GENERAL
Official name of the state
Cooperative Republic of Guyana.
Capital
Georgetown.
Geography
According to payhelpcenter, Guyana is located in the northeast of South America and borders Venezuela in the northwest, Suriname in the east and Brazil in the south and southwest. In the northeast the Atlantic forms a natural border. “Guiana” (original spelling) means “land of many waters”; the name is fitting, as the country is criss-crossed by over 1,600 km of navigable waterways. The Kaieteur Falls on the Potaro River are five times as high as the Niagara Falls. The interior consists of highlands such as the Rupununi Mountains on the Venezuelan border or the Kanaku Mountains in the extreme southwest and dense rainforest that covers 85% of the country. Rice and sugar are grown on the narrow, 322 km long coastline. The majority of the population lives here; about 25% of the population lives in Georgetown.
Government
Presidential republic (in the Commonwealth) since 1980. Constitution of 1980. Unicameral Parliament (National Assembly) with 68 members, 65 of whom are directly elected, election every 5 years. Independent since 1966 (former British colony).
Head of state
David Granger, since May 2015.
Head of government
Samuel A. Hinds, since 1999.
Electricity
110 V and 220 V, 50 and 60 Hz.
Time zone
Guyana Time: CET -5
TRAVEL WARNING
Overview Guyana
Security
advice from the Foreign Office: As of: October 13, 2016
Unchanged valid since: October 12, 2016
Country-specific safety information
Crime
Due to the widespread violent crime, especially in Georgetown, along the “Eastcoast of Demerara”, in the area of Buxton, Friendship and Annandale as well as on the route between Timehri (international airport) and Linden, particular caution should be exercised Care should be taken in coastal waters, where boats are frequently attacked, although so far mainly fishing boats.
Individual travelers should be especially careful. If possible, only main streets should be used, not side streets. Keep the doors and windows of your car closed and avoid going to gas stations after dark if possible, as this was an occasion for the occasional robbery. Do not take hitchhikers.
Especially in larger crowds such as markets, bus stations, bars, etc., valuables such as jewelry should not be carried at all and cash only to the extent that is absolutely necessary. Make sure no one follows you after withdrawing cash from a bank.
Caution is advised when walking in less crowded districts or parks in larger cities and settlements. After dark you should not be out on the road any more. While traveling, you shouldn’t take your eyes off your luggage. It is advisable to only take photocopies of important documents (ticket, passport) with you and to deposit the originals in the hotel safe.
MONEY
Currency
1 Guyana dollar = 100 cents. Currency abbreviation: G $, GYD (ISO code). There are banknotes in denominations of 5000, 1000, 500, 100 and 20 G $; Coins are in circulation with a value of 10, 5 and 1 G $. US dollars are widely accepted.
Credit cards
The most common credit cards, especially Visa and Mastercard, are accepted in larger hotels, banks and restaurants. Details from the issuer of the credit card in question.
ATMs
ec / Maestro card / Sparcard
Attention: Travelers who pay with their bank card abroad and want to withdraw money should find out about the possibilities of using their card from their bank before starting their journey.
ATMs are mostly only found in Georgetown, New Amsterdam and Bartica. To use this you should pay attention to the Maestro symbol.
Bank opening times
Mon-Fri 9 am-3pm (deviations are possible).
Foreign exchange regulations
No restrictions on the import and export of local currency. No restrictions on the import of foreign currencies, obligation to declare. Export of foreign currencies up to the amount declared on entry minus the exchange amounts.
Currency Exchange
Cambios are the licensed exchange offices. You should keep the receipt for exchange at the end of the trip. Only a few ATMs accept foreign credit cards, but here the exchange rate is cheaper than with normal currency exchange.
LANGUAGE
Overview
The official language is English. In addition, Hindi and Urdu as well as Indian languages are spoken.
DUTY-FREE SHOPPING
Overview
The following articles may be imported into Guyana duty-free (people over 16 years):
200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 225 grams of tobacco;
750 ml of spirits;
750 ml of wine;
250 ml of perfume.
ECONOMY
Business etiquette
Appointments and business cards are common, punctuality is generally expected. The Caribbean mentality is also noticeable in business life, the atmosphere is relaxed.
Business hours: Mon-Fri 8 a.m. to 11.30 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 4.30 p.m.
Economy
Latin American Chamber of Commerce in Switzerland
c / o DPS Communications, Gessnerallee 28, CH-8001 Zurich
Tel: (044) 699 54 47.
Internet: www.latcam.ch
Guyana Manufacturer’s Association (Association of the Manufacturing Industry)
National Exhibition Center, Sophia, Georgetown
Tel: (022) 7 42 95
Internet: www.gma.org.gy
Georgetown chamber of Commerce and Industry (chamber of Commerce)
156 Waterloo Street, Cummingsburg, PO box 10110, Georgetown.
Phone (022) 6 35 19
Internet: www.georgetownchamberofcommerce.org
Ministry of Trade, Tourism and Industry (Ministry of Trade, Tourism and Industry)
229 South Road, Georgetown
Tel: (022) 6 25 05.
Internet: www.mintic.gov.gy
Business contacts
Latin American Chamber of Commerce in Switzerland
c / o DPS Communications, Gessnerallee 28, CH-8001 Zurich
Tel: (044) 699 54 47.
Internet: www.latcam.ch
Guyana Manufacturer’s Association (Association of the Manufacturing Industry)
National Exhibition Center, Sophia, Georgetown
Tel: (022) 7 42 95
Internet: www.gma.org.gy
Georgetown chamber of Commerce and Industry (chamber of Commerce)
156 Waterloo Street, Cummingsburg, PO box 10110, Georgetown.
Phone (022) 6 35 19
Internet: www.georgetownchamberofcommerce.org
Ministry of Trade, Tourism and Industry (Ministry of Trade, Tourism and Industry)
229 South Road, Georgetown
Tel: (022) 6 25 05.
Internet: www.mintic.gov.gy
COMMUNICATION
Phone
Direct dial-up service in the larger cities.
Cellphone
GSM 900. Network operator: Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GT&T) (Internet: www.gtt.co.gy). Cell phones can be rented from GT&T.
Internet
Internet cafes are available in Georgetown. Internet providers are GT&T and GuyanaNet (Internet: www.guyana.net.gy).
Post Office
Airmail to Europe takes 7-9 days, the other way around it takes longer.
Radio
Since the use of shortwave frequencies changes several times over the course of a year, it is advisable to contact Deutsche Welle customer service directly (Tel: (+49) (0228) 429 32 08. Internet: www.dw-world.de) to request.
SHOP
Overview
Local straw hats, baskets, clay pots, and jewelry are sold at the Stabroek Market in Georgetown. Other shops sell Native American bows and arrows, hammocks, pottery, and bowls. In the state shops you can find excellent jewelry made of gold, silver, precious and semi-precious stones. Prices are low, the quality is good. Receipts and certificates should be kept for customs until export. Opening times of the shops: generally Mon-Fri 8 a.m. to 11.30 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., Sat 8 a.m. to 11.30 a.m.
NIGHTLIFE
Introduction
There are several night clubs in Georgetown.
CULINARY
ACCOMMODATION
Hotels
There are 10 hotels in Georgetown, some of which are of a higher international standard. You don’t pay a surcharge in the main season. As power outages are common, you should bring a flashlight. Information from the Tourism & Hospitality Association of Guyana (see addresses).
CULTURE
Religion
50% Christians (mostly Anglicans and Catholics), 35% Hindus and 10% Muslims.
Social rules of conduct
Hospitality is a given, and invitations to private homes are common. Casual clothing is common, but men shouldn’t wear shorts. In some restaurants and on special social occasions, more elegant clothing is expected. Tip: 10% in hotels and restaurants.
CLIMATE
Best travel time
Tropical. Precipitation and high humidity all year round. Rainy seasons from November to January and May to August. Cooler on the coast.
COUNTRY DATA
Area code +592 Area (square km) 214969 Population 735222 Population density (per square km) 3 Population in 2015 Member of the EU No main emergency number 913
