Essentials
- Population
- Approximately 34,800
- City
- Matoury, Guyane (French Guiana), France
- Internet Speed
- Average 40-100 Mbps (Fiber optic is expanding via Orange and SFR)
- Currency & Banking
- Euro (EUR). 1 EUR ≈ 1.09 USD. Major French banks like BNP Paribas and Société Générale present.
- Tap Water
- Drinkable (SGDE manages local supply), though many locals prefer bottled water for taste.
- Power
- 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/E sockets (Standard French/European plugs)
- SIM Card
- Orange Guyane, SFR Caraïbe, and Digicel. A prepaid SIM costs approx. €10-€20.
- Banking for Expats
- La Banque Postale or online banks like Revolut and N26 are easiest for newcomers.
- Accommodation
- Gîtes, apartments, and business hotels near Cayenne-Félix Éboué Airport.
- Cashless Friendly
- Yes, cards (Carte Bleue/Visa) accepted in supermarkets and petrol stations; cash needed for local markets.
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb is the primary platform, starting around €60/night for a studio.
- Budget Accommodation
- Hotel Amazonia Matoury or local Gîtes Rurales (approx. €50-€70/night).
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Stoupan area for river access or near the Crique Gabrielle.
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- City Center (near Family Plaza) for proximity to shopping and reliable internet.
Business
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €2,200 per m² (e.g., 50 m² = €110,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €2,700 per m² (e.g., 75 m² = €202,500)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €2,000 per m² (e.g., 75 m² = €150,000)
- Corporate Tax
- Standard French rate: 25% (some exemptions for 'Zones Franches d'Activités').
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 30% (Flat Tax/PFU).
- Tax System
- French tax law applies; residents taxed on worldwide income.
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 45% (plus exceptional contributions for high earners).
- VAT
- 0% in French Guiana (unique French department without VAT).
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, French tax code Article 209 B applies.
- Property Tax
- Yes, Taxe Foncière (varies by municipality, relatively high in urban areas).
- Property Transaction Tax
- Approx. 7-8% (notary fees and transfer duties).
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- No specific nomad visa; however, 0% VAT makes purchases cheaper than mainland France.
- 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)
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Guyane Développement Innovation (GDI) in nearby Cayenne/Rémire. In Matoury: Buro Club (virtual offices).
- Best Cafe for Work
- Brioche Dorée inside the Family Plaza Mall (Reliable Wi-Fi and AC).
- Networking Events
- Events organized by the CCI Guyane (Chamber of Commerce) in Cayenne.
- Social Events for Expats
- Facebook groups like 'Expats in French Guiana' or 'Vivre en Guyane'.
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- No Uber. Use local taxis or 'Transport Collectif de Guyane' (TCG) buses.
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Location Guyane (near the airport) for car and occasional bike rentals.
- Best Beach Nearby
- Plage des Salines in Rémire-Montjoly (approx. 15-20 mins drive).
- Top Regional Airline
- Air Guyane (flights to Maripasoula, Saul).
- Top International Airline
- Air France and Air Caraïbes (Direct flights to Paris-Orly and Fort-de-France).
- Highway Access
- Located on the N1 (to Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni) and N2 (to Brazil border).
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- No trains. The main transit hub is the Cayenne-Félix Éboué Airport (CAY) located in Matoury.
- Public Transport Passes
- RCT (Réseau de Transport de la CACL) - Single ticket €1.30, monthly pass approx. €35.
- Regional Travel
- Shared taxis (Taxis collectifs) departing from near the city center to Kourou (€15) or St. Laurent (€40).
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Centre Hospitalier de Cayenne (Andrée Rosemon), about 10km away.
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Yogi Guyane (classes often held in Rémire-Montjoly or Matoury community spaces).
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Proxiforme Matoury (located in Zone Industrielle de Collery). Monthly membership approx. €50.
- Laundry Services
- Laverie du Larivot (Automated laundromat) near the port.
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- Delivroum (Local delivery service) or Shoppy Guyane.
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Bouillon d'Awara (Palm fruit stew), traditionally served at Easter.
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Le Jardin de la Crique (offers fresh produce and plant-based Creole options).
- Best Dessert Spots
- Amandine inside the Family Plaza mall for French pastries and macarons.
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Hyper U Matoury for standard groceries; local Matoury market for fresh fruit.
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Amazon.fr (Note: Delivery to South America is expensive and slow).
- Grocery Delivery
- Carrefour Drive Guyane (Pickup service at the Matoury location).
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Matoury is quiet; most nightlife is in Cayenne (Place des Palmistes) or Kourou.
- Local Brewery
- Jeune Gueule (Brewed in Cayenne, sold in all Matoury supermarkets).
- Wine Bars
- Le Vin, l'Art et la Manière (Located in nearby Cayenne for high-end selection).
- Street Food Stalls
- Bami/Nasi stalls at the Matoury market (Asian-influenced Surinamese dishes).
- Popular International Cuisine
- L'Hibiscus (Vietnamese and French fusion) located in the town center.
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Crique Gabrielle (stunning blackwater creek for canoeing).
- Museums & Art Venues
- Le Musée Départemental Alexandre-Franconie (in nearby Cayenne).
- Historical Sites
- The remains of the colonial sugar plantations in the Rémire area (15 mins away).
- Religious Sites
- Église Saint-Michel de Matoury.
- Annual Events
- Guyanese Carnival (January to March) — parades and Touloulou balls.
- Cultural Districts
- The town center area near the Mairie (Town Hall) for Creole architecture.
- Theater Venues
- Encre (Guyanese Cultural Center) in nearby Cayenne for major performances.
- Local Markets
- Marché de Matoury (Saturdays), famous for local spices and Hmong vegetables.
- Music Scene
- Zouk, Kompa, and traditional Biguine music at local festivals.
- Street Art
- Murals surrounding the local sports complexes depicting Amazonian wildlife.
- Cooking Classes
- Workshops at 'Les Ateliers de Guyane' (occasional Creole cooking sessions).
- Art Galleries
- Galerie l'Encrier (Cayenne) features local Amazonian artists.
- Historic Buildings
- The Airport Terminal (Modern French architecture adapted for the tropics).
- Local Heritage
- Native Amerindian (Arawak) and Maroon culture influences in local handicrafts.
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Sentier du Rorota (Hiking trail with sloths and monkeys, 20 mins away).
- National Parks Nearby
- Guiana Amazonian Park (Parc Amazonien de Guyane) accessible by light aircraft from CAY.
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- The road to Stoupan offers scenic views of the Mahury River.
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Mont Grand Matoury (Highest point for bird's eye view of the forest and marshes).
- Birdwatching Locations
- Réserve Naturelle de l'Île du Grand-Connétable (boat trips from nearby ports).
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Possible at private 'carbet' (traditional shelters) camps along the river.
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- La Poste Matoury; DHL Express (located near the airport).
- Tech Repair Services
- Point Service Mobiles in Family Plaza mall.
- Table Tennis Spots
- Complexe Sportif de Matoury.
- Language Classes
- Alliance Française in Cayenne for French lessons.
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Médiathèque Municipale de Matoury.
- Community Centers
- Maison des Associations de Matoury.
- Gaming Lounges
- The 'Cyber-base' at the local community center.
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Casino de Cayenne (approx. 15 minutes drive).