By chairman on Tuesday, 22 September 2020
Category: News

Traveling in Georgetown, Guyana

altrendo images / Getty Images

Georgetown, the capital of Guyana, is almost fairytale-like in appearance thanks to tree-lined streets and avenues and quaint Dutch colonial and Victorian architecture stemming from its days as a Dutch and an English colony. Georgetown lies below the high-tide level, protected by a seawall with a series of canals crisscrossing the city. When rains are heavy, flooding, as occurred in early 2005, is a risk.

Located on the mouth of the Demerara River fronting the Atlantic Ocean, Georgetown, originally called Stabroek, was an ideal location for a European presence in the Caribbean. Rich in timber, bauxite, gold, and diamonds, the land supported sugar cane plantations and enriched the colonial governments. The Spanish, Dutch, French, and English all had their eyes on this region, and each struggled to possess it for years.

The Dutch initially gained the upper hand and established Stabroek on the lines of any tidy, Dutch city. The British occupied the Dutch colony in 1812 during the Napoleonic Wars and renamed the capital, and largest city, Georgetown in honor of George III. This was convenient for the British who were also fighting what they termed the “American War,” known in the US as the War of 1812.

British Guiana, as it was then called, was the center of border conflicts with its neighbors, Venezuela and Suriname. These conflicts continue, making it difficult to travel between these countries without first passing through another.

Getting There and Around

International flights from the US or Europe fly into Georgetown's Cheddi Jagan International airport mainly via Trinidad, Bogotá, or other locations in Colombia.

Getting to Guyana by boat is an adventure the Guyanese tourist board hopes to encourage.

Getting around in Guyana is mostly by road, river, and air.

There are a number of hotels, resorts, and interior resorts and lodges to choose for your accommodation needs.

The Environment

The weather and climate may affect your travel plans, but they maintain the interior forests and river systems that Guyana is developing for ecotourism. Guyana has immense falls, vast tropical jungles, and savannas teeming with wildlife. Called the "land of many rivers," Guyana's interior is best reached by riverboat. There are almost 1000 km of navigable rivers to enjoy.

Before your trip, check the current weather conditions and the 5-day forecast.

In Georgetown


Outside Georgetown