Guyana · Local picks
100+ Places to Visit in Guyana
These are some of our favourite places to eat, explore, celebrate and stay across Guyana, from Georgetown's markets to the lodges of the Rupununi. Opening times change often in Guyana, so check before you travel and use the free trip planner to fit them into your route.
Places to Visit in Georgetown
Shopping and Markets
- Stabroek Market (Water Street)
The iron clock tower market by the Demerara River is the beating heart of the city, best visited in the morning with a local. - Bourda Market (Robb Street)
A busier, less touristy market for tropical fruit, fresh fish, greens and cheap street snacks. - Kitty Market (Kitty)
A small neighbourhood market where locals buy produce and grab breakfast near the seawall. - Giftland Mall (Turkeyen, East Coast Demerara)
Guyana's largest mall with a food court, cinema and shops, cool on a hot day. - Amazonia Mall (Providence, East Bank Demerara)
A modern mall with shops, restaurants and a cinema near the stadium.
Arts and Culture
- St. George's Cathedral (North Road)
One of the tallest wooden churches in the world, a white Gothic landmark that is quietly breathtaking inside. - National Museum of Guyana (North Road)
An old fashioned but fascinating collection of natural history, including a giant sloth replica and local wildlife. - Walter Roth Museum of Anthropology (Main Street)
A small museum in a colonial house that tells the story of Guyana's Indigenous peoples through artefacts. - Castellani House (Vlissengen Road)
The National Art Gallery, set in an elegant wooden mansion with Guyanese paintings and sculpture. - Umana Yana (Kingston)
A striking thatched benab built in the style of Wai Wai Indigenous architecture, rebuilt after a fire. - 1763 Monument (Square of the Revolution)
The bold Cuffy monument honours the Berbice slave uprising and is the setting for Republic Day events. - Parliament Building (Avenue of the Republic)
A handsome Dutch and British era building at the centre of the old city, best seen on a walking tour. - Georgetown City Hall (Avenue of the Republic)
A Gothic Revival wooden fairy tale of a building, worth seeing from outside while restoration continues. - Guyana Heritage Museum (Meten Meer Zorg, West Coast Demerara)
A private collection of maps, tools and everyday objects that tells the story of colonial Guyana.
Things to Do
- Georgetown Seawall (Kingston to Kitty)
Locals walk, jog and lime along the seawall at sunset, especially on Sunday evenings. - Demerara Harbour Bridge (Demerara River)
One of the longest floating bridges in the world, a memorable crossing on the way west. - El Dorado Rum Heritage Centre (Diamond, East Bank Demerara)
Tour the home of El Dorado rum and its historic wooden stills, then taste the aged Demerara rums. - MovieTowne Guyana (Turkeyen, East Coast Demerara)
A cinema, restaurant and entertainment complex popular with families and dating couples. - Providence Stadium (Providence, East Bank Demerara)
Watch West Indies cricket or the Caribbean Premier League in a lively Guyanese crowd. - Bourda Cricket Ground (Bourda)
The historic home of Guyanese cricket, a pilgrimage site for cricket lovers. - Kaieteur Falls day flight (Eugene F. Correia International Airport, Ogle)
Small plane day trips from Ogle are the easiest way to reach Kaieteur and often Orinduik. - Linden (Upper Demerara River)
A bauxite mining town with blue lakes and a gritty industrial history. - Guyana National Stadium (Providence)
The home of cricket internationals and big concerts on the East Bank.
Nature and Outdoors
- Georgetown Botanical Gardens (Vlissengen Road)
Lily ponds, manatees, kingfishers and huge trees make this the city's favourite green escape. - Guyana Zoo (Botanical Gardens)
A modest zoo where children can see harpy eagles, jaguars, giant otters and manatees up close. - Promenade Gardens (Middle Street)
A peaceful little garden with a bandstand, shade trees and colourful flowers right in the centre. - National Park (Thomas Lands)
Open lawns for kite flying at Easter, family picnics and big Emancipation Day gatherings. - Arrowpoint Nature Resort (Kamuni Creek)
A river lodge an hour from the city for kayaking, birding and Indigenous village visits. - Splashmins Fun Park (Soesdyke Linden Highway)
A blackwater lake with slides and beach space where Guyanese families escape the heat. - Mahaica River birding (Mahaica)
Boat trips to see the hoatzin, Guyana's prehistoric looking national bird.
Restaurants
- Shanta's Puri Shop (Camp Street)
A Georgetown institution for roti, puri, curry and chutney eaten fast and hot. - Backyard Café (Bent Street, Wortmanville)
Chef Delven Adams cooks a market fresh Guyanese menu in his own backyard, booked ahead. - German's Restaurant (Mundy Street, Albouystown)
Famous for its rich cow heel soup and Creole lunches that locals have loved for decades. - Bottle Bar and Restaurant at Cara Lodge (Quamina Street)
Candlelit dining in a historic wooden hotel, ideal for a calm evening out. - Brazil Churrascaria and Pizzaria (Alexander Street)
Endless grilled meats served Brazilian style, a lively choice for groups and celebrations. - New Thriving Restaurant (Main Street)
The Guyanese Chinese food locals grow up on, from fried rice to chow mein, in a big family dining room. - Royal Castle (Camp Street)
The homegrown fried chicken chain that every Guyanese abroad misses, quick and cheap.
Cafés
- Oasis Café (Carmichael Street)
A relaxed café with good coffee, pastries and wifi, a reliable first stop for new arrivals. - Coconut water vendors (Seawall and markets)
Fresh green coconuts cut open with a cutlass, the best way to stay cool.
Bars and Nightlife
- Sheriff Street (Campbellville)
The city's famous nightlife strip, lined with bars, rum shops and late night food.
Events
- Mashramani (Citywide)
Guyana's Republic Day carnival in February, with costume bands, steel pan and calypso on the streets. - Phagwah (Citywide)
The spring Hindu festival of colours, celebrated with powder, water and music across the country. - Diwali Motorcade (Citywide)
Hundreds of lit up floats wind through the streets on the eve of the national Diwali holiday. - Emancipation Day (National Park)
On 1 August families gather for African food, drumming and a celebration of freedom. - Easter kite flying (Seawall and National Park)
On Easter Monday the sky fills with homemade kites, a uniquely Guyanese tradition.
Stays
- Cara Lodge (Quamina Street)
A charming historic wooden hotel in the heart of the city with a lovely garden bar. - Guyana Marriott Hotel Georgetown (Kingston)
The city's best known international hotel by the seawall, with a pool and sea views. - Herdmanston Lodge (Peter Rose Street, Queenstown)
A quiet colonial guesthouse in a leafy neighbourhood, close to good restaurants. - Ramada Georgetown Princess Hotel (Providence, East Bank Demerara)
A large resort style hotel with a pool and casino, handy for the airport road and stadium. - Grand Coastal Hotel (Le Ressouvenir, East Coast Demerara)
A comfortable mid-range hotel east of the city with a pool and easy access to the malls. - Roraima Duke Lodge (Duke Street, Kingston)
A restored colonial lodge from a local airline family, close to the seawall.
Places to Visit in Bartica
Things to Do
- Bartica Regatta (Bartica waterfront)
Bartica's Easter weekend of speedboat races, beach parties and music. - Bartica Stelling (Bartica waterfront)
Watch speedboats come and go at the town's busy jetty, the gateway to the interior. - Parika Stelling (Parika, East Bank Essequibo)
The busy boat terminal where speedboats leave for Bartica, full of snacks and bustle. - Lake Mainstay Resort (Essequibo Coast)
A blackwater lake resort on the Essequibo Coast with a beach, swimming and a holiday mood.
Arts and Culture
- Fort Kyk Over Al (Mazaruni River)
The ruins of an early Dutch fort on a tiny island where three rivers meet.
Nature and Outdoors
- Marshall Falls (Mazaruni River)
A short boat ride and forest walk lead to cascades where you can cool off. - Sloth Island Nature Resort (Essequibo River)
A simple lodge on a forested island for birding, sloth spotting and swimming. - Essequibo River beaches (Essequibo River)
Sandbars and river beaches appear in the dry season for swimming and picnics.
Stays
- Baganara Island Resort (Essequibo River)
A private island resort with a sandy beach and its own airstrip, ideal for a calm escape. - Hurakabra River Resort (Essequibo River)
A small family run riverside resort with sandy shore, kayaks and a very peaceful pace.
Shopping and Markets
- Bartica Market (First Avenue)
A lively river town market where gold miners and farmers stock up before heading inland.
Events
- Easter Regatta beach party (Bartica waterfront)
Thousands travel upriver at Easter to dance on the riverside, a true local party.
Places to Visit in Kaieteur Falls
Nature and Outdoors
- Kaieteur National Park (Potaro River)
A single drop waterfall of extraordinary height plunging into a deep green gorge. - Orinduik Falls (Ireng River)
Terraced falls on the Brazil border where you can sit in warm, flowing water. - Golden rocket frog spotting (Kaieteur National Park)
Look for tiny golden frogs living in giant tank bromeliads near the viewpoints. - Kaieteur viewpoints (Kaieteur National Park)
Several unfenced viewpoints give dramatic views; follow your guide and keep children close.
Places to Visit in Rupununi
Stays
- Karanambu Lodge (North Rupununi)
A historic ranch famous for giant otter conservation, giant anteaters and river trips. - Rock View Lodge (Annai)
A friendly ranch lodge with gardens and a pool at the foot of the Pakaraima Mountains. - Caiman House (Yupukari)
A community lodge where you can join black caiman research by night. - Surama Eco Lodge (Surama)
An Indigenous owned lodge with forest walks, birding and Burro Burro river trips. - Rewa Eco Lodge (Rewa)
A remote community lodge for arapaima, giant otters and pristine rivers. - Wichabai Ranch (South Rupununi)
A savannah ranch near the Kanuku Mountains for horse riding and birding.
Events
- Rupununi Rodeo (Lethem)
Easter weekend cowboy contests, horse races and Indigenous food in Lethem.
Nature and Outdoors
- Rupununi savannah (North and South Rupununi)
Vast grasslands with termite mounds, jabiru storks, giant anteaters and huge skies. - Kanuku Mountains (South Rupununi)
Forested mountains rich in birds and wildlife, explored with community guides. - Giant otters on the Rupununi River (Karanambu)
Evening boat trips to watch giant otters and the giant water lily open.
Things to Do
- Takutu Bridge (Lethem)
The bridge to Bonfim in Brazil, where two cultures meet at the border.
Shopping and Markets
- Lethem market and shops (Lethem)
A small border town where Portuguese mixes with English and Brazilian goods fill the shops.
Places to Visit in Iwokrama
Stays
- Iwokrama River Lodge (Kurupukari)
The research centre's riverside lodge, the base for jaguar spotting and forest walks. - Atta Rainforest Lodge (Atta)
A rainforest lodge by the canopy walkway with great birding and night walks.
Nature and Outdoors
- Iwokrama Canopy Walkway (Atta)
Swaying bridges high in the treetops, magical at dawn for birds and howler monkeys. - Turtle Mountain (Iwokrama Forest)
A boat trip and climb to a summit view over endless rainforest. - Night caiman spotting (Essequibo River, Kurupukari)
Torchlit boat rides reveal caiman eyes and nightjars along the riverbanks. - Guianan cock of the rock lek (Near Kurupukari)
A short hike to see the brilliant orange cock of the rock displaying. - Burro Burro River paddling (Surama)
Quiet dugout canoe trips with guides for river otters, tapirs and birds.
Things to Do
- Kurupukari river crossing (Essequibo River)
The pontoon crossing of the Essequibo on the road south, an adventure in itself.
Places to Visit in New Amsterdam
Things to Do
- Berbice River Bridge (New Amsterdam)
A floating bridge across the Berbice River into the historic old town. - Albion Sports Complex (Albion, Corentyne)
A cricket ground with a proud local following in the cane country of Berbice. - Moleson Creek ferry (Corentyne)
The ferry across the Corentyne River to Suriname, for travellers continuing east.
Shopping and Markets
- New Amsterdam Market (Strand)
A Berbice market for fruit, fish, Indian sweets and everyday bustle.
Arts and Culture
- All Saints Anglican Church (New Amsterdam)
A graceful wooden church that reflects the town's colonial heritage. - Rose Hall Town (Corentyne)
A small town known for its cricket heritage and as a centre of Berbice life.
Nature and Outdoors
- Number 63 Beach (Corentyne Coast)
A long, wild Atlantic beach where Berbicians gather on holidays.
More to Explore
We are still checking these with fresh sources, so confirm opening times before you go.
- Church's Chicken (Camp Street, Georgetown)
A local favourite for fried chicken and a cold drink after a long day out. - Aagman Indian Restaurant (Middle Street, Georgetown)
North and South Indian cooking in a smart setting, a step up from the roti shops. - Coal Pot (Hincks Street, Georgetown)
A long running cafeteria serving Guyanese home cooking such as cook up rice and pepperpot. - Sidewalk Café and Jazz Club (Middle Street, Georgetown)
A cosy spot for live jazz nights and a drink with a mellow crowd. - Palm Court (Main Street, Georgetown)
A long time favourite bar and club on Main Street for drinks and dancing. - Club Privilege (Hadfield Street, Georgetown)
One of Georgetown's best known nightclubs for soca, dancehall and chutney nights. - Rum shops on Regent Street (Regent Street, Georgetown)
Small rum shops where you can try XM and El Dorado rum with a local crowd. - Hibiscus Craft Plaza (Avenue of the Republic, Georgetown)
Small craft stalls selling Indigenous baskets, wood carvings and souvenirs near the Post Office. - Pegasus Hotel Guyana (Kingston, Georgetown)
A landmark seafront hotel; check its current status as it has been redeveloped. - Abary River (Mahaicony, Georgetown)
A quiet creek trip for birds and wildlife off the usual Georgetown routes. - Bakewell (Camp Street, Georgetown)
A local bakery chain for pine tarts, cheese rolls and salara, perfect for a quick breakfast. - Starbucks Georgetown (Camp Street, Georgetown)
A familiar coffee stop with air conditioning and a quiet corner to plan your day. - Shanklands Rainforest Resort (Essequibo River, Bartica)
A hillside rainforest retreat above the river; confirm it is taking guests before you plan. - Gluck Island (Essequibo River, Bartica)
A river island known for birds and giant water lilies, reached by boat tour. - Bartica cook shops (First Avenue, Bartica)
Small cook shops serve cook up rice, fried fish and chicken curry to miners and boat crews. - Kaieteur overland trek (Potaro River, Kaieteur Falls)
A multi day boat and hiking route to the top of the falls for adventurous travellers. - Dadanawa Ranch (South Rupununi, Rupununi)
One of the largest cattle ranches in the region, a true vaquero experience. - Manari Ranch (Near Lethem, Rupununi)
A working ranch close to Lethem with a creek for swimming and savannah rides. - Pakaraima Mountains viewpoint (Annai, Rupununi)
Hike to hilltops near Annai for sunset over savannah and forest. - Wai Wai and Makushi crafts (North Rupununi, Rupununi)
Woven baskets, hammocks and bead work made by Indigenous artisans in the villages. - Horse riding on the savannah (South Rupununi, Rupununi)
Ride out with vaqueros at sunrise across open grassland. - Moco Moco Falls (Near Lethem, Rupununi)
A hillside waterfall and pools near Lethem for a hot afternoon. - Fair View village (Iwokrama, Iwokrama)
A small Makushi community inside the forest reserve that welcomes visitors with guides. - Harpy eagle nest visits (Surama and Iwokrama, Iwokrama)
When a nest is active, guides lead careful visits to see the huge harpy eagle. - Fort Nassau (Berbice River, New Amsterdam)
The overgrown site of the old Dutch capital of Berbice, a peaceful historical outing. - Corentyne roti shops (Corentyne Coast, New Amsterdam)
Berbice prides itself on roti, curry and sweets, best found at small local shops. - Berbice Expo (New Amsterdam, New Amsterdam)
A regional trade fair with concerts, food stalls and family fun. - Canje River (Canje, New Amsterdam)
Quiet creeks for birding and fishing near New Amsterdam. - Little Rock Suites (New Amsterdam, New Amsterdam)
A simple, practical base for travellers exploring Berbice. - Berbice duck curry (New Amsterdam, New Amsterdam)
Try the region's duck curry and dhal puri at local eateries, a Berbice speciality. - Pepperpot at home style cookshops (Georgetown, Georgetown)
Seek out pepperpot, the slow cooked cassareep stew eaten at Christmas, in local cookshops. - Shell Beach (Barima Waini, Georgetown)
A remote coastline where sea turtles nest; visit only with a specialist operator. - Independence Arch (Brickdam, Georgetown)
A city landmark linked with national celebrations and parades.