GeorgetownCapital
Guyana · Country profile
Georgetown is the timber capital of Guyana, a green city of the Atlantic coast built on the reclaimed land between the estuaries of the Demerara and the sea wall, and famous for the extraordinary wooden architecture of its colonial public and domestic buildings. It is the political, the commercial and the cultural heart of the country, the only major English-speaking capital of the South American coast, and its canals-lined districts, its palms and its gingerbread houses give it the atmosphere of a West Indian city set down on the mainland. The cathedral, the markets, the botanical gardens and the museums of the town hold the essential visits, while the rivers and the falls of the interior rise directly from the city’s doorstep. Bedraggled in places but endlessly charming, it is the distinctive gateway to the wild Guiana.
About Georgetown
Georgetown is the capital of Guyana. The city's documented population is around 235,000 people. For visitors from abroad, the local currency is the Guyanese Dollar (GYD) and English is spoken; the dialling code is +592. It is served by 1 airport in our guide: Cheddi Jagan International Airport.
The Timber Capital and the Canals of the Coast
Georgetown is a walkable capital of canals, colonial timber houses and the sea wall that guards the city from the Atlantic, where the essential mornings combine the cathedral, the town hall and the great covered market. The botanical gardens, the national museum of the country and the lively streets of the centre fill the days, with the river trips and the eco-lodges of the interior leaving from the edge of the town. The nearby beaches of the coast with their nesting turtles and the mines and the falls of the interior wait just beyond. It is a city of the old Caribbean charm, friendly, worn and safe in the daytime, and its gingerbread skyline is the most distinctive of the whole South American coast.
The Rains of the Year and the Markets of the Early Hours
The coast enjoys a hot, humid climate with two wet seasons and two drier stretches, the calmest travel window running through the early months of the year. The Guyanese dollar is the currency and the English the language, with the film, the traffic and the relaxed pace of the society setting the tone of the stay. The city sights, the dinner cruises of the Demerara and the overnight trips to the falls of the Kaieteur and the interior lodges anchor the itinerary, with the turtles of the beach season as the bonus of the coast. Light cotton dress, the insect repellent and the comfortable shoes complete the practical list of the lowland capital.
The Stabroek Market, the Sea Wall and the Museums of the City
The cathedral of the Anglican church of the city, with its famous all-wooden spire rising among the palms, and the town hall of the colonial gothic stand as the architectural wonders of the capital. The great market of the port, with the famous clock tower and the statues of the town, runs the daily commerce of the city, while the national museum preserves the natural history and the cultures of the peoples of the interior. The sea wall promenade, with the sunset views over the Atlantic and the kite-flying of the evenings, is the essential local ritual, and the street art and the food of the city, with the pepperpot of the national dish, complete the warm, distinctive whole of the timber capital.
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- Country
- Guyana
- Population
- 235,000
- Coordinates
- 6.4986, -58.2541
- Capital
- Georgetown
- Region
- South America
- Currency
- Guyanese Dollar (GYD)
- Languages
- English
- Calling code
- +592
- Country code
- GY
Getting to Georgetown
Airports we list for Georgetown:
Frequently asked questions
Is Georgetown the capital of Guyana?
Yes — Georgetown is the capital of Guyana.
What currency do I need in Georgetown?
The local currency is the Guyanese Dollar (GYD). Languages spoken in Guyana include English.
What is the dialling code for Guyana?
The international dialling code for Guyana is +592.
Which airport should I fly into for Georgetown?
Cheddi Jagan International Airport (GEO) is the airport we list for Georgetown.
Flying out of Georgetown? Check the entry requirements for your destination in our entry requirements tool before you fly.