Highly regarded as an ecotourism paradise due to its biodiversity and untamed beauty, Guyana is a country that has much to offer. So if you’re a bird watcher, a nature and history nerd, or just someone looking for a little fun, then exploring the land of many waters may be exactly what you need.
Take a trip and explore some of our most popular sites, and tell us all about it.
Stabroek Market
Stabroek Market in Georgetown, Guyana. (Photo credit: iStock/benedek)
Initially created as an open-air market in 1972 where enslaved Africans sold their wares, Stabroek Market is today an enclosed structure where vendors of all ethnicities come daily to ply their trade. Constructed in 1880 with iron and steel, today it remains one of the oldest buildings still in use in the city, and you can truly say it’s the place to get everything from food and vegetables to merchandise and pets. . The market front is a central transportation hub where you can catch minibuses, taxis, and ferries to take you to different places in the country. A walk through the market will give you a little insight into the rich history and culture of our Guyanese people.
boardwalks
Malecon (Photo via Facebook)
Stretching for two hundred and eighty miles, the Sea-Walls were first built in 1880 by Dutch settlers to protect Georgetown from storm surges in the Atlantic. This was much needed as waves can rise seven feet over Guyana. While its functional purpose has stood the test of time, today the boardwalk has also developed an alternative use of being one of the preferred gathering places for thousands of Guyanese. If you’re looking to experience the magic of nightlife that can often occur, Sundays are the best days to go. However, any normal day is a good time to visit the tranquil space and experience all that it has to offer. Take a walk with a friend, play in the sand, or just sit in contemplation. You’ll love it, we promise.
Kanuku Mountains
Kanuku Mountains (Photo credit: Jeremy Singh)
With more than six thousand kilometers of primary rainforest, the Kanuku Mountains are distinguished as one of the wildest and most remote places in Guyana. The Kanukus was named by the Wapishianas, which translates to “rich forest,” and we can see why. A protected area due to its possession of rare and endangered life forms, today it remains one of the last remaining intact Amazonian habitats, with sixty percent of all bird species found in Guyana, 600 species of fish and more than one hundred and fifty mammals. The Kanukus are also home to impressive rock formations that rise to a whopping 1,300 meters in height, with several waterfalls and a large number of caves. Divided into North and South Rupununi, the Kanukus are a natural area full of four ecosystems: wetland, savannah, river and forest.
Castellani House
Casa Castellani (Photo via Facebook)
Long considered a hub for artists and their craft, Castellani House is a must-see for art fans. There are often several exhibitions held each month in addition to their regular showings, so be sure to visit the scene to learn more about traditional and contemporary Guyanese artists. Located right in the heart of Georgetown, you won’t have to go far to immerse yourself in this rich art space.
Iwokrama Rain Forest
Iwokrama Rain Forest (Photo via: Iwokrama International Center for Rain Forest Conservation and Development/Facebook)
Once the land of the Macushis, the Iwokrama Rain Forest which lies in the geographic heart of Guyana, is made up of three hundred and seventy-one thousand hectares of forest, representing approximately 1.6 percent of the land mass of Guyana and 2 percent of its forests The Iwokrama Protected Region covers 3,710 square kilometers, equivalent to almost one million acres. Very impressive! Given its significant contributions in continuing to be a home for diverse species of wildlife, birds and plants, it is known as the “Green Heart of Guyana”. If you are looking to see some of the Guyanese Giants, this is the perfect place to see them. If you’re looking for a quiet stay in the midst of nature, spend some time at Iwokrama River Lodge, where you can experience night trips to spot nocturnal creatures like black alligators and tree boas. Or take a guided walk to learn more about the forest and the conservation efforts within the area. If all that seems too light for you and a real challenge awaits you, take a hike up Turtle Mountain for some incredible views that you’ll be able to enjoy after a lot of huffing and puffing.
Savannahs of Rupununi
Savannahs of Rupununi (Photo via Facebook)
The Rupununi savannahs are a sight to behold. Surrounding the Kanuku Mountains, which is a safe haven for wild animals, the savannahs are a sparsely populated rolling plain near the Rupununi River. It has a high level of animal and plant diversity due to the mixtures of fauna from the Amazon and Guiana Shield regions. Since it borders Brazil, some of its inhabitants speak Portuguese in addition to English, while many speak their indigenous languages. If you are looking to live out your cowboy/girl dreams then this is the place for you as ranching and cowboys (cowboys and cowgirls) are very common in the savannahs. If you’re more curious about the indigenous petroglyphs left behind by early indigenous settlers, you’ll find many scattered throughout the savannas detailing records of their hunts and history. It can be quite an exciting and humbling experience. Today, the Rupununi savannahs are steadily becoming an ecotourism hub where visitors can experience old ranch properties like Rock View, Karanambu, and Dadanawa.
Lighthouse
The lighthouse in Georgetown Guyana. (Photo credit: iStock/benedek)
For a panoramic view of the city, the Georgetown Lighthouse, first built by the Dutch in 1817 and rebuilt by the British in 1830, is the perfect spot. However, this amazing sight doesn’t come without a little work. You’ll have to climb its 138 winding steps to reach the top, but trust us, it’s worth it.
Umana Yana
Umana Yana (Photo via DPI)
Named by the indigenous Wai Wai people to describe the huge benabs they use as a gathering place, the Umana Yana is one of Georgetown’s largest cultural gathering centers. Host to many festivals, gatherings and cultural events, the Umana Yana remains an important heritage site well worth a visit.
National Museum of Guyana
If you’re hoping to learn more about the history of Guyana and gain a scientific insight into some of its animal species, be sure to visit the National Museum of Guyana. If you’re new to the country and want to see what a Pork Knocker “Gold Miner” looks like, then this is a great place to do it without having to travel too far. You will also be able to see replicas of animals such as the Megatherium Giant Sloth or the Arapaima fish. First established in 1868 and moved to its current building in 1951, the National Museum has a rich collection of flora and fauna specimens, indigenous crafts, geological and archaeological artifacts, all ready for you to learn.
Kaieteur Falls
Kaieteur Falls (Photo Credit: iStock)
Known as one of the natural wonders of South America, Kaieteur Falls is the largest single-fall waterfall in the world. Kaieteur Falls and its surrounding protected area are teeming with diverse plant and animal life. The park isn’t usually very crowded, so if you’re worried about crowds, you can rest easy and enjoy the majestic view of the seven hundred and forty foot drop. Almost five times higher than Niagara Falls, Kaieteur at full flow pushes almost twenty-three thousand cubic feet of water per second. Don’t get too close to the edge!