Transportation in Guyana is extremely well-organized and makes the whole stay in Guyana comfortable and easy. The air, bus, taxis, road and water transport is very competent. Bookings and reservations should be done preferably in advance to avoid the rush at the last minute.
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INTERNATIONAL & REGIONAL CARRIERS
Air Travel: Guyana’s international airport, named after the late president Cheddie Jagan, is at Timehri,25 miles/40 km south of Georgetown. Flights from Europe are routed through Antigua, Barbados or Trinidad, There are direct flights from Miami, New York, Toronto, Barzil Surimane, French Guiana, Barbados, Trinidad and Curaco. Outward flights should be reconfirmed prior to departure.
- BWIA | Tel: 592-225-9182/227-1661
- Caribbean Star | Tel: 592-227-6770
- LIAT | Tel: 592-227-8281/261-3262
- Meta Airlines | Tel: 592-225-5315
- North American Airlines | Tel: 592-227-5805/5838
- Suriname Airways | Tel: 592-225-4894/3473
- Travel Span | Tel: 592-227-1701-3/1734-6
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DOMESTIC AIR SERVICES & CHARTERS
By Plane: Private charter companies operate flights into the interior from Ogle airport. Minibuses serve the airport from Stabroek Market in Georgetown and surroundings areas.
Internal flights and charters originate from Ogle Municipal Airport (which is much closer to the city) to the many interior landing strips across the country and also to neighboring countries.
- Air Services Ltd | Tel: 592-222-4357/4368
- Roraima Airways | Tel: 592- 225-9647/8
- Trans Guyana Airways | Tel: 592-222-2525
- Wings | Tel: 592-222-6513/226-9098
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TAXI SERVICES
By Land: Georgetown is well served with taxis, which operate throughout the city and to other urban centers. Taxis are easy to find outside most hotels and throughout Georgetown (e.g Stabroek Market and Avenue of Republic). There are fixed fares for most distances: check in advance. Most trips within Georgetown are G$300/400. Private taxis are easily arranged through your hotel or by calling one of the numerous taxis services.
There are also ultra-cheap minibuses running around town and along the coast, or to Cheddie Jagan International Airport and Linden. Check the fare in advance.
Car rental is an alternative, at US$30-50 per day with security deposit of US$200-250, depending on the type of vehicle. There are good roads from Georgetown to Timehri and Linden, and for 185 miles along the coast from Springlands to Charity.
- Ambassador Taxi Service | 12 Lamaha Street Q/town | Tel: 592-227-3200/6200
- Angel Taxi Service | 154 Garnette Street Kitty G/town | Tel: 592-227-0999/225-9449
- Dolly’s Auto Rental & Taxi | 272 Bissessar Ave. Prashad Nagar G/town | Tel: 592-225-7126
- Ease Auto Rental & Taxi Service | 118 Aubrey Barker St. S/R/Veldt Park | Tel: 592-218-2014
- Ezee Auto Rental & Taxi Service | 46 Sheriff St. C/ville G/town | Tel: 592-231-5808
- First Choice Cabs | 23 Norton Street, Wortmanville,G/town | Tel: 592-223-7777
- Harbour Lights Taxi Service | Gafoors Huston Complex,Houston | Tel: 592-227-1188/99
- Indian Chief Taxi Service | 133 Regent & Cummings Sts Bourda | Tel: 592- 225-2738
- Luxury Cabs | Lot 8 Vlissengen & D’Andrade Street | Tel: 592-223-5199
- Pegasus Taxi Service | Kingston, G/town | Tel: 592-225-2853/6
- Royal Connections Taxi | 47 Austin Place & Croal Street Stabroek | Tel: 592-225-6969
- Tower Taxi | 74-75 Main Street,G/town | Tel: 592-227-2011-5
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BY RIVER
Guyana has over 600 miles navigable river, which provide an important an important means of communication. The Berbice, the Essequibo and the Demerara are crossed by ferries and also by 4 and 6 seater privately run river taxis, which can be chartered. For details on ferry schedule contact the Transport and Harbour Department, Water Street.
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TRAVELING TIPS
Cambios
These are licensed currency exchange houses. Most cambios are open from 8am to 5pm, and on Saturdays from 8am to noon, sometimes to 2pm. Keep your cambio receipts, you will need to produce them in order to change Guyanese dollars on departure.Departure Tax
There is an exit tax of G$2,500. Plus a security charge of G$1,500 (being a total of G$4,000.) This is paid at the airport at the GRA booth.(The US dollar equivalent for this exit tax may vary with exchange fluctuations.) Please note that this is payable in GY or foreign currency.
Driving
Traffic drives on the left. Seat belts are required by law.Banking Hours
Mondays to Thursdays: 08:00- 14:00 hrs
Fridays: 08:00 – 14:30 hrsTraveling Tips
A Speedboat is a 12 + passenger open boat where passengers dress in life jackets during a ride to their destination. Travel time to your destination can be cut by as much as 75%. Not recommended for people who avoid roller coaster rides or are affected by sea sick.
Ferry rides are more scenic, make more stops and travel time varies depending on the tide and other factors.Prearrange airport pickups with your family, friends, hotel or car rental company. Avoid randomly choosing transportation services from the airport especially at night. Driving and riding are done in the left lane.
Before you start enjoying the fun of driving in Guyana, you must stop by the Inland Revenue Department License Revenue Division, Smyth & Princes Streets,Georgetown. Phone 223-5501 for a 30 days Permit to drive. Walk with your driver’s license.
It’s an offense to cross the double yellow lines when over-taking another vehicle. Flashing lights on a vehicle ahead of you simply means caution, slow down or stop.For hire automobiles (taxis, mini buses etc.) have license plates that begin with H.
Ask around for the going rate for transportation to your destination before getting into special taxis or mini buses. Guyana awaits you. Seek the advice of a tour operation regarding an exciting itinerary and prepare to savour the journey.
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SAFETY TIPS
- Keep your travel plans including accommodation details private.
- Keep a photocopy of all your travel documents in a safe place.
- Where possible, use credit cards and travelers cheque instead of cash. If you must use cash, carry only what you will need for the day.
- Avoid wearing flashy jewellery or carrying cameras around your neck, since this may draw attention to yourself.
- Keep all purses, wallets, and cell phones safely tucked away.
- Avoid leaving purses, bags or knapsacks on chairs, under tables, on the backs of chairs or on restroom hooks or in full view at the pool or beach.
- Only use ATM’s and public telephones in well-lit and populated areas.
- Be discreet at cambios, ATM’s and public telephones.
- Should your passport be lost or stolen, report it immediately to the police and to your country’s diplomatic mission.
- Cancel lost or stolen credit cards and travelers cheques as soon as possible and report it to the police.
- There is safety in numbers. Walk in pairs or groups whenever possible.
- Pay attention to your surroundings. Report any suspicious or unusual activities to the police, security or staff personnel.
- Carefully obey all local laws and customs.
- Avoid over consumption of alcohol since it diminishes your natural awareness and alertness of who and what is around you.
- Remain alert, maintain a low profile and trust your instincts.
- During your stay, keep in touch with family and friends through international roaming service.
- If you are approached by anyone trying to sell you drugs, firmly say No and leave.
