Practical information : Sightseeing French Guiana
Timetable
Museums and cultural institutes are generally open from 8.30 a.m. to 1 p.m., and some open again from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. To be on the safe side, it's best to plan your visits in the morning and then make a phone call to check the opening times for that day.
To be booked
The vast majority of activities in French Guiana take place in the wilderness, and often involve travel by pirogue. As a result, it is often necessary to book in advance any excursions you may wish to join: outings in the Kaw marshes, river trips (to Maripasoula, Saut Maripas, etc.), canopy tours, island visits... Throughout the book, you'll find recommendations from official guides and other organizations dedicated to visiting Guyana's natural wonders.
As for museums and other establishments in town, a simple phone call to check that the place is open will do the trick.
For guided tours of the Guiana Space Center, reservations must be made at least 48 hours in advance. And if your visit coincides with a launch, (free) invitations are limited to the number of places available. So plan ahead and book online: cnes-csg.fr - ✆ 05 94 33 44 53 - Mail: [email protected]. Please note age restrictions.
Budget & Tips
It's best to have an adventurous spirit if you want to take advantage of the best deals in French Guiana. While a night in a communal carbet may only cost you around ten euros, rates can quickly climb for accommodation more comfortable than a hammock. When dining out, expect to pay a little more than you would in mainland France. Generally speaking, the price of food will always be around 15% higher in supermarkets.
For sightseeing, it will cost you around 50 euros for a boat trip (îles du Salut, îlet la Mère...). On the other hand, a pirogue trip with an overnight stay in the Kaw marshes can quickly cost well over a hundred euros... But if you're on a budget, it's well worth it!
Main events
While there are a few festivals in Cayenne, Saint-Laurent and Kourou, the main focus of cultural life in French Guiana is on the carnival festivities. Indeed, Guyana's carnival is the longest in the world: it generally begins in January and ends with Ash Wednesday, which falls between mid-February and early March, depending on the year. For almost two months, parades and balls punctuate the passing weeks. There are also patron saint festivals, which are joyously celebrated in Guyana's towns and villages throughout the year.
Guided tours
Guided tours in French Guiana don't take place in museums! It's in the forest that you'll need a guide. Throughout this book, you'll find recommendations from official guides and other organizations dedicated to visiting Guyana's natural wonders.
Smokers
Smoking is not permitted in museums. As for open-air areas, it is the responsibility of smokers not to disturb non-smokers and to leave the areas clean. While smoking is not forbidden in forests, cigarette butts can easily start fires. It is therefore everyone's responsibility to smoke carefully and in places where the risk of fire is limited.