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Capital of Guyana
Photo: Johnldasilva, CC BY 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Georgetown is the largest city in and capital of Guyana. Georgetown is primarily the business and governmental seat of the country but its fascinating wooden colonial buildings also provide a different experience for tourists. Most tourists visit Georgetown as a launching point to the rainforests of the interior.
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Its two areas give a brief glance in the history of Guyana and of the entire Guianas area. The museum has its roots in a collection opened in 1868, extended with a library in the 1930s. After a fire in 1945, the collection was rebuilt. In the front of the building there's a war memorial, the Guayana Centograph, finished in 1923.
A museum with two floors showing the Amerindian heritage of Guyana. You can see artifacts, costumes, photos and archaeological founds.
National Art Collection
Castelliani House, named after its architect. This building served as the residence of the prime minister in 1965-85, was rebuilt in 1993 and since it houses the national gallery, showcasing paintings and sculptures of Guyanese artists.
Offers exhibits on the past president and first lady of Guyana and the country's history.
Museum of African Heritage
A museum on the history of Guyana and its people.
A large free garden where families and people hangout. The Guyana zoo is located within the grounds of the gardens and south of the zoo there are Victoria Lilies - Guyana's national flower, they are huge lilies. The park is a place to see birds, Victorian-era bridges (sometimes called kissing bridges in reference to newlyweds getting photos taken there), manatees, and palms. Castellani House is also next to the park.
A very small zoo with DIY cages for the animals. A lot of the cages are too small for the animals they house. However, the zoo is a cheap way to spend an hour or two while in Georgetown. You can see parakeets, toucans, birds of prey, agoutis, caymans, monkeys, tapirs, pumas, jaguars and sealife in its aquarium.
Guyana National Park
A park retaining some of Guyana's old colonial flair, adjacent to the Everest Cricket Club.
A garden with tropical plants.
One of the world's tallest wooden structures, this cathedral is as attractive inside as out. The church is built of tropical hardwood between 1892 and 1899, and the tower is 45 m high.
Dating back to 1881, the interesting design of this iron structure and clock tower certainly make it the most recognisable of buildings.
Dates back to 1829.
Prominent Catholic church, built in 1920, with an altar bequeathed by Pope Pius XI.
It was built by the Dutch in 1817 and then rebuilt in 1830. This beacon has a colorful pattern of red and white stripes.
Completed in 1818, has been a Dutch Reformed Church in Georgetown for some time.
Dates to 1834 and is home to the National Assembly of Guyana.
Gothic Revival building dating from 1889 said to be "the most picturesque structure" in Georgetown.
This monument celebrates Guyana's independence from the British Empire in 1966, interestingly it was a gift by the British Queen.
Memorial to the liberation of the slaves. The cultural centre forms a huge traditional Wai-Wai (native American tribe) hut.
Monument commemorating 1763 slave revolt.
Pontoon bridge built in 1978 that is the only connection between Georgetown and West Demerara.
This was the first village bought by slaves. It's a place that you will never forget. The Holy Communion Lutheran Church was the first church in the country.
Tours are offered.
The national stadium, capacity 20,000, hosting the national cricket team and Guyana Amazon Warriors in the T20 Caribbean Premier League.
Performance art center.
Pastries, cakes etc.
A Unique Guyanese Experience
Flame-grilled beef burgers, rotisserie chicken, Jamaican patties, ice coffees, milk shakes, smoothies, doughnuts in the morning. Other locations at City Mall (Camp & Regent Streets) and Robb Street.
A Churrascaria that offers good food and service, and excellent caipirinhas.
Chinese restaurant. Also has a buffet menu.
And in Cheddi Jagan airport departure lounge. A nice range of cakes and pastries, together with coffee, cappuccino and the rest. Free wireless.
Shanta's Restaurant
Good local food such as curries for vegetarian and non-vegetarian, as well as roti, dhalpuri and other Indian food.
A good selection of pasta, salads, sandwiches etc.
Italian-themed fine dining restaurant, specializing in seafood, meat and pasta dishes.
Excellent food.
Despite the name, the club offers more Caribbean-style Music (Dancehall, Soca, Reggae, Dub, etc.) than Latin. A nice little patio outside serves good drinks and has ceiling fans to take cool-down breaks from the hot dance floor inside. Take cabs to and from this location at night as the surrounding areas can be a little dodgy.
Nice outside dancing and sometimes features live Brazilian Music.
Located anywhere that you would not find a bar or club. It is mostly found in rural areas.
Cheapest place to stay in Georgetown. It's just above a bar, so there's loud music till late at night. There's also no attempt to limit mosquitoes or other insects. No air-conditioning, fan only.
Popular backpacker hostel. Clean and beautifully decorated rooms, shared bathroom, nice common area. Wi-Fi available.
Lodging with wifi, a/c, gym, kitchen, TV/games, cooking premises, balcony.
Attractive eight-roomed inn in the middle of the old colonial area.
Rooms are air conditioned and include a simple breakfast, wifi and refrigerators in the room.
An attractive wooden building with a newer part built in the same style as the earlier part that faces the street and goes back to the 1840s. Guests have included Jimmy Carter and Mick Jagger. Suffers a few of the problems of older buildings but a pleasant place to stay with a good restaurant.
For many years this was Georgetown's main hotel. Now looking a bit shabby in places but still the first choice for most business visitors.
A family run hotel built in a colonial style. Convenient for visitors to the headquarters of CARICOM.
A major market in the city centre. Keep an eye on your wallet.
The City Mall on Regent Street is the most modern of its kind in Georgetown and many tourist stores are located here.
Wonderful old-style supermarket on the first floor, other products on the second.
with a branch on Middle Street
By minibus
From Suriname, there are minibuses from Paramaribo to South Drain in western Suriname, just across the river from Guyana. The trip takes at least 3 hr and costs ~US$15.
By taxi
There are numerous taxi services which are listed in the telephone directory and are not expensive.
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
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