Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- None available; utilize private rooms at Lake Mainstay Resort conference center
- Best Cafe for Work
- Imam Bacchus & Sons Cafe (Affable staff, reliable power, decent Wi-Fi)
- Networking Events
- Essequibo Chamber of Commerce and Industry meetings at the Anna Regina Town Hall
- Social Events for Expats
- Weekend gatherings at the Bush Lot Night Spots or Lake Mainstay Pineapple Festival (annual)
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- No apps; use local hire cars at Anna Regina Car Park (Town center trips approx. 500 GYD)
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Private rentals only; ask at local cycle shops on Main Street (approx. 2,000 GYD/day)
- Best Beach Nearby
- Lake Mainstay (Freshwater beach with white sand, 20 mins inland)
- Top Regional Airline
- Trans Guyana Airways flying from Eugene F. Correia International (Ogle)
- Top International Airline
- American Airlines or Caribbean Airlines via Cheddi Jagan International (GEO)
- Highway Access
- Essequibo Coast Public Road (connects Supenaam stelling to Charity)
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Anna Regina Bus & Car Park (Minibuses Route 43 to Supenaam)
- Public Transport Passes
- None; pay per trip. Supenaam to Anna Regina is approx. 500-700 GYD
- Regional Travel
- Speedboat from Parika to Supenaam ($1,500 GYD) then minibus to Anna Regina
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Suddie Public Hospital (10 mins South of Anna Regina)
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- No dedicated studios; sessions often held at the Anna Regina Community Centre Ground
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Fitness Paradise Gym (Anna Regina town center); approx. 5,000 GYD per month
- Laundry Services
- Self-service not common; local wash-and-fold services near the market
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- None; order via WhatsApp directly from restaurants like 'The Grill Master'
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Cook-up Rice with fried fish or Pepperpot (available at local breakfast stalls)
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- 7-Day Adventist canteen near the high school or Ital food stalls in the market
- Best Dessert Spots
- Imam Bacchus & Sons Bakery (Famous for pastries and local 'salara')
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Anna Regina Public Market (Saturday is the big market day)
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Courts Guyana (for electronics); most residents use US-based shipping forwarders
- Grocery Delivery
- Imam Bacchus & Sons provides local delivery for large orders in the Essequibo area
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Cotton Field or Bush Lot area (Numerous small rum shops and 'cool squares')
- Local Brewery
- Banks DIH (Banks Beer) - products widely available at all local spirit shops
- Wine Bars
- None; high-end spirits available at the regional supermarkets
- Street Food Stalls
- Anna Regina Car Park (Evening stalls selling egg balls, pholourie, and BBQ)
- Popular International Cuisine
- Chinese restaurants are standard (e.g., Panda Garden on the Public Road)
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Damon Monument (Commemorating the 1834 rebellion leader)
- Museums & Art Venues
- Anna Regina Town Hall holds occasional local art and heritage exhibitions
- Historical Sites
- St. Bartholomew's Anglican Church (One of the oldest in the region)
- Religious Sites
- Various Mandirs, Mosques, and Churches lining the Essequibo Public Road
- Annual Events
- Essequibo Night (Agricultural fair and exhibition) usually in October
- Cultural Districts
- Mainstay/Whyaka Indigenous Village (Amerindian heritage site nearby)
- Theater Venues
- Anna Regina Multilateral School Auditorium for local plays
- Local Markets
- Anna Regina Market (Fresh produce, local spices, and handmade crafts)
- Music Scene
- Chutney and Soca music dominate the local bars and 'loud speaker' trucks
- Street Art
- Community murals often found on the walls of the community centers
- Cooking Classes
- Informal classes can be arranged with local women's groups in Bush Lot
- Art Galleries
- None; local craft sold at the Mainstay Village tourism center
- Historic Buildings
- The High Court Building at Anna Regina
- Local Heritage
- Strong rice-farming culture (the town is surrounded by rice paddies)
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Lake Capoey (Secluded lake with stunning views, accessible via boat)
- National Parks Nearby
- Kaieteur Falls (Requires a flight from Ogle/Georgetown, not reachable by road)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- The Sea Wall (Anna Regina/Bush Lot section) offers scenic coastal walks
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Top of the Anna Regina High Dam overlooking the rice fields
- Birdwatching Locations
- The Conservancy canals behind Anna Regina (Home to Snail Kites and Herons)
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Lake Mainstay beachfront (designated areas for resort guests)
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- GPOC (Guyana Post Office Corporation) on the Public Road; DHL via agents in Georgetown
- Tech Repair Services
- Small electronics shops in the Anna Regina Market complex
- Table Tennis Spots
- Anna Regina Community Centre
- Language Classes
- English is the official language; Spanish tutors available through the regional school system
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Anna Regina Public Library
- Community Centers
- Anna Regina Community Centre Ground (Hub for sports and local meetings)
- Gaming Lounges
- None dedicated; some internet cafes offer PC gaming
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Slot machines found in private members' clubs; no full casinos in Anna Regina
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $15,000 USD per m² (Land value focused; 400 m² plot ≈ $30,000 USD)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $8,000 USD per m² (Plot of land in developing areas ≈ $15,000 USD)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Construction costs approx. $60,000 GYD per sq ft (Total approx. $25,000 USD for basic build)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Construction costs approx. $45,000 GYD per sq ft (Total approx. $18,000 USD for basic build)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $45,000 - $60,000 USD for a modern concrete house and land
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $30,000 - $40,000 USD for a basic wooden/concrete structure
- Corporate Tax
- 25% for non-commercial companies; 40% for commercial companies in Guyana
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 20% (subject to double taxation treaties)
- Tax System
- Source-based and Residence-based (Worldwide income for residents)
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 40% on chargeable income over 2,400,000 GYD per year
- VAT
- 14%
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- No specific CFC legislation currently in place
- Property Tax
- Yes, based on the capital value of the property (Rates are very low)
- Property Transaction Tax
- Capital Gains Tax (20%) and Stamp Duty (approx. 2%)
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- No specific nomad visa or tax break; standard work permits required for long stays
Essentials
- City
- Anna Regina, Pomeroon-Supenaam (Region 2), Guyana
- Population
- Approx. 12,000
- Internet Speed
- 10-20 Mbps via GTT Fibre; mobile data LTE provides 15 Mbps on ENet/Digicel
- Currency & Banking
- 1 USD ≈ 210 GYD (Guyanese Dollar). Use Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI) or Republic Bank on Main Street
- Tap Water
- Not drinkable; 5-gallon bottled water delivery (Banks DIH) costs approx. 500 GYD
- Power
- 110V/220V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A/B sockets (Frequency of power outages is moderate)
- SIM Card
- ENet or Digicel; ENet Orange plans offer 20GB for approx. 3,500 GYD ($17 USD)
- Banking for Expats
- Republic Bank (Guyana) Ltd; ATMs at Anna Regina Car Park accept Visa/Mastercard
- Accommodation
- Mainly guesthouses and private rentals; Lake Mainstay Resort for high-end stays
- Cashless Friendly
- Low; Cash is king. Large supermarkets like Imam Bacchus & Sons accept cards
- Short Term Rentals
- Lake Mainstay Resort (approx. $120 USD/night) or local guesthouses (approx. $40 USD/night)
- Budget Accommodation
- Affordable guesthouses near the Anna Regina Market start at 8,000 GYD ($40 USD)
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Mainstay/Whyaka area for nature and resort facilities
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Anna Regina Town Center for proximity to banks, fiber internet, and markets