To ensure that you have the best possible holiday experience, we ask you to read the following information carefully. If you have any questions, please discuss them with us before you depart.
Hand Luggage – pack essential items for a day or two in your hand luggage, in case your bags go astray and take a few days to catch up with you, especially if you have any tight connecting flights.
Documents – take a copy of your travel insurance policy with you, and leave a copy of your passport with a reliable contact at home, in case the originals are lost or stolen.
Electronic Devices – ensure these are all fully charge before travel, as you may be required to switch them on at airport security.
Mobile Phones – make sure they are set up for international calls and if you plan to use travel apps such as Google Translate (which is invaluable when travelling in Latin America) or Google Maps, ensure you check your data package with your provider in advance. Alternatively turn off date roaming to avoid large phone bills. Be aware that some rural areas may not have mobile or WiFi coverage.
Clothing – pack lightweight sports clothing for the rainforest. Also pack lightweight but long sleeved shirts and long trousers to protect against mosquitos (safari clothing is ideal for this) and a light jacket. Take good walking shoes, a day pack, good head lamp, long socks (so you can tuck in your trouser legs and keep the insects out), sunglasses, sunhat and bio-degradable sunscreen. A rain jacket with hood is recommended all year round. Also pack T-shirts, shorts, jeans, swimwear & flip flops. Eye drops can be handy, especially if you wear contact lenses, and sanitising hand cleaner. Take a generous supply of insect repellent to spray on your neck, wrists and ankles and avoid using perfume in the rainforests, as this attracts mosquitos.
Medicines - if you travel with prescription drugs, carry an adequate supply in their original bottles/packaging & keep them in your hand luggage, as if lost they may be difficult to replace.
Accessories – pack your phone (with charger and a spare battery pack), camera (with spare memory cards and batteries – a 200 mm zoom lens is good for wildlife photography) and binoculars (large 8x40 is best). We suggest one pair per person, as it can be frustrating to share.
Plugs – mainly Type A (two flat blades as in USA), B, D and G. Pack a universal adapter as well as a hand basin plug/stopper, as these are not always provided.
Books – pack a good travel guide. Also pack some reading material for quiet evenings and when waiting for flights.
Water – tap water is generally safe for brushing teeth, but drink only bottled water.
Food – curry is very popular in Guyana, ranging from chicken to seafood, goat, lamb and duck, usually served with rice. Pepperpot is a stewed meat dish, strongly flavoured with cinnamon, cassareep (a sauce made from cassava root) and Caribbean hot peppers. Metamgee is a dumpling dish made from cornflour, yams, plantains, eddos root and cassava that is cooked in coconut milk and flavoured with grated coconut.
Taxis – in Georgetown only use regulated taxis.
Self-Drive – driving is on the left, but we do not recommend self-driving in Guyana due to poor road safely.
Safety – take all sensible precautions. Leave valuable jewellery/watches at home, wear a money belt and be alert when outside your hotel. In particular avoid taking out large wads of cash in public view and keep your spare cash, passport and a spare credit card in your hotel safe.
Indemnities - please be aware it is likely you will be required to sign indemnities for any potentially hazardous activities.
Pack for a Purpose - if you have a little space in your suitcase, local schools & communities always appreciate gifts of pens & pencils, stationery, deflated footballs etc. Specific requests from communities can be seen on the 'Pack for a Purpose' website.
Tipping – this is not compulsory, but if you wish to tip because you have received good service, we suggest the following per adult:
- guides/drivers: $7 + $3 = $10 per day (can be reduced for longer stays).
- boatmen: $2 per transfer
- waiters: 10% (if not already added to your bill).
- porters: $1 per bag.
It is not necessary to tip drivers doing short transfers (eg to the airport).
Your Safety - consult the UK Foreign Office website for the latest travel advice www.fco.gov.uk.