Guyana is great for seeing wildlife because it is home to one of the most pristine and biodiverse rainforests in the world. The country's vast and untouched wilderness provides a habitat for a wide variety of unique and exotic animal species.
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backpacking South America
Guyana
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Backpacking Guyana in 2025
A complete guide for backpacking in Guyana with best places to go, best time to visit, what to bring and safety advice.
Visit Guyana
Embark on an off-the-beaten-path adventure in Guyana, where lush rainforests, diverse wildlife, and vibrant cultures converge. Pros? Immerse yourself in pristine nature, discover Kaieteur Falls, and engage with friendly locals. Guyana offers an authentic experience away from mainstream tourism. However, limited infrastructure and challenging transportation may require careful planning. For the intrepid backpacker seeking unexplored frontiers and a rich tapestry of biodiversity, Guyana stands out as a unique South American gem, promising an extraordinary journey off the conventional backpacking trail.
Why to go?Why backpacking in Guyana
Wildlife
Cheap
The average cost for backpacking in Guyana can vary depending on the length of stay and travel style. Budget travelers can expect to spend around $30-$50 per day, which includes accommodation in hostels or guesthouses, meals at local eateries, and …
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💡 HighlightsTop-5 things to do in Guyana
- Kaieteur Falls: Visit the world-famous Kaieteur Falls, one of the tallest single-drop waterfalls in the world. Its stunning beauty and untouched surroundings make it a must-see attraction.
- Iwokrama Rainforest: Immerse yourself in the pristine Iwokrama Rainforest, home to diverse wildlife, including jaguars, giant river otters, and over 500 species of birds. Take a guided tour and experience the incredible biodiversity firsthand.
- Georgetown: Explore the capital city of Georgetown, known for its colonial architecture and vibrant markets. Visit the St. George’s Cathedral, the tallest wooden building in the world, and discover the rich history and culture of the city.
- Rupununi Savannahs: Journey to the Rupununi Savannahs, a vast grassland region that offers breathtaking landscapes and opportunities for wildlife spotting. Take a safari tour and witness the beauty of the savannahs, home to giant anteaters, capybaras, and many bird species.
- Shell Beach: Relax on the stunning Shell Beach, a remote stretch of coastline known for its abundance of seashells. Observe nesting sea turtles and enjoy the tranquility of this pristine beach destination.
But Guyana offers more...
🌤️ When to go?Best time to go backpacking Guyana
The best time to visit Guyana for backpacking is during the dry season, which typically runs from mid-December to mid-April. During this time, the weather is generally sunny and there is less rainfall, making it easier to explore the country's natural attractions and go on outdoor adventures. However, it's important to note that Guyana's weather can be unpredictable, so it's always a good idea to check the forecast before planning your trip.
Risk level: medium (58%)Safety advice for Guyana
- Violent crime such as armed robberies, kidnapping, shootings and carjackings are a risk. These can result in injury or death. Risks increase after dark.
- Tension between Guyana and Venezuela has increased. The security situation may deteriorate in the area near the Venezuelan border.
- Border disputes occur on the Suriname–Guyana and Venezuela–Guyana borders. Only use official crossing points.
- Avoid protests and large public gatherings. These can turn violent.
- Hotels may not meet fire safety standards. Know your hotel's evacuation plans and talk to hotel staff.
- Rainy seasons can cause flooding, particularly in coastal areas. Roads may not be safe. Follow the advice of local authorities.
source: smartraveller.gov.au
GuyanaMy tips to get you on the way!Does Guyana 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 Guyana. 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. Guyana 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 Guyana. 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. Guyana 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 Guyana, 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 Guyana, 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 🎒
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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: 27 September 2024