Waterfalls, Savanna & the Only English-Speaking Nation: A Year in Guyana
Guyana is a South American country that culturally leans Caribbean, home to one of the world’s most powerful waterfalls, a vast wildlife-rich savanna, and a colonial capital built below sea level.
Guyana sits on the South American mainland but is culturally and politically part of the Caribbean, a founding member of CARICOM and the only country on the continent where English is the official language. Georgetown, the capital, was built below sea level behind a network of Dutch-engineered sea defenses, while the vast, sparsely populated interior holds Kaieteur Falls, one of the world’s most powerful single-drop waterfalls, and the wildlife-rich savanna of the Rupununi.
Guyana’s Landscape, Coast to Savanna
Region by Region
A Colonial Capital Below Sea Level
Georgetown was built by Dutch engineers on land below sea level, protected by a long sea wall and a network of canals, and still holds striking wooden colonial buildings, including St. George’s Cathedral, one of the tallest wooden structures in the world.
- Architecture & history fans: a walk through Georgetown’s colonial core, including the bustling Stabroek Market, offers a real sense of the city’s Dutch and British layers of history.
- Evening strollers: the sea wall is a popular spot for a sunset walk, especially on weekends when locals gather along it.
- Practical note: Guyana’s recent offshore oil discoveries have brought rapid economic change to Georgetown, with new development and rising prices increasingly visible around the city.
One of the World’s Most Powerful Waterfalls
Kaieteur Falls drops nearly five times the height of Niagara Falls in a single, uninterrupted sheet of water, set deep within Kaieteur National Park’s rainforest and typically reached by small charter plane from Georgetown.
- Waterfall chasers: most visitors fly in on a day trip, landing on a small airstrip near the falls before a short walk to several viewpoints.
- Rainforest enthusiasts: nearby Iwokrama Forest offers a canopy walkway and guided night walks for spotting nocturnal wildlife.
- Practical note: flights can be affected by weather, so building a flexible day or two around a Kaieteur trip is worth considering.
Giant Otters, Jaguars & Ranching Country
The Rupununi, in Guyana’s remote south, is a vast savanna dotted with cattle ranches and Indigenous communities, offering some of South America’s best chances to spot giant river otters, jaguars, and harpy eagles.
- Wildlife travelers: the drier months make wildlife viewing and interior road travel considerably easier, since many routes become difficult or impassable in the wettest periods.
- Culture & ranching fans: the Rupununi Rodeo, held around Easter in Lethem, showcases the region’s cattle-ranching heritage with competitions and local food.
- Practical note: eco-lodges across the Rupununi require advance booking, as options and capacity are limited.
Tastes of Guyana: What to Eat
Pepperpot, Cook-Up Rice & Demerara Rum
Know Before You Go: Practical Tips
Beyond the Itinerary
Quick Decision Guide
| If you want… | Go in… | Head to… |
|---|---|---|
| Comfortable coastal & city sightseeing | Sep–Nov & Feb–Apr | Georgetown |
| To see Kaieteur Falls | Year-round, weather-dependent flights | Kaieteur National Park |
| Best interior wildlife & road access | Sep–Nov & Feb–Apr | Rupununi Savanna |
| Sea turtle nesting season | Roughly Mar–Aug, varies by species | Shell Beach |
| Rupununi Rodeo | Easter weekend | Lethem, Rupununi |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best time to visit Guyana?
Guyana has two drier windows, roughly September through November and February through April, when interior roads and river crossings are far easier to manage, while the wetter periods can make travel outside Georgetown more difficult.
Why is Guyana part of the Caribbean Community despite being in South America?
Guyana shares a British colonial history, English as its official language, and close cultural and economic ties with the Caribbean, which is why it’s a founding member of CARICOM despite sitting on the South American mainland.
What is Kaieteur Falls?
Kaieteur Falls is one of the world’s most powerful single-drop waterfalls, dropping nearly five times the height of Niagara Falls within Kaieteur National Park’s rainforest, typically visited by small charter plane from Georgetown.
What food should I try in Guyana?
Pepperpot, a rich meat stew made with cassareep, is Guyana’s national dish, alongside cook-up rice, roti and curry, and a taste of the country’s internationally renowned Demerara rum.
Is Guyana experiencing an oil boom?
Yes, Guyana became a major offshore oil producer following large discoveries starting in 2019, and the resulting economic growth has brought rapid development and rising prices, particularly in Georgetown.
Planning a trip from Georgetown to the rainforest interior?
Huntown’s Guyana listings are just getting started — check current stays and local services as more of the country comes online.
Explore Guyana on Huntown →
Leave feedback about this
You must be logged in to post a review.