Travel Report for Guyana

Country Profile for
Guyana

TRAVEL REPORTS:

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TRAVEL REPORT

Last Updated: November 9, 2006 16:37 EST
Still Valid: December 8, 2006 23:04 EST

Guyana

1.	INTRODUCTION
2.	ATTENTION
3.	SAFETY AND SECURITY
4.	LOCAL TRAVEL
5.	NATURAL DISASTERS AND CLIMATE
6.	LOCAL LAWS AND CUSTOMS
7.	ASSISTANCE FOR CANADIANS ABROAD
8.	ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS
9.	MONEY

10.	GENERAL INFORMATION
11.	TRAVEL MEDICINE PROGRAM
12.	ADDITIONAL HEALTH INFORMATION
13.	RETURNING TO CANADA
14.	INTERNATIONAL ADOPTIONS
15.	TRAVEL TIPS
16.	HEALTH AND TRAVEL INSURANCE
17.	FOR MORE INFORMATION
18.	ANNEX

1. INTRODUCTION

Section 2 of this Travel Report has been updated.

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2. ATTENTION

See our Current Issues page for information on the 2007 Cricket World Cup.

Crime levels in Guyana are high. Break-ins, armed robberies, car thefts, carjacking and kidnapping for ransom are common occurrences. Recently, a number of random execution-style killings have been reported. However, these appear to be targeted and not random crimes. You should therefore exercise extreme caution at all times, particularly in Georgetown, along the East Coast Demerara (especially in the vicinity of the villages of Buxton, Friendship and Annadale) and in the East Bank Demerara region. You should also avoid going to the Stabroek market, Tiger Bay and South Georgetown areas.

OFFICIAL REGISTRATION RECOMMENDATION: Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada offers a registration service for Canadians travelling or residing abroad. Canadians should register with the responsible Canadian government office in this country if they are going to be there for longer than three months. Registration can be done on-line or by calling the responsible Canadian government office abroad to request a registration form. Canadians visiting for less than three months are strongly advised to: (a) leave a detailed travel itinerary and contact information with family or friends in Canada; (b) provide family with the emergency number for Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada (1 800 267-6788 or 613-944-6788); and (c) keep the phone number of the responsible Canadian government office on hand (see Section 7 below).

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3. SAFETY AND SECURITY

Armed robbery, pickpocketing, purse snatching, assaults, house burglary, and theft from motor vehicles occur throughout the country, including in the Georgetown and New Amsterdam areas. Returning Guyanese and foreigners are favourite targets. When approached by a police officer, always ask to see identification. Canadians have been injured while being robbed at gunpoint. Pay particular attention to your surroundings, especially when entering or leaving vehicles, residences, and public places. Ensure personal belongings and travel documents are secure at all times. Do not show signs of affluence.

Police, fire, and ambulance services can be contacted at 911 or 225-6411, 912, and 226-9449 respectively. Response time may be delayed due to a lack of resources, especially for traffic accidents. Injured persons (unless seriously injured) are frequently transported by bystanders. Local authorities are cooperative, but assistance is limited and may be available only during business hours.

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4. LOCAL TRAVEL

Vehicles drive on the left. Poor road conditions, inadequate lighting, roaming animals, and poor driving habits are constant hazards. Drivers should be extremely cautious, keep windows closed and doors locked at all times, and avoid being on the road unnecessarily after dark. If you are involved in an accident, contact the Traffic Division of the Guyana Police Force at 911. Penalties for drivers responsible for an accident causing injury or death are severe and may include imprisonment.

Exercise caution along the road from the Cheddi Jagan Airport to Georgetown and on the Timerhi/Linden highway.

Do not hail taxis from the roadside. Use hotel or airport-approved taxis, which are inexpensive and reliable. Avoid public minibuses, as they tend to be overloaded, poorly maintained, and badly driven. Avoid travelling alone.

An International Driving Permit (IDP) is recommended.

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5. NATURAL DISASTERS AND CLIMATE

Guyana enjoys a tropical climate with two main rainy seasons: May to July, and November to January. During these rainy seasons, rainfall is abundant and may result in major flooding, primarily in coastal areas. Travellers should keep informed of regional weather forecasts and plan accordingly. The High Commission of Canada in Georgetown monitors the situation very closely during these periods. Canadians may contact the High Commission (see below) for information and regular updates.

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6. LOCAL LAWS AND CUSTOMS

You are subject to local laws. A serious violation may lead to a jail sentence. The sentence will be served in local prisons.

Canadians arrested or detained have the right to contact the responsible Canadian government office (embassy, high commission, etc.) listed in Section 7 below. Arresting officials have a responsibility to assist you in doing so. Canadian consular officials can provide a list of local lawyers upon request.

The Department publishes A Guide for Canadians Imprisoned Abroad, specifically targeted at incarcerated Canadians. Its prime objective is to inform Canadian detainees, their families, and friends about available assistance and advice.

It is illegal to use the services of independent boaters to cross into Suriname. Foreigners have been fined and, in some cases, detained and subsequently deported. Use only official ferry services and ensure you receive an entry stamp in your passport.

Drug trafficking is a major problem. Possession and trafficking of illegal drugs is considered a serious offence. Convicted offenders can expect heavy fines and/or lengthy prison sentences, which must be served in Guyana. Conditions in Guyanese prisons can be particularly harsh. Pack your entire luggage yourself and do not carry any items that do not belong to you.

Many exotic birds are protected species. The Guyanese Ministry of Agriculture will permit only those persons who have been legally residing in Guyana for more than one year to export an exotic bird out of the country. For specific information on customs requirements, contact the High Commission for the Co-operative Republic of Guyana (see below).

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7. ASSISTANCE FOR CANADIANS ABROAD

You can obtain consular assistance and further consular information at the following address:

Guyana - GEORGETOWN, High Commission of Canada
Address: High and Young Streets, Georgetown, Guyana
Postal Address: P.O. Box 10880, Georgetown, Guyana
Tel.: (592) 227-2081, 227-2082, 227-2083, 227-2084, or 227-2085
Fax: (592) 225-8380
E-mail: grgtn@international.gc.ca
Internet: http://www.georgetown.gc.ca

For emergency assistance after hours, call the High Commission of Canada in Georgetown and follow the instructions. You may also make a collect call to the Department in Ottawa at 613-996-8885 or use the services offered by Canada Direct service.

Canada Direct, offered by Canada's major telecommunications companies, provides travellers with toll-free and hassle-free access to the Canadian telephone network. The Canada Direct access number is 161 from Georgetown, and 0161 from the rest of Guyana, where a Canadian operator is always available. For more information, call 1-800-561-8868 or visit the Canada Direct Web site.

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8. ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS

The following information on entry and exit requirements has been confirmed with Guyanese authorities and, to the best of our knowledge, was valid on August 16, 2006. However, entry and exit requirements are subject to change.

It is the sole prerogative of each country to determine who is allowed to enter. All countries have special requirements for persons intending to reside for extended periods (usually more than 90 days) or who plan to work, study, or engage in non-tourist activities. To obtain information on specific entry requirements, contact the nearest diplomatic or consular office of the country or countries to be visited. Violations of entry and exit requirements may result in serious penalties.

Foreign Affairs Canada’s Office of Protocol provides contact details for the High Commission for the Republic of Guyana and its consulates, where you can obtain further information on entry and exit requirements.

A valid Canadian passport is required for Canadians intending to visit Guyana. The passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the date of your expected departure from Guyana. The Canadian Citizenship Card is not a travel document and should not be used as such.

Tourist Visa: Not required
Business Visa: Not required (although you must bring a business letter with all pertinent information concerning the reason for your visit to Guyana)
Student Visa: Not required

It is essential that you have your passport stamped upon arrival in the country. Failure to do so could result in difficulties leaving the country or even jail time.

A travel (departure) tax of G$2,500 and an airport security fee of G$1,500 are charged upon departure. These must be paid in local currency and cash only.
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Selling, altering, or allowing another person to use your passport is a criminal offence. It could lead to the laying of charges and imprisonment if convicted. It could also lead to the denial of future passport services.

Special and diplomatic passport holders should verify visa requirements for this and other countries, as they may differ from those that apply to regular passport holders.

Full Canadian passport services are provided at the High Commission in Georgetown. Applications are accepted with the appropriate payments and forwarded to

Canada

for the printing process. The turnaround time is approximately 15 working days from the day a completed application and all supporting documentation are received at the mission.

Any adult travelling with children may be required to show evidence of parental/custodial and/or access rights. Foreign and Canadian authorities may also require evidence that the adult has the consent of the parents, legal guardian, and/or the court to travel with the children. Some countries may not permit children to enter or, in some cases, leave the country without proper documentation such as a letter of consent or a court order.

Although same-sex marriages are legal in Canada, many countries do not recognize them. Attempting to enter as a same-sex married couple may result in refusal by local officials. For more information, contact the foreign government office accredited to Canada.

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9. MONEY

The currency is the Guyanese dollar (G$). Credit cards are not widely accepted. Only major hotels accept credit cards, and only a few banks will issue cash advances. Carry enough currency or traveller's cheques to cover anticipated expenses. U.S. dollars are widely accepted. Travellers should exchange foreign currency only with banks, hotels, and established money exchange bureaus (cambios). Canadian currency and traveller's cheques are not widely accepted worldwide. Check with your bank for information on ATM services in other countries. You can also check the VISA ATM locator page or the MasterCard ATM locator page for the addresses of ATMs around the world. Your bank can advise if you need a new personal identification number (PIN) for overseas access to your account. Credit cards and debit cards should be used with caution due to the potential for fraud and other criminal activity. ATMs should be used during business hours inside a bank, supermarket, or large commercial building. Leave copies of your card numbers with a family member in case of emergency.

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10. GENERAL INFORMATION

The Cooperative Republic of Guyana (capital: Georgetown) is located on the northeastern corner of South America, bordering

Venezuela

Suriname

Brazil

, and the Atlantic Ocean. Tourist facilities are not fully developed. English is the official language, but Creole, Hindi, and Urdu are also spoken.

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11. TRAVEL MEDICINE PROGRAM

The Public Health Agency of Canada and the World Health Organization (WHO) report on disease outbreaks that occur throughout the world. For the latest travel health advisories and related information, visit the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Travel Medicine Program Web site.

The Public Health Agency of Canada strongly recommends that your travel plans include contacting a travel medicine clinic or physician six to eight weeks before departure. Based on your individual risk assessment, a health care professional can determine your need for immunizations and/or preventive medication and advise you on precautions to avoid disease. Travellers are reminded to ensure that their routine (childhood) immunizations (e.g., tetanus, diphtheria, polio, and measles) are up to date.

Standards of medical care may differ from those in Canada. Treatment may be expensive, and payment in advance may be required. Travellers are advised to arrange for medical insurance prior to departure. Prescription medications should be kept in the original container and packed in carry-on luggage.

The Public Health Agency of Canada also recommends that travellers who become sick or feel unwell on their return to Canada seek a medical assessment with their personal physician. Travellers should inform their physician that they have been travelling or living outside of Canada.

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12. ADDITIONAL HEALTH INFORMATION

Medical facilities are limited. The incidence of HIV/AIDS has increased and is ranked high in Guyana. Travellers face a greater risk of exposure to the virus when engaging in unprotected sexual activity or when exposed to infected blood products. Malaria and dengue fever are common in the interior, and typhoid is present throughout the country. Leptospirosis has become a serious problem during floods.

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13. RETURNING TO CANADA

Please consult the Current Issue on returning to Canada.

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14. INTERNATIONAL ADOPTIONS

Provincial and territorial authorities in Canada are responsible for authorizing international adoptions. If you are thinking of adopting a child from another country, you must first obtain information about the adoption regulations of the province or territory in which the child will reside. While adoption is a provincial/territorial responsibility, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) is responsible for allowing an adopted child entry into Canada. Entry can be refused if the child does not hold the appropriate immigrant visa. A visa may be denied, even if the adoption has already been completed. For more information contact CIC at 1 888 242-2100 (in Canada only), check the CIC Web site or contact your provincial or territorial government.

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15. TRAVEL TIPS

Please consult our Traveller's Checklist.

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16. HEALTH AND TRAVEL INSURANCE

Do not rely on your provincial health plan to cover all expenses if you get sick or are injured while abroad. It may cover nothing or only a portion of the costs. Understand the terms of your supplementary insurance policy. Some credit cards offer their holders health and travel insurance. Do not assume the card alone provides adequate coverage. Carry details of your insurance with you. Also, tell your travel agent, a friend or relative, and/or travelling companion how to contact your insurer. Get a detailed invoice from the doctor or hospital before you return to Canada. Always submit original receipts for any medical services or prescriptions received abroad. Most insurance companies will not accept copies or faxes.

Cancelling a scheduled trip abroad could cost you money. Before cancelling a scheduled trip, you should discuss the matter with your travel agent, your travel insurer, or the airline. The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller.

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17. FOR MORE INFORMATION

N/A

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18. ANNEX

N/A

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