Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
and Banks DIH's 10-year-old or
Demerara Distillers' El Dorado 15-year-
old Special Reserve rums.
Fizzy soft drinks (many from Brazil) are
sold everywhere, along with regional
brands such as Busta and I-Cee. Chilled
drinks like Mauby (a tree bark-based
beverage), Cherry and Sorrel (each
flavoured with their eponymous ingre-
dient) are very refreshing, as is
coconut
water
. In spite of an abundance of fresh
fruit, fresh fruit juice is practically unheard
of. Drinking tap water is inadvisable.
GUYANA ON THE NET
W
exploreguyana.org
Directory of
accommodation, restaurants, airlines and
travel agencies run by the Tourism and
Hospitality Association of Guyana.
W
guyanalive.com
Social site
providing forums and info on festivals
and events.
Guyana's country code is 592. Local,
national and international
phone calls
can be made with phonecards issued by
GT&T and Digicel, available from most
shops and pharmacies. To use your
mobile phone
, get it unlocked, then
purchase a local SIM card from either
GT&T or Digicel outlets.
In Georgetown, there are several
internet cafés
. Internet and/or
wi-fi
is
available in most hotels and guesthouses
(mostly for free) and some cafés, but is
less readily available outside the capital.
CULTURE AND ETIQUETTE
English is the national
language
but
locals tend to converse in Guyanese
Patwah
(patois), an English-based Creole
influenced by the Amerindian, African,
Dutch and Indian languages. The nine
Amerindian communities speak several
dialects including Arawak, Macushi and
Warao, while the prominent Brazilian
population speaks Portuguese. The three
dominant
religions
are Christianity,
Hinduism and Islam.
Women can expect to get plenty of loud
comments and persistent kissing noises.
It's best not to wear excessively revealing
clothing or respond to such advances.
Guyanese dress stylishly for work,
church, visiting government offices and
dining out.
Tipping
is not compulsory
though it is appreciated.
7
CRIME AND SAFETY
Most visits to Guyana are trouble-free.
Still, opportunistic
petty crime
(particularly theft) is rife, particularly
in Georgetown, so avoid displaying
valuable items. Pickpockets are said to
be particularly active around Stabroek
Market. Occasional muggings also occur,
so it's highly recommended that you take
taxis everywhere after dark and avoid
walking alone down deserted, sparsely
lit streets. Steer clear of areas such as
Albouystown and Tiger Bay (near
Main St, Georgetown). Dangerous
driving is also an issue, both in and
around Georgetown.
SPORTS AND OUTDOOR
ACTIVITIES
The country's national sport is cricket,
though visitors are more likely to come
for the outdoor activities such as
canoeing, birdwatching, wildlife-spotting
and mountain climbing in the interior.
Horseriding
in the Rupununi Savannah is
easily accessible and a visit to the annual
Rupununi Rodeo
in Lethem (see p.657)
is recommended.
HEALTH
There is one public and several private
hospitals
in Georgetown. Rural and
outlying areas are served by municipal
hospitals and health centres; Medivac
services (emergency air ambulance) are
also available in emergencies. Medical
facilities at Georgetown public hospital
(see p.654) are rather limited; serious
injury or illness may require an airlift to
Port of Spain, Trinidad.
COMMUNICATIONS
Sending
letters and postcards
from
Guyana is cheap (G$80-180) but slow.
For urgent deliveries, try FedEx.
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