Atovaquone-Proguanil (Malarone) — Preferred

One tablet daily, starting 1–2 days before entering a risk area, throughout stay, and for 7 days after leaving. First-line recommendation for most travelers. Well-tolerated. Requires a prescription.

Doxycycline

100mg daily, starting 1–2 days before entering risk area and continuing 28 days after leaving. Good for longer interior trips. Causes photosensitivity — use sunscreen. Not for pregnant women or children under 8.

Mefloquine (Lariam)

Weekly dosing, must start 2–3 weeks before travel. Not first-line due to neuropsychiatric side effects. Discuss suitability with your travel physician. May be preferred for extended jungle stays where daily dosing compliance is challenging.

In Georgetown

Georgetown Public Hospital is the main referral center. Several private clinics — including the Davis Memorial Hospital and Eureka Medical Laboratory — offer improved private care. English is the official language. Emergency care is available but resource-limited. Upfront payment is typically required at private facilities. Some specialist services are unavailable and require evacuation.

The Interior (Rupununi, Rainforest Lodges, Mining Areas)

Healthcare in Guyana's interior is almost entirely absent. Health posts in some indigenous communities can provide basic first aid but nothing more. Road access is extremely poor and some areas are only accessible by small aircraft. Serious illness or injury requires immediate air evacuation — plan your evacuation logistics before entering the interior.

Medical Evacuation

For serious conditions, evacuation destinations are Trinidad and Tobago (60 minutes by air) or Barbados. For extreme emergencies, Miami or New York may be used. International SOS and Global Rescue maintain regional capacity. Confirm your evacuation provider covers Guyana — including interior extraction — before travel. Carry your provider's 24-hour number at all times.

US Embassy Georgetown

100 Young and Duke Streets, Kingston, Georgetown
Phone: +592 225-4900
After-hours emergencies: +592 225-4900
gy.usembassy.gov

US State Dept 24/7 Hotline

From US/Canada: +1-888-407-4747
From abroad: +1-202-501-4444
Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

STEP Enrollment

Register at step.state.gov before departure. Especially important for interior travelers whose remote locations make emergency contact difficult.

Heat, Humidity & UV

Guyana is hot and humid year-round — temperatures typically 28–35°C (82–95°F) with very high humidity in the rainforest interior. UV radiation is intense at this equatorial latitude. Drink 3–4 liters of water daily, use SPF 50+ sunscreen, and limit outdoor exertion during midday. Heat exhaustion can develop quickly in the jungle environment.

Flooding & Rainy Seasons

Guyana has two rainy seasons (May–July and November–January). Georgetown — largely below sea level — is vulnerable to flooding from both rainfall and sea surge. Interior rivers rise significantly during rains, affecting river travel and rainforest lodge access. Plan travel during the drier periods when possible.

Wildlife Hazards

Guyana's rainforest is home to some of South America's most dangerous wildlife: pit vipers (fer-de-lance, bushmaster), electric eels, piranhas, jaguars, and large caiman. Always wear closed-toe boots in forest areas. Never put hands or feet in water you cannot see clearly through. Walk on established paths. Never swim in rivers without local guidance.

Road Safety

Road conditions in Guyana are poor — paved roads exist mainly along the coast, while interior roads are unpaved and may be impassable in the wet season. The road from Georgetown to Lethem (the main interior highway) is dangerous — poorly maintained, often flooded, and has limited assistance if you break down. Use 4WD vehicles for any interior road travel.

River Transport Safety

River transport is essential in Guyana's interior. Boats can be overcrowded, poorly maintained, and lacking safety equipment. Always insist on life jackets. Avoid river travel at night. Check local knowledge about river conditions, currents, and hazards before any boat journey. Piranha and caiman are present in interior rivers.

Small Aircraft Safety

Small aircraft are the primary means of access to Guyana's interior lodges and indigenous communities. Small plane accidents do occur in South America. Use only reputable charter operators with recent safety records. Check weather conditions before any flight — interior weather can change rapidly. Always file a flight plan.

Armed Robbery

Armed robberies targeting foreigners occur in Georgetown — particularly near the Stabroek Market, along the seawall, and in residential neighborhoods. Do not walk alone after dark. Do not display cash, phones, cameras, or jewelry. Use hotel-recommended taxis rather than hailing vehicles on the street.

Vehicle Crime

Carjackings and vehicle break-ins occur. Keep car doors locked and windows up while driving. Do not leave valuables visible inside vehicles. Be alert at traffic lights and congested intersections — common spots for robbery attempts on vehicles.

Personal Safety Tips

Stay in established tourist areas and business hotels. Maintain a low profile. Use hotel safes for passports and valuables. Avoid the East Bank Demerara and East Coast areas after dark. Keep emergency contacts accessible and establish daily check-ins when traveling in the interior.

Mining Area Caution

Guyana's gold and diamond mining regions attract a transient population and associated crime, including robbery and violence. If traveling to mining areas for professional purposes, use established security protocols, travel with reputable local contacts, and inform your Embassy and evacuation provider of your plans.

Dengue Fever

Dengue is endemic and causes regular outbreaks throughout Guyana including Georgetown. Transmitted by daytime-biting Aedes mosquitoes. Use DEET repellent throughout the day — the same repellent that prevents daytime Aedes bites also reduces evening malaria risk.

Zika Virus

Zika is present in Guyana. Pregnant travelers or those planning pregnancy must consult their OB/GYN before travel — Zika during pregnancy can cause serious birth defects. Use DEET repellent and practice barrier contraception during and after travel.

Leishmaniasis

A parasitic disease transmitted by sand fly bites in forest and rural areas. Cutaneous leishmaniasis (skin sores) is most common in Guyana. Use DEET repellent and wear protective clothing — sand flies are very small and can pass through standard mosquito netting (use fine-mesh nets or permethrin-treated nets).

Traveler's Diarrhea & Typhoid

High risk from contaminated food and water throughout Guyana. Drink only bottled or purified water. Eat only thoroughly cooked food. Carry ORS and a standby antibiotic (per doctor). In the interior, water purification is non-negotiable.