Essentials
- City
- Georgetown, Demerara-Mahaica, Guyana
- Population
- Approximately 200,000 (Greater Georgetown)
- Internet Speed
- Average 40-70 Mbps; GTT Fibre offers up to 100 Mbps in central areas.
- Currency & Banking
- 1 USD ≈ 209 GYD. The Guyanese Dollar is the primary currency.
- Tap Water
- Not drinkable. Use bottled water like Banks DIH 'Tropical Mist' ($1.50 for 1.5L).
- Power
- 110V/220V, 60Hz. 🔌 Type A, B, and G (UK style) are commonly found.
- SIM Card
- GTT or Digicel. GTT 'Social' plans cost approx. $15 USD for 15GB/month.
- Banking for Expats
- Republic Bank or Scotiabank. Cash is king; carry local currency for most daily needs.
- Accommodation
- Airbnb is the primary source; small guesthouses are available for $60-$100/night.
- Cashless Friendly
- Limited. Major hotels (Pegasus, Marriott) and supermarkets accept cards; elsewhere requires cash.
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb and local real estate sites like 'Guyana Real Estate' ($1,200 - $2,500/month for modern units).
- Budget Accommodation
- Julian's Guest House ($45/night) or Rima Guest House (approx. $50/night).
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Kingston or Queenstown (near major sites and the Seawall).
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Bel Air Park or Prashad Nagar (safer, residential, better internet infrastructure).
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- The Hub Guyana (Epstein Heights) offers daily passes for approx. $20 USD.
- Best Cafe for Work
- Bistro Cafe & Bar (Main St) or Oasis Cafe (Carmichael St) – reliable Wi-Fi and good coffee.
- Networking Events
- ActionCOACH Guyana business mixers or events at the Guyana Chamber of Commerce.
- Social Events for Expats
- Hash House Harriers (running/social club) or events at the Guyana Cricket Club.
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- BookIt (local app) or calling 'Green Ice Taxi' or 'City Taxi' (standard city fare $2.50-$5 USD).
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Not formally established for tourists; most rely on private taxis or walking in safe zones.
- Best Beach Nearby
- Georgetown Seawall (not for swimming). For swimming: Splashmin’s Resort (1 hour away).
- Top Regional Airline
- Caribbean Airlines or InterCaribbean Airways.
- Top International Airline
- American Airlines, United Airlines, and JetBlue (flying into CJIA).
- Highway Access
- East Coast Highway and East Bank Public Road connect the city to the airport and coast.
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- No trains. 'Stabroek Market' is the central hub for the colorful private 'Minibuses' (Zoned system).
- Public Transport Passes
- No passes. Minibus fares are paid in cash ($0.40 - $1.00 per trip).
- Regional Travel
- Stellings (ferry terminals) for river travel to Essequibo or Berbice via Minibus.
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- St. Joseph Mercy Hospital (Private) or Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC) for emergencies.
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- The Art of Living (Lamaha St) or fitness classes at local hotels.
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Genesis Fitness Express (Forte St) or Space Gym (Status Hotel buildings) – approx. $60/month.
- Laundry Services
- D's Dry Cleaning & Laundromat (Middle St) – approx. $1.50 per lb for wash and fold.
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- Hero Delivery or DoorFly (standard delivery fee $3-$5).
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Pepperpot (traditional meat stew) and Cook-up Rice at 'German's Restaurant'.
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Oasis Cafe (Middle St) and local Ital food stalls near Stabroek Market.
- Best Dessert Spots
- Bake it Happen (Church St) or Bruster’s Real Ice Cream.
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Stabroek Market (fresh produce) and Bounty Supermarkets.
- E-commerce/Online Store
- No major local equivalent; most residents use freight forwarders like 'Laparkan' for Amazon orders.
- Grocery Delivery
- Massy Stores Online or J-Mart.
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Sheriff Street – home to numerous bars, clubs, and late-night grills.
- Local Brewery
- Banks DIH (Banks Beer is the national favorite).
- Wine Bars
- Vintage Wine Bar & Lounge (Lamaha St).
- Street Food Stalls
- Merriman Mall night stalls (Eggballs and Pholourie).
- Popular International Cuisine
- Hard Rock Cafe (Movietowne) or New Thriving (Chinese) for upscale dining.
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- St. George's Cathedral (one of the world's tallest wooden buildings).
- Museums & Art Venues
- Guyana National Museum and the Walter Roth Museum of Anthropology.
- Historical Sites
- Umana Yana (Wai-Wai thatched hut) and the Parliament Building.
- Religious Sites
- Seven Ponds Place of Heroes and St. George’s Cathedral.
- Annual Events
- Mashramani (February 23rd Republic Day Carnival) and Phagwah (Holi).
- Cultural Districts
- Bourda and Stabroek – the historic market-centered commercial cores.
- Theater Venues
- National Cultural Centre (Homestretch Ave).
- Local Markets
- Bourda Market – best for authentic local atmosphere and fresh fruits.
- Music Scene
- 704 Sports Bar and Club for Soca, Chutney, and Dancehall music.
- Street Art
- Murals along the Seawall and near the National Park.
- Cooking Classes
- Inquire at 'The Carnegie School of Home Economics' for short courses.
- Art Galleries
- Castellani House (National Art Gallery) at Vlissengen Rd.
- Historic Buildings
- Georgetown City Hall (currently under renovation).
- Local Heritage
- Golden Arrowhead (the national flag) and Cricket culture.
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Georgetown Botanical Gardens (home to the Manatees).
- National Parks Nearby
- National Park (Georgetown) for jogging; Kaieteur National Park (requires a 1-hour flight).
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- The Seawall walkway (best at sunset) or the track at the National Park.
- Scenic Viewpoints
- The Lighthouse (for views of the Demerara River and Atlantic Ocean).
- Birdwatching Locations
- Promenades in the Botanical Gardens (excellent for Snail Kites and parrots).
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Designated zones along the East Coast Seawall (local permission often required).
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- DHL (Robb St) and FedEx (Young St).
- Tech Repair Services
- Tech-Guyana or various kiosks in the City Mall.
- Table Tennis Spots
- Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA) facilities at the National Gymnasium.
- Language Classes
- University of Guyana (Language Institute).
- Libraries & Study Spots
- National Library (Church St & Main St).
- Community Centers
- Marian Academy or various local parish halls.
- Gaming Lounges
- Escape Quest (for VR and gaming) or specialized internet cafes.
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Sleepin Casino (Church St) or Princess Casino (Providence).
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $2,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $80,000 USD, though land sales are more common).
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $1,200 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $48,000 USD).
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $1,800 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $108,000 USD).
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $1,100 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $66,000 USD).
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $1,700 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $136,000 USD).
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $950 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $76,000 USD).
- Corporate Tax
- 25% for commercial companies; 40% for telephone companies.
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 20% (subject to double taxation treaties).
- Tax System
- Source-based and Residence-based (Worldwide income for residents).
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 28% (on income over $960,000 GYD/year).
- VAT
- 14% standard rate.
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- None strictly defined like OECD nations, but general anti-avoidance rules apply.
- Property Tax
- Yes, based on the assessed market value of properties.
- Property Transaction Tax
- Stamp duty (approx. 2%) and Lawyer fees (1-2%).
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- No specific Digital Nomad visa; most work on a standard visitor extension (0% local tax if not locally sourced).