Traveling in French Guyana
Arrival French Guyana
Airplane: There are no direct connections to French Guiana from Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Air France flies direct from Paris (France). The airline Air Caraibe flies directly to French Guiana from Martinique.
Airports: Rochambeau International Airport (CAY) is located 15 km southwest of Cayenne. Taxis go to Cayenne and it is also possible to rent a car.
Ship: The most important ports in French Guiana are Cayenne and Kourou. Ferry ships operate on the Maroni River from the port of St. Laurent du Moroni to Albina in Suriname. Ferries on the Oiapoque River connect St. Georges with Oiapoque in Brazil.
Car: a road along the coast to the Atlantic Ocean connects Guyana, Suriname and French Guyana. From Cayenne the road leads to Paramaribo in Suriname.
Bus: Minibuses run from Cayenne to Paramaribo in Suriname.
French Guiana Visa Requirements
As a French overseas department, the same entry requirements apply to French Guiana as to France.
Passport
is not generally required to enter French Guiana. German and Austrian citizens can enter the country with a valid passport as well as a valid identity card.
Visa
Citizens of EU countries (with the exception of Romania and Bulgaria) and Switzerland do not need a visa to stay in French Guiana. This applies to both tourists and business travelers.
Entry with children
For accompanying children, the same visa requirements apply as for their parents. Every child needs their own travel document.
Germany: You need your own passport for children.
Austria: Children need their own passport.
Switzerland: Children need their own passport.
French Guiana – Climate and the best time to travel
French Guiana has a tropical climate. The temperatures are quite stable all year round, around 28 ° C on average. The dry season is between July and December, the remaining months – except March – is the rainy season, with up to 250 cm of precipitation per year. The heaviest precipitation falls in May.
The average relative humidity ranges between 80 and 90% throughout the year. The capital Cayenne and the other coastal settlements are less hot and humid as the coastal region benefits from Atlantic trade winds. Unlike the Caribbean islands, there are no cyclones.
Best Time to Go: You can expect to get drenched in French Guiana when traveling January through June, worst in May. The dry season from July to December is the most comfortable time to visit. When traveling in the region, light clothing and ponchos have proven their worth.
French Guiana – traveling in the country
Airplane: Most domestic flights are offered by Air Guyane. Cayenne is connected inland to St. Georges and Saul by small airplanes.
Ship: There are boats along the coast and on rivers inland, but these trips require patience and a certain organizational ability. However, you can also book an organized tour. The best chances of finding a boat are in St. Laurent and Kaw.
Automobile:The main roads in French Guiana are in good condition thanks to French and European investment. The roads in the region around Cayenne are very good, Cayenne is connected to Kourou, among others. A good all-weather road runs between Cayenne and St. Laurent du Maroni. With your own vehicle you can explore large parts of French Guyana. The back roads can be bad, especially during the rainy season, you should always have enough time and spare parts (as well as the ability to use them).
Since there is hardly any public transport, it can be worthwhile to rent a car. International rental car companies are located in Cayenne and Kourou. You should have an international driver’s license, but this is not required by law.
Buses mainly run along the coast. There are also taxis in Cayenne.
Money in French Guiana
National currency: the euro has been the official currency in French Guiana since 1999. 1 euro equals 100 cents.
Currency abbreviation: €, EURO
Banknotes are issued to the value of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 euros, coins to the value of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents and 1 and 2 euros.
Currency Exchange: The easiest way to change US dollars is in Cayenne, for example at the airport and in exchange offices in the city. In the rest of the country there are only limited opportunities to change (including in Matoury, Courou and Saint-Laurent du Maroni).
Exchange rate euro
Currency converter at OANDA
Credit Cards: Visa and MasterCard are the most common credit cards in French Guiana.
ATMs are available in Cayenne, Matoury, Remire-Montjoly, Saint-Laurent du Moroni and Courou.
Travelers checks are not always accepted, most likely in Cayenne, they should be made out in euros.
Foreign exchange regulations: There are no restrictions on the import and export of currencies when traveling within the European Union.
When entering and leaving the EU, cash and checks with an equivalent value of 10,000 euros must be declared.
Bank opening times : Mon – Fri 7.45 a.m. – 11.30 a.m. and 3 p.m. – 5 p.m.
