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Last Updated:
October 25, 2007 15:12
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Still Valid: November 15, 2007 22:49 EST |
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1. RECENT UPDATES Section 2 of this Travel Report has been updated (exercise a high degree of caution). BACK TO TOP 2. WARNINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS Guyana
Crime levels in OFFICIAL REGISTRATION RECOMMENDATION: We offer a registration service for all Canadians travelling or living abroad. This service is provided so that we can contact and assist you in an emergency in a foreign country, such as a natural disaster or civil unrest, or inform you of a family emergency at home. Registration can be done on-line or by contacting a Canadian government office abroad. For more information, see our FAQs on Registration of Canadians Abroad. BACK TO TOP 3. SAFETY AND SECURITY The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller. The traveller is also responsible for his or her own personal safety. The purpose of this Travel Report is to provide Canadians with up-to-date information to enable them to make well-informed decisions. Assaults, pickpocketing, purse snatching, break-ins, armed robberies, car thefts, and carjacking are common occurrences. Returning Guyanese and foreigners are favourite targets. Canadians have been injured while being robbed at gunpoint. A number of random execution-style killings have been reported. However, these appear to be targeted and not random crimes. Pay 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. When approached by a police officer, always ask to see identification. Sporadic civil unrest and demonstrations may cause significant disturbances throughout the country. You should avoid large crowds and demonstrations and monitor local news reports for current information. 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. BACK TO TOP 4. 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 and International Trade 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. 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. A Certificate of Canadian Citizenship (CCC) is not a travel document. Airlines are known to refuse boarding to dual national Canadian passengers returning to Canada, travelling on a passport that requires a visa to enter Canada, regardless of whether the passenger presents a valid CCC as proof of Canadian citizenship. A Canadian passport is the only reliable and universally accepted travel and identification document for the purpose of international travel. It proves your admissibility to enter Canada. 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. 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. BACK TO TOP 5. CANADIAN GOVERNMENT CONTACTS 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 Postal Address: P.O. Box 10880, Georgetown, 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 Emergency Operations Centre in Ottawa at 613-996-8885. BACK TO TOP 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 5 above. Arresting officials have a responsibility to assist you in doing so. Canadian consular officials can provide a list of local lawyers upon request. The procedures required in legal proceedings or police investigations may be different from the procedures in force in the Canadian legal system. Canadians wishing to undertake such proceedings can expect to face long delays and additional efforts in order to resolve their case. The Government of Canada cannot intervene in ongoing legal proceedings in other countries, unless requested to do so by local authorities. Such requests are rare. 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. 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 Cooperative Republic of Guyana (see section 5 above). BACK TO TOP 7. LOCAL TRAVEL AND CURRENCY 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. 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 Automated Banking Machine ( BACK TO TOP 8. NATURAL DISASTERS AND CLIMATE During Guyana's two rainy seasons (May to July, and November to January), rainfall is abundant and may result in major flooding, primarily in coastal areas. Travellers should keep informed of regional weather forecasts and plan accordingly. Canadians may contact the High Commission of Canada in Georgetown (see section 5 above) for information and regular updates. BACK TO TOP 9. 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. BACK TO TOP 10. 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. BACK TO TOP 11. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Returning to Canada Traveller's Checklist 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. See Canada's Health Portal. 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. Adoption: 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. BACK TO TOP 12. ANNEX N/A BACK TO TOP |
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