Essentials
- City
- Cayenne, French Guiana (Overseas Department of France)
- Population
- Approximately 66,000 (City), 150,000 (Urban Area)
- Internet Speed
- Average 40-100 Mbps via Orange or SFR Fiber; mobile 4G is reliable in the city center.
- Currency & Banking
- Euro (€). 1 EUR ≈ 1.08 USD. French banks (BNP Paribas, SG) and Revolut/N26 are widely used.
- Tap Water
- Safe to drink in Cayenne; however, many locals prefer bottled water due to high chlorine taste.
- Power
- 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C and E sockets (French standard).
- SIM Card
- Orange Guyane, SFR Caraïbe, and Free (Free offers 25GB roaming for French plans). Price: ~€20/month.
- Banking for Expats
- La Banque Postale or online banks like Boursorama. Cards (Visa/Mastercard) accepted in most businesses.
- Accommodation
- Limited selection; high demand. Best found via Leboncoin.fr or local agencies like Guyane Immo.
- Cashless Friendly
- Largely yes, but smaller markets and 'carbets' (jungle lodges) require cash.
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb is the primary option. Average price: €60-€90 per night for a studio.
- Budget Accommodation
- Hôtel Central (approx. €85/night) or guesthouses like Guyane Évasion.
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Place des Palmistes / Downtown Cayenne for proximity to restaurants and history.
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Montabo or Remire-Montjoly for better residential infrastructure and proximity to beaches.
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- GDI (Guyane Développement Innovation) in Matoury (~€15/day) or La Ruche Cayenne.
- Best Cafe for Work
- Café de la Gare at 42 Avenue Léopold Héder; reliable Wi-Fi and good breakfast.
- Networking Events
- Events organized by 'Le Medef Guyane' or tech meetups at the Numeric Lab in Matoury.
- Social Events for Expats
- Internations Guyane group and 'Expats in French Guiana' Facebook community.
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- No Uber. Use 'Allo Taxi Guyane' (+594 594 250025). Rides within city: €10-€20.
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Vélos de Guyane (Remire-Montjoly); prices start at €15/day.
- Best Beach Nearby
- Plage des Salines in Remire-Montjoly (15 min drive); brown water due to Amazon sediment.
- Top Regional Airline
- Air Guyane Express (for flights to Maripasoula or Saul).
- Top International Airline
- Air France or Air Caraïbes (Direct flights to Paris-Orly).
- Highway Access
- RN1 connects Cayenne to Kourou and Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni; RN2 to Brazil border.
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- No trains. Main hub is the Gare Routière de Cayenne (Bus station) on Canal Jubelin.
- Public Transport Passes
- RCCG (Régie Communautaire du Transport). Single ticket: €1.30; Monthly: €35.
- Regional Travel
- Collectifs (minibuses) from Gare Routière to Kourou (~€10-€15).
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Centre Hospitalier de Cayenne (CHC) 'Andrée Rosemon' (Full French healthcare standards).
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Guyane Yoga in Remire-Montjoly; drop-in classes around €15.
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Amazonia Fitness or Keep Cool (Matoury/Cayenne); monthly pass ~€45-€60.
- Laundry Services
- Laverie Automatique, 15 Rue François Arago. ~€5 per wash.
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- Deliv'Guyane or Resto-In (Limited availability compared to Europe).
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Bouillon d'Awara (traditionally consumed during Easter); Smoked fish and Pimentade.
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Maracuja Garden; limited plant-based focus but adaptable French/Creole menus.
- Best Dessert Spots
- Pâtisserie l'Amandine at Place des Palmistes; famous for French pastries.
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Marché de Cayenne (Cayenne Market) on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Amazon.fr (Note: shipping to DOM-TOM is expensive/slow); Cdiscount.
- Grocery Delivery
- Carrefour Drive Guyane (Matoury or Guyane Market).
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Place des Palmistes/Avenue de la Liberté; try 'Le Moon' for upscale drinks.
- Local Brewery
- Brasserie Guyanaise (Jeune Gueule beer). Brewery located in Matoury.
- Wine Bars
- Vins et Terroirs in Remire-Montjoly for French imports.
- Street Food Stalls
- The 'Madras' stands at the Market or Place des Palmistes selling 'Bokit' sandwiches.
- Popular International Cuisine
- Pariacabo in Kourou (nearby) or various Vietnamese 'Soupe Chinoise' stalls in the market.
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Place des Palmistes, Fort Cépérou (Ruins with city view), and the Town Hall.
- Museums & Art Venues
- Musée Départemental Alexandre-Franconie; Entry ~€3.
- Historical Sites
- Devil's Island (Îles du Salut) easily accessed by boat from nearby Kourou.
- Religious Sites
- Cathédrale Saint-Sauveur de Cayenne.
- Annual Events
- Cayenne Carnival (January to March) — one of the longest in the world.
- Cultural Districts
- The Village Chinois (Chinese Quarter) for markets and authentic soups.
- Theater Venues
- Encre (Etablissement National à Rayonnement Culturel et Environnemental).
- Local Markets
- Marché aux Poissons (Fish Market) and the main covered market on Place du Coq.
- Music Scene
- Zouk, Kasékò, and Reggae at local bars like 'Bara' on weekends.
- Street Art
- Vibrant murals around the Vieux Port area and near the Market.
- Cooking Classes
- Workshops by 'Atelier Guyane' (occasional) focusing on Creole cuisine.
- Art Galleries
- Galerie l'Encrier; showcasing local Amazonian and Creole art.
- Historic Buildings
- Maison Ceide, a classic 19th-century Creole wooden house.
- Local Heritage
- Indigenous basketry and local crafts from the Wayana and Galibi tribes.
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Sentier du Rorota (Hiking trail with sloths) in Remire-Montjoly.
- National Parks Nearby
- Parc Naturel Régional de Guyane; covers massive portions of the rainforest.
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Coastal path at Route des Plages in Remire-Montjoly.
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Fort Cépérou for a panoramic sunset view over Cayenne.
- Birdwatching Locations
- Montsinéry-Tonnegrande marshes for exotic Amazonian birds.
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Allowed at certain private 'carbets' (jungle camps) along the Cayenne River.
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- La Poste (French national service), DHL, and Chronopost.
- Tech Repair Services
- Gitem Cayenne for electronics and basic computer repairs.
- Table Tennis Spots
- Guyane Tennis de Table (Club level play in Matoury).
- Language Classes
- Alliance Française de Cayenne for French lessons.
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Bibliothèque Départementale Franconie (Historical library).
- Community Centers
- Maison de Quartier in various sectors; check central city listings.
- Gaming Lounges
- Low availability; check local 'Cybercafés' in the city center.
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Casino de Cayenne (Boulevard Jubelin).
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €3,200 per m² (e.g., 30 m² = €96,000)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €2,400 per m² (e.g., 30 m² = €72,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €2,900 per m² (e.g., 50 m² = €145,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €2,200 per m² (e.g., 50 m² = €110,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €2,750 per m² (e.g., 75 m² = €206,250)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €2,100 per m² (e.g., 75 m² = €157,500)
- Corporate Tax
- Standard French rate (25%), but tax-free zones (ZFU) exist for new businesses.
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 30% (Flat Tax) for residents.
- Tax System
- French Tax System; residents taxed on worldwide income.
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 45% (plus potential high-income surcharge).
- VAT
- 0% (French Guiana is exempt from VAT, though local 'Octroi de Mer' tax applies to imports).
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, following French/EU regulations.
- Property Tax
- Yes, Taxe Foncière (varies by municipality, approx €800-€1500 for a 1-bed).
- Property Transaction Tax
- Notary fees/taxes around 7-8% of the purchase price.
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- No specific nomad visa; standard French residency apply with tax benefits for DOM-TOM residents (30-40% reduction on income tax).