusiasts. Here are the best things to do during your visit:

1. Marvel at Kaieteur Falls

No visit to Guyana is complete without experiencing Kaieteur Falls, the world’s largest single-drop waterfall by volume. The falls cascade 741 feet over a sandstone cliff into a deep gorge surrounded by pristine rainforest. Most visitors take day trips from Georgetown via chartered flights, but for a truly special experience, consider staying overnight at the simple guesthouse near the falls.

A rainbow forms in the mist at Kaieteur Falls, creating a magical atmosphere

While at the falls, look for the tiny golden frogs that exist nowhere else on Earth, and watch for the Kaieteur Swifts that nest behind the thundering curtain of water. Several viewing platforms offer different perspectives of this natural wonder.

2. Explore the Iwokrama Canopy Walkway

The Iwokrama Canopy Walkway offers a unique perspective of the rainforest from above. Located in the million-acre Iwokrama Reserve, this series of suspension bridges and viewing platforms takes you up to 30 meters above the forest floor, allowing you to observe wildlife that rarely descends to ground level.

The Iwokrama Canopy Walkway offers a bird’s-eye view of the rainforest

Early morning and late afternoon visits provide the best wildlife viewing opportunities. Keep your eyes peeled for colorful birds like toucans, macaws, and the elusive Guianan Cock-of-the-Rock. The nearby Atta Rainforest Lodge makes an excellent base for exploring this area.

3. Spot Rare Wildlife

Guyana is a paradise for wildlife enthusiasts, with opportunities to see species that are difficult to find elsewhere. The southern savannahs are home to giant river otters, black caiman, giant anteaters, and jaguars.

Giant river otters are among the many rare species that can be spotted in Guyana’s waterways

Karanambu Lodge offers excellent opportunities to see giant river otters and giant anteaters, while Caiman House in Yupukari Village provides the unique experience of participating in black caiman research. Birdwatchers will be thrilled with over 900 species to spot, including the harpy eagle, one of the world’s largest and most powerful birds of prey.

Cultural Experiences in Guyana

4. Visit Indigenous Communities

Guyana’s indigenous communities offer visitors a chance to learn about traditional ways of life that have sustained people in the rainforest for generations. Several communities, including Surama and Rewa, welcome visitors to their villages and eco-lodges.

Learning traditional skills like cassava bread making provides insight into indigenous culture

Visitors can participate in activities like making cassava bread, learning about medicinal plants, fishing, and crafting. These experiences not only provide cultural insights but also support sustainable livelihoods for communities that are protecting their ancestral lands.

5. Explore Georgetown

Georgetown, Guyana’s capital, blends Caribbean and colonial influences with a distinctly South American vibe. The city’s wooden colonial architecture is unique, with St. George’s Cathedral standing as one of the tallest wooden structures in the world.

St. George’s Cathedral is one of the world’s tallest wooden structures

Don’t miss Stabroek Market, a vibrant hub of local commerce housed in a distinctive iron and steel structure dating from 1881. The Botanical Gardens offer a peaceful retreat and the chance to spot manatees in the ponds. For history buffs, the National Museum and the Walter Roth Museum of Anthropology provide insights into Guyana’s past.

Stabroek Market is the commercial heart of Georgetown

Culinary Delights of Guyana

Guyanese cuisine reflects the country’s diverse cultural heritage, blending influences from India, Africa, indigenous peoples, and the Caribbean. The result is a unique and flavorful culinary tradition that’s worth exploring.

6. Dine at the Backyard Cafe

For a truly special culinary experience, book a meal at the Backyard Cafe in Georgetown. Chef Delven Adams creates memorable meals in the garden of his family home. The experience often begins with a tour of Stabroek Market to select fresh ingredients, followed by a feast of creative dishes that showcase Guyana’s diverse culinary traditions.

Pepperpot, a signature Guyanese dish made with meat, cinnamon, and cassareep

Reservations are essential and should be made well in advance as this hidden gem has gained international recognition. For a more accessible option, try the restaurant Fresh, which focuses on local ingredients prepared with global influences.

7. Sample Local Specialties

Don’t leave Guyana without trying these local specialties:

Practical Tips for Visiting Guyana

Unique Experiences in Guyana

8. Stargaze in the Savannah

With minimal light pollution, Guyana offers exceptional stargazing opportunities. The vast savannahs of the Rupununi provide unobstructed views of the night sky, revealing constellations, planets, and the Milky Way in stunning clarity. Many lodges offer stargazing as an evening activity.

9. Witness Turtle Nesting at Shell Beach

Shell Beach, a 90-mile stretch of coastline, is a nesting site for four endangered species of sea turtles. During the nesting season (March to August), visitors can witness leatherback, olive ridley, hawksbill, and green turtles coming ashore to lay their eggs.

Leatherback turtles come ashore to nest at Shell Beach between March and August

10. Attend the Rupununi Rodeo

Held annually during Easter weekend in Lethem, the Rupununi Rodeo showcases the skills of local cowboys (vaqueros) with events like bull riding, bronco busting, and barrel racing. This colorful celebration draws visitors from across Guyana and neighboring Brazil, offering a glimpse into the unique ranching culture of the Rupununi.

Ready to Discover Guyana?

Guyana offers adventurous travelers a rare opportunity to experience pristine nature, authentic cultures, and unforgettable wildlife encounters. From the thundering majesty of Kaieteur Falls to the tranquil canopy of ancient rainforests, this hidden corner of South America rewards those willing to venture beyond the ordinary.

With its unique blend of Caribbean and South American influences, English-speaking population, and commitment to sustainable tourism, Guyana is poised to become the next great ecotourism destination. Now is the perfect time to visit, before the secret gets out.