Home of vast tropical rainforests and of mighty rivers with spectacular waterfalls, Guyana is the meeting place of Caribbean and South American cultures. The scarcely populated and yet undiscovered Guyana hosts amazing natural wonders and offers endless possibilities for adventurous ecotourism, including activities like hiking, rafting and birdwatching.
Nature wonders. Although Kaieteur Falls are by far the most popular attraction of Guyana, there are also other interesting waterfalls in this South American country, which in Guyana's case is easy to believe as its name comes from an Amerindian word meaning "land of many waters". Other natural attractions in Guyana include the Iwokrama Rainforest Reserve, Shell Beach and the Marshall Falls, each offering a variety of activities from hiking and biking to wildlife viewing and rafting.
Dutch-built capital. Although much of Guyana's attraction lies in its exceptional natural beauty, also its capital Georgetown is a place with lots to offer. Originally designed by the Dutch, Georgetown is a charming historical city with tree-lined boulevards and lily-covered canals. Adding the attractiveness of this small city is its wooden architecture with masterpieces such as St. George's cathedral, which is one of the tallest wooden buildings of the world.
Traveling to Guyana is easy with flights to Guyana available from many international destinations. Travelling in the coastal parts of the country is easy by minibuses and taxis, which are available at a cheap price, but due to the bad condition of roads and the chaotic traffic of Guyana, they are not always safe. Traveling in the interior parts of Guyana often needs to be done by boat or by air, as there are only few roads.
Safety. As in most South American and Caribbean countries, safety issues should be paid attention to while visiting Guyana.
Kaieteur falls and tropical rain forest: Natural wonders of Guyana
Guyana is famous for its pristine and diverse nature, offering tropical jungles with a vast variety of flora and fauna. The most famous of Guyana's many nature wonders are found in Kaieteur National Park, where stunning Kaieteur Falls reach the height of more than 200 meters. These spectacular falls, which are much higher than Niagara, are located in a remote wilderness location in the middle of a pristine South American jungle.Nature wonders. Although Kaieteur Falls are by far the most popular attraction of Guyana, there are also other interesting waterfalls in this South American country, which in Guyana's case is easy to believe as its name comes from an Amerindian word meaning "land of many waters". Other natural attractions in Guyana include the Iwokrama Rainforest Reserve, Shell Beach and the Marshall Falls, each offering a variety of activities from hiking and biking to wildlife viewing and rafting.
Dutch-built capital. Although much of Guyana's attraction lies in its exceptional natural beauty, also its capital Georgetown is a place with lots to offer. Originally designed by the Dutch, Georgetown is a charming historical city with tree-lined boulevards and lily-covered canals. Adding the attractiveness of this small city is its wooden architecture with masterpieces such as St. George's cathedral, which is one of the tallest wooden buildings of the world.
The adventurous and tropical Guyana
Guyana has a tropical climate with steadily warm temperatures throughout the year, and with two rainy seasons of which the first is between May and August, and the other between November and January. The best time to travel to Guyana is outside these two rainy periods, when flooding and heavy afternoon thunderstorms often cause unpleasant conditions. However, as the name rainforest would suggest, the rainforest areas of Guyana receive some rainfall on daily basis.Traveling to Guyana is easy with flights to Guyana available from many international destinations. Travelling in the coastal parts of the country is easy by minibuses and taxis, which are available at a cheap price, but due to the bad condition of roads and the chaotic traffic of Guyana, they are not always safe. Traveling in the interior parts of Guyana often needs to be done by boat or by air, as there are only few roads.
Safety. As in most South American and Caribbean countries, safety issues should be paid attention to while visiting Guyana.
Photo: treez44est, used under Creative Commons License (By SA 2.0)
Drugs and street crime cause problems in Georgetown and in some other coastal towns of Guyana, but the overall safety situation in Guyana is not alarming. However, walking around in towns after dark should be avoided and valuables should be kept hidden. Note also that homosexual behavior is illegal in Guyana.
Visitor services. As Guyana is not a popular travel destination, the number and quality of hotels and restaurants found in Guyana is limited, especially outside Georgetown. Price level in Guyana is generally quite cheap. However, as tourism in Guyana is still quite undeveloped, most tourist services, hotels and jungle lodges in the country are relatively expensive. Most people in Guyana speak some English, although their Caribbean accent might be hard to follow.
From colonialism through slavery to cultural diversity: History of Guyana
Guyana has been inhabited by indigenous Arawak and Carib people for thousands of years. Originally a Dutch colony and later under British rule, Guyana gained its independence from United Kingdom in 1966. The history of Guyana has been influenced also by the numerous African slaves who were brought here to work in plantations, but who after the collapsing of the slavery system founded their own villages in the jungle. After the abolition of slavery, many European and Asian people came to replace them in Guyana's plantations, which on its behalf has influenced on the development of the modern multicultural society of Guyana, hosting people of East Indian, African, Indigenous, European and Chinese origin.hint See also these nearby destinations: Kaieteur National Park
