Budget & Tips
Hotels. Although most major cities offer hotels ranging from 1 to 3 stars, there are very few intermediate categories. When there are no hotels in a town, village or city, gites, furnished accommodation and carbet camps take over. These types of structures often offer a number of advantages: a traditional atmosphere, pleasant surroundings and good value for money. The website of the Guyana Tourism Committee, www.guyane-amazonie.fr, provides, among other things, a list of the accommodation available in Guyana, according to location and category.
The Clévacances label is a national quality mark for vacation rentals. Certified establishments are selected according to the following criteria: environment, interior design, equipment, comfort and welcome. Several establishments are listed in French Guiana, offering up to 5 categories of comfort (from 1 to 5 keys). These include rooms and studios in and around Cayenne, Matoury, Macouria and Kourou.
Carbet accommodation is also a very good option, outside Cayenne, as it is perfectly suited to Guiana's geography. There is a wide range of tourist camps on offer, from lodges to simple carbets, and the cost of this type of dry accommodation is one of the most economical in the department (from €10 to €20 per night if you bring your own hammock). Many service providers offer package deals (canoe transfer, accommodation, catering, forest walks, various activities...). You can consult our selection (by region), but don't hesitate to go by feel. It's a good idea to buy a hammock and a mosquito net (without honeycombs, which need to be treated against mosquitoes) as soon as you arrive, even if some service providers rent or lend them
To be booked
There are sufficient hotels in French Guiana, spread out along the coast. Unfortunately, this offer is limited in some towns during major events or busy periods (fête patronale, bridges, etc.). And don't forget Carnival: it's the festival that brings the whole country to life and attracts the crowds, so book well in advance! Outside these exceptional periods, it's also advisable to book well in advance, if only to avoid missing out on any excursions you'd like to make.
What's very local
The carbet camp, because of the geographical environment of Guyana, is a very local way of doing things. This type of structure is indeed very adapted to the discovery of the region. They are generally carbets (open wooden constructions with a roof made of palm leaves resting on four posts), more or less equipped (table, benches), where you can install your hammock and mosquito net. Their advantage is that they offer traditional accommodation, very often on the banks of a river or a creek (small watercourse), in an exotic setting. It is possible to sleep in a carbet everywhere in French Guyana, except in Cayenne.
For food lovers
The owners of the carbets usually provide breakfast. Quite simple, it consists of a hot drink and the traditional bread with butter and jam, topped with a few local fruits (papaya, banana...). At the hotel, you'll also find pastries and eggs.