Guyana

By Amy Adejokun

Section editor

This small country in the north of South America, enclosed between Venezuela, Brazil, Surinam and the Atlantic Ocean, remains totally unknown by tourists. Those who do travel to Guyana, though, will discover a destination reserved for adventurers, in search of an untouched jungle populated by an exceptional fauna and flora. The Kaieteur Falls, although unknown to the general public, are as spectacular as the Niagara or Iguaçu waterfalls, but totally isolated in the deepest part of the Amazon Forest. The Atlantic coastline, composed essentially of hostile mangroves, is not suitable for swimming.

Our Editorial team's advice

It is important to leave with a few light and loose clothes (made of linen for instance), which are closed at the wrists and ankles to keep out the mosquito clouds that rage in certain regions. A good flashlight (with extra batteries) is absolutely necessary for trips in the forest or in case of an electricity cut (which is frequent in the city). A permit is necessary to enter the National Park of Kaieteur, get some information in Georgetown at the office that deals with this: Tel: 59 142.

pros

+Guyana is still all about adventure.
+A country which is under-developed in terms of tourism, Guyana benefits from exceptional wildlife
+The Kaieteur waterfalls give the Iguaçù or the Niagara falls a run for their money!

cons

-You may like to venture even further into the largely unexplored tropical forest, but it is very difficult to access.
-In Guyana, there are no paradisiacal, tropical beaches.

Food

The cuisine here combines all the flavours of its ethnic mix: India, Africa, the West Indies, England, and the United States. Excellent sea food is offered all year round in Guyana, but for Christmas, the traditional dish is the "pepper pot", a meat cooked with bitter cassava root and herbs.
As for beverages, rum is an institution here, it is very cheap and does not exceed $2 (£1.50) a bottle. The local beer, made with rice, is called 'Banks'.

Souvenirs

A bottle of rum and handicraft items such as wood sculptures and painted colourful patterned fabrics are ideal souvenirs to bring back with you. Shops are open Monday to Thursday from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm, Fridays from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm and Saturdays from 8:30 am to 12:00 pm.