Includes information on business customs, travel advisory, visa requirements, currency, language, health, local time, business hours and holidays, acceptable business etiquette, dress, business cards, gifts, temporary entry of materials and personal belongings, etc.
Last Published: 7/8/2019

Business Customs

Business dress is generally less formal than the U.S. standard.  Dressing formally, however, would not be inappropriate for U.S. business people.  For men, work attire consists of anything from a guayabera (shirtjacket) and slacks to a formal business suit.  For women, business suits predominate.   Most government buildings have a dress code that requires at least business casual attire.  

Travel Advisory

The U.S.  Department of State occasionally issues travel warning alerts Americans of specific risks associated with travel to a particular country.  Travelers should consult the U.S. Department of State's webpage for any updates prior to travel:  Travel Alerts and Messages.

The U.S. Department of State also encourages American citizens to register with the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy by using the on-line registration system at  Travel Registration.  

General information about travel to Guyana is available from the U.S. Department of State Country Information page:  Guyana.  Visa Requirements

Currently, only a valid U.S. passport is required for U.S. citizens to enter and depart Guyana.  Guyana generally grants a 30-day stay.  Extensions of stay may be obtained from the Ministry of Citizenship at 164 Waterloo Street, Georgetown.  If approved, the Central Office of Immigration will then annotate an extension in the visitor's passport.  The Ministry of Citizenship closely scrutinizes all extension of stay applications.  For more information, please inquire with the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy.

Guyanese business counterparts wishing to visit the United States require a valid U.S. visa.  Given the high rate of attempted visa fraud in Guyana and the factors influencing visa-seeking Guyanese, U.S. business persons should exercise caution when entering into business deals, preferring Guyanese who already hold valid U.S. visas to those who do not and who may use their association with a U.S. business person to obtain a U.S. visa.  Guyanese visa applicants should visit the following websites.

For more information, please visit:
U.S. Department of State Visa Website: U.S. Visas
U.S. Embassy Georgetown, Consular Section

Currency

The Guyanese dollar (GYD) is the unit of currency in Guyana.  Guyanese law confers legal tender status to currency released by the Bank of Guyana under the Bank of Guyana Act of 1998.  

In response to a high inflation rate in 1996, Guyana introduced coins in denominations of GYD 1, 5, and 10, taking cents out of circulation.  The same coins remain in circulation to date, though the Bank of Guyana announced that it will no longer produce the 1 and 5 dollar coins.  Guyana’s legal tender notes are in denominations of GYD 20, 100, 500, 1000, and 5000.  In commemoration of Guyana’s 50th Anniversary of Independence in 2016, the Bank of Guyana released a GYD 50 note, which, though it is considered legal tender and is active in circulation, has been treated as more of a collectible item by Guyanese and tourists alike.  Up-to-date information on legal tender notes and coins in circulation can be found on the website of the Bank of Guyana, which can be found here. 

According to the Bank of Guyana Act of 1998, No. 19, legal tender notes must be accepted throughout Guyana in the settlement of public or private debt and any other monetary transactions without limits on the amount.  Coins, while similarly accepted throughout Guyana in the settlement of any monetary obligation, are not protected for an unlimited amount by law.  Limits may be imposed by a creditor in the amount of debt that may be paid in coins.  The Bank of Guyana has recognized that, by law, creditors deserve the right to refuse to accept legal tender notes and coins without legal ramifications as long as there is another means of payment specified in advance as acceptable to settle a debt.

Guyana enjoys a relatively stable currency.   Information on its convertibility can be found in the Country Commercial Guide under the sub-section on Foreign Exchange in the tab on Conversion and Transfer Policies.

Telecommunications/Electronics

Landline phone services are provided by GT&T.  Two companies, GT&T and Digicel Guyana, provide cellular service.  Internet service is currently available from GT&T (DSL service), e-Networks, and a number of other smaller providers.  Some smaller providers claim “broadband” access, but, in reality, their maximum transfer rates are comparable to DSL service.  On July 29, 2010, GT&T commissioned its new fiber optic cable in partnership with TeleSur (Suriname’s national telephone operator), which greatly expanded Guyana’s limited bandwidth service and fiber optic network.  Telecommunications services are limited outside of the coastal region.

Transportation

International flights from North America to Guyana arrive at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), approximately 25 miles south of Georgetown.  Caribbean Airlines serves CJIA with daily flights from New York and Miami (both direct and via Port of Spain, Trinidad).  Caribbean Airlines also serves CJIA with two flights per week from Canada (via Port of Spain, Trinidad) and Barbados.  Surinam Airways serves CJIA with three flights weekly direct from Miami.  COPA Airlines serves CJIA with four flights weekly to Miami (via Panama).Fly Jamaica serves CJIA with once weekly direct flights from New York and twice weekly flights from New York via Kingston.  Fly Jamaica also serves CJIA with once weekly direct flights from Toronto.   American Airlines serves daily flights to Miami and expects to begin direct roundtrip flights from JFK in December.
 

Regional flights to Guyana also arrive at the Ogle International Airport located in metropolitan Georgetown.  LIAT serves Ogle with daily flights to and from Bridgetown, Barbados and Port of Spain.  Connections between Barbados and North American destinations including, New York, Miami, and Houston, are possible.

Taxicabs are available at the airports to transport visitors to Georgetown.  Most hotels in and around Georgetown operate taxicabs for their customers as well.  Only use taxis that are connected to major hotels or are painted yellow.  All yellow taxis are registered with the Government of Guyana's licensing office.  Exercise constant vigilance and, prior to entering any taxi, make note of the vehicle's license plate.  This can be used to track down the driver in the event of an overcharge or lost luggage.  Using public minibuses is discouraged due to widespread, unsafe driving and poor maintenance. More information can be found here at State Department.

Language

English is the official language of Guyana.  English Creole is also spoken in Guyana.

Health 

Medical care is available for minor medical conditions.  Emergency care and hospitalization for major medical illnesses or surgery remains limited, due to a lack of appropriately trained specialists, below standard in-hospital care, limited equipment and sometimes poor sanitation.  Ambulance service is substandard and may not routinely be available for emergencies.  Ambulances only transport people to health care facilities and do not generally provide care.  The U.S. Department of State advises travelers to bring prescription medicine sufficient for their length of stay.  Travelers should be aware that Guyana's humid climate may affect certain medications.  Some prescription medicines, mainly generic rather than name brand, are available.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has information on health precautions, including vaccinations, food and water safety, and insect bite protection.  CDC may be contacted through their hotline for international travelers at 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1-877- 394-8747) or via the CDC’s Internet site at
CDC Health Information for Travelers to Guyana. For information about outbreaks of infectious diseases abroad, consult the World Health Organization’s (WHO) website.  Further health information for travelers is available at WHO International Travel and Health.

The U.S. Department of State strongly urges Americans to consult with their medical insurance company prior to traveling abroad to confirm whether their policy applies overseas and whether it will cover emergency expenses, such as a medical evacuation.

Local Time, Business Hours and Holidays

Guyana is in Atlantic Standard Time year-round (GMT -4).

Working hours for government offices are Monday through Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.  The working hours for banks are Monday through Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.  Some banks open on Saturday morning.   Working hours for most private sector organizations are Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or 5:00 p.m.

The U.S. Embassy Georgetown is open Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.  The American Citizen Services Unit of the Consular Section is able to provide routine and emergency assistance to American citizens in Guyana.  After working hours, a duty officer is available in case of emergency.  To contact the duty officer, telephone +1 (592) 623-1992.

Holidays

The U.S. Embassy, Georgetown, is closed for all U.S. federal holidays and most Guyanese holidays.  Specific dates can be found here: U.S. Embassy U.S. Embassy Holiday Schedule
 

Temporary Entry of Materials or Personal Belongings

Temporary entry of goods into Guyana is permissible and requires the importer to make advance notification (a detailed list must be provided) to the Customs and Trade Administration (CTA) of the Guyana Revenue Authority and to complete a registration of the goods at the port of entry.  The importer is required to make a bond deposit to the CTA.  If the goods are not re-exported, Guyana requires that the importer pay the necessary duties and other charges.  For further information about temporary entry of materials and personal belongings, please contact the Customs and Trade Administration.

Customs Contact Information:
Guyana Revenue Authority
Customs and Trade Administration
200 – 201 Camp Street
Georgetown, Guyana
Tel: 592-227-6060
592-227-8222
592-226-5555
592-225-6931

Travel Related Web Resources

Guyana Telephone and Telegraph
Digicel Guyana
Guyana Tourism Authority
Embassy of the United States of America, Georgetown, Guyana
American Citizen Services, Georgetown, Guyana
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
U.S. Department of State Visa Website
U.S. Department of State Consular Information Sheet on Guyana (Travel Information)
U.S. Citizen Services Section On-line Registration System
 

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