Demerara-Mahaica · Guyana
Where to stay in Georgetown
Georgetown is a city in Demerara-Mahaica, Guyana, home to about 235,000 people.
- Nearest airport
- OGL5 km · Eugene F. Correia International Airport
- Currency
- GYDGuyanese dollar
- Time zone
- America/Guyana
- Language
- English
About
About Georgetown
Georgetown is the capital and largest city of Guyana. It is situated in Demerara-Mahaica, region 4, on the Atlantic Ocean coast, at the mouth of the Demerara River.
Founded as a small Dutch settlement in the 18th century, Georgetown has changed hands between the British, Dutch and French many times - not unusual for places in or near the Caribbean. The influence of several colonial powers is visible in place names. The city got its current name after the British King George III in 1812. Georgetown is home to about 200,000 inhabitants, around one in four of whom are Guyanese, and is by far the commercial and administrative centre of the country, as well as an important entry point and transport hub.
Wikipedia and Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Things to do
What to see and do in Georgetown
See
If you have a day or two to spend in Georgetown, check out the markets listed below, take a walk down Regent Street, or through one of the markets and have a look at the Umana Yama Church (Amerindian cultural center) or some of the older colonial buildings around town, especially on Main Street. Historical buildings along High Street and Avenue of the Republic include the City Hall, City Engineer's Office, Victoria Law Courts, Magistrates' Courts, Saint Andrew Church (Georgetown's oldest church), State House (residence of the prime minister). The local seawall may be unimpressive, but it protects a city that lies 1 metre below high-tide level.
- Regent Street
- National Museum of Guyana
- Walter Roth Museum of Anthropology
- Castellani house
- Cheddi Jagan Research Center
- Guyana Heritage Museum Demerara
- Botanical Gardens
- Guyana Zoo
- National Park
- Promenade Gardens
- St George's Cathedral
- Stabroek Market
Do
- Victoria
- Demerara Rum Distillery
- Providence Stadium
- National Cultural Center
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Where to stay
Which part of Georgetown to stay in
Since tourism in Guyana is not much developed there are not many online resources. But asking taxi drivers, barkeepers and random locals you meet on the street will yield many contacts to private accommodations that are much more affordable than the ones listed online. Thus, when planning to stay for more than just a few days, it is advisable to only book a hotel for one or two nights upfront and then go hunting when there. Some hotels post their rates without the 16% tax, and in those cases the price you have to pay is higher.
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Where to stay
Hotels in Georgetown
10 hotels within 25 km of the centre, as recorded in Wikidata. Each name links to its encyclopedia article where there is one.
| Hotel | Opened | From centre |
|---|---|---|
| Apartments 145 | 1.3 km | |
| Cara Lodge Hotel | 1.1 km | |
| El Dorado Inn | 1.1 km | |
| Grand Coastal Hotel | 9.4 km | |
| Guyana Marriott Hotel Georgetown | 2.7 km | |
| Julian Guest House | 0.8 km | |
| King's Hotel & Residences | 1.6 km | |
| Regency Suites Hotel | 1.4 km | |
| Status International Hotel | 0.4 km | |
| The Opus | 0.9 km |
All 10 hotels in Georgetown, with their history and operators
When to go
The best time to visit Georgetown
Georgetown has no month that is both mild and dry by the measure used here. October is the warmest month, with average highs of 32 °C; May is the wettest, with about 334 mm of rain.
Comfortable means average daytime high between 18 °C and 29 °C and under 80 mm of rain in the month. Averages for 1991–2020 over the surrounding area, a grid square about 50 km across, so a coast or a nearby mountain can make the town itself warmer or cooler. Data: CRU TS v4.10, Climatic Research Unit, University of East Anglia (Open Database License).
Getting there
Getting to Georgetown: airports and arrival
The nearest airport with scheduled flights is Eugene F. Correia International Airport (OGL), about 4.8 km from the city centre in a straight line; Cheddi Jagan International Airport (GEO, 36 km) is also within reach.
Getting around
When people in Guyana refer to buses, they mean minibuses. Minibuses (known as route taxis elsewhere) are the most common way to get around town. Minibus fares range from G$60-G$1000 depending on the length of the journey. Within the city, minibuses cost G$60 per person. Travel in this mode at night could be risky, however if the minibus does not get you to your exact location, the taxis are very cheap to complete the last leg of your trip. There are numerous taxi services which are listed in the telephone directory and are not expensive.
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
OGL · Eugene F. Correia International Airport
GEO · Cheddi Jagan International Airport
Local knowledge
Eating, drinking and staying safe in Georgetown
Drink
The most popular national drink is Caribbean-style dark rum. The two national favorites are El Dorado and X-tra Mature which both offer 5, 10, 12 and 25 year varieties. El Dorado also offers a 15 year old variety which has won the "Best Rum in the World" award since 1999. Mix the cheaper ones with Coke or coconut water if you please. All are quality enough to drink neat or by themselves with the 25 year-olds comparing with high-quality scotch whisky. Banks is the national beer. It comes in a lager and a stout (Milk Stout). Also available are the lighter Carib (Trinidad and Tobago) and darker Mackisson's.
Stay safe
Georgetown is notorious for petty street crime. Do not walk alone at night, or even in the day, unless you know the area well. Areas such as the Tiger Bay area east of Main Street and the entire southeastern part of the city including, in particular, Albouystown and Ruimveldt are traditionally known as high crime areas but one can be relatively safe if going through these areas in groups and with native escorts. Venturing into the covered area of the Stabroek Market can pose some dangers but if you need to visit it then do so with a group or with Guyanese whom you know well and with whom you feel comfortable. Police are unlikely to help you unless they see the crime in action.
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Questions
Georgetown: questions travellers ask
When is the best time to visit Georgetown?
Georgetown has no month that is both mild and dry by the measure used here. October is the warmest month, with average highs of 32 °C; May is the wettest, with about 334 mm of rain.
Which airport is closest to Georgetown?
The nearest airport with scheduled flights is Eugene F. Correia International Airport (OGL), about 4.8 km from the city centre in a straight line; Cheddi Jagan International Airport (GEO, 36 km) is also within reach.
What currency is used in Georgetown?
Guyanese dollar (GYD).
Sources: city facts from Wikidata and Wikipedia; airports from OurAirports; climate from CRU TS v4.10 (University of East Anglia Climatic Research Unit), 1991–2020 monthly means, 0.5° grid; places to stay, guest scores and amenities from each operator's own public pages. How this guide is made.