Make sure you are up-to-date on all routine vaccines before every trip. Some of these vaccines include Chickenpox (Varicella) Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis (DTaP, Tdap, or Td) Flu (influenza) Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR) Polio Shingles
Maximum Alerts / Guyana
Level published by the State Department on 25.08.2026 · read 16 October 2026 · source checked daily
Guyana — official level as of 16 October 2026: Level 3/4 ("Reconsider Travel"), from the U.S. Department of State. Maximum Insurance covers this country: hospital settled directly, unlimited repatriation, EUR 1.5M, certificate on payment.
Every country has its own scale, so we ask them all the same question: is the whole country advised against?
An advisory covering only areas of the country does not raise the answer: it stays “No”, and the area is shown in the relevant column.
The level shown on this page — and across this site — is the one published by the U.S. State Department, from 1 (normal precautions) to 4 (do not travel). France and the United Kingdom publish their own advisories, with their own rules: they add to that level, they do not replace it.
You will be alerted only on the day the official level of this country changes.
In a life-threatening emergency, call local emergency services first, then Maximum: +41 22 ••• •• •• — 24/7 support number, an adviser stays with you to the end.
The 207 country pages — hospitals, pharmacies, police, embassies, emergency numbers, official advice from four governments, health, safety in figures, events in progress — read around the city you name. Your policy — benefits, the six steps, claims, articles. The site — prices, certificate, subscription. Nothing else: what it does not know, it says so and hands you to an adviser.
What I say on the phone
What to do, in this order
In immediate danger, call local emergency services first. Then contact assistance without delay; before engaging a service, seek approval under your policy. Cover is confirmed by the insurer.
Ask assistance where to get care and whether direct cover can be arranged. It confirms the facility and seeks the insurer's approval under your policy. In immediate danger, call local emergency services first.
Even for a pain you meant to shrug off. Without a medical certificate written on the spot, the same day, the insurer cannot cover the event — a certificate written after you return does not count.
The hospital desk sends the request to assistance. Direct payment depends on the insurer's approval and the policy; the call alone does not guarantee it. Have the response confirmed before relying on no up-front payment.
In a life-threatening emergency, call local emergency services immediately. For an arranged transfer or repatriation, contact assistance: the insurer's medical team decides on measures under the policy. A medical flight booked without approval may not be reimbursed.
Even if everything went well on the ground. Send your invoices and the medical report within 30 days; after that, compensation may be reduced or refused.
Reading hospitals, doctors and pharmacies around this point…
near Middle Street
270 North Thomas Street
Thomas Street
Hadfield Street
Mo-Fr 08:00-16:30
near New Market Street
24/7
near Thomas Street
near Thomas Street
Camp Street
Cummings Street
Sandy Babb Street
Cowan Street
near First Street
Sheriff Street
near Palm Street
near South Road
near Sixth Street
near Camp Street
near Camp Street
near Robb Street
Camp Street
near Regent Street
near Middle Street
near High Street
Joseph Pollydore Street
21-22 Hincks Street Georgetown
07:00-18:00
near Saffon Street
near Robb Street
Camp Street
near Carmichael Street
near Carmichael Street
Garnett Street
near Saffon Street
135 Willow Lane Roxanne Burnham Gardens
Mandela Avenue
near Plaza Bridge
Sandy Babb Street
Conversation Tree Road
296 Thomas Street Georgetown
11 Sendall Place City of Georgetown
Mo-Th 08:00-17:00;Fr 08:00-12:30
near Cross Street
74 High Street
Mo-Fr 08:00-16:00
near Church Road
Flour Mill Road City of Georgetown
near Albert Street
near Brickdam Street
near Church Street
near Alexander Street
Amla Avenue West Georgetown
near South Road
115 Albert
near Stone Avenue
near Water Street
near Seawall Road
near Battery Road
near Fifth Street
near West Demerara Highway
Forecast: MET Norway (Norwegian Meteorological Institute, CC BY 4.0), grouped by day and formatted by Maximum.
10-16 0.1 · 10-17 0.1 · 10-18 0.1 · 10-19 0.1 · 10-20 0.2 · 10-21 0.2 · 10-22 0.1 m³/s
Simulated discharge: Open-Meteo.com (CC BY 4.0), data rounded and formatted by Maximum. Contains modified Copernicus Emergency Management Service information 2026. For information only: this is not a flood warning; only national or regional authorities issue those.
No geolocated event in this country at this reading.
No geolocated UCDP incident in this country.
No news located around Georgetown in this reading.
National numbers (Wikidata, 2026 reading). On site, call local emergency services first, then Maximum: the insurer sends its payment guarantee to the hospital.
Make sure you are up-to-date on all routine vaccines before every trip. Some of these vaccines include Chickenpox (Varicella) Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis (DTaP, Tdap, or Td) Flu (influenza) Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR) Polio Shingles
All eligible travelers should be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines. Please see Your COVID-19 Vaccination for more information.
Recommended for unvaccinated travelers one year old or older going to Guyana. Infants 6 to 11 months old should also be vaccinated against Hepatitis A. The dose does not count toward the routine 2-dose series. Travelers allergic to a vaccine component should receive a single dose of immune globulin, which provides effective protection for up to 2 months depending on dosage given.
Recommended for unvaccinated travelers younger than 60 years old traveling to Guyana. Unvaccinated travelers 60 years and older may get vaccinated before traveling to Guyana.
CDC recommends that travelers going to certain areas of Guyana take prescription medicine to prevent malaria. Depending on the medicine you take, you will need to start taking this medicine multiple days before your trip, as well as during and after your trip. Talk to your doctor about which malaria medication you should take.
Cases of measles are on the rise worldwide. Travelers are at risk of measles if they have not been fully vaccinated at least two weeks prior to departure, or have not had measles in the past, and travel internationally to areas where measles is spreading.
Monkeypox vaccination is recommended for any adult who anticipates any of the following activities during travel: Sexual or intimate contact with a new partner Sexual or intimate contact at a commercial sex venue, like a sex club or bathhouse Sexual or intimate contact in exchange for money, goods, drugs, or other trade Sexual or intimate contact in association with a large public event, such as a rave, party, or…
Rabies presence in dogs is not well understood in Guyana. Rabies is present in bats. If rabies exposures occur while in Guyana, rabies vaccines are typically not readily available.
Recommended for most travelers. Typhoid vaccine is not 100% effective. Practicing safe food and water habits , including washing hands at key times , can also help prevent typhoid fever .
CDC recommendations: Vaccine is recommended for all travelers ≥9 months old. Country entry requirements: Direct travel from United States: Vaccine is not required. Travel from countries with risk for YF virus transmission: Vaccine is required for travelers ≥1 year old; this includes >4-hour airport transits or layovers in countries with risk for YF virus transmission. 3 Updated April 23, 2025 See footnotes
CDC Travelers' Health, re-read weekly — the recommendation depends on your age, vaccines and itinerary: confirm it with a doctor or a travel clinic 4 to 6 weeks before departure.CDC ↗read 10.10.2026
Moderate incidence: nothing special for a short stay.
High coverage.
Transmission limited to some areas: repellent, and the CDC says which.
World Bank — latest published valuedata.worldbank.org ↗read 10.10.2026
Source: France Diplomatie (health advice, in French).
Faithful summary of the official texts below, which prevail.
WHO: no outbreak reported for this country in the last 24 months (Disease Outbreak News).who.int ↗read 16.10.2026
FDFA (Switzerland) — medical care, in French
Les soins médicaux sont limités. Les maladies ou blessures graves devraient, dans la mesure du possible, être traitées hors du pays (par exemple Etats-Unis ou Europe). Privilégiez les hôpitaux privés plutôt que des hôpitaux publics. Les cliniques et hôpitaux privés exigent un paiement d’avance en espèces avant de commencer un traitement. Si vous prenez régulièrement des médicaments , emportez-en une quantité suffisante avec vous. Notez toutefois que de nombreux pays appliquent des réglementations restrictives. Cela vaut en particulier, mais pas exclusivement, pour les médicaments contenant des stupéfiants (par exemple la méthadone) et les substances utilisées pour le traitement des troubles psychiques. Avant votre départ, renseignez-vous directement auprès de la représentation étrangère compétente (ambassade ou consulat) et consultez la rubrique Liens voyages , où vous trouverez de plus amples informations sur ce sujet ainsi que sur la médecine du voyage en général. Les informations concernant la propagation de maladies et les éventuelles mesures de protection à prendre sont fournies par le personnel médical et les centres de vaccination. Liens voyages
France Diplomatiesource ↗updated 15.09.2026 · read 16.10.2026
Consulter si besoin son médecin traitant ou un centre de vaccinations internationales (médecine des voyages) pour faire une évaluation de son état de santé et bénéficier de recommandations sanitaires, notamment sur les vaccinations. Consulter éventuellement son dentiste avant le départ.
Constituer sa pharmacie personnelle en conséquence et n’emporter dans ses bagages que les médicaments strictement nécessaires ; ne jamais consommer de médicaments achetés dans la rue (risque de contrefaçons). Les médicaments doivent être dans leur emballage d’origine avec les étiquettes originales, accompagnés d’une ordonnance portant le nom des médicaments en dénomination commune internationale (DCI). Il est indispensable de vérifier que les médicaments concernés sont autorisés dans le pays visité : pour plus d’informations, consulter la fiche Informations pratiques .
Les vaccins recommandés en France sont également indispensables lors d’un séjour à l’étranger : les maladies qu’ils préviennent circulent partout dans le monde, parfois même plus fréquemment qu’en France. Avant tout départ, le voyageur (adulte et enfant) doit donc d’abord s’assurer d’être à jour du calendrier vaccinal français, en particulier des vaccins contre la diphtérie, le tétanos, la poliomyélite, la coqueluche mais aussi contre la rougeole. Le carnet de vaccination peut être demandé à l’arrivée de certains pays.
Des vaccinations complémentaires peuvent être nécessaires :
Il est donc conseillé de consulter son médecin traitant ou un centre de vaccinations internationales (médecine des voyages) suffisamment de temps avant le voyage.
La chikungunya est une maladie virale transmise par l’intermédiaire de moustiques infectés. Cette maladie se manifeste par l’apparition de symptômes grippaux (fièvre, douleurs musculaires et articulaires). En cas de signes cliniques, il est impératif de consulter immédiatement un médecin ; le traitement est uniquement symptomatique. Les moyens de prévention reposent sur la vaccination et la protection contre les piqûres de moustiques. Il est conseillé avant le départ de se référer à son médecin traitant et/ou à un centre de vaccination internationale.
Pour plus d’informations , consulter la rubrique risques sanitaires .
La transmission du chikungunya est possible.
La dengue est une maladie virale transmise par piqûres de moustiques. Les symptômes sont de type grippal (fièvre, maux de tête, courbatures, parfois éruption cutanée). En cas de signes cliniques, il est impératif de consulter immédiatement un médecin. Il n’existe pas de traitement curatif. La prise en charge médicale repose uniquement sur le traitement des symptômes. Il faut impérativement éviter la prise d’anti-inflammatoire. La prévention individuelle repose essentiellement sur les moyens de protection contre les piqûres de moustiques. La vaccination des voyageurs peut être indiquée dans certains cas. Il est conseillé de se référer, avant son départ, à son médecin traitant et /ou à un centre de vaccination internationale.
Pour plus d’informations, consulter le site du ministère de la Santé et le site de l’Organisation mondiale de la Santé .
La transmission de la dengue est possible.
Il s’agit d’une maladie virale transmise par piqûres de moustiques. Les symptômes sont variables, allant du syndrome pseudo-grippal (fièvre, frissons, douleurs musculaires, maux…
La fièvre typhoïde est une maladie infectieuse causée par des bactéries présentes dans l’eau contaminée par des matières fécales d’origine humaine. L’infection résulte le plus souvent de l’ingestion d’eau ou d’aliments contaminés, ou d’une transmission directe de personne à personne. Les symptômes surviennent en moyenne 3 semaines après la contamination et associent fièvre, maux de tête, perte d’appétit, douleurs abdominales avec diarrhée ou constipation, fatigue et parfois, éruption cutanée. Dans les formes plus graves, la fièvre typhoïde peut être fatale en l’absence de traitement.
Les mesures de prévention reposent sur les règles élémentaires d’hygiène générale vis-à-vis de l’eau, des aliments et du lavage des mains ainsi que sur la vaccination.
Pour plus d’informations , consulter le site de l'Institut Pasteur .
La rage est une maladie virale mortelle affectant le système nerveux et présent dans la salive des animaux infectés, tels que chiens, chats, chauves-souris et autres mammifères sauvages. Le virus se transmet par morsure, griffure ou contact de la salive avec une peau lésée ou une muqueuse. L’évolution est rapide avec l’apparition de fièvre, maux de tête, anxiété puis de troubles neurologiques (coma). La rage est presque toujours mortelle une fois les symptômes déclarés. Il est recommandé d’éviter tout contact avec des animaux suspects domestiques ou sauvages. La vaccination préventive contre la rage avant un séjour en zone exposée peut être indiquée en fonction du type de voyage et en particulier chez les jeunes enfants dès qu’ils marchent. Il est conseillé de demander conseil à un médecin ou à un centre de vaccinations internationales.
En cas d’exposition à risque, consulter immédiatement un médecin même si la vaccination…
Pour plus d’informations, consulter le site du ministère en charge de la Santé et le site de l'Assurance Maladie .
Pour plus d’informations, consulter le site du ministère en charge de la Santé .
Health — Foreign OfficeForeign Office ↗updated 30.12.2025 · read 16.10.2026
Before you travel check that:
This is particularly important if you have a health condition or are pregnant.
Call 913 and ask for an ambulance.
Contact your insurance company quickly if you’re referred to a medical facility for treatment.
At least 8 weeks before your trip:
Go to TravelHealthPro to see what health risks you’ll face in Guyana , including:
Altitude sickness is a risk in parts of Guyana. Read more about altitude sickness on TravelHealthPro .
In 2024, UNAIDS estimated that around 11,000 people in Guyana were living with HIV. Take normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS.
The legal status and regulation of some medicines prescribed or bought in the UK can be different in other countries.
Read best practice when travelling with medicines on TravelHealthPro .
Medical facilities are very limited, even in Georgetown. There are extremely limited health facilities in remote areas. Standards of medical practice are low and you should arrange an evacuation for any serious or invasive treatment if possible. Make sure you have adequate travel health insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment abroad and repatriation.
FCDO has a list of medical providers in Guyana where some staff will speak English.
Read FCDO guidance on travel and mental health . There is also mental health guidance on TravelHealthPro .
Places read from OpenStreetMap, within a circle of about 12 km: phone, email, address, website and hours when the source publishes them. No customer reviews, that source has none. Straight-line distances.
Notices vary by bank and vintage — yours prevails. On the right: the Maximum contract (public documents).
No region is advised against by the official readings checked (Global Affairs Canada, Foreign Office and France Diplomatie): the national advice applies everywhere.
The levels each government publishes, unsummarised: their texts, linked below, prevail.
no region is advised against by these readings; the trip follows the national advice. A new regional advisory would call for a new, written decision.
Global Affairs Canada — Open Government Licence – Canada (13.10.2026) · Foreign Office — Open Government Licence v3.0 · France Diplomatie (06.03.2026) · Natural Earth
No located event in this reading.
Last change: Updated information on health risks and healthcare in Guyana (‘Health’ page).
Updated 25.08.2026
Reconsider travel to Guyana due to crime .
Violent crime is common, especially at night. Crimes include murder and armed robbery. Local police often lack the resources to respond effectively to serious criminal incidents.
10-16 0.1 · 10-17 0.1 · 10-18 0.1 · 10-19 0.1 · 10-20 0.2 · 10-21 0.2 · 10-22 0.1 m³/s
Simulated discharge: Open-Meteo.com (CC BY 4.0), data rounded and formatted by Maximum. Contains modified Copernicus Emergency Management Service information 2026. For information only: this is not a flood warning; only national or regional authorities issue those.
The level is national. Risk areas are in the state advisories below.
No major event in progress is located in this country at this morning's check.
Reading: The homicide rate is 32 times Switzerland's: violence is a real risk there, concentrated in the areas named by the official advisories. On the road, 10 times more deaths than in Switzerland: road crashes are the leading cause of death of healthy travellers (CDC) — seat belt, no night driving, a driver or a taxi from a rank.
World Bank (UNODC for homicides, WHO for roads) — latest published valuedata.worldbank.org ↗read 10.10.2026
What we locate on the map are events in progress that have real coordinates: USGS earthquakes, GDACS disasters, NOAA storms and open NASA EONET events. Hover a dot for details, click to open it in this briefing.
French passport — France Diplomatie
Faithful summary of the official texts below, which prevail.
The security page lists no red or orange area.France Diplomatie ↗updated 15.09.2026 · read 16.10.2026
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Dernière actualisation le 06/03/2026, information toujours valable à la date du jour
Le Guyana figure en vigilance renforcée (en jaune sur la carte).
Les voyageurs sont invités à faire preuve de vigilance dans plusieurs quartiers de Georgetown touchés par la criminalité (vols et agressions physiques ou verbales) : marché de Stabroek (centre-ville), Tiger Bay (centre-ville), Albouystown, Charlestown, Sophia, South Georgetown (en général), Buxton (à l’est de la capitale), Agricola (périphérie sud) ou encore Eccles (périphérie sud).
De manière générale, il est recommandé d’éviter de se déplacer seul(e). Il est en outre formellement déconseillé de se déplacer à pied une fois la nuit tombée, quel que soit le quartier de la capitale.
La criminalité constitue un problème persistant au Guyana, notamment à Georgetown, la capitale (cf. « Zones de vigilance »).
Les rassemblements et manifestations, même autorisés, peuvent dégénérer en violences. Il est conseillé de s’en tenir éloigné.
Des agressions verbales visant les étrangers sont susceptibles de dégénérer. Il est déconseillé de réagir au risque d’aggraver la situation.
Les comportements sexistes et agressions verbales à l’égard des femmes sont fréquents, en particulier lorsqu’une femme se déplace seule dans la rue.
Les relations sexuelles entre hommes sont illégales et pénalisées. Les mariages homosexuels ne sont pas reconnus et les couples homosexuels n’ont pas de reconnaissance légale.
Cette législation s’inscrit dans une société guyanienne encore largement conservatrice.
L’état général du réseau routier est très hétérogène, y compris sur les grands axes. En dépit d’investissements importants dans les infrastructures ces dernières années, de nombreuses routes demeurent de mauvaise qualité.
Aussi, les usagers du réseau routier sont appelés à la plus grande prudence en raison de l’insécurité routière au Guyana, où de fréquents accidents graves sont constatés (comportements dangereux, animaux errants, vétusté des véhicules, défaut d’équipements de signalisation et de sécurité).
Il est fortement déconseillé de circuler de nuit hors des voies les plus fréquentées.
Le Guyana ne disposant pas de services de transport public, il est recommandé pour tout déplacement de faire appel à des organismes professionnels et de privilégier les taxis de compagnies connues. Pour les déplacements en province, les taxis-minibus sont coutumiers d’une conduite à risque et sont responsables de nombreux accidents.
Les trottoirs étant quasi-inexistants dans la capitale comme dans le reste du pays, la vigilance est de mise pour les piétons.
Les saisons des pluies interviennent de mai à la mi-août et de novembre à janvier. En raison de la vétusté du système d’évacuation des eaux, les inondations sont récurrentes.
Des actes de piraterie parfois violents sont fréquemment signalés le long de la côte, et en particulier dans la zone frontière avec le Suriname (embouchure du Corentyne) et Northwest près de la frontière vénézuélienne. Il est déconseillé, sauf raison impérative, de naviguer dans la zone.
Il est recommandé d’éviter de montrer des signes ostentatoires de richesse et de se déplacer avec des sommes d’argent importantes, des bijoux de valeur ou des documents de voyage.
Les objets de valeur (téléphone, bijoux, argent…) doivent être dissimulés autant que possible. Des cas de vol à la tire sont régulièrement signalés. Le défaut de vigilance peut entraîner des agressions opportunistes potentiellement violentes.
En raison de vols dans certains établissements de type « guest house », il convient de privilégier les séjours dans les grands établissements hôteliers, mieux sécurisés.
Full text of the Security pagediplomatie.gouv.fr ↗updated 15.09.2026 · read 16.10.2026
Swiss passport — FDFA (Switzerland), in French
Faithful summary of the official texts below, which prevail.
FDFA update note — Ces conseils pour les voyages ont été contrôlés et publiés avec des changements rédactionnels. L’appréciation de la situation reste valable de manière inchangée. (published 25.09.2026)
Les voyages au Guyana sont en principe considérés comme sûrs. Lors de manifestations et de rassemblements, de violents affrontements peuvent avoir lieu. Les autorités peuvent prononcer des interdictions de rassemblements. Évitez les manifestations de tout genre et suivez les instructions des autorités, car des débordements sont possibles. Dans ce pays comme ailleurs, le risque d’attentats terroristes ne peut être exclu. La rubrique terrorisme et enlèvements attire l'attention sur les risques liés au terrorisme. Terrorisme et enlèvements
Le taux de criminalité est élevé à Georgetown et dans d’autres villes. Les vols (y compris de véhicules), les cambriolages et les agressions s’accompagnent souvent de violences. Lors d’échanges de tirs entre bandes criminelles et les forces de sécurité, des personnes non impliquées peuvent également être affectées. Dans la zone frontalière avec le Suriname, la criminalité liée aux bandes est élevée. Il est notamment recommandé d'observer les précautions suivantes:
Dans les eaux guyanaises, des actes de piraterie sont parfois commis contre des bateaux de pêche. Des incidents sur les yachts ne sont pas à exclure. Consultez les informations spécifiques: Risques maritimes et piraterie
Le pays est situé dans une zone d'activité sismique et des tremblements de terre se produisent. Il existe un important risque d’incendie de forêt à de nombreux endroits. Il faut s'attendre à de fortes pluies. Ces intempéries peuvent provoquer des inondations et des glissements de terrain et endommager les infrastructures. Le trafic touristique peut s’en trouver temporairement perturbé. Si une catastrophe naturelle devait se produire durant votre séjour, prenez immédiatement contact avec vos proches et suivez les instructions des autorités locales.
FDFA travel advice, in French, valid on 16.10.2026eda.admin.ch ↗updated 25.09.2026 · read 16.10.2026
British passport — Foreign Office (UK)
Faithful summary of the official texts below, which prevail.
Warnings — Foreign OfficeForeign Office ↗updated 30.12.2025 · read 16.10.2026
No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to:
If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance . Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.
Safety — Foreign OfficeForeign Office ↗updated 30.12.2025 · read 16.10.2026
There is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets. Stay aware of your surroundings at all times.
UK Counter Terrorism Policing has information and advice on staying safe and what to do in the event of a terrorist attack. Find out how to reduce your risk from terrorism while abroad .
Although there’s no recent history of terrorism in Guyana, attacks cannot be ruled out.
There are occasional protests and political demonstrations throughout Guyana. Stay away from demonstrations as unrest can occur without notice.
Venezuela disputes the legitimacy of its border with Guyana. Political tensions remain and the security situation along the border remains tense. There has also been an increase in organised criminality in these border areas.
There continues to be a dispute between Suriname and Guyana over the land in the New River Triangle area in the south-east of Guyana.
Organised crime in these border areas is common and increasing.
Check with local authorities if travelling near the border areas, both of which are in remote areas.
Crime levels are significant, and police capacity is low. Petty crime, including pickpocketing and bag snatching, is common, and violent crime continues to be a risk.
Attacks and muggings have occurred in broad daylight but are more common at night, and have included the use of knives or firearms. They may target tourists, particularly those that show obvious signs of wealth.
Foreign and Guyanese nationals have reportedly been targeted in:
Foreign visitors have been assaulted in Georgetown’s Botanical Gardens. If possible, visit with an organised group and avoid taking valuables.
There have been incidents of gangs following cars from Cheddi Jagan International Airport and then attacking their victims when they reach their destination. Always drive with windows closed and doors locked.
Take care when exchanging money or buying goods on the street. Go inside the money exchange or shop, or use ATMs inside banks or shopping centres. Consider arranging to be collected by a car or taxi booked by your hotel or with a licensed operator.
Thieves will take items from hotel rooms, parked vehicles or luggage if it is unattended. Keep your passports, money, tickets, mobile phones and other valuables as secure as you can, and use hotel safes or safe deposit boxes if possible.
Scammers often offer travellers in South America free air tickets to Guyana. On arrival their ‘sponsors’ will only allow them to leave Guyana if they carry a ‘package’ (usually cocaine). The authorities at the airport will stop and search foreigners that fit this known profile.
You can get lengthy prison sentences and heavy fines for possession or the trafficking of drugs. The minimum jail sentence for drug offences is 3 years, and prison conditions in Guyana are tough. Pack all luggage yourself and do not carry any items that do not belong to you.
Same-sex sexual activity is illegal. In practice, these laws are rarely enforced, and there is growing local support for LGBT+ rights. You could receive negative attention for…
American passport — U.S. Department of State
Faithful summary of the official texts below, which prevail.
Guyana - Level 3: Reconsider Travel 2026-08-25travel.state.gov ↗updated 25.08.2026 · read 16.10.2026
Reconsider travel to Guyana due to crime .
Violent crime is common, especially at night. Crimes include murder and armed robbery. Local police often lack the resources to respond effectively to serious criminal incidents.
Global Affairs Canada — additional reading
Exercise a high degree of caution
Open Government Licence – Canada · October 13, 2026 13:54 EDTtravel.gc.ca ↗updated 13.10.2026 · read 16.10.2026
Faithful summary of the official texts below, which prevail.
Global Affairs Canada — written for Canadian travellers, valid for all
You must abide by local laws. Learn about what you should do and how we can help if you are arrested or detained abroad.
Penalties for possession, use or trafficking of illegal drugs are severe. Convicted offenders can expect heavy fines and lengthy prison sentences, which must be served in Guyana. Pack all luggage yourself and do not carry any items that do not belong to you. Drugs, alcohol and travel
The importation/exportation of restricted items, including firearms and ammunition, without the proper permits may result in heavy fines and prison sentences. Many birds are protected species. You may not export an exotic bird unless you have been a legal resident of Guyana for at least a year and received permission from the Ministry of Agriculture.
Guyana law prohibits sexual acts between individuals of the same sex and other related offences include being in a same-sex marriage and promoting homosexuality. Those convicted can face jail sentences. 2SLGBTQI+ persons should carefully consider the risks of travelling to Guyana. Travel and your sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics
The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction is an international treaty. It can help parents with the return of children who have been removed to or retained in certain countries in violation of custody rights. It does not apply between Canada and Guyana. If your child was wrongfully taken to, or is being held in Guyana by an abducting parent:
If your child was removed from a country other than Canada, consult a lawyer to determine if The Hague Convention applies. Be aware that Canadian consular officials cannot interfere in private legal matters or in another country's judicial affairs.
Vehicles drive on the left. You should carry an international driving permit (IDP). If you cannot obtain an IDP before leaving Canada, you may apply for a local permit based on a valid Canadian driver’s licence. Penalties for drivers responsible for an accident causing injury or death are severe and may include imprisonment. Ensure you have sufficient insurance coverage to drive in Guyana. International Driving Permit
The currency is the Guyanese dollar (GYD). The U.S. dollar is widely accepted. Only major hotels accept credit cards. There are a few ATMs that accept international bank cards.
Open Government Licence – Canada · October 13, 2026 13:54 EDTtravel.gc.ca ↗updated 13.10.2026 · read 16.10.2026
Foreign Office — laws and cultural differences
You can get lengthy prison sentences and heavy fines for possession or the trafficking of drugs. The minimum jail sentence for drug offences is 3 years, and prison conditions in Guyana are tough. Pack all luggage yourself and do not carry any items that do not belong to you.
Same-sex sexual activity is illegal. In practice, these laws are rarely enforced, and there is growing local support for LGBT+ rights. You could receive negative attention for showing affection in public. Read more advice for LGBT+ travellers.
Fires have occurred in Guyanese hotels, and some hotels have poor fire safety procedures. Check evacuation procedures and exit routes when you arrive, and speak to hotel management if you have any concerns.
Open Government Licence v3.0gov.uk ↗updated 30.12.2025 · read 16.10.2026
FDFA (Switzerland) — laws and customs, in French
Les infractions à la législation sont passibles de peines sévères. Les actes à caractère homosexuel sont punissables. En cas d’accident de la circulation mortel causé par le conducteur, ainsi que pour certains autres délits, la peine peut aller jusqu’à l’emprisonnement à vie. Les infractions à la loi sur les stupéfiants, y compris la détention de minimes quantités de drogue quelle qu'elle soit, sont passibles de lourdes peines de détention et d'amendes. En cas de meurtre ou de haute trahison, la peine de mort peut être prononcée. Les procédures judiciaires peuvent durer plusieurs années. Les conditions de détention sont précaires: cellules surpeuplées, soins médicaux et équipements sanitaires insuffisants, violences, etc.
FDFA travel advice, in Frencheda.admin.ch ↗updated 25.09.2026 · read 16.10.2026
What it changes for you: Air acceptable at this hour: nothing special to plan. Very high UV: sunscreen, hat and shade between 11 am and 4 pm; sunstroke and dehydration are travellers' first reasons to see a doctor.
Reading 01:00 (America/Guyana)Open-Meteo ↗updated 16.10.2026 · read 16.10.2026
Air quality and UV: Open-Meteo.com (CC BY 4.0), data rounded and formatted by Maximum. Contains modified Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service information 2026. Neither the European Commission nor ECMWF is responsible for any use that may be made of the Copernicus information or data it contains.
Reading: With 1.4 physicians per 1,000 people (69% fewer than Switzerland), the nearest hospital does not always have the capacity for a serious case: evacuation to an adequate centre is the rule, not the exception — that is what unlimited evacuation and repatriation cover. Health spending of 505 USD per person (Switzerland: 11,784) goes with private hospitals that bill foreigners in hard currency and ask for a guarantee before admission: the direct payment guarantee is what avoids the deposit.
World Bank — latest published value, year per indicatordata.worldbank.org ↗read 10.10.2026
French passport — France Diplomatie
Faithful summary of the official texts below, which prevail.
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Il est nécessaire pour les voyageurs se rendant au Guyana d’être munis d’un passeport avec une durée de validité restante d’au moins 6 mois à la date d’entrée. La durée du séjour sans formalités est limitée à 90 jours, au-delà de laquelle un permis de séjour doit être sollicité sur place auprès des services de l’immigration à Georgetown.
Chaque voyageur est tenu de remplir un formulaire en ligne avant chaque entrée sur le territoire guyanien ainsi que chaque sortie du territoire: https://ed.gpf.gov.gy/#/
Pour toute entrée par voie terrestre, il est recommandé d’entrer sur le territoire guyanien via un point d’entrée officiel. Des sanctions, qui incluent des peines d’emprisonnement, sont appliquées en cas d’entrée sur le territoire sans passage par les postes-frontières gardés ou en dehors des heures d’ouverture de ces derniers, en empruntant par exemple les taxis de mer.
Si le vaccin contre la fièvre jaune n’est pas obligatoire pour les voyageurs venant d’Europe, la vaccination est en revanche obligatoire pour ceux :
Pour être valide, le vaccin doit avoir été effectué au minimum 10 jours avant le départ. Le certificat de vaccination sera alors exigé par les services de l’immigration.
La liste des pays où il y a un risque de transmission de la fièvre jaune est en ligne sur le site de l’Organisation mondiale de la Santé (OMS).
Entry and stay pagediplomatie.gouv.fr ↗updated 15.09.2026 · read 16.10.2026
Swiss passport — FDFA (Switzerland)
The FDFA does not publish entry requirements: they are set out by the destination's embassy or consulate in Switzerland — check them before booking, passport in hand. As a guide, the French and British requirements below describe the same rules as seen by two other governments.eda.admin.ch ↗updated 25.09.2026 · read 16.10.2026
British passport — Foreign Office (UK)
Faithful summary of the official texts below, which prevail.
Entry requirements — rules for a British passportForeign Office ↗updated 30.12.2025 · read 16.10.2026
This information is for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK. It is based on the UK government’s understanding of Guyana’s current rules for the most common types of travel.
The authorities in Guyana set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the Guyana High Commission in the UK .
To enter Guyana, your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 6 months after the date you arrive.
Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.
You will not be able to enter Guyana if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.
When returning to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement . See Dual citizenship .
You do not need a visa to visit Guyana. Visitors can normally stay for 30 days, but you can apply for one-month extensions from Guyana’s immigration and support services .
The Guyanese authorities can arrest visitors who overstay or abuse the conditions of their stay. You could get a one-year prison sentence, a fine of up to 50,000 Guyana dollars (about 250 US dollars) and deportation – at your own expense – upon your release.
Check the requirements for work or student visas with the Guyana High Commission in the UK well before you travel.
You must have a certificate to prove you’ve had a yellow fever vaccination if you’re coming from a country listed as a transmission risk .
For full details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, including yellow fever, see TravelHealthPro’s Guyana guide .
There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Guyana. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.
American passport — U.S. Department of State
The State Department publishes the requirements ("Entry, Exit and Visa Requirements") on its country page, which our servers cannot read. Read it before you go; as a guide, the French and British requirements below describe the same rules as seen by two other governments.travel.state.gov ↗updated 25.08.2026 · read 16.10.2026
For each risk, the official texts themselves: what is happening, then, where they say so, what to do.
What the texts say · Attacks and muggings have occurred in broad daylight but are more common at night, and have included the use of knives or firearms. There have been incidents of gangs following cars from Cheddi Jagan International Airport and then attacking their victims when they reach their destination.
What the texts say · Although private taxis can be targeted by robbers, they are the safest way for visitors to get around Georgetown. If possible, avoid travel to and from Cheddi Jagan International Airport late at night and before dawn.
What the texts say · The main rainy seasons are generally May to June and December to January. There are two rainy seasons in Guyana: from May to July and from November to January. However, flooding occurs year round and can hamper overland travel and reduce the provision of essential services, particularly in coastal areas.
What the texts say · In the case of an accident, the law requires persons involved in a traffic accident to remain at the scene until the police arrive to take a report. Penalties for possession, use or trafficking of illegal drugs are severe.
What the texts say · Credit card and ATM fraud occurs.
What the texts say · There are occasional protests and political demonstrations throughout Guyana.
Sentences copied word for word from the official texts cited, chosen for the destination; the level is our reading. The full texts, at each source:Foreign Office ↗updated 30.12.2025 · read 16.10.2026 (updated 30.12.2025 · read 27.09.2026)Global Affairs Canada ↗updated 13.10.2026 · read 16.10.2026 (updated 13.10.2026 · read 27.09.2026)
Reading: The homicide rate is 32 times Switzerland's: violence is a real risk there, concentrated in the areas named by the official advisories. On the road, 10 times more deaths than in Switzerland: road crashes are the leading cause of death of healthy travellers (CDC) — seat belt, no night driving, a driver or a taxi from a rank.
World Bank (UNODC for homicides, WHO for roads) — latest published valuedata.worldbank.org ↗read 10.10.2026
Time zone: IANA and timezone-boundary-builder (ODbL) · RESTCountries · EmergencyNumberAPI · Wikidata · European Central Bank
Places: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), Photon search by komoot.
FDFA (Switzerland) — transport and specific advice, in French
Au Guyana, la conduite s’effectue à gauche . Les routes sont partiellement en mauvais état et les accidents sont fréquents. Le comportement imprévisible de nombreux usagers de la route et la surcharge croissante des infrastructures constituent un haut risque d'accidents. La nuit, renoncez aux déplacements à travers le pays. Des pénuries d’approvisionnement en électricité peuvent survenir. Des conflits frontaliers irrésolus existent entre le Suriname et le Guyana, ainsi qu’ entre le Guyana et le Venezuela. Faites preuve d’une prudence particulière dans la zone frontalière avec le Venezuela. Sur la rivière frontière Corentyne/Corantijn, utilisez exclusivement les ferries officiels pour la traversée entre le Guyana et le Suriname . Informez-vous sur la situation dans la zone frontalière ainsi que sur les dispositions légales spécifiques pour le passage de la frontière auprès de votre hôtel ou de tour-opérateurs locaux. Les points de passage des frontières peuvent être fermés à court terme, par exemple afin d’endiguer la propagation de maladies. Informez-vous auprès des autorités locales ou directement auprès des postes-frontières.
FDFA travel advice, in Frencheda.admin.ch ↗updated 25.09.2026 · read 16.10.2026
Maximum policyholder: before paying anything, call the 24/7 number. If you are admitted for more than 24 h, Maximum sends its direct payment guarantee to the hospital (art. 2.12).
+41 22 ••• •• •• — Full number in your client areaThe hospital list has not been read from OpenStreetMap for this page yet: the medical-network map loads it when opened. Maximum's assistance directs you to the right facility, 24/7. The medical-network map ↗
CDC Travelers' Health recommendations, most important first. They depend on your age, vaccines and itinerary: confirm them with a doctor or a travel clinic 4 to 6 weeks before departure. Details, disease by disease ↗cdc.gov ↗read 10.10.2026
The health system — With 1.4 physicians per 1,000 people (69% fewer than Switzerland), the nearest hospital does not always have the capacity for a serious case: evacuation to an adequate centre is the rule, not the exception — that is what unlimited evacuation and repatriation cover. Health spending of 505 USD per person (Switzerland: 11,784) goes with private hospitals that bill foreigners in hard currency and ask for a guarantee before admission: the direct payment guarantee is what avoids the deposit.
Back home — a fever in the following weeks should be told to a doctor, naming the country.
Forecast: MET Norway (Norwegian Meteorological Institute, CC BY 4.0), grouped by day and formatted by Maximum.
French passport — French embassy and consulates
+592 743 2400 · France Diplomatie
phone not published
Useful contacts listed by France Diplomatie (in French)diplomatie.gouv.fr ↗updated 15.09.2026 · read 16.10.2026
Updated: 15 September 2026
OpenStreetMap
Swiss passport — Swiss embassy and consulates
Numéro d'urgence de la police: 911 Numéro d’urgence du service d’ambulance : 913 Dispositions douanières de la Guyana: Guyana Revenue Authority Représentations suisses à l’étranger: En cas de situation d’urgence à l’étranger, vous pouvez vous adresser à la représentation suisse la plus proche ou à la Helpline DFAE. Ambassade de Suisse au Venezuela Helpline DFAE Représentations étrangères en Suisse: Il n'y a pas de représentation du Guyana en Suisse. Des informations sur les prescriptions d’entrée (documents d’identité admis, visa etc.) peuvent être obtenues auprès de l'Ambassade de la République coopérative du Guyana à Bruxelles. Celle-ci peut également vous renseigner sur les dispositions douanières pour l’importation et l’exportation d’animaux et de marchandises: appareils électroniques, souvenirs, médicaments, etc.: Boulevard Brand Whitlock 114, 1200 Bruxelles. Ambassade de la République coopérative du Guyana à Bruxelles
OpenStreetMap · DFAE
British passport — British embassy and consulates
44 Main Street, Georgetown
+44 20 7008 1500
https://www.gov.uk/world/organisations/bri ↗updated 30.12.2025 · read 16.10.2026
OpenStreetMap
American passport — U.S. embassy and consulates
100 Duke Street, Georgetown
+592 225 4900
https://gy.usembassy.gov ↗updated 25.08.2026 · read 16.10.2026
OpenStreetMap
OpenStreetMap
Getting help — Foreign OfficeForeign Office ↗updated 30.12.2025 · read 16.10.2026
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office ( FCDO ) cannot provide tailored advice for individual trips. Read this travel advice and carry out your own research before deciding whether to travel.
Ambulance: 913
Fire: 912
Police: 911
Contact your travel provider and your insurer if you are involved in a serious incident or emergency abroad. They will tell you if they can help and what you need to do.
See how to get help from the UK government abroad including in an emergency.
You can call FCDO in London if you need urgent help because something has happened to a friend or relative abroad.
Telephone: 020 7008 5000 (24 hours)
Find out about call charges
English is an official language in Guyana: no translated phrases here.
Actions to take before each professional trip abroad.
Live alerts and level changes, each with its official source. Continuously updated.
Natural disasters and climate section – added information on El Niño
October 13, 2026 13:54 EDTtravel.gc.ca ↗updated 13.10.2026 · read 16.10.2026No level change recorded for this country since the log opened. The live alerts above are updated continuously.
Level 3/4 — Reconsider Travel, U.S. Department of State, retrieved on 16 October 2026.
Sourcestravel.state.gov · updated 25.08 · read 16.10France Diplomatie · updated 15.09 · read 16.10DFAE · updated 25.09 · read 16.10207-country comparison
An area advised against does not rule out the country.
SourcesFrance Diplomatie · updated 15.09 · read 16.10Foreign Office · updated 30.12 · read 16.10State Department · updated 25.08 · read 16.10
The rules depend on the passport, not on the destination alone.
SourcesFrance Diplomatie · updated 15.09 · read 16.10Foreign Office · updated 30.12 · read 16.10State Department · updated 25.08 · read 16.10
For a Schengen visa, yes: at least €30,000 of travel medical insurance (Regulation (EC) No 810/2009, art. 15).
SourcesRegulation (EC) 810/2009, art. 15General conditions, policy 20 00 479
VIP Pack — €990 for twelve months, unlimited trips.
SourcesGeneral conditions, policy 20 00 479OpenStreetMap · read 10.10
Six steps, in this order.
SourcesSpecial conditions 01.26General conditions, policy 20 00 479
Local emergency services: single number 999 · police 911 · ambulance 913 · fire 912
SourcesEmergencyNumberAPI · Wikidata · read 08.10OpenStreetMap · read 10.10
At today's level 3/4, card by card:
SourcesAmex Platinum France T&Cs, 01.2025 — general exclusion n° 11BNP Paribas Visa Infinite notice (policy PT7), 04.2025 — comFortuneo World Elite Mastercard notice, 01.2026 — art. 5.5 '
A health plan reimburses at home; here, the hospital asks for a payment guarantee before admission.
SourcesGeneral conditions, policy 20 00 479
The page reads hospitals, pharmacies and doctors from OpenStreetMap, around the point you choose.
The sourced detail is under Medical network › Health: vaccines, diseases present, altitude, outbreaks.
SourcesCDC Travelers' Health · read 10.10France Diplomatie · updated 15.09 · read 16.10OMS · read 16.10Foreign Office · updated 30.12 · read 16.10
1.4 physicians per 1,000 people (2020) versus 4.5 in Switzerland.
SourcesWorld Bank · read 10.10General conditions, policy 20 00 479
19.1 homicides per 100,000 people (2023) versus 0.6 in Switzerland and 1.3 in France.
The nearest representations, by passport (OpenStreetMap):
SourcesOpenStreetMap · read 10.10DFAE · updated 25.09 · read 16.10
No region is advised against by the official readings checked (Global Affairs Canada, Foreign Office and France Diplomatie): the national advice applies everywhere.
SourcesGlobal Affairs Canada · updated 13.10 · read 16.10Foreign Office · updated 30.12 · read 16.10France Diplomatie · updated 15.09 · read 16.10
Local laws apply to every traveller; here is what the official texts say.
SourcesGlobal Affairs Canada · updated 13.10 · read 16.10Foreign Office · updated 30.12 · read 16.10
Every foreign ministry runs a 24/7 emergency line for its nationals.
Sourcesdiplomatie.gouv.fr · updated 15.09 · read 16.10eda.admin.ch · updated 25.09 · read 16.10
Keep the entry stamp, the invoices, the prescriptions and the medical report.
SourcesGeneral conditions, policy 20 00 479
Cancellation or change up to EUR 20,000, special risk EUR 5,000 per person, crisis management and security, optional Kidnap & Ransom.
SourcesGeneral conditions, policy 20 00 479
A question not answered here? Ask Maximum below, or call the support number: every question gets a clear, actionable answer.
In a life-threatening emergency, call local emergency services first, then Maximum: +41 22 ••• •• •• — 24/7 support number, an adviser stays with you to the end.
The 207 country pages — hospitals, pharmacies, police, embassies, emergency numbers, official advice from four governments, health, safety in figures, events in progress — read around the city you name. Your policy — benefits, the six steps, claims, articles. The site — prices, certificate, subscription. Nothing else: what it does not know, it says so and hands you to an adviser.
Same advisory level: Honduras · Israel · Jordan · Kuwait · Macau · Mauritania
The displayed level comes from the State Department, checked every morning. Before departure, always cross-check your country of residence's advisory: that is what your policy cites.
The level shown is the official U.S. Department of State level, checked daily. Maximum Insurance is an insurance distributor — general information, not personal advice.
The destination is already Georgetown. A few choices, then the reading of your cover, here.
Destination · Georgetown
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