Summary
Enticingly off-the-beaten-path, Guyana is a genuine hidden treasure of South America.
With colonial influences from the Netherlands, Britain, and France, alongside charming post-colonial town centers and an unspoiled wilderness ranging from mist-covered tepuis to untouched rainforests, it’s unsurprising there is an abundance of attractions.
Let’s review the most remarkable destinations in Guyana:
1. Georgetown
The hub of commerce, work, and recreation for many Guyanese, Georgetown is a shadow of its historical prominence.
Historically, Georgetown flourished during the peak of colonial authority, a fact that its name—honoring England’s King George III—attests to.
Miners, plantation developers, architects, and statesmen all contributed to the city’s evolution from Dutch to French to British governance, resulting in iconic landmarks such as Stabroek Market and the whitewashed St. George’s Cathedral.
A visit to the Parliament Building is worthwhile, while the national museum serves as an excellent introduction to the region’s history.
The Demerara Rum Distillery provides a delightful diversion from the historical exploration!
2. Linden
For nearly a century, Linden has been the primary mining hub of Guyana, attracting thousands of prospectors and miners to extract bauxite from the surrounding hills along the Demerara River.
Today, the history and development of this mining legacy is documented at the Linden Museum of Socio-Cultural Heritage, which chronicles the area’s transition from a temporary outpost in the early 1900s to its current status as a mechanized industrial center, despite the closure of many shaft mines.
Travelers often head to Gluck Island on the Essequibo River to the west, known for its red howler monkeys, large lily pads, and excellent tropical birdwatching.
3. Kanuku Mountains
The majestic Kanuku peaks are bisected by the meandering channels of the Rupununi River, forming two diamond-shaped highland regions known for their diverse wildlife and ancient forests.
It is uncommon for travelers to venture this deeply into the southern regions of the country, navigating the tepui peaks of Potaro-Siparuni and vast expanses of savannah and lowland forest to arrive.
Those who do journey here may spot the rare harpy eagle, giant otters amid riparian habitats, and the once-plentiful pirarucu fish.
4. Bartica
Located at the confluence of the Essequibo River and Cuyuni, Bartica was historically referred to as the ‘Gateway to the Interior.’
Once a favored stopping point for prospectors and miners en route to remote gold and mineral sites in the Potaro-Siparuni mountains, it remains vibrant with cargo barges and river inhabitants, who frequent the town’s Brazilian eateries and local beer bars on weekends.
5. New Amsterdam
Since its establishment in the mid-18th century, New Amsterdam—the regional capital of East Berbice-Corentyne—has transitioned between Dutch ownership, where plantations flourished under the fortifications of Fort Nassau, to British governance, which introduced pioneering sanitation laws and attracted prominent figures including architect Cesar Castellani.
The architectural influence of Castellani is evident in the impressive facades of the New Amsterdam Public Hospital, while the bustling streets of downtown are alive with marketplaces and light industry.
6. Port Mourant
Port Mourant is a small, hospitable town along Guyana’s Atlantic coastline, renowned for its rich history of producing cricketers—the sounds of game play frequently echo through daily life—and as the birthplace of Dr. Cheddi Jagan, respected as the ‘Father of the Nation.’
This down-to-earth locale is also an excellent place to observe the country’s agricultural heartland, with local markets showcasing fresh produce directly from local farms.
The vibrant community of students contributes youthful energy, while the nearby center of Rose Hall is noteworthy as the smallest town in Guyana.
7. Kaieteur National Park
This impressive area of the Potaro-Siparuni region features a vast protected space that corresponds with the towering ridges of the Guyana tepuis.
Adorned with dense, monkey-dotted canopies and rich ecosystems, covering approximately 62,000 hectares, it is considered the premier ecotourism destination in the nation.
While the untouched wilderness and biodiverse environment are significant attractions, the highlight is undoubtedly the Kaieteur Falls, plunging an astonishing 226 meters down the cliffs of the Pacaraima Mountains, surpassing both Niagara and Victoria Falls.
A trip to this stunning locale is essential!
8. Orinduik Falls
Emerging from the Pakaraima Mountains in western Guyana, bordering Venezuela, Orinduik Falls presents an alternative experience compared to the country’s prominent cascading waterfalls.
Visitors to this remote location can engage in swimming within the plunge pools and hiking along the ridges, appreciating the intricate layers and terraces of rock formations.
Furthermore, the channels of the Ireng River reveal additional waterfalls along their lengths, including the more secluded Kurutuik Falls in the northern jungles.
9. Parika
Parika presents a vibrant riverside atmosphere characterized by tin shack docks and bustling scooters. This straightforward port town serves as both a gateway to the Essequibo Islands and a riverboat terminal, showcasing the raw character of Guyana’s coastline.
Don’t overlook the lively market that springs to life each Sunday.
Local residents engage in spirited haggling while navigating stalls filled with bananas, coconuts, unique parrot vendors, and fish merchants.
Additionally, Parika acts as the starting point for Baganara Island, a well-maintained luxury resort situated within the Essequibo waters.
10. Shell Beach
A coastal sector of Guyana where the Atlantic waves converge with Caribbean currents, Shell Beach is undeniably the most renowned beach in the country.
However, visitors do not flock here for sunbathing.
They arrive to witness the annual turtle nesting phenomenon, occurring from late March through late summer, during which diverse sea turtles—including leatherbacks, hawksbills, olive ridleys, and greens—return to shore to lay their eggs.
This destination provides an excellent opportunity to experience South America’s undeveloped coastline, where quaint villages and bamboo huts dot the lagoons, and wild stretches of jungle line the sands.
11. Mount Roraima
Arguably the most magnificent of the South American tepuis, the sheer Mount Roraima is a table-top mountain that rises dramatically at the convergence of Venezuela, Brazil, and Guyana.
Largely undiscovered, this ancient geological formation dates back over two billion years to the Precambrian period.
Soaring 400 meters vertically above the surrounding grasslands and forests, it poses a challenge even for seasoned hikers and climbers. The summit is a repository of exceptional natural beauty, harboring rare pitcher plants, unique algae, reptiles, and amphibians, all thriving unmarred by ground predators.
12. Iwokrama Forest
The Iwokrama Forest symbolizes one of the remaining segments of untouched, primordial rainforest globally.
Located in the heart of the country, where the rugged tepuis of the highlands yield to lush lowlands, this area nurtures verdant canopies alive with a remarkable array of waterfalls and mountain streams.
The forest is celebrated for its towering trees, some reaching heights of 30 meters, housing endangered bats, harpy eagles, and vibrantly colored frogs that navigate the leafy branches and grass below.
Other wildlife, such as jaguars, giant armadillos, and howler monkeys, can also be encountered by travelers who partake in safari experiences across rope bridges and muddy trails from one of the few lodges situated along the river passages.
13. Kamarang
The remote community of Kamarang, situated in western Guyana, is enveloped by extensive old-growth rainforest.
This secluded location, typically accessible only via private charter plane, was once a simple Amerindian settlement bordering the rugged Pacaraima Mountains, now serving as the geological boundary with Venezuela.
Today, Kamarang is experiencing growth as a mining town, recognized for its rich mineral and gold reserves.
Additionally, it is emerging as a tourist destination, offering glimpses of the dramatic and relatively obscure Kamarang Great Falls nestled within the nearby jungles!
14. Fair View
Fair View is a quaint cluster of bamboo homes and stilted longhouses nestled amidst the lush canopies of Potaro-Siparuni—the remote and largely uncharted wilderness that embodies the heart of Guyana.
Inhabited by friendly Amerindian communities, the area only became connected to the national road system in 1992, preserving the authenticity of its Makushi traditions and its deep bond with the surrounding Iwokrama woodlands.
Travelers visit for immersive cultural experiences, explorations of Guyana’s unspoiled forests, and enjoyment of the plunge pools at Kurupukari Falls.
15. Anna Regina
Exceptionally clean and prosperous, Anna Regina is characterized by its charming whitewashed fences, well-kept properties, and sunlit avenues.
Fruit merchants line the streets, offering tangerines and mangos, while the Damon Monument—the town’s key historical site—commemorates the legacy of the courageous slave rebel who championed uprisings in Essequibo during the early 19th century.
Anna Regina also serves as a departure point for resorts surrounding Mainstay Lake, where delightful cottages border the waters and blend with the rustic villages of indigenous Arawak communities beneath swaying palm trees.
