Many visitors to Guyana come to Georgetown for work in the fast-growing oil and gas sector or to see family, and travellers head inland to Kaieteur Falls, usually on a small plane, to the Iwokrama rainforest or to the savannahs of the Rupununi. Guyana is outside the EU's Roam Like at Home area, so a European SIM roams there at its operator's own rates.
Key facts for Guyana
- EU roaming: not covered by Roam Like at Home
- Local networks: varies by plan
- Emergency numbers: police 911; ambulance 913; fire 912
- Embassies: in Georgetown
Arriving and Georgetown
Gangs have followed cars from Cheddi Jagan International Airport, so arrange to be collected by your hotel or a licensed operator, and avoid the airport road late at night and before dawn. Crime levels in Georgetown are significant and police capacity is low; muggings happen even in broad daylight, more often at night, and Stabroek Market is a known target. Private taxis booked by your hotel are the safest way to get around: do not hail them in the street, and avoid public minibuses. Use cash machines inside banks or shopping centres.
The interior and the borders
Coverage is good in Georgetown and falls away quickly in the interior, so download maps before flying to Kaieteur or the Rupununi. Venezuela disputes its border with Guyana and the situation along it remains tense, and Suriname and Guyana also dispute the New River Triangle. Armed attacks on fishing boats have happened in and around Guyanese waters, so do not travel by boat after dark, and note that crossing from Suriname by unofficial water taxi is illegal.
Weather, roads and the law
Guyana is prone to flooding, with the main rainy seasons around May to June and December to January, and drainage is poorly maintained. Driving can be dangerous because of reckless drivers and poor street lighting. Drug possession and trafficking bring lengthy prison sentences and heavy fines. Same-sex sexual activity is illegal, although these laws are rarely enforced.
Getting connected
A travel eSIM installed before departure connects when you land in Georgetown, and your own SIM stays reachable for texts and bank codes. A Caribbean plan also covers Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados.
Guyanese SIM cards from GTT and Digicel are sold in Georgetown; take your passport.
Consular protection: who to call in Guyana
- Call 911 for the police, 913 for an ambulance and 912 for the fire service.
- Embassies are in Georgetown. The Telcomia app shows yours, with address and phone.
- EU citizens without an embassy or consulate of their own country in Guyana can turn to any other EU country's embassy, which must assist them as it assists its own nationals (Article 23 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU).
- English is the official language, so you can report an emergency in English.
Questions travellers ask about Guyana
Will my EU tariff work in Guyana?
Only on roaming: Guyana is outside Roam Like at Home, so your operator charges its own rates.
How do I get from the airport to Georgetown safely?
Book a car through your hotel or a licensed operator, and avoid the airport road late at night and before dawn.
Which network does a Telcomia eSIM use in Guyana?
It depends on the plan, with 4G where available.
Will I have signal at Kaieteur Falls?
Do not count on it: coverage drops off quickly in the interior, so download maps and share your plans before you fly in.
The short version
Install the eSIM before you fly, book your airport transfer, use hotel taxis in Georgetown, stay off the water after dark, watch for floods in the rainy seasons, and save 911 and 913.
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