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Typical Street

[edit] Get in

Cheddi Jagan Temeri Internationl Airport (IATA: GEO) is the main airport serving Georgetown. There are daily flights to Canada , U.S & England. occasional flights to Antiga, Barbados, Trinadad, Tobago, St. Thomas, St. Lucia, & Grenada. Make sure you have some currency when you arrive because there is no ATM in the airport. Also, in town, the only bank that your card will work at is Scotia Bank.

[edit] Get around

Minibuses are the most common way to get around town. There are also numerous taxi services which are listed in the telephone directory. Not all taxis are safe to enter so it is wise to ask at your hotel to recommend a driver. Once you have found a driver that you trust, ask for their cell number. A little tipping will ensure that you get prompt service.

[edit] Understand

Georgetown is primarily the business and governmental seat of the country and doesn't have much to offer the casual tourist. Most foreigners come to Georgetown either on business or as a launching off point to the rainforests of the interior.

[edit][add listing] See

Parliament Building in Georgetown

If you have a day or two to spend in Georgetown, check out the markets listed below, take a walk down Regent Street, or through one of the markets and have a gander at the Church, Umana Yama (Amerindian cultural center) or some of the older colonial buildings around town, especially on Main Street.

The local seawall is unimpressive, but worth a brief look or walk if you happen to be in the area, particularly on Sunday night when families come out and vendors hock peanuts and beers.

[edit][add listing] Do

• Movie star Pauly Shore has a party mansion called the Class Act after his 1992 movie of the same name. The mansion is situated on the outskirts of town in a former mangrove that was drained in order to build the property. During anuary and Feburary when Pauly is in residence, there are many happening "invite only" parties to attend with B-list semi-celebrities like Matt Dillon, Carrot Top and Seth Green. However, there are also some open parties for the locals to attend if you can get a ticket. These tickets are the hottest property in town, even more sought after than one-day-international cricket tickets.
• Victoria. This was the first village bought by slaves. Come and visit and check out and sample local cuisine. Its a place that you will never forget. Be sure to check out Holy Communion Lutheran Church, the first Christian church in the country.  edit

[edit][add listing] Buy

Stabroek Market

• The best place for buying souvenirs is The Hibiscus Plaza located outside the General Post office.

• Buy wood carvings from the artists outside the Hotel Tower.
• Browse the downtown Stabroek Market but keep an eye on your wallet.

[edit][add listing] Eat

[edit] Budget

• Demico House- pastries, cakes etc.
• JR Burgers (A Unique Guyanese Experience), Sandy Babb Street, Kitty, ☎ 226-6614. 9 AM - 11 PM. Flame-grilled beef burgers (complete with pineapple slices), rotisserie chicken, Jamaican patties, spicy wings, JR Fries, ice coffees, milk shakes, smoothies, donuts in the morning. Other locations at City Mall (Camp & Regent Streets) and Robb Street (opening soon).  edit
• KFC (Kentucky Fried Chicken) - There are several branches located in the Georgetown Area.
• Popeyes and Pizza Hut, Vlissingen Road.
• Salt and Pepper - good 'Creole' food.
• Stabroek Market cookshops. The best for local foods, day time only.

[edit] Mid-range

• Barrow Restaurant and Lounge, Linden (Mackenzie).
• Upscale Restaurant- very nice coctails and local food
• Brazilian restaurant, Alexander street. Very nice.
• New Thriving, Camp St (and other branches). Chinese restaurant.Also has a Buffet Menu.
• Oasis Cafe, in Carmichael Street and Oasis Too in South Road, [1]. A nice range of cakes and pastries, and serve up coffee, capuccino and the rest, free wireless.
• Shanta's Restaurant, Camp & New Market street. Good local food such as curries for vegetarian and non-vegetarian, as well as roti, dhalpuri and other Indian food.
• Sunflower, Cummings St. Wonderful Brazilian food.
• Peppers, Regent Street. Good Brazillain food - though they weigh their portions!
• Starbuds [2] Albert Street. A Good range of pasta, salads, sandwiches etc.
• Windjammers, [3]. Kitty. Food reputed to be good, but always reluctant to give price info over phone!
• Celina's On seawall, wonderful scenery and view. Food not always predictable in terms of availability.
• Coal Pot Carmichael street. An established tradition of good Guyanese food.

[edit] Splurge

• El Dorado, Le Meridien Pegasus.
• Tic Tac, Middle Street. Excellent Brazillian Restaurant
• Dutch Bottle, South Road, [4]. Lovely colonial ambiance. Good Creole&continental food - portions a bit small.
• Cara Lodge, Quamina Street. Excellent food.

[edit][add listing] Drink

The most popular national drink is Caribbean-style dark rum. The two national favorites are El Dorado and X-tra Mature which both offer 5, 10, 12 and 25 year varieties. El Dorado also offers a 15 year old variety which has won the "Best Rum in the World" award since 1999. Mix the cheaper ones with Coke or coconut water if you please. All are quality enough to drink neat or by themselves with the 25 year-olds comparing with high-quality scotch.

Banks is the national beer. It comes in a lager and a stout (Milk Stout). Also available are the lighter Carib (Trinidad and Tobago) and darker Mackisson's. Guinness is brewed locally under license and is a bit sweeter than its Irish counterpart, but just as good. Polar (Venezuelan) and Skol (Brazilian) can be found randomly throughout the country. You can also find Heineken and Corona at posher bars in Georgetown.

Non-alcohol: Malta is a popular sweet soda that is worth a try. Drink only bottled water.

There are small rum shops and bars throughout the city, those of note are:

• Buddy's NightClub, Sheriff Street. The nightclub downstairs offers popular Caribbean Music (Dancehall, Soca, Reggae, Dub, etc.) with a dance floor open late into the night. The upstairs pool hall is a good place to start the evening, sit on the front porch to checkout the incoming clientèle.
• Latino Club,Hatfield St. 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 sketchy.
• Windies Bar. A nice little "sports" themed bar that pays homage to Guyana's national sport - Cricket.
• Palm Court. Nice outside dancing and sometimes features live Brazilian Music.
• Le Grande Penthouse. located in central Georgetown,this bar and lounge is a popular spot for both locals and tourists,and the bar's vibe is still laid back, just like it was almost 40 years ago.
• Local Rum Shops, Anywhere. 6am. Located anywhere that you would not find a bar or club. its mostly found in rural areas. you can chill out with a beer or the best in local rum; white rum, brown rum, El Dorado five year up to 25 years old sealed and preserved for your taste buds to enjoy. 100.  edit

[edit][add listing] Sleep

There are several hotels in Georgetown, all are equipped with great amenities.

• Le Meridien Pegaus
• Le Grande Penthouse
• Hotel Tower
• Le Grande Penthouse formely Hotel Penthouse.
• Grand Coastal Suites
• Sleepin

[edit] Stay Safe

[edit] In General

Georgetown is notorious for petty street crime. Do not walk alone at night, or even in the day, unless you know the area well. Areas such as the Tiger Bay area east of Main Street and the entire southeastern part of the city including, in particular, Albouystown and Ruimveldt are traditionally known as high crime areas but one can be relatively safe if going through these areas in groups and with native escorts. Venturing into the covered area of the Stabroek Market can pose some dangers but if you need to visit it then do so with a group or with Guyanese whom you know well and with whom you feel comfortable. Police are unlikely to help you unless they see the crime in action. Be sensible about wearing jewelry. Even cosmetic jewelry which is gaudy is likely to attract the wrong attention.

It is advised to exercise common sense.

You might have heard of or read about the village Buxton. It is a hotbed of Afro-Guyanese violence, comparable to the American neighborhood Compton. Visits to Buxton ought to be brokered carefully with someone who knows the area well and who is well accepted in the village. If your visit to this village is perceived to be anything other than casual then there could be unwarranted problems. There are a lot of gangs and drug dealers there. Many Indo-Guyanese villages such as Cane Grove, Annadale, and lusignan, are notorious for violence, petty crimes, racism and kidnappings. It is advisable for toursists or people who are not of Indo-Guyanese origin travelling through these areas should also be accompanied by someone known in these areas.

The police response varies depending on the location and time of the crime. Some tourists have reported positive responses.

Discussions of the current affairs of ethnic relations between the two major races, politics and the socio-economic issues in the country ought to be undertaken with much tact and much patience. Be aware that these types of discourses can sometimes lead to very heated and intense debate, and possibly something much worse. Guyanese are generally very open to discussing most issues, but as an outsider, you could be seen as a part of the problem - as absurd as that sounds - so guard your tongue.

Crime is rarely directed at tourists, so don't feel intimidated. Just be sensible about the company you keep, where you go and how you behave.

[edit] Safety for gay travelers

Homosexuality is illegal in Guyana and carries a sentence of life in prison. However, no one has been charged under the laws. One organization SASOD [5] organizes some events to promote anti-homophobic work. There is no local gay "scene" as most homosexuals remain rather closeted. Private gatherings are known to occur to which one must be invited. Homosexuals who are openly gay are generally left alone providing they are circumspect about their behavior. Public displays of affection among gay people are frowned upon and can make you the target of overt discrimination, attacks and taunts. There are no hotels, resorts or bars anywhere in the country which cater exclusively to gays and lesbian visitors or locals for that matter. Homophobia is sustained primarily through the influx of music which contains homophobic messages in their lyrics. The gay traveler is wise to be very cautious and conservative in his/her behavior.

It is however worthy to note of late, that homosexuality is more readily displayed and accepted in the Afro-Guyanese communities. Many gays openly display their lifestyle with little apprehension, or fear of persecution.

[edit] Cope

[edit] Embassies and High Commissions

• Canada, ☎ 592-227-2081 (grgtn@international.gc.ca), [6].  edit
• United States, ☎ 592-225-4900/9 (fax: 592-225-8497), [7].  edit

[edit] Get out

There is bus service to Lethem where you can reach the border with Brazil. It is 14-18 hour journey primarily on a dirt road so be prepared. Pack water and snacks as breakdowns are notorious and you don't how long you might get stuck. From there you can catch a boat for about 1.50 US, or you can walk across the bridge to enter Brazil.