Guyana is South America's hidden gem, where pristine rainforests meet the Atlantic coast. Home to the world's tallest single-drop waterfall, Kaieteur Falls, this English-speaking nation offers unparalleled ecotourism adventures, rich multicultural heritage, and some of the continent's most untouched wilderness.
Local currency: Guyanese Dollar (GYD). As of 2025, approximately GYD 210 = USD 1. The US dollar is widely accepted in hotels, tour operators, and larger restaurants..
Daily budget by traveller style
Typical per-person daily spend in Guyana.
Cost breakdown
Typical price ranges across major spending categories.
Accommodation
- Hostel
- $20-35 (guesthouses like Rima Guest House)
- Budget
- $35-55 (budget hotels like Tropicana, Blue Iguana)
- Midrange
- $80-160 (Cara Lodge, Herdmanston Lodge, Georgetown Club Hotel)
- Luxury
- $180-400+ (Marriott, Pegasus, Atta Lodge, Karanambu Ranch)
Food
- Street
- $2-5 (pholourie, roti, market stalls)
- Local
- $6-12 (local restaurants like Bettencourt, De Guyanese Style)
- Midrange
- $15-30 (Backyard Cafe, Hibiscus Restaurant, Chinese restaurants)
- Fine
- $40-80+ (Terra Mare, Champoreau, Realm Steak House)
Transport
- Bus
- $0.50-1.50 (minibus GYD 100-300 within Georgetown)
- Taxi
- $3-10 (short Georgetown ride; negotiate rate before boarding)
- Airport
- $27-33 (Cheddi Jagan Airport to Georgetown by taxi)
- Daytrip
- $20-40 (organized day tour to Bartica or New Amsterdam)
Activities
- Museum
- $2 (National Museum, Walter Roth Museum)
- Sites
- $10-15 (Fort Zeelandia entrance + boat transfer)
- Tour
- $80-120 (organized day tour to Bartica or Berbice)
- Excursion
- $190-280 (Kaieteur Falls flight tour)
Trip budgets by length
What a typical trip to Guyana costs end-to-end.
Budget traveller
$280-420/week
Midrange traveller
$700-1,050/week
Luxury traveller
$1,750-2,800+/week
Money-saving tips
Practical ways to stretch your budget further.
Eat at Bourda Market food stalls for breakfast (6-11AM) where a full local breakfast costs $3-6 — the most economical and authentic eating in Georgetown
Use minibuses (GYD 100-300/$0.50-1.50) within Georgetown rather than taxis for daytime travel between sights
Stay in Georgetown budget guesthouses (Rima, Cara Suites, Blue Iguana) rather than hotels — savings of 50-70% with minimal loss of comfort
Book the Kaieteur Falls tour in a group of 4+ for better charter rates ($160-200/person vs $240-280 solo); ask at your hotel or hostel to organize groups
Interior eco-lodges like Surama and Annai are dramatically cheaper than equivalent exterior lodges and include authentic community experiences ($60-90/day full board)
Shop at Bourda Market for fresh fruit, snacks, and provisions rather than hotel restaurants or supermarkets to reduce food costs significantly
Free things to do
Memorable experiences that cost nothing.
Georgetown Seawall Evening
The historic Atlantic seawall is Georgetown's free evening gathering place, packed with food vendors, families, and locals enjoying sea breezes. Best atmosphere on weekend evenings from 4-8PM.
Georgetown Botanical Gardens
50-acre Victorian gardens on Vlissengen Road with giant Victoria amazonica water lilies, manatee pool, over 100 palm species, and free entry. A peaceful retreat from the city's heat.
Stabroek Market Exploration
The iconic Victorian market building with its cast-iron clock tower is free to enter and explore. The building architecture and market atmosphere are among Georgetown's top experiences.
St. George's Cathedral
One of the world's tallest wooden buildings and a masterpiece of colonial architecture — free entry with donations welcome. Particularly beautiful in late afternoon light.
Umana Yana
Traditional Amerindian benab built by Wai Wai craftsmen in 1972, standing in central Georgetown as a living example of indigenous architecture. Free to photograph and admire from outside.
Georgetown Seawall Sunset Walk
The 280-mile Atlantic seawall offers spectacular sunsets over the ocean and a front-row seat to Georgetown's evening social scene. Food vendors sell cold Banks Beer and fresh coconut water.