Best Time to Visit Guyana, French Guiana, & Suriname
When is the Best Time to Visit Guyana,
French Guiana, and Suriname?
The best time to visit Guyana and its neighbors is from late August to September or February to March, just after the end of the rainy seasons. This is because everything is green and lush, the Kaieteur Falls are full of water, and rainfall is not too high.
Guyana weather (as well as Suriname and French Guiana weather) is equatorial – meaning warm, humid, and tropical. With over 90% off its territory covered in rainforests and away from the coast, venturing into the interior of Guyana is comparable to weather in the Amazon.
See our Top Guiana Tours for inspiration on trips either to Guyana only or for combinations including Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana. The weather in Suriname follows similar patterns to Guyana weather with two rainy seasons and two dry seasons. The weather in French Guiana is also similar with rainy and dry seasons at the same times as Suriname and Guyana.
My Recommendation
“Just after one of Guyana’s two rainy seasons have ended, there will be lots of water flowing over the Kaieteur Falls and the country will be even more green and lush than during the rest of the year! This means the end of August to early September and the start of February are good times to visit.”
Sales Director, Rebecca Deering
South America Travel Expert
Visiting Guyana in the Dry Seasons
The Dry Seasons in Guyana (September – November & February – April)
Guyana has two dry seasons, one beginning in September and the other in February. During these times, in the country’s interior, roads are more accessible, making for easier travel around the forested regions and wild savannahs of Guyana. Additionally, mosquitoes and other biting insects will be less common than in the rainy season. When flying to Kaieteur Falls, there are good chances of spectacular views from the plane.
Guyana Weather in the Dry Seasons
Guyana is a tropical country and the climate is similar to that of the Amazon Rainforest. In the dry seasons, you can expect average high temperatures of about 31°C / 88°F. By night, temperatures remain high at around 24°C / 75°F. Even though these are the driest times of the year, you should still be prepared for some rainfall. Cool, quick-drying clothing with long sleeves is ideal for travel in Guyana.
Georgetown
20ᵒ C / 81ᵒ F
Lethem
20ᵒ C / 68ᵒ F
Paramaribo
32ᵒ C / 90ᵒ F
Things to Do in Guyana During the Dry Seasons
The dry seasons are fantastic times for hiking and exploring the rainforests and savannahs of Guyana. Famed for its natural and isolated beauty, a visit to Guyana is centered around ecotourism. Opt for a hike in the renowned Kaieteur National Park, or horse-ride and search for giant anteaters in the savannah. At the start of the dry seasons, the interior of Guyana will be lush and Kaieteur Falls is swollen from recent rainfall. For a real adventure, stay overnight at the simple Kaieteur Falls guest house allowing you to watch swifts roost behind the falls in the evening and see the falls at sunrise the next day before anyone else arrives.
For a break from the heat, journey around Guyana’s beautiful coastline. Along the coast and a little way up the Essequibo River is Baganara Island Resort – an ideal place for relaxation as well as activities such as kayaking, paddle boarding, and swimming.
In Georgetown, visitors can go sightseeing and visit the botanical gardens where giant water lilies can be seen. Be sure to visit popular sites like Stabroek Market and St. George’s Cathedral – the world’s largest wooden cathedral. A culinary tour is also a great way to explore Georgetown.
Birdwatching during Guyana’s dry season is a must. Look out for favorites like the Guianan Cock-of-the-Rock and the rare Harpy Eagle. In the Rupununi Savannah, over 250 species of bird can be spotted, with 18 unique to the region alone.
Visit Guyana’s Amerindian communities and stay in a locally run eco-lodge in the jungle. Expert guides will show you the secrets of the rainforest and can even take you fishing for giant arapaima.
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Visiting Guyana in the Rainy Seasons
Rainy Seasons in Guyana (December – January & May – August)
Guyana has two wet seasons, one from December to January along the coast and a longer one from May to August throughout the country including the coast. What this means for travelers is that while December to January is not great weather in the capital, once you’re further inland this is a perfectly reasonable time of year to travel. As a general rule, May to early August are not good months to travel to the interior of Guyana as it can be difficult to get around especially as many roads are unpaved.
Guyana Weather in the Rainy Season
During Guyana’s rainy seasons, you can expect heavy downpours on most days. The rainfall can provide a welcome break from the humidity. Temperatures are similar to during the dry seasons at about 31°C / 88°F by day. Insects can be more problematic during the rainy seasons. Rainfall doesn’t usually last the whole day, often just a couple of hours, clearing to sunny weather.
Georgetown
20ᵒ C / 81ᵒ F
Lethem
20ᵒ C / 68ᵒ F
Paramaribo
32ᵒ C / 90ᵒ F
Things to Do in Guyana during the Rainy Seasons
If traveling from December to January, head away from the coast to the savannahs as the weather is still good there at this time. In the savannahs, the top things to do are look for anteaters and horseback around the exotic terrain.
In May, Georgetown holds its annual carnival so despite the rain this is an interesting time to visit. The weather won’t prevent tours in the city and along the coast, so these are the best options in these months. Guyana’s food tastes good all year round, so try a culinary tour!
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