What Are the Best Things to do in Georgetown, Guyana?

During my 3-day visit, I spent a lot of time exploring and checked out all of the best things to do in Georgetown, Guyana.

It’s important to distinguish, as there are places called Georgetown in the USA. This post is not about those, it is on the capital of Guyana.

You don’t want to come all the way here and miss out on the best activities, so I’ve listed all of the highlights below.

I won’t lie. Georgetown is not the best city in the world, and it’s pretty dodgy in terms of safety (more on that later).

However there were still a few cool things to do here, and I would say it was far more interesting than Paramaribo in neighbouring Suriname and Cayenne in French Guiana.

Read on to ensure you have the most enjoyable time possible whilst visiting this challenging country on the northern coast of South America.

Best Things to do in Georgetown Guyana

Explore Local Life at Stabroek Market

Stabroek Market is notorious for being dangerous. You should bring minimal valuables here, and keep your guard up at all times. There is an above average risk of theft, and a small chance of being violently mugged here, so be careful.

It’s a shame really, as the market itself is actually really interesting.

I would call it one of Guyana’s top tourist attractions, but in all honesty Guyana attracts very few tourists at all.

You can walk round this sprawling marketplace and see all sorts of goods on display, ranging from fruits and vegetables, to clothing, meats, and just about anything else you can possibly buy on a cheap budget.

The market is chaotic with a lot of people, lots of noise, and vendors shouting to try and draw you to their stalls.

Outside the iconic clocktower is a large parking area which effectively acts as Guyana’s main bus terminal. They use minivans rather than actual buses, but you can find them outside the market if you wish to use them. Although I have more on that later…

Anyway, Stabroek Market is genuinely enjoyable and I’d recommend a brief visit. Just make sure safety is a priority here.

Take in a Cricket Match at Providence Cricket Stadium

One of my highlights in Georgetown was taking in a cricket match here. In fact this was a rare moment where it didn’t feel like adventurous travel. It felt more like I was in Guyana for a relaxing holiday (and that’s a rare feeling here).

By pure coincidence, my local cricket team, Hampshire Hawks happened to be playing in Guyana of all places just as I arrived here.

Georgetown was hosting the inaugural Guyana Super League where teams came from England, Australia, Bangladesh and Pakistan to join the hosts in a tournament.

The Providence Stadium was built specifically for the 2007 Cricket World Cup. But Guyana is desperate to avoid it becoming a white elephant, and hopes to host more matches there in the foreseeable future.

Aside from the Guyana Super League, internationals are hosted there, and it is the home of the Guyana Amazon Warriors team in the Caribbean Premier League. Therefore you have plenty of chances to catch a game.

I recommend buying tickets online. There was no ticket office when I turned up, and I got “lucky” by finding a tout who sold me a ticket for £11 (US$13.75) which was around double what I would’ve paid on the internet…

Along with Stabroek Market, the cricket was my favourite activity in Georgetown.

Feed Manatees in the National Park

Want a unique activity to do in Georgetown that you haven’t experienced elsewhere? Well where did you last see manatees outside of a zoo setting?

Chances are, you haven’t. But you’re in luck here. Manatees live in Georgetown’s National Park and you can even feed them!

Now, there are lots of blog posts online stating you can see manatees in the park, yet none of them gave an exact location.

As a result I spent the best part of 2 hours walking around in circles looking to find a body of water with these creatures inside.

My search eventually ended when I spotted a family who appeared to be paying close attention to something in the water. And sure enough, it was the manatees!

To see them yourself, the path within the park is almost circular in shape, so think of it as a clock.

The manatees are located at 12 o’clock, pretty much bang in the centre of the northern section of the path, which runs parallel with Carifesta Avenue.

On Google maps you will see a green dot (the Guyana National Service Ground) just above and slightly to the right of the correct location.

Even when you reach the pond where they live, they aren’t always easy to spot. They may be hiding under some of the leaves that have fallen from the surrounding trees.

Once you do encounter them, you can pick out some of the grass from the banks of the pond, and throw that in the water for them to eat.

They get very close so you can see them from within touching distance.

If you only have time for three activities in Georgetown, I recommend Stabroek Market, watching cricket, and seeing the manatees above all else.

Check Out St. George’s Cathedral

A short walk away from Stabroek Market is St. George’s Cathedral.

This gothic cathedral is probably the most impressive building in the whole country, not just in Georgetown.

Unfortunately it was closed on both days I visited, including Sunday which was pretty surprising for a cathedral.

However, it’s still pretty cool to see from the outside.

Discover Cool Lily Pads in the Botanical Gardens

Georgetown has some botanical gardens which are free to enter.

Sounds good right?

Well to be honest, they’re pretty rubbish overall, with little of interest, and some pretty dodgy streets nearby (take extra care around Robb Street and surrounding areas).

But they do still have a couple of things checking out whilst you’re in Guyana’s capital.

There’s a nice bridge which you will see on the left after a few minutes of walking if you enter from Vilssengen Road. However the main highlight is the lily pads.

One plus point of the overall mediocrity of the gardens is that you do at least get the nice parts to yourself. So you can spend some time chilling here without other people around.

A rare moment of serenity in a country with plenty of chaos.

See Where the Prime Minister Lives at State House

Walk down Main Street and you will see a series of houses. Most of them are nothing worth seeing, but one belongs to a particularly important figure: the prime minister.

I was stood right outside the front gate getting ready to take a photo when I noticed a guard just a few metres away with a massive gun.

I asked if it was okay to take a photo of the building, and he said yes, but only from the middle of the road rather than where I was stood.

And just below, is that picture! The building is partially hidden by surrounding trees.

Admittedly this isn’t a “must-see” on your Guyana itinerary, but if you’re in the area anyway, it’s still cool to see where such a powerful figure lives right alongside normal everyday people.

Take Pictures With the “I Love Guyana” Sign

Okay, this is a typical touristy activity. The classic one you do in most cities where you will find a sign that says “I Love (city name)” and take photos alongside it.

I can probably fill a book just with images of those signs from various parts of the world.

If you love snapping yourself alongside these landmarks, then you’re in luck, as Georgetown has one too.

Be careful when taking photos, as this is Georgetown, and you may end up losing your phone if the wrong person happens to be behind you at the time.

It’s located right up in the northwestern corner of the city.

Visit Umana Yana, One of Georgetown’s Most Important Cultural Monuments

Right opposite the “I Love Guyana” sign, is Umana Yana, a cultural monument shaped like a large wooden hut.

It was built by indigenous peoples, more specifically, the Wai-Wai, as an events and gathering hall. And that’s the purpose it still serves today.

If the hut looks relatively modern, that’s because it was burnt down in a fire and had to be reconstructed, with renovation completed in 2016.

If you’re lucky, you may even be able to look inside.

Explore the Beach by the Seawall

I was hesitant about putting this on the list. It’s a pretty filthy beach that even the locals had no interest in seeing even on a hot day.

Is it really one of the “best” places to go in the Guyanese capital?

Well travel is a game of opinions, and some people love beaches. Plus the Seawall is right by the “I Love Guyana” sign and Umana Yana. Therefore it doesn’t take much effort to go out your way to see this.

You can make up your own mind as to whether this is a highlight of Georgetown or not. My only warning would be not to expect the Maldives here…

And the Worst Thing to do in Georgetown…

Unfortunately Georgetown is a tricky city to travel in. There is no Uber or local equivalent, taxis are expensive and you shouldn’t trust them from a safety perspective, unless you are given recommendations on specific individuals who are reliable and trustworthy.

Oh, and there are no buses here. None at all. Instead they use minivans to get around.

Other blogs may refer to “buses” in Georgetown, but this is what they really mean. Vans with around 12 seats and a number on the front, determining a route they follow.

But taking these vans to get around is very risky.

The drivers are crazy. They drink beer at the wheel, drive recklessly, and have no regard for their passengers or pedestrians.

I took these vans on 4 separate occasions during my first full day in the capital. Two journeys were relatively harmless, one had a dangerous driver who also played horribly loud music, and the last ride was the journey from hell.

In just 20 minutes of my final ride, the beer-swigging driver and money collector swerved their way through the city with (terrible) music so loud I genuinely believed my eardrums could burst.

In two incidents a short time apart, they narrowly avoided wiping out a motorcyclist, then were lucky not to run over an elderly pedestrian.

At one stop, a passenger argued with the money collector, and took out a long sharp object. I only saw it for a split second, but I believe it may well have been a knife.

As the journey continued, we only just managed to avoid careering off the road into a river, then a ditch.

I couldn’t check my phone in the vehicle, as it felt like a robbery waiting to happen.

Eventually, I recognised the street we were in and got off before my intended stop. That was the last time I used Guyana’s local transport…

My recommendation: either walk around the city (in daytime only and leave your valuables at the hotel), or splash the cash for trustworthy taxis.

I stayed at Emerald Apartments INC on Garnett Street. They are run by a friendly Cuban family who were able to offer the contact number for a taxi driver if needed.

Emerald Apartments felt safe on the inside. It is one of the best budget places to stay in Georgetown (not really budget at £52/US$64 a night, but cheap by Georgetown’s standards).

This would be my accommodation recommendation for your visit. It’s a little away from the areas of interest, but it’s about as good as you will get unless you arrive with a big budget to spend.

Is Georgetown Safe to Visit?

Georgetown, Guyana is not safe for tourists. There is a very high risk of crime here, muggings and violent assaults are common occurrences, and carjackings aren’t rare, although the odds of being caught up in one are still fairly low.

The majority of people in Georgetown are black, with a sizeable Indian population. Therefore if you are black or Indian (or look similar) then travel to Georgetown is slightly safer for you, as you could blend in as a local which reduces your risk.

I will say that as a white guy, I didn’t attract too much unwanted attention, but there were a few people who still singled me out.

Two beggars approached me asking for money, and one even had a machete. Although I will say that it looked like the machete was being used to cut wood rather than threaten myself or other passersby.

My advice would be to dress down. Look poor and criminals are less likely to think you are worth attacking.

Also leave all your jewellery hidden. And leave any valuables well out of sight.

I carried a dummy phone in my pocket, just in case someone tried to rob me. Something that isn’t a rarity out here.

Whilst scouring the internet for hours as I planned my trip, I came across a post online which claimed that every UN worker in the Guyanese capital has had their phone stolen at least once.

After returning to Suriname, I met up with a Surinamese lady on Couchsurfing. She told me how she had hundreds of US dollars stolen when she came to Georgetown, and she wasn’t sure exactly how it happened. Although she suspects it was either on the bus, or at her Couchsurfing host’s house.

At night, don’t even think about going outside. You should make sure you are tucked safely inside your hotel room before the sun sets.

Is Georgetown Cheap For Tourists?

Georgetown is not cheap at all, it is one of the most expensive cities in South America, with accommodation costs playing a large part in that.

At the time of writing, the cheapest place available on Booking was Julian Guest House at £41/US$50 per night.

I didn’t stay here after reading numerous reviews mentioning mice, cockroaches, filth and even flooding.

Instead I recommend staying at Emerald Apartments INC (book here) which is clean, safe and comfortable. It is the best place to stay by far for a semi-reasonable price. Prices change of course, but at the time of writing it cost £52/US$64 to stay here.

Food and drink isn’t too cheap in Georgetown either. Most goods are imported here. I found a box of cereal in the supermarket with the price of £3.25 printed on it. However the supermarket sold it for 1,520 Guyanese dollars (£5.93 at the time). Most items come with a similar markup.

You want some good news? Transport is cheap here. At least the local “buses” which are actually minivans. They cost around £1/US$1.25 for a one-way trip, plus whatever markup the driver decides to charge, which is often just pennies.

These vans are unsafe however, as mentioned in my story earlier on. Since there is no Uber or equivalent here, the only other option is to take a taxi, and these will hit the budget…

I was quoted £14/US$18 for a 15-minute drive. Use this as a benchmark figure for your trip…

Guyana on the whole is crazy expensive. I didn’t fly to Kaieteur Falls because it would’ve cost hundreds for a trip that many tourists complain about (poor experiences). I’ve seen enough waterfalls, so gave this one a miss.

Getting to Georgetown from Paramaribo costs US$50 (£41) for a shared taxi and an additional US$20 (£16) for a one-way ferry ticket.

Flying in will cost you hundreds of pounds, US dollars, euros, or whatever western currency you use. It’s much cheaper to fly into Suriname and travel to Georgetown using the guide linked in the previous paragraph.

How Long do You Need to Spend in Georgetown?

Honestly… not long. I was there for 3 nights (2 full days) and that was more than enough. If you get up early enough, you can even squeeze everything into a day.

If you spend any longer than this in Guyana’s capital, you will get bored and blow through your budget without getting much in return.

How do You Get to Georgetown?

There are two common ways to reach Guyana’s capital city.

The first is by flying to Cheddi Jagan International Airport. From there, you can take a taxi into Georgetown for around £40/US$50. The journey takes around 1 hour in total.

The other popular route in, is the Paramaribo to Georgetown route which takes around 12 hours and costs US$70 (£56) for two shared taxis and a ferry ride.

I recommend this route as it is much cheaper than any flight to Guyana you will find. Suriname’s capital Paramaribo is by far the cheapest route into the Guianas by air.

You should also consider doing the same journey in reverse, with a trip from Georgetown to Paramaribo followed by a flight out of Suriname being much cheaper than going directly from Georgetown.

If you fancy traversing the path less travelled, there are daily buses being introduced from Boa Vista on the Brazilian border.

This is in addition to minivans running from Lethem (on the Guyana side of the Brazilian border) to Georgetown with a stop of at least 3 hours in Iwokrama. They leave in the afternoon, albeit with unreliable schedules.

This route is only really viable if you happen to be in Manaus, the main hub for visiting the Brazilian Amazon.

Is Georgetown Worth Visiting?

To be honest, not really. There are some cool things such as the cricket and Stabroek Market, but there’s nothing in Georgetown that will really make you go “wow”.

It’s an expensive place not just to get to, but to stay in as well. It’s also a very risky city which I wouldn’t recommend for anyone other than an experienced traveller.

For me, Guyana was my 72nd country, and somewhere I visited after almost 6 years of life as a traveller. These years of experience visiting a variety of more challenging countries across the globe came in handy here.

I would not suggest visiting Guyana’s capital if your only previous travel experience is backpacking around Europe and the USA. Even Southeast Asia and Latin America are much easier regions to traverse than the Guianas.

If you do go, make sure you have a big budget (I spent over £1,000 or US$1,250 for just 2 weeks in the Guianas, and I was travelling on a tight budget). Also take care of your safety.

I find the safety risks exaggerated in many countries I have been to. I’ve written several travel safety guides on how to avoid trouble in many parts of the world.

Guyana is a country where the risks are very real. I escaped unscathed because I was only there for 2 days and I took a lot of extra precautions here.

Even then, I was lucky to escape the bus journey from hell with nothing more than memories and thoughts of what could have been.

Georgetown is worth visiting if you wish to visit every country, or to use as a base before going onto Kaieteur Falls. It’s not worth seeing if you’re looking for major tourist attractions or a nice relaxing holiday.

Guyana is an adventure destination.

More Posts on Guyana

• What Are The Best Things To Do In Georgetown, Guyana?
• Getting From Georgetown To Paramaribo On A Budget
• How To Get From Paramaribo To Georgetown On A Budget