french guiana trip

Sunny Land Tours – Since 1964

Unforgettable Travel Experiences Over 50 Years

17 Day Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana Tour Package

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Accommodations.

Exotic Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana tour leads you deep into the Amazon Rainforest.

After your arrival in Georgetown International Airport you will be met and transferred to the Pegasus Hotel for your overnight accommodations. The Roraima Duke Lodge is an old fashioned Boutique colonial architecture building. This antique type property is strategically positioned opposite the US Embassy in Duke Street Kingston and is within walking distance of many touristic buildings. The Duke Lodge nonsmoking rooms are warmly decorated. The Standard rooms are furnished with one king size bed and equipped with High Speed Internet Access and offers continental breakfast.

After breakfast, at 6:45am, you will be picked up and transferred to the Ogle Airport for your flight to Karanambu Lodge. This is the home of Diane McTurk, widely known for her work in rehabilitating orphaned, giant river otters. Diane and her otters have appeared on National Geographic, Jeff Corwin Experience, Really Wild Show (BBC) and the Calgary’s “Zoo World”. Karanambu has a long history of visiting naturalists and Diane’s father, Tiny McTurk, has welcomed David Attenborough and Gerald Durrell (Three Singles to Adventure). Late in the afternoon we will travel by boat to look for wild Giant River Otters and as dusk falls, we will make our way to the ponds to see the giant Victoria Regis water lily bloom at dusk. On the return trip we will spotlight for Black Caiman and birds and creatures of the night. Overnight at Karanambu Lodge. Meals: B, L, D

After breakfast we travel slowly on the Rupununi River by boat and this should give us another excellent opportunity to look for wildlife and birdlife. Depending on the river level, this trip offers an excellent opportunity to look for Giant Otters as there are several family groups which live along this stretch of the Rupununi River. Both Black and Spectacled Caimans also inhabit the river and several species of monkey including Red Howler, White-faced Saki and Squirrel Monkey can be found in the riverside trees. Eventually we reach Ginep Landing, continue your transfer by vehicle to the Iwokrama Canopy Walkway which allows you to view the forest from 35 M up in the canopy. The walkway has four platforms, the highest of which is over 30 meters above the ground, and these will allow us to get great looks at a range of canopy species, many of which we would struggle to see well from the forest floor. Late afternoon transfer to the Amerindian village of Surama. The village of Surama is situated in a small savannah, deep in the rainforest and surrounded by forest clad hills. It was here that Charles Waterton passed through in 1812 in search of the secrets of the useful Wourali poison known as Curare. Waterton was so stunned by this spot that he wrote in his memoirs “The finest park that England boasts falls short of this delightful scene”. Surama’s inhabitants are mainly from the Macushi tribe and still observe many of the traditional practices of their forebears. On our arrival, we will receive a warm welcome from the local people and will be shown to our basic accommodation. Tonight enjoy an educational walk to observe wildlife and experience the mystique of the forest after dark. Overnight at Surama Eco-Lodge. Meals: B, L, D

Rise before dawn for a 4×4 vehicle transfer across the savannah and through the rainforest to the Taramou bridge where you will get out of the vehicle and walk for approximately 25 to 30 minutes to the Burro Burro River. Your guides will then paddle you on the Burro Burro River for opportunities to observe Giant River Otters, Tapir, Tira, Spider Monkeys and many more species. Return to village for lunch. As the afternoon cools your guide will take you on a tour of the village. Overnight at Surama Eco Lodge. Meals: B, L, D

After breakfast depart Surama by 4×4 vehicle for Annai to join the scheduled flight to Ogle Airport. Transfer and overnight at Cara Lodge. Meals: B

There are no other falls in the world with the magnitude of the sheer drop existing at Kaieteur. Amerindian legend of the Patamona tribe has it that Kai, one of the tribe’s chiefs (after whom the falls is named), committed self sacrifice by canoeing himself over the falls. It was believed this would encourage the Great Spirit Makonaima to save the tribe from being destroyed by the savage Caribishi. Kaieteur supports a unique micro environment with Tank Bromeliads, the largest in the world; in which the tiny Golden frog spends its entire life and the rarely seen Guiana Cock- of-the-rock nests close by. The lucky visitor may also see the famous flights of the Kaieteur Swifts or Makonaima Birds which nest under the vast shelf of rock carved by the centuries of water, hidden behind the eternal curtain of falling water. The Orinduik Falls is where the Ireng River thunders over steps and terraces of solid jasper, a semi-precious stone. With a backdrop of the rolling grass covered hills of the Pakaraima Mountains, this is truly one of the most beautiful locations in Guyana’s hinterland. Its name is derived from the Amerindian (Patamona) word, Orin, which is the name of an aquatic plant found in these falls. The Ireng River forms the border between Brazil and Guyana. In contrast to Kaieteur, Orinduik is ideally suited for swimming and you will find natural Jacuzzis as the falls tumble down the steps of Jasper.

Guyana’s most popular day trip takes in both of these spectacular falls. The trip departs from Ogle Airstrip and lasts 7 to 8 hours with two hours spent on the ground at each water fall. Late afternoon, return to Georgetown. Overnight at Cara Lodge. Meals: B, L

This morning we will visit Demerara Distillery Limited to see how rum is processed in their plant at Diamond. The tour also includes a visit to the Rum Heritage Museum. Lunch at Cara Lodge. Late this afternoon visit the home of Roy Geddes Musical Museum for a cultural evening and local dinner. Roy is Guyana’s most famous steel pan player and maker. He will demonstrate how steel pans are made and discuss their history and a rendition of pop, rock, soca, classical and jazz numbers on the pans. At the Diamond Distillery, visitors will see first-hand how the company has maintained the standards and methods of the age‐old industry; working in tandem with the most up to date facilities and equipment. The unique blends of these rums are produced from a combination of Continuous Stills, Wooden Coffey Stills and Wooden Pot Stills. If the idea of rum conjures nothing more than visions of bad Coca-Cola mixed cocktails or high octane/high headache Mojitos, then you’re bound to be wowed by the output of this 50+ year old facility on the east banks of the Demerara River. El Dorado rum, the signature output of this venerable facility regularly bests a long list of respectable Caribbean competitors and turns out to be a Guyanese souvenir well worth carting home. Those who appreciate good scotch or brandy are especially likely to appreciate El Dorado 12 and 15 year sipping rums and quite expensive single barrel bottles. The tour is a 90 minute hard hat affair, taking you directly into the hot, smelly, and noisy innards of the busy factory and barrel warehouse to observe each step of the production process. Modern savalle, coffey, and tri-Canada stills are the center of activity as are fully operational but semi‐ancient wooden stills in the older section of the facility (those wooden stills are the oldest in commercial production anywhere in the world). With Chief Distiller Karl Kanto or one of his deputies at the helm of your visit, you can expect an impassioned education on the art and science of rum manufacturing leading to a finer appreciation of a product that is emerging (along with tequila) as the new ‘in’ choice among those who appreciate spirits. Overnight at Cara Lodge. Meals: B, L

Georgetown the chief port, capital and largest city of Guyana is situated on the right Bank of the Demerara River Estuary. It was chosen as a site for a fort to guard the early Dutch settlements of the Demerara River. The city of Georgetown was designed largely by the Dutch and is laid out in a rectangular pattern with wide tree lined avenues and irrigation canals that crisscross the city. Most of the buildings in the city are wooden with unique architecture dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries. For the most part the buildings have Demerara shutters and designed fretwork which trim eaves and windows. Main Street Georgetown provides several excellent examples of old colonial homes, a prime example of which is the State House, built in 1852. The State House is set in large gardens and is painted green and white and has hosted many visiting dignitaries. During your visit to Georgetown there are a number of interesting sights that should not be missed: the most famous being St. George’s Cathedral. The Cathedral is one of the world’s tallest free standing wooden buildings and was consecrated on 1892. The foundation stone was laid on November 23, 1890 and the building was designed by Sir Arthur Bloomfield. The story of the cathedral is told on the interior on tablets and memorials of a historical and sentimental nature: it is the tale of the history of Guyana in general and of the Diocese in particular. At the beginning of the Avenue of the Republic stands the Public Library housed in the Carnegie Building. Other historic buildings along this promenade are the Town Hall, a splendid example of Gothic architecture, and further along are the Victoria Law Courts and St. Andrews Kirk. St. Andrew’s is the oldest surviving structure of any church in Guyana.

The Famous Stabroek Market, once described as a “bizarre bazaar”, contains every conceivable item from house hold goods and gold jewelery to fresh meat and vegetables brought to town on the river daily. The clock tower can be seen for miles around and is a famous landmark.

No trip to Georgetown would be complete without a visit to the Botanical Gardens and zoo. The Botanical Gardens houses one of the most extensive collections of tropical flora in the Caribbean and are laid out with ponds, canals, kissing bridges and bandstand. Over 100 species of Guyanese wildlife can be observed at the Zoo including a wide variety of tropical fishes and birds. The National Museum which contains a broad selection of Guyana’s animal life and heritage should not be missed, nor the Walter Roth Museum of Anthropology, which explains Amerindian history and life style. The tour will include walking along the Avenues with an experienced guide who will give you the history, rumor and facts on Georgetown and its citizens. The group will be accompanied at all times by a vehicle, which will be used for travel between areas of interest. Along the way visitors will sample local exotic fruits, snacks and refreshments. During the tour there is always the opportunity to purchase that unusual gift or unique Guyanese handicrafts, or for the daring the chance to delve into the gold and diamond market.

Upon completion of the excursion, you will transfer to Ogle Airport for your flight to Suriname. Arrive in Zorg en Hoop Airport. After customs clearance transfer to the Krasnapolsky Hotel by shuttle bus. Paramaribo, the capital city of Suriname is a junction of cultures. It is an old Holland colony where people from many countries arrived to work on the plantations. Located in the middle of the Amazon Jungle; Suriname has plenty to offer as one of the most exotic destinations of South America. As one of the oldest and most familiar companies in the Hospitality division, Hotel Krasnapolsky established in 1973, has become a famous landmark in Paramaribo’s downtown city scene. The hotel has always been a huge draw to international tourists and business travelers who seek it out especially for its prime downtown location. With its restaurants and gradual expansion into facilities such as famous fast food chains and shops in the ground floor shopping arcade, the Hotel’s facilities are also much sought after by the dynamic downtown crowd. Meals: B

After breakfast, you will checkout from the hotel at 6:45am and be picked up by for your transfer to the French Guiana border where you will proceed through customs and immigration, to enter French Guiana. Our representatives will then escort you to the Kourou at Hotel des Roches for check in and overnight. Meals: B, L (Lunch at a local restaurant)

After breakfast, Depart from the hotel for a full day excursion to Devil’s Islands by scheduled Catamaran visit to St. Joseph and Royale Islands. A guided visit of the island including the museum, main buildings, a children’s cemetery, convict building, guard’s house, jails, etc. Lunch at the guest house on Royal Island. Return to Kourou by Catamaran at 5:00 P.M. Overnight at Hotel des Roches. Meals: B, L

Breakfast at the hotel. Morning Cayenne City Tour including Place des Palmites, Place de Grenole, Fort Ceperou. Lunch at a local restaurant. Upon completion of the excursion, you will transfer to Cayenne Airport for your flight arriving at Paramaribo International Airport. After customs clearance you will transfer to the Krasnapolsky Hotel by shuttle bus. Meals: B, L

After breakfast, at 9:00am, you will be picked up by This afternoon we take you on a Paramaribo City tour; on foot you will visit one of the most attractive cities of South America, Paramaribo, the capital city of Suriname and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its magnificent architecture. During this tour you will visit the Palm Gardens, the Waterfront and the Central Market. Naturally, you will also see the many historical buildings like the recently renovated Presidential Palace, the Mosque and Synagogue next to each other and the magnificent Hindi Temple. Overnight at Krasnapolsky Hotel. Meals: B

Breakfast at the hotel. Be ready at 9:00am After an interesting bus ride out of town you have a chance to see some of the landscapes of the rural community at the Wanica District. Our first visit is a small Botanical garden with a wide range of Heliconia’s, palm trees, bamboo, ferns and other exotic flowers, trees and plants. During the trail you will be treated to taste several exciting specialties from Suriname. We continue our journey to the butterfly park in Lelydorp, a beautiful and enchanting world of butterflies awaits you. In a serene nature rich environment, a multitude of colorful butterfly species surround you while you enjoy a variety of attractions and learn all there is to know about their fascinating process of metamorphosis. During your visit to Neotropical Butterfly Park you will also have a chance to explore our insect museum, and a hand painted 360⁰ panoramic view of typical Surinamese landscapes and of course a guided tour through the breeding facilities of Neotropical Insects. The butterfly farm also breeds local land turtles and snakes in small numbers aside from butterflies. After the guided tour at the butterfly park, we will return to your hotel. Overnight at Krasnapolsky Hotel. Meals: B

Enjoy a typical breakfast, at 10:00am we will set off to the Bergendal Eco & Cultural River Resort and last plantation alongside the Suriname River. You will be delighted by the unique blend of adventure, history, and nature that awaits a 2-day exploration and makes the resort one of a kind. Endless opportunities abound for revitalizing and relaxation, as well as many adventure activities to explore. Lunch will be served at in the Kiskadee Restaurant. Overnight at Bergendal Resort. Meals: B, L, D

After breakfast you will take a boat to visit to the Heritage Village, an old slave town at the side of the Suriname River. Arrive at Adventure Center where you will have the option to add select tours available to enhance your stay at Bergendal. Overnight at Bergendal Resort. Meals: B, L, D

Breakfast at the resort. After breakfast we will hike from the resort to the Adventure Center. At the Adventure Center you can do some optional activities for the last day in Bergendal. After lunch transfer to Paramaribo. Arrival and check in at the hotel. Overnight at Krasnapolsky Hotel. Meals: B, L

Breakfast provided. Transfer to the airport for your international flight home. Meals: B

• 6 nights accommodation in Guyana
• 8 nights accommodation in Suriname
• 2 nights accommodation in French Guiana
• Kaieteur and Orinduik Falls Tour
• Georgetown City Tour
• Devil’s Island Tour
• Cayenne City Tour
• Commewijine Tour
• Paramaribo City Tour
• Meals as indicated on itinerary
• All flights to/from Miami
• Flight to/from Karanambu Lodge
• Flight to Suriname
•  International / domestic flights
• Airport departure tax

*Minimum 2 to operate

Airport departure tax payable USD $20.00

NOTICE: Sunny Land Tours is not responsible for any issues/costs resulting from delays or interruption in air transportation. All such issues should be addressed directly with the airline.

It is the client’s responsibility to check & verify the flight information at least 24 hours prior to departure.

Trip Interruption Insurance is available and is highly recommended.

Prices include airfare, fuel surcharges, airport taxes and fees. All prices are per person based on twin occupancy. Air & land tour prices apply from the gateway airport or city specified in the Package Highlights. Airfare based on certain class of service and subject to availability, other classes of service will be subject to a supplement. Prices will vary from alternative gateway airports or cities and may be higher. Airfare prices subject to change until ticketing. Additional baggage charges may apply.

Guyana: Cara Lodge

Suriname: Krasnapolsky Hotel Bergendal Eco-Resort

French Guiana: Hotel des Roches

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French guiana.

If you want that real, Heart of Darkness -like trip into the depths of the jungle, may we suggest a trip to French Guiana? While flying here is possible through the capital city of Cayenne, that can literally be a multi-day undertaking from anywhere in the United States.

It's often faster to travel to neighboring Suriname and haggle with local villagers along the Morowinje River for passage across. Then there’s the issue of what to do once you get to the other side.

Once you’re in French Guiana, you’ll find few crowds in the jungles, wetlands, and beaches, and relatively solid infrastructure since this is, after all, part of France. You’ll also find the EU’s main spaceport, located here thanks to its latitude and abundance of land -- if Florida’s not for you, it’s a great place to watch a shuttle launch . The culture is also distinctly Caribbean, and going for carnival will be the best time of year to visit. You’ll find plenty of reasons to visit French Guiana in the pages below; you’ll just need a little bit of patience to get there.

Budget Travel

Budget travel guide to french guiana.

French Guiana

• 2 Other destinations
• 3.1 Climate
• 3.2 Landscape
• 3.3 Visitor information
• 5.1 By plane
• 5.2 By boat
• 5.3.1 Oyapock River Bridge
• 6.1 By boat
• 6.3 By taxi
• 6.5 By plane
• 15 Stay safe
• 16 Stay healthy

French Guiana ( French : Guyane or Guyane française ) is an overseas French department and region in the Amazonia region of South America , bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Brazil and Suriname . It is governed as an overseas department of France with the same rights and privileges granted to all other French departments, and it benefits financially from the arrangement.

Cities [ edit ]

• 4.938611 -52.335 1 Cayenne , the administrative capital of French Guiana
• 5.158333 -52.642778 2 Kourou , the city which hosts the space centre and Arianespace
• 5.503889 -54.028889 3 Saint-Laurent , on the Maroni River, which forms the natural border between Suriname and French Guyana.
• 3.889444 -51.801111 4 Saint-Georges , on the Oyapock River, which is the natural border between Brazil and French Guyana.

Other destinations [ edit ]

• 2.838333 -53.772222 2 Guiana Amazonian Park – the largest national park in the European Union making up for 41 per cent of French Guiana's land area

Understand [ edit ]

Originally inhabited by various indigenous peoples (Kalina, Arawak, Galibi, Palikur, Teko, Wayampi and Wayana), French Guiana was colonised by the French during the seventeenth century in the face of opposition from the indigenous Amerindians as well as the Portuguese and English. French Guiana was the site of notorious penal settlements (collectively known as Devil's Island) until 1951. The European Space Agency launches its communication satellites from Kourou . It is the only portion of mainland South America still governed by an overseas nation.

Climate [ edit ]

Tropical; hot, humid; little seasonal temperature variation and heavy rainfall throughout most of the year.

Landscape [ edit ]

Low-lying coastal plains rising to hills and small mountains, mostly an unsettled wilderness. It also consists of hill plateaus and the Tumuc-humac mountains.

Visitor information [ edit ]

• official tourism website (in French)

Talk [ edit ]

French is the official language of French Guiana (as it's a part of France), although Creole is widely spoken. The majority of the population speaks French while few understand English. However, some officials, police, and gendarmes may speak English. Because of the presence of many Brazilians and Dominicans, lots of people understand basic Portuguese and basic Spanish. On the Maroni River, Sranan Tongo (Taki-taki) is often used.

Get in [ edit ]

Concerning immigration, French Guiana has different laws. French Guiana is not part of the Schengen Area , and your passport or ID-card is checked upon arrival even if you're arriving from mainland or Caribbean France. However, the department is covered by the directive for Freedom of Movement, so EU-citizens have the right to stay indefinitely. For some neighboring countries (e.g. Brazil, Suriname) it is easier to go to Paris than it is to reach Cayenne.

In addition, holding a yellow fever vaccination certificate is mandatory , regardless of citizenship or where you've recently been. Be prepared to show this certificate before boarding a plane to French Guiana, or at the border if you are arriving overland.

By plane [ edit ]

Félix Eboué Airport [dead link] ( CAY  IATA ) just outside Cayenne is the only international airport and the main point of entry to the territory. Air France and Air Caraibes each have a daily flight from Paris Orly Airport , so it's relatively easy to get in from Europe. Air France and Air Guyane Express also have flights to two major French outposts in the Caribbean, namely Martinique and Guadeloupe and this is probably the best way to get in from North America and the Caribbean. Suriname Airways connects to Paramaribo and Belém (in Brazil ) with connections to other parts of South America. In addition there are a couple of seasonal charter flights from Miami Airport and various Brazilian cities. From other parts of the world, expect a complicated journey with three or four transfers.

By boat [ edit ]

From Brazil and Suriname , getting into French Guiana overland includes a 15-minute crossing by boat across Oiapoque (from Brazil) or Le Maroni (from Suriname). It's not very expensive, unless you want to take a car across, but you have to haggle .

French Guiana's main seaport is the port of Dégrad des Cannes, located on the estuary of the Mahury River, in the commune of Remire-Montjoly, a south-eastern suburb of Cayenne. However these days, freighter travel is the only possibility to get into French Guyana from further away by boat.

By car [ edit ]

From Brazil you can take a private barge across the Oiapoque River. Its owner can be contacted in St Georges or in Oiapoque. From Suriname , there is a ferry to cross the Maroni River.

Oyapock River Bridge [ edit ]

The Oyapock River Bridge is a cable-stayed bridge. It spans the Oyapock River to link the cities of Oiapoque in Brazil and Saint-Georges de l'Oyapock in French Guiana. The two towers rise to a height of 83 meters, it's 378 meters long and it has two lanes of 3.50 m wide. The vertical clearance under the bridge is 15 metres. Construction was completed in August 2011, it didn't open to traffic until March 2017.

On the French side, access is through a border checkpoint (FCP) which will present three government control: the Border Police, the Customs and the Directorate for Food, Agriculture and Forestry.

The bridge over the Oyapock is toll-free (the booths are control booths, not toll booths), and it's accessible to both vehicles and pedestrians.

By bus [ edit ]

From Macapá (Brazil) and Paramaribo (Suriname) you can get to the border by minibus, but in both cases you need to cross the river by boat and take another bus after the crossing.

Get around [ edit ]

Population and therefore transportation is mostly concentrated along a rather narrow sliver of land along the coast. Heading inland from there can be complicated. There are no passenger railways nor have there ever been serious plans for any.

3,400 km of French Guiana's waterways are navigable by native craft; 460 km navigable by small oceangoing vessels and coastal and river steamers.

There is limited public transportation throughout the territory. Transport Interurbain de la Guyane operates bus routes between major towns.

Minibuses go between major towns but there may only be a few per day. They leave when they are full. Fares are fixed per route; if only going partial distance to Cayenne you may have to pay the full fare. E.g. St. Laurent du Maroni to Kourou you may have to pay the full fare to Cayenne. Fare for St. Laurent to Cayenne is €25.

By taxi [ edit ]

It's quite easy to find a taxi, but this is a very expensive way of getting around. The 15-minute ride from the airport to central Cayenne will cost €35, and to travel one way from Cayenne to Kourou, you'll have to fork out €85.

As the public transportation is limited, renting a car is also an option for getting around. Hitchhiking is a good and free alternative. A lot of locals do it as well.

An asphalted road from Régina to Saint-Georges de l'Oyapock (a town by the Brazilian border) was opened in 2004, completing the road from Cayenne to the Brazilian border. It is now possible to drive on a fully paved road from Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni on the Surinamese border to Saint-Georges de l'Oyapock on the Brazilian border.

There aren't really any roads in the inner parts of the country. If you don't want to travel by boat, Air Guyane Express [dead link] has flights from Cayenne to major inland settlements.

See [ edit ]

• Guiana Space Centre close to Kourou . There is a free tour twice a day. And for a few euros you can visit a museum. Check the rocket launch schedule for a special experience.
• Cayenne , the capital, has some museums and colonial architecture.
• The Îles du salut and Kourou used to form a penal colony, colloquially known as the Devil's Island (although in reality that's the name of just one of the islands). From Kourou you can visit the islands by boat, however the Devil's Island proper isn't open for visitors.
• Plage les Hattes at Awala-Yalimapo in the northwest is the most important nesting site in the world for giant leatherback turtles.
• The Zoo Guyane , deep in the jungle near Macouria, is a wildlife sanctuary where animals native to French Guiana wander the grounds.
• Ilet la Mère is an uninhabited island a 30-minute boat trip from the marina at Dégrad des Cannes, just outside Cayenne, that is home to the gentle and gregarious squirrel monkeys.
• Shop Cayenne's main market in Place Victor Schoelcher for locally made handicrafts and souvenirs, tropical fruits, perfumes, fragrant spices, and Asian foods such as Vietnamese noodle soup, tropical juices.

Do [ edit ]

• Take a guided tour to the inland rainforest .
• Take a river trip in a pirougue .
• The Tresór Nature Reserve encompasses a huge area of the Kaw ecosystem a 2-hour drive from Cayenne. Its marshes are home to black caimans, a smaller relative of the American alligator, and the scarlet ibis.
• Enjoy the beach at Remire-Montjoly near Cayenne.
• Like in many other Catholic countries, the carnival is celebrated early in the year. In French Guiana the festivities take place between the first Sunday in January and Ash Wednesday. During the carnival people put on masks and traditional dresses and go out dancing along the streets every Sunday in Cayenne, Kourou and St.Laurent. Visitors are also welcome to dress up and participate in the parades. During the carnival the festivities continue through the night in bars and nightclubs.

Buy [ edit ]

The official currency is the euro just like in mainland France. Most purchases will be more expensive than you expect, as a lot of stuff has to be imported - even food and drinks are flown from metropolitan France. Things like electronics are really expensive. However the local rum and objects carved out of wood are great souvenirs and relatively affordable.

For daily purchases, there is a shopping centre outside Cayenne similar to the "hypermarkets" of metropolitan France. Smaller grocery and convenience stores are in the city selling not just food but other small things you might need like insect repellent, toothpaste and other hygiene articles.

GDP per capita is around half that of mainland France and unemployment hovers around 20% which makes the economic situation pretty bad. The local economy largely depends on tourism and the spaceport but gold mining is another important factor. Sadly gold mining is often done illegally and in ways harmful to the environment.

Eat [ edit ]

A typical local dish includes fish and other seafood or game meat served with rice, red beans or couac (flour made out of dried cassava) and can be rather fierce, as they often use liberal amounts of spices. What else would you expect from a region whose capital has given name to the cayenne pepper? You can of course always ask the chef to make your dish less spicy. Guyanese specialties include:

• Bouillon d'Awara - broth of awara fruit ( Astrocaryum vulgare )
• Colombo - a Creole dish with pork or chicken
• Red beans - served with game or fish
• Lentils - served with game or fish
• Kalou/Kalalou - a fish dish with spinach and okra
• Pimentade - peppered and lemon-seasoned fish in tomato sauce
• Blaf de poisson - fish prepared with court-bouillon
• Roti couniad - fish barbecued with its scale

In some restaurants you may find meat of threatened species (such as caiman and certain turtles) on the menu. Think twice before ordering any of those exotic dishes.

Drink [ edit ]

Tafia is a local hard liquor that is widely drunk and used for medical purposes. One can drink it with lime juice or with salt and it's used in a drink called Planter, excellent. Rum and ti-punch are also common.

Wassaï juice (also known as acaï) is a drink consumed cold. The pulp of the fruit which comes from the Wassaï palm is first soaked, then kneaded and finally filtered. Its pulp gives a creamy drink that can be drunk by mixing it with sweetened milk.

Wassaï juice can also be enjoyed with meat, fish or even served with couac (traditional cassava flour from French Guyana). This drink is very popular in French Guiana for its anti-oxidants, energy content and for its protein and fatty acid contributions.

Sleep [ edit ]

Hotels are rather expensive in French Guiana: at many of them, you'll need to spend well over €100 for a night. For cheaper accommodation, there are also a couple of hostels; they don't have web pages.

The cheapest accommodation is also the most adventurous one. For a few euros you can sleep in a hammock in a traditional carbet , a shelter without walls. This is the only type of accommodation available in the rainforest.

Learn [ edit ]

There are two higher education institutions in the departement: L'Université des Antilles et de la Guyane (UAG) and Le Pôle Universitaire Guyanais (PUG) [dead link] .

Work [ edit ]

For European people coming from an EU country, working in French Guiana is allowed without a problem. If you're from outside the EU, you will probably need a work permit - check with the French Embassy in your country. Do not forget though that the unemployment rate is high. But if you work in the health sector (doctor, nurse), it will be much easier. French proficiency is essential.

Voluntary service: Volontariat Civil à l'Aide Technique (VCAT) or French Civic Service . Conditions: you must be French or from another EU-member state or a country belonging to the European Economic Area. You must be over 18 and under 28 years old (inclusive). You must not have had your civic rights revoked by a court or have been convicted of certain offences.

Stay safe [ edit ]

It is advisable to pay extreme attention not to lose your passport: there are very few consulates in French Guiana as such services are provided by consulates in Paris , so you will be required to go to Paris in case you need your passport to be reissued if you are not an EU citizen.

Some parts of the department are patrolled by the French Foreign Legion, including the Kourou Space Centre and areas where illegal gold mining have occurred.

Stay healthy [ edit ]

Vaccination against yellow fever is necessary; without a yellow fever vaccination certificate you are not allowed into French Guiana. Also two other tropical mosquito-borne diseases, namely malaria and dengue fever are endemic to the region. In other words, do protect yourself from mosquitoes and ticks - long sleeved clothing and insect repellent are recommended. The risk is lower in the cities and towns. Swimming in still-standing water is not a good idea as it often contains parasites. This is less of a problem in rivers. However water in nature is not safe for drinking.

Poisonous snakes and spiders also pose a risk, and you should definitely wear boots in the rainforest and not "explore" hollow trees where these creatures often lurk. Remember that it can take a very long time to get to a hospital if you get bitten.

Other health risks include cholera, typhoid fever and rabies.

Healthcare is almost up to the same standards as in mainland France, although slightly more expensive. There are hospitals in Cayenne and Kourou. Concerning tropical diseases, they are better equipped and more experienced than mainland hospitals.

As in the rest of France, French and EU residents get most of their health care costs covered by the compulsory health insurance plan (sécurité sociale). This plan does not cover nonresidents, who will be expected to pay full price. Travel health insurance is thus advised.

Visitors from the European Union should bring an EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) - obtained in their own country before departure. The E111 form is no longer valid. Ask for details at your local health care organisation.

Respect [ edit ]

The Creole culture is deeply rooted in French Guyana, but the population is still proud of being French. Hence insinuating they aren't really French is likely to cause offense. For example mainland France should be referred to as metropolitan/mainland France ("métropole"), not "France". The locals are happy to answer any questions about their culture, history and religion. However, slavery is a sensitive subject that should be avoided.

Connect [ edit ]

For cheaper local calls and calls to mainland France it's advisable to buy a local prepaid SIM card. The Alizé cards by France Telecom offer 13 hours of communication for €15.

There are three GSM operators: Orange Caraïbe, Digicel and Only.

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Explore French Guiana

Plan your trip to french guiana: best of french guiana tourism.

Essential French Guiana

Trending in the forums

French Guiana Is Great For

Eat & drink.

Explore French Guiana

Plan your french guiana holiday: best of french guiana.

Essential French Guiana

Trending in the forums

French Guiana Is Great For

Eat & drink.

French Guiana travel guide

French guiana tourism | french guiana guide, you're going to love french guiana.

A unique slice of Europe sits on the western coast of South America. As the second-largest territory of France, French Guiana delivers a unique mix of primeval rainforests and colonial ancestry.

Dense humidity provides the spring for vast jungles to grow, with spectacular ecosystems of savannahs and woodlands inhabited by thousands of mammal and bird species. Coastal cities, such as Cayenne, have cultural influences from the Caribbean, with a laid-back atmosphere and seafaring industries.

What to do in French Guiana

1. discover the salvation's islands.

Located roughly 7 mi from the mainland coast, the islands offer a tantalizing mix of prison history and sandy beached heaven.

2. Trek Through Guiana Amazonian Park

The largest park in the European Union stretches along the Maroni and Oyapock Rivers, with remote hut villages and winding trails to explore.

3. Experience the Wonders of Cacao

The town has been a place of resettlement for Laos refugees since the 1970s and has bustling markets, a nature museum, and magnificent hand-woven souvenirs.

4. Feast at Cayenne's Central Market

Surrounded by drooping palm trees, the colorful market has strong aromas floating through the air. Exotic fruits, steaming soups, and rich spices are available.

5. Be Amazed by the Guiana Space Centre

Due to being close to the equator, the site has launched numerous rockets. Tours must be arranged in advance and include a visit to the launching platform.

When to visit French Guiana

The dry season from August to November offers the most pleasant weather for getting outside and exploring as maximum temperatures sit around 89°F.

How to Get to French Guiana

Entry requirements.

Citizens of other European Union states can enter freely as well as obtain work, while nationals of countries, such as Canada, the United States, Australia, Singapore, and Mexico, can visit without a visa for up to 90 days.

Cayenne – Félix Eboué Airport is the major international gateway with nonstop flights from Paris provided by Air France and Air Caraibes. Routes are also possible from Miami, Belem, Martinique, and Guadeloupe.

The Oyapock River Bridge allows direct travel from Oiapoque in Brazil, while vehicle ferries can be caught from Suriname at Albina. The ferry charge for a vehicle is roughly €35 ($39). Immigration services on the French Guiana side of the Oyapock River Bridge are open from 8:00 am until 12:00 pm, then reopen after lunch between 2:00 pm and 6:00 pm.

Ferries depart from Albina in Suriname twice daily (Monday to Saturday) in the morning. Boats also cross the Oyapock River from Oiapoque to St. Georges.

Popular airports in French Guiana

Popular airlines serving french guiana, where to stay in french guiana.

A wide range of hotels are available in cities such as Sinnamary, Kourou, and Cayenne. Beach fronted lodges and resorts are popular choices to embrace the surrounding North Atlantic Ocean. Bed and breakfast accommodations can be found in the larger towns as well as some more rural areas, offering a more authentic taste of life in French Guiana.

Where to stay in popular areas of French Guiana

Most booked hotels in french guiana, how to get around french guiana, public transportation.

Transport within cities can be limited, with buses primarily traveling between towns. Taxis are commonly available in places, such as Matoury, Kouru, and Remire-Montjoly, while Cayenne is the only city with a public bus network - there are 7 lines and tickets cost approximately €1.10 ($1.20).

Minibuses regularly travel between major towns. However, departure times are not regular. Fixed fares connect destinations, such as St. Laurent, St Georges, and Cayenne, with prices ranging from around €10-50 ($11-55).

The driver's license from the country of origin is sufficient, with the roads in French Guiana maintained to a good standard. Both local and global rental companies are available; daily fares range from roughly €35-50 ($39-55).

Domestic flights are operated by Air Guyane to Grand Santi, Saül, Saint-Laurent du Maroni, and Maripasoula. The services take between 30-60min and cost approximately €95-120 ($105-132).

The Cost of Living in French Guiana

As one of the most expensive places in South America, a meal at a standard restaurant is priced at roughly €20 ($22), however, a beer can be bought for around €2 ($2.20). Credit cards are accepted in most shops and restaurants, though it's best to carry cash to pay for buses and taxis.

French Guiana | Top 10 special sights

French Guiana is not an everyday destination for backpackers and travelers, but I wouldn't recommend it world traveler if I were to skip the relatively unknown country. I therefore decided to discover the country independently, where there are hardly any tours and accommodations available. Fortunately, French Guiana can be combined well with Suriname en Guyana in the northernmost part of South America , so I didn't come here for just one country.

Will you join me on a journey of discovery through this part of France on the other side of the world? Here are the top 10 unique highlights for a visit to French Guiana!

Table of contents

Top 10 sights in French Guiana

1. guyana space center.

At a distance of about 500 km from the equator, the space station is located in Kourou. Since 1968, this location has been perfect for launching rockets into space European Space Agency (ESA). The Guyana Space Center (also known as CSG) is to America what NASA's Kennedy Space Center is to America space station from Europe.

Also read: Kennedy Space Center + rocket launch | Our experience & tips

The site is enormous and offers free guided tours every day. Although the tours are usually only in French, it often happens that the group is large and there are several participants who speak little French. In such cases, part of the tour will be translated into English.

The tour lasts a total of 3 hours and includes a visit to both the control rooms where missile launches are prepared and the missile launch platforms. Many of these platforms are still in use, and some well-known launches include those of the Ariane en Vega . Rockets were once launched from here by Russia, but since a war this is no longer allowed. However, Russia's launch pads can still be viewed up close.

Also read: Admire Starship from SpaceX | Our Starbase visit in Boca Chica, Texas

2. Capital Cayenne

Cayenne is the capital of the French Guiana department in France. It is located on a peninsula between two estuaries. The city itself is not very big and can easily be explored on foot in a day. The large international airport is also located here, where flights from Paris arrive daily.

Cayenne is best known for its annual carnival. From Fort Cépérou you can enjoy a beautiful view of the city and the surrounding mountains that surround it. Sights such as Place Grenoble and Place des Palmistes are also very popular among visitors. In addition, there are several museums that highlight the history of French Guiana.

3. Hike trail Sentier de la Montagne des Singes

Just outside the town of Kourou lies the imposing mountain Montagne des Singes, which means 'monkey mountain'. A beautiful walking route of approximately 4 kilometers has been mapped out here. At the top of the mountain you will enjoy a breathtaking view of the entire site of the Guyana Space Center. During the walk, which takes you through dense forests, there is also the opportunity to spot different species of monkeys.

4. Hike trail Sentier du rorota

Just outside the capital Cayenne there is a hiking trail that winds through the tropical rainforest and runs along the sea, with breathtaking views. This route is 5,6 kilometers long, easily accessible and clearly signposted, so you will have no trouble finding your way. It is a popular walking route that is often used by locals.

5. Beach at Kourou

French Guiana has an extensive coastline, but there are few beaches due to the large difference between high and low tides. Close to the coast you often find a lot of mud or sand, which makes entering the water difficult. Despite this, the views are exceptionally beautiful.

6. Papillon Prison

The prison at Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni, world famous thanks to the book and film “ Butterfly “, was for a long time the most talked about prison in France. Nowadays the prison has been converted into a museum, where you can walk around with a guide and see how the prisoners lived.

7. Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni

There is a small town on the border with Suriname that mainly functions as a connection point between Suriname and France. In this town you can visit the prison, which is easily accessible from here. Moreover, the town is a convenient stopover for travelers to and from Suriname, where you can find everything you need.

8. Ile du salut

Off the coast of French Guiana there is a group of islands with beautiful small islands. Various tours can be organized from Kourou to go to these islands by boat. On one of these islands there is a prison that was used by France for the most serious criminals. Although this prison is no longer in use, it can still be visited with a guide.

9. Tropical rainforest

Most of French Guiana consists of pristine tropical rainforest, which is strictly protected. It is difficult to reach, but there are options to get there. By far the easiest, albeit most expensive, option is by plane. Despite the difficulty of getting there, the rainforest is breathtakingly beautiful. However, many tourists skip it due to accessibility challenges.

10. Montjoly/ Albina Beach

Montjoly/Albina beach is located near the Sentier du Rorota hiking trail, near Cayenne. As in Kourou, there is a significant difference between high and low tides, so the area close to the beach is often covered in mud or sand. Although it is important to exercise caution, visitors can still enjoy the beautiful beach.

Closing comments

French Guiana offers a number of unique experiences, from beautiful nature to historical sights and cultural highlights. The combination with Suriname and Guyana creates a fascinating adventure in the northernmost part of South America. Whether you enjoy the breathtaking rainforests, discover fascinating history in museums and old prisons, or simply relax on a secluded beach, a trip to French Guiana promises to be an unforgettable experience. Are you ready to discover the charms of this French part of South America?

French Guiana is best visited in combination with Suriname. Djoser is currently the only Dutch travel provider that sells an organized trip to this special destination.

Are you ready for a unique adventure? Then take a quick look at the current offer!

• Unique destination
• Off the beaten track
• Cultural heritage
• Special nature

Elaine Sieben

I have traveled quite a bit in my life. For example, in 2021 I lived in Namibia during my studies and in 2022 I was traveling in Austria, Germany, Belgium, South Korea, South Africa and Namibia!

In 2023 I visited the countries of Hungary, Slovakia, Austria, Turkey, France, French Guiana, Suriname, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, England, Poland, Rwanda, Tanzania, Kenya, Burundi and Uganda.

Planning 2024: Travel even more and see the world. In the meantime, I have already seen 36 countries in this beautiful world that lies at our feet.

Check out my Instagram @travel_with_eline for more beautiful photos and stories about my travels.

Quote: "Great times never come from comfort zones!"

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A taste of French Guiana’s culinary specialties

Inspiration

French Guiana - Amazonia Food and Wine

Reading time: 0 min Published on 27 March 2024, updated on 15 April 2024

In Guiana, the cuisine is a thousand leaves of flavors blown in from different continents. Fine, delicate and enriched by 400 years of history, it entrances all the way from the market, from the terroir products to the sea, and through the tasty recipes concocted on site—here is a taste to get you drooling before a visit to French Guiana!

Guiana has many surprises and discoveries—the cuisine is no exception . Culinary specialities abound, the result of four centuries of mixed history.

Among the most typical and renowned dishes, it is essential to sample Awara broth (made from palm pulp), grilled fish, the Colombos (meat-based stew and vegetables with curry) and seafood prepared with the vegetables and spices of Guiana. Also not to be missed: the short broth called "blaff," tomato-base enhanced with peppers, or roast cougnade (grilled fish).

Muscade, ginger, cinnamon, chilli pepper, exotic fruits and cayenne sorbets

The market is indispensable for making local recipes with spices such as nutmeg, ginger, cloves, cinnamon, pepper and chilli pepper.

For dessert, you can sit for awhile on the terrace of one of the ice cream vendors or one of the pastries shops of Cayenne to enjoy the typical “mule egg”, a cream turnover, Cayenne sorbets with exotic fruits, or one of the delicious local sweets based on cream and fruit.

Muscade, gingembre, cannelle, piment, fruits exotiques et sorbets de Cayenne

Indispensables à la confection des recettes locales, les épices telles la muscade, le gingembre, le girofle, la cannelle, le poivre et le piment s'invitent sur tous les marchés et dans toutes les cuisines.

En dessert, on s'installe à la terrasse de l'un des glaciers ou de l'une des pâtisseries de Cayenne, pour savourer le typique "oeuf mulet" (un chausson à la crème), les sorbets de Cayenne aux fruits exotiques, ou l'une des délicieuses douceurs locales à base de crème et de fruits...

La Guyane sait décidément faire chanter nos papilles !

Recommandations et conseils

Envie de passer de la théorie à la pratique ? Si votre prochaine destination est la Guyane française, vous allez vous régaler (au sens propre comme au figuré). Nature luxuriante, plages paradisiaques, forêt amazonienne, environnement préservé… tout émerveille. Toutefois, pour profiter de ce joyau de la biodiversité et de ses produits locaux, lors de vos activités, de vos randonnées ou de vos dégustations, pensez à vous renseigner sur les précautions à adopter. Vous pourrez ainsi savourer pleinement votre séjour, tout en préservant cette terre qui vous accueille. Belle exploration !

Find out more:

- All the flavors of Guiana - Prepare your trip to Guiana

By Rédaction France.fr

The magazine of the destination unravels an unexpected France that revisits tradition and cultivates creativity. A France far beyond what you can imagine…

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100% nature

The Guianas | True Wilderness

Explore guyana, french guiana & suriname.

This is some adventure! We will explore the remote and unusual countries of Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana which have a character quite different to much of South America.

There is so much to enjoy on this adventure; Kaieteur Falls, the highest single-drop waterfall in the world, the chance of seeing rare animals such as the jaguar, giant anteater, giant river otter, tapir etc, and experience the living cultures of Amerindian and Maroon communities. We will visit the Space Centre in French Guiana and also make a deep dive into the story of Papillion on Devils Island. This really is a unique region within South America.

Day 1 – Arrival in Paramaribo, Suriname

When you arrive in Suriname we will meet you at the airport and drive you to your hotel in Paramaribo. Your hotel will be a short stroll from the historic district, bordering the Suriname River. From this base you can explore a little of the city at your leisure, taking in some sights, and trying the local cuisine. We will leave you free today to relax and recover from your long flight. If you do have something specific you would like to do or visit then let us know, or just ask at the hotel reception. We will leave you with your instructions for pickup tomorrow.

Note: You will be coming back to this hotel for one night after your jungle adventure so you don’t have to take all of your luggage with you, only what you will need.

Day 2 – Paramaribo to the Danpaati River Lodge

After breakfast, we will pick you up at your hotel for the 190 km drive out into the countryside, which will take around two and a half hours until we reach the village of Atjoni. Here the road ends and we board a motorized canoe in order to navigate upstream along the upper Suriname River, famous for its impressive rapids, to the Danpaati River Lodge. 

The Danpaati River Lodge has that middle-of-nowhere feeling that is a true treat in today’s hectic world. It is a green oasis in the heart of the forest featuring breezy (thankfully!) common areas facing the river, a large pool surrounded by a yoga deck, and easy access to one of the few sections of the Suriname River where it is safe to swim. Well-appointed, A-frame style cabins await you, with amenities including fresh coffee service in the mornings and lovely views of the jungle surrounding the lodge. A late afternoon cruise along the river will be enjoyed, we will look out for Caiman lounging on the river banks but who knows what else we might spot. Your time at the lodge is full board, so no chance of going hungry, but rest assured that Caiman is not on the menu!

Day 3 – Living Culture Deep in the Jungle

Today we will visit one of the traditional villages in the area and enjoy a guided tour through the village streets and be introduced to age-old traditions brought from Africa that are still being practised today. This will include a visit to a Maroon museum which is dedicated to the cultural heritage of the Saramaka Maroon people. Pikin Slee, where the museum is located is found some 30 minutes downstream by boat from Danpaati and at the museum, you will learn a great deal about the Maroon people and their history, ancient traditions and crafts. After this experience, we return to the lodge for lunch.

In the afternoon, we will discover some of the secrets of the rainforest during a walk through the dense vegetation. Afterwards, you might wish to relax and snooze, or enjoy a massage done in a combination of traditional and Western techniques. Further exploration of the surrounding natural beauty are open to you of course; fishing or taking the dugout canoe around the island are two of the options. After dinner you may enjoy a traditional dance performance such as the Seketi, Awasa and Bandamba. These dances will be performed by local villagers and your guide will explain the cultural significance of each.

Day 4 – Back Downriver to Paramaribo.

After breakfast this morning you will have a little free time to soak in the rainforest before we head off back to “civilization”. It will be the reverse of the journey to get here, but the boats will move more quickly as we are going with the current this time. From the Atjoni road-head, we will continue our journey back to Paramaribo by van with some rest stops along the way and finding somewhere to have a bite to eat. We will deliver you back to your hotel with instructions for the following day and you can enjoy some down-time wandering and having a drink or two.

Option for today – Sunset Dolphin Cruise

The pier at Nieuw Amsterdam is where you will join the Sunset Dolphin tour. Enjoy a drink, the very welcome cool breezes and river views while the captain searches the horizon for signs of the dolphins. More often than not you will see them swim nearby in groups of up to 20 and if we are lucky they will swim very close to the boat. We will then stop along the Commewijne River at the former plantation of Johan and Margaretha where we will enjoy some freshly made local snacks like barra, baka bana or eggroll while we watch the sun disappear below the horizon. Then it’s back on board for drinks and the short navigation back to Leonsberg dock and the transfer back to your hotel. 

Day 5 – Paramaribo to Kourou, French Guiana

We will make an early start today as we have an interesting overland journey in several stages and a border crossing. The first leg of our journey has us driving eastbound along Suriname’s coastal road, some 2 hours drive and 150km to the Albina border station. The formalities and passport control rarely take more than a few minutes (unlike lots of other South American crossings), and soon we will be boarding the small motorized boats that ferry people the short distance across the Maroni River.

Our local guide will be on waiting on the other side to help us navigate the usual customs and immigration formalities. Guyane Francaise is a Department of France, so technically you have entered the EU. Evidence of this connection to the “1st world” is immediately evident as every car seems to be a late-model Mercedes, Volkswagen or Peugeot, the roads are in near perfect condition, espresso coffee is on tap nearly everywhere, and the Euro is the currency.

Our land adventure will then continue for around two hours into French Guiana until we reach the Center Spatiale Guyanaise (Guyana Space Center) for a tour. Launch schedules from this base are very closely guarded secrets so our tour today could be altered on short notice. We will be driven around this huge facility enjoying stops at various points of interest including the assembly buildings, launch pads and control centres. After the tour, we will arrive at our hotel in nearby Kourou for a well-earned shower and some downtime.

Day 6 – Devil´s Island and Cayenne

About 10 km off the coast of Kourou is a triangle of islands including Devil´s Island which was made famous (or maybe infamous) by the book and movie made about Henri Charriere, aka Papillon. Today we will spend time exploring these islands and learning about their convoluted and dark histories. These islands have played a role in French history from as far back as 1792 when they were first used as a transit point for explorers, then a penal colony for political prisoners and general convicts.

Île Saint-Joseph was once known as the silent island as convicts were forbidden from speaking. Papillion is said to have spent two years in solitary confinement on this island which had the nickname ‘man eater’. Île Royale has the oldest buildings featuring an old church, administration buildings, officers’ quarters, and more recent additions of a good restaurant, café and lodging facilities. The actual Île du Diable (Devil’s Island) is inaccessible to visitors due to dangerous shoreline conditions. After a day spent out on the islands we will return to the Catamaran for the trip back to Kourou and a transfer with your luggage to Cayenne, the capital of French Guiana.

Day 7 – Return overland to Paramaribo

We will retrace our steps to the capital of Suriname today, but with some extra stops at points of interest. The first is a brief stop in St Joseph’s church, in Iracoubo. The entire interior of this church was hand-painted by one of the convicts from a nearby penal colony. When we arrive in St. Laurent will we enjoy a mini-city tour of St. Laurent du Maroni, to give the town its full name. We will visit the well-preserved Transportation Centre that once functioned to process convicts entering the various penal colonies in French Guiana.

From the mid 18 th century many convicts were transported to French Guiana to serve their various convictions. After they had done so they had to double the amount of sentence time as residents in the colony, as a way of increasing the French population there. One of the most famous convicts in this facility was Papillion, whose initials can be seen carved in one of the cells. After crossing the border and arriving back in Paramaribo we will leave you at your hotel with instructions for tomorrow.

Day 8 – Flight to Georgetown, Guyana

We will pick you up from your hotel in Paramaribo and transfer you to the local airport Zorg-en-Hoop airport for the 45-minute flight to Guyana. We will be waiting for you at the Eugene F. Correia International Airport to take you to your hotel in Georgetown where you can drop off your luggage.

Our first visit today will be with our host, guide and culinary master, Chef Delven Adams as he guides us around Bourda Market, the largest of the produce markets in Georgetown. We will visit the fish market, the butcher’s area and the haberdashery section to see the wide range of things locals buy and how they buy them. A stop at the bush medicine stalls is always educational. The chef will make his purchases and then head home to start preparing for us while we continue on a tour of the historic and notable buildings in the city.

After our city tour, we will go to the Backyard Café for lunch. This, as the name suggests, is a backyard that Chef Delven has turned into a little gem of a restaurant. If you like, Chef will invite you to join him as he prepares a tasty meal prepared from the things we bought in the market earlier. We can then navigate our way through the courses of traditional food.

After lunch, we can stroll the Botanical Gardens to work off some of our lunch. This lovely place is home to an extensive collection of tropical flora, and the Zoo has become a wildlife rescue and rehabilitation centre that houses over one hundred different species of tropical wildlife. We will then take a drive through the heart of the city to the Stabroek Market area. Here you will join the afternoon commuters using the old ferry stelling to board the river taxis which are used to cross the Demerara River. 

As you slowly cruise along the bank of the Demerara River your guide will give you a brief history of the famous buildings along the waterfront.  As the sun sets over the river we will have a cold drink and snacks or cutters as we call them here in Guyana while we enjoy flocks of brilliant Scarlet Ibis and three kinds of Egrets as they fly across the sky and settle into the Mangroves for the evening. Then it’s back to your hotel.

Day 9 – Kaieteur Falls and Georgetown

Note: Flight schedules can change due to passenger demand and weather conditions, so this day is left flexible and we have the chance to fit it around the rest of your schedule if something changes at short notice.

You will be picked up and taken to the airport at a time to match the schedule that day for the one-hour flight to the landing strip at Kaieteur Falls. The views of the rainforest during the journey are stunning. Kaieteur, which was first seen by a European on April 29, 1870, has a drop of 741 feet or 5 times the height of Niagara Falls.

You will have two hours at the falls and a local guide will show you the best viewpoints. There will be very few people at the falls as numbers are carefully controlled. Kaieteur supports a unique ecosystem with Tank Bromeliads, the largest in the world, in which the tiny Golden frog spends its entire life and the rarely seen Guiana Cock-of-the-rock nesting close by.  After exhausting your camera battery its back onto the plane for the trip back to Georgetown and your hotel.

Day 10 – Iwokrama River Lodge and Atta Rainforest Lodge

It is an early pickup today for your 80-minute flight over 200 km of tropical rainforest to land at Fair View Airstrip which is literally in the middle of nowhere. We will take you to the Iwokrama River Lodge a short distance away to enjoy a hike to Turtle mountain, birdwatching and mammal spotting along the way. A more leisurely activity to Stanley Lake can also be chosen for the otters and caiman found there.

We will have lunch at the lodge before jumping in the trucks and driving south, this is one of the best places to see the elusive Jaguar. No promises, but many have been lucky! This road is the only north-south access in Guyana and links the country to Brazil. Other wildlife is often seen along the road, such as Agouti, Tayra, Tapir and Black Curassow.

The Iwokrama canopy walkway is our next stop, situated near the southern boundary of the Iwokrama Reserve. The walkway has four suspension bridges leading to three platforms, the highest of which is over 30 metres above the ground, and these allow great looks at a range of canopy species, many of which you would struggle to see well from the forest floor.  

We will be sleeping at the Atta Rainforest Lodge, which is found 500 metres from the base of the Canopy Walkway. Private rooms await us with ensuite bathrooms, home-cooked meals, and traditional Amerindian hospitality. The main building is open-sided with views across the gardens to the towering forest on all sides and houses the bar, dining area and kitchen. While at jungle lodges you will enjoy full-board.

Day 11 – From Atta Rainforest Lodge to Surama Eco-Lodge

Before dawn, we climb into the canopy again for the dawn chorus and you can sometimes see Red Howler and Black Spider Monkeys at this time. Then it’s back to the lodge for breakfast.

Through the rainforest we go, heading into Iwokrama Forest.  Here there is a comparatively short trail to hopefully see the amazingly brilliant Guianan Cock-of-the-rock.  This trail winds through pristine rainforest and your guides will explain how the local plants are used in traditional medicine. We will then continue the journey to the community of Surama. The Amerindian community of Surama is located in the heart of Guyana. The village is set in five square miles of savannah which is ringed by the forest-covered Pakaraima Mountains.  Surama’s inhabitants are mainly from the Macushi tribe and still observe many of the traditional practices of their ancestors. The Surama Eco-Lodge is owned and operated by the community.

Upon arrival, you will receive a warm welcome and settle into your rooms at the lodge.  A guide will take you for a short walk on trails to observe the local forest and birdlife.  As the afternoon cools off your guide will take you on a tour of the village to see the local school, medical centre and church along with some of the village houses. There will be an educational walk tonight to see nocturnal wildlife and experience the buzz of the forest after dark. Make sure to bring your flashlight!  

Day 12 – Activities at the Surama Eco-Lodge

We are getting up very early again to beat the heat and enjoy a hike across the savannah, then a climb up Surama Mountain for amazing views back across the village and savannah towards the Pakaraima Mountains.  This is not a technical climb but can be arduous, especially after rain, and not for everyone. Your guides will happily offer alternative activities if you prefer not to do this climb.

Today we are describing some examples of active pursuits you could choose while at Surama, if you wish to decompress and just take it easy, no problem – enjoy the downtime.

After having lunch at the lodge to refuel we will make a 90-minute hike across the savannah and through the rainforest to the Burro Burro River. Your guides will then paddle you on canoes along the Burro Burro River so we can hopefully spot Giant River Otters, Tapir, Tayra, Spider Monkeys and more species. Then it’s back to the lodge for sunset and a well-earned rest.

Day 13 – Say goodbye to the Jungle and hello to Georgetown

You will have a little time this morning before we have to leave, so maybe take an early last stroll in the forest, you never know what you might see. Then it’s a reverse of the arrival journey, back along the remote dirt roads to the airstrip and a flight in a light aircraft to Georgetown, which will now feel like a metropolis! You will have the rest of the day at your leisure to wander, eat, drink and buy some souvenirs maybe?

Day 14 – Travel home or extend in South America?

There are direct flights to Panama from Georgetown so connecting with other Latin American destinations is quite easy. Panama in itself is a great destination or use it as a hub to change your environment completely with a compact trip to Machu Picchu , Peru or Patagonia in Argentina or Chile? Just let us know what you are interested in and we can deal with the logistics.

Nandita & Anindo, USA – April 2023

“It was a memorable trip for sure. Completely surreal and worth it. The only thing I’d do differently is I would build in more down time for integration after ayahuasca. While Quito & Galápagos were incredible bucket list extensions, if we had to do it again, it would be with a break after ayahuasca. That said, every leg of our journey was superbly planned by you. Thank you for adding touches in Ecuador that wouldn’t have occurred to us — Cotopaxi, equator museum, caldera village. And as you know, Galápagos was other worldly and felt like a dramatic new planet. Thanks again for planning a trip of a lifetime for us.”

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Morken Group, USA – January 2020

“Back from Panama and Cartagena.  We had a wonderful trip.  I was hoping that you might pass on a little compliment.  Our service in Panama was outstanding.  Our guide, Armando, was fabulous.  Everyone in our group felt he really made the trip for us.  He not only guided us along the way, but he also conversed with us.  He did not just script out his information, he talked to us about life in Panama.  Here is a picture of our men with Armando.  He is in the middle.  Let the company know how much we appreciated him”

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An average nonstop flight from the United States to French Guiana takes 23h 35m, covering a distance of 2807 miles. The most popular route is New York - Cayenne with an average flight time of 23h 35m.

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The cheapest ticket to French Guiana from the United States found in the last 72 hours was $2,231. The most popular route is New York John F Kennedy Intl to Cayenne Rochambeau and the cheapest round-trip airline ticket found on this route in the last 72 hours was $2,231.

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L’équipe a été super serviable avec mon enfant de 11 mois. Un petit cadeau l attendait dans l avion, petits pots etc…

Went in with low expectations based on other reviews/the fact that this is a budget airline, but I was pleasantly surprised! Everything went smoothly, seats were comfortable, food was not bad for airplane food, and of course the price of the flight was fantastic. The only real negatives I can think of are that the plane is a bit on the older side (think 2012-ish era planes, not a huge deal), wifi is a bit expensive, and the movie catalog is mediocre. But that is to be expected on a budget airline (I was honestly surprised they had free movies). I would definitely fly again.

No organization when it came to checking in and boarding. If you have diet restrictions make sure to plan ahead.

The check in was horrible. I stood in line for 1 hour to check in with an Air France ticket. Then I was told I had to go to Delta counter onstead to check in instead. It made no sense.

Generally good. The crew is excellent. The food could be better.

They wanted to close counter although they did not provide the wheelchair requested which ended by going alone to transit security and lost long time and they did not want to wait .

Business class in the second leg - CDG-EVN was a disaster.

Everything went smoothly with Air France. There was a delay in departure which seemed to relate to the immigration services being short staffed.

worst experience ever i choose my seat in advance and also have my seat selected in my boarding and the they told me that my seat has been changed without notify me

Food could have been better especially the breakfast. Overall it was a good flight

No birding was given for next trip on same carrier, food was very moderate.

We transited through Chad and what was supposed to be a 1hr 20 minutes transit time lasted over 4hrs. We didn't get regular updates until we complained. After a 10hr flight from Paris no form of refreshment given and finally arrived Abuja over 6hrs later and none of my bags came

The line at boarding was not well organized and managed

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• Countries and Their Cultures
• Culture of French Guiana

French Guiana

Culture name.

French Guianese

Alternative Names

Guyane Francaise

Orientation

Identification. Christopher Columbus sighted the Guiana coast in 1498 during his third trip to the New World. The French first settled the land one hundred years later, calling it Guiana, the French form of an American Indian word that means "land of waters."

Location and Geography. French Guiana is on the northern coast of South America. It is nestled between Suriname to the west and Brazil to the east and south. It covers approximately 34,750 square miles (90,000 square kilometers), about the same size as Indiana. The close proximity of the equator (which lies a few degrees south) contributes to the hot and humid climate, which averages 80 degrees Fahrenheit (27 degrees Celsius) all year.

There are three main regions: the coastal plain in the north, a hilly plateau in the middle, and the Tumac-Humac Mountains in the south. Most of the interior (83 percent of it) is dense tropical rain forest. There are more than twenty rivers that flow into the Atlantic Ocean from French Guiana. The most important of these are the Oyapock, which forms the southeastern border with Brazil, and the Maroni, which forms the border with Suriname.

Demography. The 1998 population in French Guiana was approximately 167,982. Around 40 percent of the population lives in the capital of Cayenne. African and Afro-Europeans make up 66 percent of the total population with Europeans making up another 18 percent and east Asians, Chinese, Amerindians, and Brazilians making up the remainder. In the sparsely populated interior the Oyampi and Palik tribes still follow a traditional pre-columbian way of life. There are also a few tribes descended from African slaves who escaped from plantations to live a lifestyle similar to their native central Africa.

Linguistic Affiliation. The official language is French. All business and most common dialogue is conducted using the mainstream French. The native tribes in the interior, however, use their own language, and the African tribes use Taki-Taki, a pidgin English.

Symbolism. The heavy influence of the French culture is evident throughout the country, and in the capital many of the customs and attitudes of France predominate.

History and Ethnic Relations

Emergence of the Nation. The Arawak Indians are the people first known to inhabit French Guiana. The next major waves of people were the Caribs. These peoples came from the Amazon and traveled to the Antilles (most of the islands of the West Indies). The Caribs displaced many of the Arawak. During the age of discovery and Christopher Columbus's journeys, the Caribs were still traveling through the Caribbean.

The French were the first Europeans to settle in French Guiana. They arrived in the early 1600s, when many of the European powers were colonizing the Americas and looking for the lost city of gold, El Dorado. Between the climate and Indian attacks the first settlement was a failure. In 1634 the French settled again and this time they did not leave. Cayenne was founded as the capital some time later and it has remained the country's largest city.

Twenty years later Kourou was once again in the spotlight of France and receiving its people. This time, however, scientists—not prisoners—were arriving, to construct and operate the European Space Agency's rocket-launching center.

In 1946 French Guiana ceased being a colony and became an official overseas department of France. The 1980s saw the rise of a pro-independence party, but ultimately the group lost power because the majority of French Guianese support being a part of France.

National Identity. In the political and cultural sense there is no national identity. The nation for the French Guianese is France. The diversity of ethnic groups and the lack of common history add to the problem of internal national identity. The Amerindians living in the central part of the country seem to identify the least with the French and European way of life.

Ethnic Relations. A complex weave of ethnicity and culture forms French Guiana's population. The Creole population, itself a large mix of ethnicity and culture, comprises the largest ethnic group and has had the greatest influence on the country's culture. Fewer than one hundred of the native settlers, the Arawaks, currently live in the central part of the country. The Caribs have a few small communities along the coast and have mingled with the Creoles. There is also a noticeable settlement of Vietnamese who came over in the early and middle parts of the twentieth century. The cultures interact fairly well and inherently adopt and adapt to local flavors. Considering the small population, the larger culture is forced to recognize all of its peoples.

Urbanism, Architecture, and the Use of Space

With the exception of the Amerindian tribes in the interior, most people live in one of the cities. Cayenne alone has 40 percent of the population. Houses range greatly in size and uniqueness, but the relative prosperity that results from living under the French flag allows the houses to be built of decent quality, and almost all have running water and electricity. They are usually painted light colors such as blue and yellow in keeping with the Caribbean Creole style. Small gardens are often annexed to the houses. The Amerindian residences in the interior are usually simple thatched roof huts, following tradition.

Food and Economy

Food in Daily Life. The diversity of cultures has given the local foods their flavor. Caribbean and Creole style foods are common along with Western foods and such Asian cuisines as Vietnamese and Chinese. Seafood, especially shrimp, is eaten quite often. Rice accompanies most of the dishes.

Commercial Activities. Family members still comprise the farm labor. Locally grown vegetables and fruit are sold in markets along with fish and meats. The demand for livestock is heavy and likewise can be profitable for the sellers. Small craft-work is sold to both tourists and locals. The building materials for these crafts and for carpentry projects are also sold. Among the major buyers of these materials are the many small-scale construction companies. The service sector is also important at the local level.

Major Industries. The major industries are shrimp and fish processing and aerospace. Lumber and construction are secondary industries. The agricultural products are sugar, rice, manioc, cocoa, vegetables, and bananas. Cattle, pigs, and poultry are the main livestock animals.

Trade. The major exports are shrimp, lumber, gold, rice, rum, rosewood essence, and clothing. In 1997 the exports totaled $148 million (U.S.). France bought the bulk of the products, more than 60 percent, with the United States, the European Union, and Japan buying the rest. French Guiana has always bought much more then it sold, resulting in high trade deficits since its inception. In 1997 the country imported $600 million (U.S) of goods, such as processed meats, grains, machinery, fuels, and chemicals. The largest import partner is of course France, with Germany, Belgium, and the United States making up the remainder. A large national debt has accrued because of the constant trade deficit.

Division of Labor. The total labor force in 1997 was 58,800. The bulk of the labor force (60 percent) fell within the service, government, and commerce sectors. Industry accounted for 21 percent and agriculture 18 percent. Unemployment was at nearly a quarter of the total labor force and affected mostly younger workers.

The fishing and forestry sectors rely on local, many times unskilled, labor. The space center in Kourou employs some of the most educated persons in the world. In addition to scientists, the space center employs numerous lower-skilled workers to pave roads, construct buildings, transport goods, and perform service functions ranging from food production to hotel management.

Social Stratification

Classes and Castes. The heavy subsidization by the French government has resulted in much more disposable income than if the country would have to rely on its own products alone. This helped create the highest standard of living in South America. The rural parts of the country see the least of the relative prosperity.

Symbols of Social Stratification. The common indicators of wealth in the Western world are also relevant in French Guiana. These include French-fashioned clothes, larger houses, and education.

Political Life

Government. French Guiana is a part of the French Republic and thereby subject to the same regulations and political hierarchy as France. There is a general council that handles local affairs and the relationship with the republic. It is composed of sixteen elected officials from each canton. They elect a president of the department.

Regional councilors are elected by proportional representation of the political parties. This council involves many of the same tasks as the general council but focuses more on long-term economic issues. A prefect, appointed from Paris, technically has the most power in the department but is usually relegated to military and security duties as the local officials are given more say in the running of the country. Two deputies and one senator are sent from French Guiana to Paris to serve in the national parliament. The judicial branch is the same as mainland France with the highest local court based on the Caribbean island of Martinique.

Leadership and Political Officials. The leader credited with exerting the most influence in regard to French Guiana becoming an overseas department is Gaston Monnerville. He was the elected deputy in the years 1932–1946—the last year of his service being the year that departmentalization was enacted. Another important political figure of the time was the mayor of Cayenne, Constant Chlore. He was the founder of the only communist party in French Guiana and became integral to trade union pacts. Since that time French Guiana has had a rotating cast of local politicians in favor of and against French rule. As of 2001, the locally elected prefect was Dominique Vian.

Social Problems and Control. French Guiana has had no major human rights abuses in recent times.

Military Activity. The defense of borders is a responsibility of France. This military includes the French Forces and the Gendarmerie. The availability of men fit for service was thirty thousand in 1999.

Social Welfare and Change Programs

Local officials are in charge of social planning.

Nongovernmental Organizations and Other Associations

European agencies, trade unions, and other associations with France are prevalent in French Guiana.

Gender Roles and Statuses

Division of Labor by Gender. Women are generally responsible for tending to the children and other household tasks. The men are in charge of providing financial support. This holds especially true in the rural areas, although there is some variation among the different ethnic groups.

The Relative Status of Women and Men.

Business and politics are governed by the French system. There is no systematic discrimination against women, but women tend not to be in the upper echelon of either field.

Marriage, Family, and Kinship

Marriage. Most marriage ceremonies take place within the church, as is the custom in most of South America.

Domestic Unit. Families have followed a Western trend of becoming smaller. The average birthrate is 3.31 children per woman. Regardless of size, families maintain their closeness through activities and religion.

Kin Groups. As with families, the members of larger kin groups tend to be close and live within close proximity to one another.

Socialization

Child Rearing and Education. Schooling is compulsory until age sixteen. Primary schools exist all over the country, while secondary schools are located primarily in Cayenne and large towns. The educational system is the same as in France and has contributed to the literacy rate of more than 80 percent.

Higher Education. Professional and university level students get their education overseas, usually in France. Because of the students' European Community status, they are granted all the same privileges as European students.

French values permeate French Guiana. Dress is Western in style in the sense that light colors and short sleeves are worn in warm climates. The people are generally known for their friendliness, although the indigenous peoples in the interior see very few foreigners and therefore may appear to be wary at first.

Religious Beliefs. The vast majority of French Guianans are Roman Catholic. There are many other religions practiced by the minority groups. These include indigenous Amerindian shamanistic religions, Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, and Africanbased religions.

Death and the Afterlife. The Catholic rituals are followed, including a cycle of prayers upon death and a funeral at which friends and family gather.

Medicine and Health Care

All medical affairs are handled by the State Department of Health. This department works with such organizations as the Pasteur Institute to eradicate diseases. Vaccinations are free and compulsory for tuberculosis, diphtheria, polio, yellow fever, and measles, mumps, and rubella. There are high incidences of malaria (almost six thousand cases in 1995), dengue fever, and various sexually transmitted diseases. A number of AIDS cases have ended in death, accounting for approximately 10 percent of all adult deaths.

There are seven medical doctors per ten thousand people, but these doctors are available only in urban areas. The average life expectancy is 76.4 years.

Secular Celebrations

All major French holidays are celebrated, including Bastille Day, Labor Day, and the Catholic holidays.

The Arts and Humanities

Performance Arts. The various ethnic groups value dance and music. The urban areas listen to modern music; the tribes of African origin produce drumbeat-driven rhythms; and the Amerindians focus more on wind instruments such as flutes.

The State of the Physical and Social Sciences

French Guiana has perhaps more diversity then any other country in the world in this regard. The interior population has learned little or nothing of the sciences, while on the coast the European Space Agency leads one of the most sophisticated operations in the world. The future seems to hold more of this great divide.

Bibliography

Burton, Richard, and Fred Reno, ed. French and West Indian: Martinique, Guadeloupe, and French Guiana Today, 1995.

Gall, Tim, ed. Worldmark Encyclopedia of Cultures and Daily Life, 1998.

Rajewski, Brian, ed. Countries of the World, 1998.

U.S. Government, Central Intelligence Agency. CIA World Factbook, 2000.

—D AVID M ATUSKEY

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Top 7 Places to Visit in French Guiana Before You Die

Published on july 1, 2015 at 4:11 am by addison nino in lists.

Bordering Suriname and Brazil, French Guiana (or more correctly, Guiana) is an overseas department and region of France; and just like  in France, there are  best places to visit in French Guiana before you die . It is located on the northern South American coast, and thus has beautiful beaches – one of which is a turtle conservation site. Interestingly, it is part of the European Union and uses the Euro as its currency. The economy comes from the Guiana Space Centre, the European Space Agency’s near-equator launch site.

French Guiana is incredibly biodiverse, with everything from tropical rainforests to savannah plains. If natural beauty is your thing, then you won’t be short of places to visit in French Guiana that are safe and beautiful. There are vast, wondrous forests, beautiful beaches, and many small and charming towns to investigate. The cities offer all the usual, from museums and cultural heritage to bustling nightlife and carnivals. You can even camp in some of the jungle, if you speak to the right tour-guides.

Arthur R./Shutterstock.com

A region of France, French Guiana is governed by the French President and Prime Minister and sends two senators to the French Senate (it is also one of the largest European Union territories outside of Europe). As such, French Guiana is exceptionally politically stable and should be completely safe to visit. The climate is subtropical, offering beautiful weather all year around, but it is always wise to check local weather reports to make sure the weather is not due to be turbulent during your visit. You should also check local news before you travel, to make sure there are no potential upsets during your visit. And, as always, follow the instructions of local police, emergency services, and tour-guides (if you’re venturing into the jungle).

If you like jungles and rainforests, not to mention the sub-tropical temperatures, be sure to check out the best places to visit in Ecuador before you die.   Until then, get ready to fuel your wanderlust and explore the best places to visit in French Guiana before you die.

Roura is a commune of French Guiana, meaning it is an overseas region and department of France. It has a beautiful river running through it, and waterfalls not too far. The architecture is not to be missed either.

6. Saint Laurent du Maroni

Another commune, located at the north-west border of French Guiana, is the country’s second most populous city. The main export of the area is rum, and at around 50% proof it’s not something to be trifled with! If you like forests, the city is a base for many eco-trails and camping opportunities.

Anton_Ivanov/Shutterstock.com

The capital of French Guiana, it lies on an ancient island at the mouth of the Cayenne river and the Atlantic coast. It is a very diverse city, with a roaring night-life and a world-famous yearly carnival, but also beautiful municipal buildings for when you want something a bit quieter.

Every weekend, Cacao comes alive. You can boat, canoe, or kayak up the Comte River, or visit markets in the town. You can also venture into the jungle with a tour-guide from the city.

3. Remire-Montjoly

A suburb of Cayenne in the southeast of the city, all import and export comes through the docks here. There is a stretch of beautiful beach, one of the best beaches in the Cayenne area, perfect for sunbathing and a spot of swimming.

2. Iracoubo

The main reason to visit this small town is the church, decorated by Pierre Huguet; it is as vast as it is stunning. Otherwise this charming town has the usual things to offer, from museums to shopping.

And, the best place to visit in French Guiana before you die is: Awala-Yalimapo

Close to the border with Suriname, Awala-Yalimapo is another commune in the north of French Guiana. The beach at Plage des Hattes is unrivalled, and is a turtle reserve, so if you’re into stunning beach vistas and conservation, it really is a must-visit.

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French Guiana is an exceptionally politically-stable and economically prosperous country, and you should not encounter any problems during your visit. However, always check local news and weather reports, only hire tour guides from agencies, use common sense and obey nautical flags when swimming at the beaches, and be careful of local wildlife and plants when venturing into the jungles and rainforests. Follow these tips, and you will find the best places to visit in French Guiana before you die .

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AI Fire Sale: Insider Monkey’s #1 AI Stock Pick Is On A Steep Discount

Published on may 1, 2024 at by inan dogan, phd.

Artificial intelligence is the greatest investment opportunity of our lifetime. The time to invest in groundbreaking AI is now, and this stock is a steal!

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A New Dawn is Coming to U.S. Stocks

Published on may 2, 2024 at by insider monkey staff.

I work for one of the largest independent financial publishers in the world – representing over 1 million people in 148 countries.

We’re independently funding today’s broadcast to address something on the mind of every investor in America right now…

Should I put my money in Artificial Intelligence?

Here to answer that for us… and give away his No. 1 free AI recommendation… is 50-year Wall Street titan, Marc Chaikin.

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Click to continue reading…

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If you are looking for a unique expat experience, French Guiana, which is the only French territory in South America, can be the ideal destination for you. French Guiana is deemed to be a land of adventure with its charming lush nature. On moving there, you will discover an amazing blend of cultures and modernity amidst a multiethnic population, and enjoy a pleasant lifestyle to the rhythm of local festivals.

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THE 10 BEST Hotels in Cayenne 2024

Cayenne Hotels

Property types, distance from, traveler rating, hotel class, popular hotels in cayenne right now.

• Best Value Properties ranked using exclusive Tripadvisor data, including traveler ratings, confirmed availability from our partners, prices, booking popularity and location, as well as personal user preferences and recently viewed hotels.
• Traveler Ranked Highest rated hotels on Tripadvisor, based on traveler reviews.
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1. Hotel Ker Alberte

2. Mercure Cayenne Royal Amazonia

3. Central Hotel Cayenne

4. La Belle Etoile & Villa Soleil

5. Hotel Amazonia Cayenne Centre

6. Hotel des Palmistes

7. Eclipse La Belle Etoile

8. Le Guyane Hôtel

9. Grand Hotel Montabo

10. Le Dronmi

11. Hotel Bar Restaurant les Amandiers

12. Le Balisier

13. oyasamaid, 14. residence orphee.

15. Résidence Montjoyeux les Vagues

16. Phoenix Guyane

17. appartements standings a cayenne, 18. les gentilhommieres, 19. kayenn'apparts, 20. belle chambre chez habitant, 21. hôtel des amandiers, 22. hotel ket tai.

23. L'Orée du Bois

24. kalipso, 25. tampok lodge, 26. residence kara, ma chambre d'hote, la residence du rocher, motel du lac, cayenne hotels information, hotels near the sights.

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French Guiana — History and Culture

The local culture is heavily influenced by the French, though ethnic traditions are well preserved in Amerindian settlements. Minorities and indigenous groups contribute to the diversity of cultures in the territory, having maintained their dress and religious beliefs. The majority of French Guianese are Roman Catholics, but other religions are also practiced by the minorities, including shamanistic Amerindian variations, Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, and other African-based religions.

The very first people known to inhabit French Guiana were the Arawak Indians, who were later displaced by a major wave of Caribs from the Amazon. The Caribs continued to roam around the Antilles and the Caribbean during the age of discovery and the days of Christopher Columbus’ journey. The French were the first Europeans to settle in the region early in the 1600's, which was the period when many European powers crept into the Americas to build colonies and look for "the lost city of gold" (El Dorado). The first attempts at settlement failed because of Indian attacks and resistance. France finally succeeded in establishing a home base in 1634, which was about the same time the capital of Cayenne was founded.

Economic stability formed in the territory as plantations were established on many parts of the land. However, many of these closed due to agricultural failures and the abolition of slavery in the late 1840's. The infamous Devil’s Island in Kourou was once an agricultural settlement before it was turned into a penal colony. Numerous political prisoners were sent here at the time of the French Revolution along with the most notorious and hardened criminals of the decade. Devil’s Island and the other prisoner camps ceased operation in 1945 after nearly a hundred years of brutal imprisonment.

Two decades later, France started developing Kourou as a space center for the European Space Agency and French Guiana started receiving scientists instead of prisoners. A rocket-launching center (one of the most active today) was constructed. French Guiana ceased being a French colony and was recognized as an official overseas department of France in 1946. A pro-independence party started to rise in the 1980's, but eventually lost steam as the majority of people were in favor of affiliation with France.

Singing and dancing are favorite pastimes for French Guianese. Local music is vibrant and Caribbean rhythms are played with a distinct French twist. While Maroon art can be found in neighboring countries like Suriname, Hmong textiles and craft products are exclusive to French Guiana along with other kinds of art.

Mardi Gras is one of the best cultural highlights in the territory, as the French Guianese celebrate one of the longest, most jovial and fascinating carnivals in the world. Dancing to the tune of the bands, overflowing food, and all kinds of festivities are observed during the Mardi Gras season which often lasts for an entire month or longer.

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