Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
an overview of the three countries,
though not without errors.
EMERGENCY NUMBERS
Police
T
911
Fire service
T
912
Ambulance
T
913
MONEY AND BANKS
The unit of
currency
is the Guyanese
dollar (G$), available in 20, 100, 500
and 1000 notes and 1, 5 and 10 coins.
Licensed currency exchanges (cambios)
offer better exchange rates than banks.
A few businesses and hotels accept
foreign currency (US$ or euros). While
major
credit cards
such as MasterCard,
Visa and American Express are accepted
in some restaurants and hotels, take
plenty of Guyanese dollars if travelling
in the interior. Scotiabank has one of
the few ATMs that accepts foreign cards.
At the time of writing, US$1=G$203,
€1=G$261, £1=G$325.
Avoid drinking tap, creek or river
water
,
and
pack sunscreen, as well as rehydration
mix for severe cases of travellers' diarrhoea.
Consult your doctor regarding
vaccinations; advice currently includes
hepatitis A and B, typhoid, tetanus-
diphtheria and rabies. A yellow fever
certificate is required to enter Guyana if
coming from endemic areas. Malaria is
found in all parts of the interior; bring
anti-malaria tablets (such as Malarone,
mefloquine or doxycycline) with you. Pack
insect repellent that's at least 50 percent
DEET, as mosquitoes also transmit
dengue fever. If you experience flu-like
symptoms, seek medical assistance, as
malaria symptoms are very similar.
In the interior, travellers must be wary
of several types of venomous snakes as
well as black caimans.
7
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
January 1
New Year's Day
February
Youman-Nabi (Muslim
celebration; date varies)
February 23
Republic Day (Mashramani
carnival)
March
Phagwah (Hindu festival of
colours; date varies)
March/April
(varies) Good Friday
March/April
(varies) Easter Monday
May 1
Labour Day
May 5
Indian Heritage Day
May 26
Independence Day
June 16
Enmore Martyrs' Day
July
Caricom Day (First Monday)
August 1
Emancipation Day
September
Eid ul Fitr (Muslim festival;
date varies)
November
Diwali (Hindu festival of lights)
December
Eid-ul-Adha (Muslim festival
of sacrifice; date varies)
December 25
Christmas Day
December 26
Boxing Day
FESTIVALS AND CELEBRATIONS
National celebrations are often marked
with spectacular float parades,
masquerade bands and dancing in the
streets. Christmas is an excellent time
to sample traditional festive food and
experience the Boxing Day Main Big Lime
(street party) and New Year's Eve parties.
For more details, check the THAG website
(see box opposite).
INFORMATION AND MAPS
There is no tourist information office as
such in Guyana, but the
Tourism and
Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG)
(
157 Waterloo St; Mon-Fri 8.30am-
5pm;
T
225 0807,
W
exploreguyana.org)
produces the annual
magazine
,
Explore
Guyana
, full of
general information
about
the country. G.E.M.S. Inc also publishes
a pocket-sized listings guide called
Guyana: where & what
. Both are available
at hotels and tourism agents
around
the city.
Permits
are required to visit
Amerindian villages, arranged by tour
operators for organized trips.
Independent travellers should contact
the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs,
at 251-252 Quamina, at Thomas
(
T
227 5067,
W
amerindian.gov.gy).
The best city map of Georgetown is
produced by Advertising & Marketing
Services Ltd, obtained from THAG and
various tour operators. The
Guyana,
Suriname & French Guiana
map by
International Travel Maps provides
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