Moving to Guyana

The CARICOM Skills Certificate (CSME) is the main route to live and work in Guyana without a work permit. See the CSME steps for Guyana for the full application process.

No. Four CARICOM countries have gone further than the standard CSME certificate and implemented full free movement between themselves: Barbados, Belize, Dominica, St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Nationals of those four can work in each other's countries without a certificate. Everyone else, including anyone moving to or from Guyana, still applies for the CSME Skills Certificate.

Guyana is affordable by regional standards, especially outside Georgetown; the oil boom has pushed up some prices in the capital, but overall costs remain low compared with many Caribbean islands. A budget traveller can expect roughly US$60–100/day (guesthouse or budget hotel, local food, public transport, few tours); mid-range roughly US$120–220/day (a comfortable hotel or Airbnb, a mix of local and nicer restaurants, several guided tours); luxury US$300+/day (an upscale Georgetown hotel or interior eco-lodge, private guides, fine dining). For a longer stay, see the cost-of-living section above for typical monthly rent.

The currency is the Guyanese dollar (GYD), which floats, so exchange rates move; US dollars are often quoted informally. USD is widely accepted in Georgetown's business and tourist areas, but smaller towns and rural spots usually prefer GYD. Major cards work in many hotels, larger restaurants and some shops in Georgetown, but cash is standard outside the capital and for tours. ATMs are available in Georgetown and a few larger towns, but limited or nonexistent in the interior, so carry enough cash before heading inland.

Many nationalities, including the US, UK, Canada, the EU and CARICOM, can enter visa-free or with a visa on arrival for short stays, often up to 30–90 days, though rules vary by nationality and some passport holders must arrange a visa in advance. You'll need a passport valid at least 6 months beyond your stay and proof of onward travel. Always confirm current rules with Guyana's Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Office or your nearest embassy before travelling.

Minibuses and taxis are common in and around Georgetown and between major towns, inexpensive but often crowded. Small domestic airlines link Georgetown's Cheddi Jagan International Airport with interior airstrips like Kaieteur, Lethem and Annai, essential for reaching remote eco-lodges and the Rupununi. River boats reach many interior communities and eco-lodges, usually arranged by a tour operator. Rental cars are available in Georgetown; driving is on the left, and a 4x4 is recommended for rougher interior roads. Guided, organised tours are the norm for Kaieteur Falls, Iwokrama and Rupununi safaris, with transport, guides and permits usually included.

Cook-up rice (a one-pot rice with beans or peas, meat, coconut milk and spices), pepperpot (a slow-cooked, Amerindian-origin stew with cassareep), roti with curried chicken, goat or shrimp, metemgee (a hearty stew of root crops, coconut milk and salted meat or fish), and fresh river or sea fish, grilled or curried. Try the local cook-shops and street stalls in Georgetown, small restaurants in Linden and New Amsterdam, and the interior eco-lodges, which usually serve traditional meals.

Guyana can be visited safely with proper planning, but it has higher crime rates in some urban areas, particularly parts of Georgetown. Main hotels, organised tours and interior eco-lodges are generally fine with normal precautions: avoid walking alone at night in unfamiliar urban areas, don't flash valuables, and use reputable tour operators and transport. In the interior, safety is more about logistics and health, guides, boats, wildlife, medical access, than crime. Check your government's current travel advisory and talk to your tour operator about current conditions.

Guyana has two dry seasons and two wet seasons rather than the single Caribbean dry/hurricane pattern. The long dry season (August–November) is often considered best overall for interior travel and wildlife; the short dry season (February–April) is also good, with more roads and trails accessible. May–July and December–January are wetter, and some roads, trails or lodges may be harder to reach or reduce operations. For Kaieteur, Iwokrama and Rupununi safaris, August–November and February–April are usually best.

Light, breathable clothing, with long sleeves and trousers for jungle areas to help with insects and sun. Bring sturdy, closed-toe shoes for hiking and sandals for town or riverside, plus strong insect repellent, sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses. A rain jacket or poncho and quick-dry clothes help for boat trips and rainforest. Pack a basic first-aid kit, your personal medications and hand sanitiser, since medical facilities are limited in the interior; for Kaieteur or serious hikes, add lightweight long trousers, moisture-wicking shirts and a small daypack.

Guyana is highly multicultural: Indo-Guyanese, Afro-Guyanese, Indigenous, mixed, Chinese, Portuguese, Syrian-Lebanese and more, so respect local customs and religious practices. English is official, but you'll hear Guyanese Creole, Hindi, Urdu, Chinese and Indigenous languages in daily life. Tipping 10% in restaurants is standard if a service charge isn't already included, with small tips for guides, boat captains and drivers appreciated. In the interior, life is slower and community-oriented; be patient and respectful, and follow your guide's advice on behaviour in villages and protected areas.