Georgetown travel guide

Getting around

Minibuses run regularly to most parts of the city, mostly from Stabroek market or Avenue of the Republic, standard fare G$60 (US$0.30) very crowded. It is difficult to get a seat during rush hours. Taxis: charge US$1.20 for short journeys, US$2.20 for longer runs, with higher rates at night (a safe option) and outside the city limits. Collective taxis ply set routes at a fixed fare; they stop at any point on request. Certain hand signals are used on some routes to indicate the final destination (ask). Special taxis at hotels and airports, marked ‘special’ on the windscreen, charge US$2 for short journeys around town, US$3.50 for longer runs, stops and waiting time extra, or you can negotiate a ‘by the hour’ deal, usually US$6.

Ins and outs

Getting there

From the airport, take minibus No 42 to Georgetown US$1.50, one to hours hours (from Georgetown leaves from next to Parliament building); for a small charge they will take you to your hotel (similarly for groups going to the airport). A taxi costs US$20-25 (use approved airport taxis). Internal flights go from Ogle airstrip, 8 km from Georgetown; minibus from Market to Ogle US$0.50. See also Transport, page .

Georgetown

Air

Cheddi Jagan International Airport is at Timehri, 40 km south of Georgetown. Check in 3 hrs before most flights and you contact the airline the day before your flight to hear if it has been delayed, or brought forward. There are 3 duty-free shops. Some spirits are more expensive than downtown. There is also an exchange house, open usual banking hrs; if closed, plenty of parallel traders outside (signboard in the exchange house says what the rate is). It is difficult to pay for flight tickets at the airport with credit cards or TCs. The exchange desk will change TCs for flight ticket purchases.

Flights are often booked up weeks in advance (especially at Christmas and in August) and are frequently overbooked, so it is essential to reconfirm your outward flight within 72 hrs of arrival, which can take some time, and difficult to change your travel plans at the last minute. A number of travel agents are now computerized, making the process easier. Check for special deals on flights to neighbouring countries. Foreigners must pay for airline tickets in US$ (most airlines do not accept US$100 bills), or other specified currencies. Luggage should be securely locked as theft from checked-in baggage is common.

Bus

There are regular services by minibuses and collective taxis to most coastal towns from the Stabroek Market. Minibuses leave early; arrive before 0700. To Moleson Creek for the crossing to Suriname, No 65 from opposite the City Hall, Ave of the Republic between Regent and Charlotte Sts, leaves when full, US$12.50. This is not a safe area early in the morning, if there are no other passengers waiting take a taxi to Moleson Creek from Georgetown, US$40-45. Avenish, T642 5161, offers this service. Be sure he takes you to the legal ferry, via immigration and not the illegal crossing further north. If, by mistake, you get on a bus going only as far as Springlands, US$10, 15 mins before Moleson Creek, 3-4 hrs, the driver will probably take you for a little extra money (check with the driver in Georgetown where his bus is going); you can also break the journey at New Amsterdam. To Rossignol, US$3.75; to Parika, No 32, US$2.25; to Linden, No 43, US$4.50. Ask other passengers what the fare is.

Note

For visiting many parts of the interior, particularly Amerindian districts, permits are required in advance from the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Minister of Amerindian Affairs, 236 Thomas St, South Cummingsburg. If venturing out of Georgetown on your own, check beforehand whether you need a permit for where you intend to visit. Permits can be difficult to obtain and may require some time. Apply before arrival in Guyana. Wilderness Explorers offer a service for obtaining permits.

Airline offices

International: Blue Wing Airlines, http://www.bluewingairlines.com, flights to Paramaribo, Tue, Thu, Sat 0800. Caribbean Airlines, 63 Robb St, Robbstown, T1-800-744 2225, or 221 2202, www.caribbean-air lines.com (Caribbean, Miami, New York, Toronto, London – codeshare with BA). Delta, http://www.delta.com, flies to Guyana from New York 3 times a week. Meta, 303 Church St, Queenstown, T225 5315, metageorgetown@ hotmail.com (from Manaus and Boa Vista, Brazil, to Guyana and Suriname). Surinam Airways, 176 Middle St, T225 4894.

Banks

Republic Bank, Guyana Bank of Trade and Industry (GBTI), Bank of Baroda, Bank of Nova Scotia (2 branches) will give cash advance on Visa card. ATMs at Scotia Bank (Robb St and High St - most reliable), GBTI, Le Méridien Pegasus, City Mall and Buddy’s International Mall. Exchange houses: (cambios) in shops may be open longer. A good, safe cambio is Kayman Sankar, Lamaha St. There is a cambio next to Rima Guest House, Middle St. Roving cambios at entrance to Stabroek Market, take care. To buy Suriname dollars, go to Swiss House, a cambio in the unsafe market area around Water St and America St, known locally as ‘Wall St’. There are others that will change Suriname dollars.

Car hire

Available through numerous companies (page 44 in the Guyana Telephone book lists some of them and the rest can be found in the yellow pages on page 24). Budget at Ocean View Hotel, US$105, plus US$250 deposit for minimum of 3 days. Shivraj, 98 Hadfield St, Werk-en-Rust, T226 0550/225 4785, carl@solution.com. US$54.65 plus US$220 deposit. A permit is needed from local police; rental agencies can advise.

Embassies and consulates

Brazilian Embassy, 308 Church St, Queenstown, T225 7970, bragetown@solutions 2000.net. Visa issued next day, 90 days, 1 photo, US$12.75. Canadian High Commission, High and Young Sts, T227 2081-5, www.dfait-maeci .gc.ca/latin-america/guyana. French Consulate, Lot 7 2nd Avenue and Sheriff Street, Subbryanville, T227 5435, consulfr@ networksgy.com. Suriname Embassy, 171 Peter Rose and Crown St, Queenstown, T225 2846/2631, surnmemb@gol.net.gy. Consular section open Mon, Wed, Fri morning only, but visa application can be handed in at any time. UK High Commission, 44 Main St, T226 5881, bhcgeo@networks.gy.com. US Embassy, 99-100 Young and Duke Sts, Kingston, T226 3938. Venezuelan Embassy, 296 Thomas St, South Cummingsburg, T226 6749/1534, embveguy@gol.net.gy.

Internet

Byte ‘N’ Surf, 288 Middle St, South Cummingsburg, T225 6481, US$2.15 per hr. Internet World, 16 ‘B’ Duncan St, Newton Kitty, T227 1051, US$1.90 per hr. Solutions 2000, 167 Waterloo St, South Cummingsburg, T225 2653/ 1436, US$2.15 per hr. The Computer Lab, 32-33 Regent & Hinck Sts, T223 3211.

Medical services

Well-equipped private hospitals include St Joseph’s, Parade St, Kingston; Prashad’s, Thomas St, doctor on call at weekends, 24-hour malaria clinic, T226 7214/9 (US$2 to US$8 per day; medical consultations US$2 to US$4). If admitted to hospital you must bring sheets and food (St Joseph’s provides these). The Georgetown Hospital is understaffed even though facilities have improved. Recommended doctor, Dr Clarence Charles, 254 Thomas St, surgery 1200-1400 hrs.

Post offices

Main one on North St.