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A warm welcome awaits you... come to CARIFESTA X
For a preview of some additional attractions and taste of Guyanese Hospatility, visit the Guyana Tourism Authority.
National Profile
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| Motto |
One People, One Nation, One Destiny
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| Official Name |
The Co-operative Republic of Guyana
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| Official Language |
English
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| Other Languages |
Creolese (widely used and understood)
Akawaio; Arawak; Arecuna; Carib; Macusi; Patamoa; Wai Wai; Warrau and Wapishana (Amerindian languages)
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| Citizens |
Guyanese
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| Currency |
Guyana Dollars (G$)
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| Major Religions |
Christianity, Hinduism, Islam
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| Ethnic Groups |
African; Amerindian; Chinese; European; Indian; Mixed
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| Capital City |
Georgetown
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| Size |
214,970 square kilometers |
| Location |
Between 1 and 9 degrees North Latitude and 57 and 61 degrees West Longitude.
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| Population |
742,041 (census 2002)
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| Independence |
May 26, 1966, from Great Britain
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Travelling
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International and Regional Travel
Guyana's international airport named after the late President Cheddi Jagan, is located at Timehri, 25 miles/40 kilometers south of Georgetown. The CBJ international airport serve all international and regional flights.
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Entry Requirement
All visitors require a valid passport. Those arriving by air require an onward plane ticket. Visas are necessary for all visitors except nationals of the following countries: Commonwealth countries, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, USA.
Visitors are advised to check with the nearest Guyana Embassy or consulate or travel agent.
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Departure Tax
There is an exit tax of G$4500. It can be paid when reconfirming your ticket (at least three days before departure) or at the airport near the check-in counter.
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Foreign Currency Exchange
The unit of currency is the Guyana dollar, which has an exchange rate to the US dollar of G$202.74 to US$1 (at the time of this publication; check the daily rates).
US dollars are widely accepted. Foreign currency can be changed at the banks, finance houses, and cambios. Many hotels will also change money (but generally give less attractive rates).
Credit Cards
Major credit cards and traveller's cheques are accepted by most hotels, restaurants, car rental agencies and tour operators. Scotia Cards and Master Cards can be used to obtain cash from the Bank of Novia Scotia during banking hours. American Express cards can be used at the Demerara Bank. Foreign credit cards cannot be used at the ATM machines in Guyana.
CAMBIOS
There are licensed currency exchange houses in and around the city and towns in Guyana. Most cambios are opened on weekdays from 8:00 h to 17:00 h, and on Saturdays from 8:00 h to 12:00 h, or sometimes 14:00 h. Visitors exchanging monies are advised to keep their cambio receipts, you will need to produce them in order to change Guyanese dollars on departure.
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| Local Transportation |
| By Land |
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Georgetown is well served with taxis, which operate throughout the city and to other urban areas. Taxis are easy to find outside most hotels and throughout Georgetown. Rates are fixed for most distances; check in advance. Private taxis can be arranged through your hotel or by calling one of the taxi services.
Minibuses operate in and around Georgetown, along the East Bank Demerara, to Cheddi Jagan International Airport and Linden or along the East Coast, to Mahaica and Berbice. Similar types of transportation are available in the other towns.
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| By River |
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Guyana has over 600 miles of navigable rivers. The three major rivers; the Berbice, the Essequibo and the Demerara; are crossed by ferries and by smaller 4 to 12-seater river boats. River taxis can be chartered. For details, contact the Transport and Harbour Department.
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| By Domestic Plane |
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Internal and private charter companies operate flights into the interior locations and neighboring countries, such as Lethem and Brazil respectively. These flights originate from the Ogle airport (which is closer to the city than the CBJ International airport).
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| Driving |
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Traffic drives on the left. Seat belts are necessary.
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