Guyana Travel Guide

Guyana has monolithic natural attractions that are so unblemished it practically dwarfs human endeavor. It makes you both humbled and wonder: how long will such treasures in a country linger for more wandering visitors to witness?
Guyana is the smallest country in South America with the Atlantic Ocean as coastline on the northeastern part. With the exception of selected European countries, Americans, Japanese and Koreans, visas are required for all tourists entering Guyana. Do check first with the nearest consulate, embassy or travel agent for visa issuance instructions of your travel to Guyana.

Optimal time to visit is during late January or August. It's the end of their rainy season and the time which Kaieteur falls discharges the greatest amount of water for maximum appreciation. Locals will recommend for you to visit during October to May as the climate is not as hot, but do take note that weather tends to be wet during these months.

The country boasts a lot of places for eager visitors to explore. Starting from the picturesque capital of Georgetown, splendid botanical gardens will greet you at the city. Think: wide tree-lined avenues, lily covered canals, colorful East Indian markets and amazing masonry wall. Georgetown's architecture, which is a reflection of their colonial era with the Dutch and British, can be enjoyed as fine models of 18th and 19th century European buildings still abound the graceful city.

Of course, if mighty water display astonishes you, you should visit are two of their famed waterfalls. Kaieteur Orinduik Falls is located at Potaro River and is extraordinarily the worlds largest single drop waterfall (measured at 741 feet). It drops downward for 101 feet, making it five times the drop of Niagara Falls in Canada. Another is Marshall Falls, up the Cuyuni River. It is a natural Jacuzzi created by tumbling waters and you can either take a refreshing dip or stroll through the surrounding lush rainforest.

At the southwestern part of Guyana lies Rupununi. This is where Arapaima, the world's largest freshwater fish, swims. Rupunini is more than a vast area of dry grasslands. The irony is that every year, rains flood the savannah, making the only possible way to move about is by boat. This paves way for exciting water tours for the beautiful forest areas.

Also within the vicinity of southwest Guyana is The Kanuku Mountains. The sight looks as if it was premeditated to serve as a fantastic setting to the Rupununi savannah. Aside from the breathtaking wind sculpted Kanuku crowns rising just below cloud level, it is home for approximately 80% known bird and mammal species in Guyana.

If you think that's it, wait till you move along 90 miles of Guyana's northwestern shore. Shell Beach is made up of countless tiny shells and is located between Pomeroon and Waini Rivers. The shore's unique composition made it an ideal nesting site of sea turtles. Four out of the world's eight sea turtle species visit the coastline between March and July to lay their precious eggs.

Cap off your zealous trip with a visit at Iwokrama Rain Forest Programme. About 360,000 hectares space of virgin rainforest has been set aside by the country for their patriotic display that such tropical haven can coexist while providing collective social and economic benefits. If you leave Guyana bearing this kind of ecological integrity, there's no doubt then that Guyana's immense natural treasure will still be enjoyed by more generations to come.