Official travel advisories warn against non-essential travel here. Public health and infrastructure are well developed.
Regional breakdown
Most visitor activity centres on Georgetown, the capital on the Atlantic coast. Street crime is the main concern here. Armed robbery, bag snatching and carjacking happen in daylight as well as after dark. Neighbourhoods such as Tiger Bay, Albouystown, Agricola and Sophia are repeatedly flagged in embassy reporting. Stabroek Market and the minibus parks around it see frequent pickpocketing. Travellers are warned about walking alone at night anywhere in the city, including the seawall. Outside the capital, the picture changes. The interior regions of Rupununi, Iwokrama and Kaieteur draw travellers for rainforest lodges, savannah ranches and the falls. Crime is much lower in these remote areas, but the risks shift to road conditions, river travel, small aircraft and long distances from medical help. Linden, the main bauxite town on the road south, has seen protests in the past and should be checked before travel. The border zones with Venezuela in the Essequibo region and with Suriname along the Corentyne river carry extra caution. The Venezuela border dispute over Essequibo remains unresolved. Travellers heading into these areas should check the latest position before setting out.
Recent advisory changes
The official advisory guidance keeps Guyana at Level 3, Reconsider Travel. The advisory was reissued on 12 May 2025 after a periodic review with minor changes. The main reason given is violent crime, including murder and armed robbery, which the department describes as common and worse at night. It warns that local police often lack the resources to respond to serious crimes quickly. The official advisory guidance does not apply a single headline level. Its Guyana page was last updated on 30 December 2025 and is still current as of 7 April 2026. The December update focused on health risks and healthcare in Guyana. The two advisories broadly agree on the crime picture, with the US wording more direct and the UK wording more procedural.
What travellers should know
Plan arrivals in daylight where possible. Cheddi Jagan International Airport sits about 40 kilometres south of Georgetown and the road in passes through areas where robberies of arriving passengers have been reported. Pre-arranged transport from a hotel or tour operator is the usual recommendation. Avoid walking at night, keep valuables out of sight, and treat ATMs and bank visits as higher-risk moments. If confronted in a robbery, both official advisories advice is not to resist. For interior trips, book through established lodges and operators who handle logistics, radios and emergency links. Medical facilities outside Georgetown are limited and serious cases often need evacuation, so comprehensive travel insurance covering medical evacuation is repeatedly recommended. Malaria and dengue are present, especially in the interior and during the rainy seasons, so check current health guidance before departure. Keep copies of your passport and entry stamp separate from the originals, and register with your embassy if staying for an extended period.