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Phone: +58 (212) 263.1820 / 265.2433/ 236.1940, Fax: +58 (212) 263.9119, info@alboradavenezuela.com
Phone: +58 (212) 263.1820 / 265.2433/ 236.1940, Fax: +58 (212) 263.9119, info@alboradavenezuela.com
Venezuela Travel | Vacations & Hotels | Alborada Venezuela
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Guyana
Travel Tips
Local time
4 hours behind GMT and 1 hour ahead of EST.
4 hours behind GMT and 1 hour ahead of EST.
Electricity
110 and 220 volts AC, 60Hz.
110 and 220 volts AC, 60Hz.
Its people
The original inhabitants of the territory were Amerindians. However, to meet the labor needs of the plantation economy, slaves were brought in large numbers during the 18th and early 19th centuries from West Africa to work on the cotton and sugar plantations. When slavery was abolished in 1834, the former slaves refused to work for their former masters, even for wages. They left the plantations and established their own village communities. Immigrants were therefore brought in to work, first from Europe (Germany, Malta and Portugal), then China, and eventually in large numbers from India. Today the country's population reflects its immigrant history with Africans, East Indians, Chinese, Portuguese, Europeans, and Amerindians living side by side.
The original inhabitants of the territory were Amerindians. However, to meet the labor needs of the plantation economy, slaves were brought in large numbers during the 18th and early 19th centuries from West Africa to work on the cotton and sugar plantations. When slavery was abolished in 1834, the former slaves refused to work for their former masters, even for wages. They left the plantations and established their own village communities. Immigrants were therefore brought in to work, first from Europe (Germany, Malta and Portugal), then China, and eventually in large numbers from India. Today the country's population reflects its immigrant history with Africans, East Indians, Chinese, Portuguese, Europeans, and Amerindians living side by side.
Water & Food
The food in hotels and restaurants reflects the range of influences on Guyanese society. On the menus of most restaurants you will often find chicken, pork and steak and, most of the time, shrimp. The best Chinese food in the country can be found in Georgetown.
Regional specialties:
• Curry, especially mutton, prawn or chicken.
• Foo-foo (plantains made into cakes).
• Metamgee (dumplings made from cornflour, eddews, yams, cassava and plantains cooked in coconut milk and grated coconut).
• Portuguese garlic pork.
• Amerindian pepperpot.
The water from the tap is brownish in color, which is from the tannin in the water, and not polluted. However, it is recommended that bottled water, which is readily available, is used for drinking. Remember to drink plenty of it to prevent dehydration.
The food in hotels and restaurants reflects the range of influences on Guyanese society. On the menus of most restaurants you will often find chicken, pork and steak and, most of the time, shrimp. The best Chinese food in the country can be found in Georgetown.
Regional specialties:
• Curry, especially mutton, prawn or chicken.
• Foo-foo (plantains made into cakes).
• Metamgee (dumplings made from cornflour, eddews, yams, cassava and plantains cooked in coconut milk and grated coconut).
• Portuguese garlic pork.
• Amerindian pepperpot.
The water from the tap is brownish in color, which is from the tannin in the water, and not polluted. However, it is recommended that bottled water, which is readily available, is used for drinking. Remember to drink plenty of it to prevent dehydration.
Vaccines
A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travelers over one year of age coming from infected areas and from the following countries: Africa: Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, (Dem Rep), Congo (Rep), Côte d’Ivoire, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, São Tomé and Príncipe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Tanzania, Togo and Uganda; Latin America: Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Surinam and Venezuela.
Travelers arriving from non-endemic zones should note that vaccination is strongly recommended for travel outside the urban areas, even if an outbreak of the disease has not been reported and they would normally not require a vaccination certificate to enter the country.
Special Precautions Certificate Required
Diphtheria Sometimes
Hepatitis A - Yes
Malaria - Yes
Rabies - Sometimes
Tetanus - Yes
Typhoid - Yes
Yellow Fever - Yes
A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travelers over one year of age coming from infected areas and from the following countries: Africa: Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, (Dem Rep), Congo (Rep), Côte d’Ivoire, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, São Tomé and Príncipe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Tanzania, Togo and Uganda; Latin America: Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Surinam and Venezuela.
Travelers arriving from non-endemic zones should note that vaccination is strongly recommended for travel outside the urban areas, even if an outbreak of the disease has not been reported and they would normally not require a vaccination certificate to enter the country.
Special Precautions Certificate Required
Diphtheria Sometimes
Hepatitis A - Yes
Malaria - Yes
Rabies - Sometimes
Tetanus - Yes
Typhoid - Yes
Yellow Fever - Yes
Shopping
Hibiscus Plaza outside the post office in Georgetown has a wide variety of local arts and crafts including straw hats, baskets, clay goblets and jewelry. On Sundays, the Parika Market, on the west coast of Demerara, sells a variety of goods and is worth a visit. Other shops sell Amerindian bows and arrows, hammocks, pottery and salad bowls. Government-run shops sell magnificent jewelry, utilizing local gold, silver, precious and semi-precious stones. Prices are very reasonable for the quality of the goods. It is absolutely essential to ensure that receipts.
Shopping hours:
Mon-Fri 0800-1200 and 1300-1630, Sat 0800-1200
Hibiscus Plaza outside the post office in Georgetown has a wide variety of local arts and crafts including straw hats, baskets, clay goblets and jewelry. On Sundays, the Parika Market, on the west coast of Demerara, sells a variety of goods and is worth a visit. Other shops sell Amerindian bows and arrows, hammocks, pottery and salad bowls. Government-run shops sell magnificent jewelry, utilizing local gold, silver, precious and semi-precious stones. Prices are very reasonable for the quality of the goods. It is absolutely essential to ensure that receipts.
Shopping hours:
Mon-Fri 0800-1200 and 1300-1630, Sat 0800-1200
Tipping
Is not expected, but appreciated if you are happy with the service. As a guide, a 10% tip is adequate. In the interior it is suggested that tips are given to the manager or village captain for equal distribution amongst all involved. In the interior a tip is better in Guyanese dollars rather than foreign currency, as there are no facilities for exchanging the money.
Is not expected, but appreciated if you are happy with the service. As a guide, a 10% tip is adequate. In the interior it is suggested that tips are given to the manager or village captain for equal distribution amongst all involved. In the interior a tip is better in Guyanese dollars rather than foreign currency, as there are no facilities for exchanging the money.
Banks
The Bank of Guyana is the Central Bank. In addition to the Bank of Guyana, seven commercial banks operate in the country. Three of them are foreign-owned, namely, Bank of Baroda, Bank of Nova Scotia, and The National Bank for Industry and Commerce (NIBC).
Opening hours:
Mon-Fri 0800-1230 and Friday 1500-1700.
American Express, Diners Club, Master Card and Visa are accepted by most larger hotels, restaurants, car hire and tour operators. Foreign credit cards cannot be used in Guyanian ATM's.
The Bank of Guyana is the Central Bank. In addition to the Bank of Guyana, seven commercial banks operate in the country. Three of them are foreign-owned, namely, Bank of Baroda, Bank of Nova Scotia, and The National Bank for Industry and Commerce (NIBC).
Opening hours:
Mon-Fri 0800-1230 and Friday 1500-1700.
American Express, Diners Club, Master Card and Visa are accepted by most larger hotels, restaurants, car hire and tour operators. Foreign credit cards cannot be used in Guyanian ATM's.
Valid driver's license
A Permit to Drive in Guyana is available on arrival at Cheddi Jagan International Airport. A valid Driver's License, from country of origin, is required. The form will be completed by the Customs Officer on Duty, using the information stated on the Driver's License to issue the permit. There is no cost for the Permit. The Permit will state the period it is valid; commencing the date of arrival and concluding on the date of departure. Persons who wish to extend their stay in Guyana can visit the License Office in Georgetown or visit the Airport to obtain an extension.
A Permit to Drive in Guyana is available on arrival at Cheddi Jagan International Airport. A valid Driver's License, from country of origin, is required. The form will be completed by the Customs Officer on Duty, using the information stated on the Driver's License to issue the permit. There is no cost for the Permit. The Permit will state the period it is valid; commencing the date of arrival and concluding on the date of departure. Persons who wish to extend their stay in Guyana can visit the License Office in Georgetown or visit the Airport to obtain an extension.
Emergency numbers
In Guyana, you can call the police by dialing 911 or 225 64 11, the firemen by dialing 912 and medical emergency services by dialing 913 or 226 9449 (Georgetown hospital).
In Guyana, you can call the police by dialing 911 or 225 64 11, the firemen by dialing 912 and medical emergency services by dialing 913 or 226 9449 (Georgetown hospital).
Safety and Security
Like any city, certain areas of Georgetown are not particularly safe, especially after dark. Ask your Hotel Reception or Alborada Venezuela Representative for guidance on these matters. In general you will find Guyanese to be extremely friendly and helpful. Don’t be surprise if you find local people wishing to talk to you or offering assistance. In the interior and at the Resorts it is totally secure and safe and you will be able to completely relax without any concerns.
Like any city, certain areas of Georgetown are not particularly safe, especially after dark. Ask your Hotel Reception or Alborada Venezuela Representative for guidance on these matters. In general you will find Guyanese to be extremely friendly and helpful. Don’t be surprise if you find local people wishing to talk to you or offering assistance. In the interior and at the Resorts it is totally secure and safe and you will be able to completely relax without any concerns.