- Visit the Guiana Space Centre: French Guiana is home to the European Space Agency’s primary spaceport. Explore the center to learn about space missions, see rocket launches, and witness the cutting-edge technology used in space exploration.
- Discover the Amazon Rainforest: French Guiana is covered by around 90% of Amazon rainforest. Embark on an unforgettable adventure to explore its diverse flora and fauna, spot exotic wildlife, and experience the untouched beauty of this unique ecosystem.
- Explore the Maroni River: Take a boat trip along the Maroni River, which forms the border between French Guiana and Suriname. Experience the stunning landscapes, visit indigenous communities, and learn about the fascinating culture and traditions of the local Amerindian populations.
- Visit the Îles du Salut: These small islands off the coast of French Guiana were once used as a penal colony. Explore the ruins of the infamous Devil’s Island, learn about the history of the prisoners who were held there, and enjoy the beautiful beaches and crystal-clear waters surrounding the islands.
- Experience the Carnival of Cayenne: If you visit French Guiana during February or March, don’t miss the vibrant Carnival of Cayenne. Join in the colorful parades, dance to the infectious rhythms of traditional music, and immerse yourself in the lively atmosphere of this cultural celebration.
backpacking South America
French Guiana
Explore Falkland Islands
Explore Guyana
Backpacking French Guiana in 2025
A complete guide for backpacking in French Guiana with best places to go, best time to visit, what to bring and safety advice.
Visit French Guiana
Embark on a backpacking journey in the heart of the Amazon with French Guiana, where lush rainforests meet cultural diversity. Pros? Immerse in vibrant local markets, explore untouched nature, and experience a unique blend of French and Creole influences. However, limited infrastructure and higher costs may pose challenges. For the intrepid backpacker seeking an off-the-beaten-path adventure, French Guiana offers a rare opportunity to explore pristine ecosystems and encounter diverse cultures, making it a distinctive destination for those who crave the extraordinary.
💡 HighlightsTop-5 things to do in French Guiana
🌤️ When to go?Best time to go backpacking French Guiana
The best time to visit French Guiana for backpacking is during the dry season, which runs from June to November. This period offers more favorable weather conditions with less rainfall and lower humidity. However, it's important to note that French Guiana experiences a tropical climate, so it may still rain occasionally even during the dry season. Additionally, it's advisable to check for any potential travel restrictions or advisories before planning your trip.
Risk level: low (0%)Safety advice for French Guiana
Safety has impact on the way you can travel. Always check the safety of the country you go to and adjust the way you travel to the advice.
French GuianaMy tips to get you on the way!Does French Guiana sound like your next backpacking destination? Use these steps to get you on the way.
Get inspiration 📚
While guidebooks used to be the backpacker’s holy grail for finding accomodation, nowadays that’s more conveniently accomplished online. However, guidebooks remain an excellent resource for familiarizing oneself with the country, gaining inspiration, and discovering itineraries. I enjoy reading them before my travels and then leaving them behind at home when I embark on my journey.
While guidebooks used to be the backpacker’s holy grail for finding accomodation, nowadays that’s more conveniently accomplished online. However, guidebooks remain an excellent resource for familiarizing oneself with the country, gaining inspiration, and discovering itineraries. I enjoy reading them before my travels and then leaving them behind at home when I embark on my journey.
Prepare your trip ✅
Before embarking on your journey, several essential checks are crucial: passport, visa, vaccinations and insurance. Some countries mandate that your passport remains valid for 3 to 6 months post your return. Additionally, it is important to verify the specific visa requirements for French Guiana. These differ per country of origin. While you can handle visa arrangements independently, online visa services streamline the process as they know exactly what’s needed for each country. French Guiana may require certain vaccinations. Make sure to timely check which ones you still need. Lastly, if you don’t have a travel insurance yet, Safety Wing is a good choice as they are tailored for backpackers.
Before embarking on your journey, several essential checks are crucial: passport, visa, vaccinations and insurance. Some countries mandate that your passport remains valid for 3 to 6 months post your return. Additionally, it is important to verify the specific visa requirements for French Guiana. These differ per country of origin. While you can handle visa arrangements independently, online visa services streamline the process as they know exactly what’s needed for each country. French Guiana may require certain vaccinations. Make sure to timely check which ones you still need. Lastly, if you don’t have a travel insurance yet, Safety Wing is a good choice as they are tailored for backpackers.
Book your flight ✈️
The flight may be the most expensive part of your trip. Therefore it’s worth spending a bit of time finding the right one. Flight search engines like Skyscanner and Kayak are the best to compare all possible options. A good tip is to be flexible with your exact travel dates. Traveling one or two days earlier/later may save you some bucks. Also booking about three months in advance can help making the best deal for you (though I’m not the best one myself to follow this advice as I tend to decide last-minute). A final tip would be to check airports in neighbouring countries. Not necessarily for cost saving but it can be intriguing to journey into French Guiana, travel overland to one of its neighbours and fly back home from there.
The flight may be the most expensive part of your trip. Therefore it’s worth spending a bit of time finding the right one. Flight search engines like Skyscanner and Kayak are the best to compare all possible options. A good tip is to be flexible with your exact travel dates. Traveling one or two days earlier/later may save you some bucks. Also booking about three months in advance can help making the best deal for you (though I’m not the best one myself to follow this advice as I tend to decide last-minute). A final tip would be to check airports in neighbouring countries. Not necessarily for cost saving but it can be intriguing to journey into French Guiana, travel overland to one of its neighbours and fly back home from there.
Book your first night(s) 🛌
Depending on your travel style, you can either plan a detailed day-to-day route and pre-book your accommodations, providing peace of mind, or opt to book them spontaneously, offering greater flexibility to adjust your plan. Personally, I am a big fan of the latter approach, but I always ensure to book the first night(s) in advance.
Depending on your travel style, you can either plan a detailed day-to-day route and pre-book your accommodations, providing peace of mind, or opt to book them spontaneously, offering greater flexibility to adjust your plan. Personally, I am a big fan of the latter approach, but I always ensure to book the first night(s) in advance.
My personal packing list 🎒
.jpg)
Over the years, I’ve learned the importance of packing minimally. It’s so much easier to jump on the back of a truck or squeeze yourself into the last spot of a minibus without that supersized backpack. If you’re headed to a warm destination, leave your winter jacket at home; for colder regions, opt for thin thermal underlayers. Instead of packing your entire wardrobe, bring just three sets of clothes, as laundry facilities are available everywhere.
Money & Documents
Clothing
Electronics
Health
Others
Over the years, I’ve learned the importance of packing minimally. It’s so much easier to jump on the back of a truck or squeeze yourself into the last spot of a minibus without that supersized backpack. If you’re headed to a warm destination, leave your winter jacket at home; for colder regions, opt for thin thermal underlayers. Instead of packing your entire wardrobe, bring just three sets of clothes, as laundry facilities are available everywhere.Money & Documents
Clothing
Electronics
Health
Others
Moneybelt
[Amazon]
“Best way to carry your important documents”
Quick dry pant
[Amazon]
“Nothing beats these quick dry and light pants when traveling”
Light rain jacket
[Amazon]
“Hiking in rainy season? These keep you dry”
Thermo underwear
[Amazon]
“Less weight and volume than bulky sweaters or jackets”
Quick dry towel
[Amazon]
“Normal towels get smelly and heavy when traveling”
Power bank
[Amazon]
“Pick a small and light one, with 10.000mAh or more”
Travel adapter
[Amazon]
“Needed as each country has its own electricity plugs”
Number lock
[Amazon]
“No chance of losing your key; handy for lockers in dormitories”
Packing cubes
[Amazon]
“Keep your wet or dirty clothes separate from the rest”
Travel pillow
[Amazon]
“Light and great for flights and long bus journeys”
last page update: 29 September 2024