Sights in Guyana
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Rupununi Savannas
These Africa-like plains are scattered with Amerindian villages and an exceptional diversity of wildlife. Rivers filled with huge caimans, the world's largest water lilies (the Victoria amazonica) and a mindboggling variety of colorful birds, cut through plains of golden grasses and termite mounds.
The heart of the savanna is at Annai, a crossroads of Amerindian peoples with a police station and an airstrip, although the biggest settlement is much further south at Lethem, a cowboy town on the Brazilian border. Although the savanna stretches over an area of 104,400 sq km (40309 sq mi), there's a distinct feel of a tight community down here and you'd be hard pressed to find…
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Museum of Guyana
The Museum of Guyana is a curious institution with some very old-fashioned exhibits documenting the nation's cultural, social, and political history.
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Iwokrama Rain Forest
Iwokrama, established in 1996, is a unique, living laboratory for tropical forest management and socio-economic development for Amerindians. Amidst 371,000 ha (916,760 acres) of virgin rainforest, this exceptional region is home to the highest recorded number of fish and bat species in the world.
Also calling this remarkable forest home are South America's largest cat (the jaguar), the world's largest scaled fresh water fish (the arapaima), and the world's largest otters, river turtles, anteaters, snakes, rodents, eagles and caimans.
Unlike a national park, Iwokrama is not funded by the government and must therefore take a very realistic approach of how to keep afloat wit…
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Kaieteur Falls
You may have been to Angel or Iguazú falls, seen Niagara or not even be particularly interested in waterfalls; it doesn't matter, go to Kaieteur Falls. Watching 30,000 gallons of water per second be shot out over a 250m (820ft) cliff in the middle of a misty, ancient jungle without another tourist in sight is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
The brave (or crazy) can actually stand at the top of the falls and gaze over the precipice. Depending on the season, the falls are from 76m (250ft) to 122m (400ft) wide. Swifts nest under the falls' overhang and dart in and out of the waters around sunset each night. On the walk to the falls look for outrageously showy, scarlet cock…
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Botanical Gardens
Georgetown's Botanical Gardens are worth visiting for plants but also for bird-watching. The garden's zoo is a depressing collection not recommended for animal lovers. The only highlight is the manatees that swim in the zoo canal, offering remarkably close glimpses of these shy creatures.
The garden's zoo is a depressing collection not recommended for animal lovers. The open court on the block south of the botanical gardens is the Square of the Revolution, which houses the monument to Cuffy, famous leader and hero of the 1763 rebellion on the Berbice sugar estate; the unusual statue which exaggerates the proportions of the human form, is characteristic of Western Africa.
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Shell Beach
Shell Beach extends for about 140km (87mi) along the coast near the Venezuela border and is a nesting site for four of the eight sea turtle species, including olive ridleys, hawksbills and the magnificent giant leatherbacks. These turtles used to be slaughtered for their meat and eggs but are now part of a non-governmental conservation program.
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Bartica
The lively mining town of Bartica may come as something of a relief if you found Georgetown a little too tense. While the population of miners and forest workers may be rambunctious, they are generally typically Guyanese friendly. Easy excursions from the town include Marshall Falls and the ruins of the Dutch fort Kyk-Over-Al.
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Kanuku Mountains
In the local Macushi language, Kanuku means 'rich forest', and the Kanuku Mountains, rising out of the Rapununi savanna, are home to a very rich slice of all Guyana's wildlife species. Around 70% of the country's astonishing bird species make their roosts in Kanuku, along with jaguars and giant otters, anteaters and monkeys.
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Square of the Revolution
The open court on the block south of the botanical gardens is the Square of the Revolution, which houses the monument to Cuffy, famous leader and hero of the 1763 rebellion on the Berbice sugar estate; the unusual statue which exaggerates the proportions of the human form, is characteristic of Western Africa.
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Stabroek Market
The landmark Stabroek Market is housed in a cast-iron building with a corrugated-iron clock tower. This main shopping venue, once described as quite a 'bizarre bazaar,' dates back to the late 1700s although the current structure was built in 1880. Pigs, pineapple, shoes - you will find it all here.
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Surama
An Amerindian village where there are rustically lovely huts built specifically for tourists. The village has trained a few guides to take visitors hiking or canoeing and the school often prepares a warm-hearted welcome of singing and dancing for village visitors.
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Marshall Falls
Near Bartica, the Essequibo meets the Mazaruni River and Marshall Falls, a series of rapids and a jungle waterfall. Scrape beyond the surface with a good guide. Look for tours that are sensitive to the environment and for programs co-run by Amerindians.
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Town Hall
This distinctive neo-Gothic building with its 23m (75ft) tower looks like Disneyland to some, but is one of Georgetown's most historic sights. It was apparently the spot where colonial-period wives watched for their husbands' ships to come into port.
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St George's Cathedral
The most impressive building in town is Anglican, Gothic-style St George's Cathedral, said to be the world's tallest wooden building. It was completed in 1892 and was built mostly with local materials, most notably a hardwood called greenheart.
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Kyk-Over-Al
At the junction of the Mazuruni and Cuyuni rivers is Kyk-Over-Al, a ruined Dutch fortress dating from 1616. From here, take a ferry to Marshall Falls, which is a good place for bathing and observing riverine wildlife.
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Orinduik Falls
Orinduik Falls span the Ireng river between Guyana and Brazil. The water splashes pleasantly down 25m (80ft) of rocks and ledges of jasper. It's a beautiful spot for a swim or a fresh-air cold shower.
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National Library
Designed by Leonard Percival Hodge, the National Library has a long history of serving the community. It offers a lending service for prisoners and celebrated its centenary in 2009.
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State House
Built in 1825, the State House is the president's official residence. The building's design features the Demerara shutters that are typical of Georgetown's colonial architecture.
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Georgetown Seawall
The seawall is a popular spot with the locals and a great spot for people- and animal-watching (if you're lucky you might spot a cow).
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Parliament Building
At the south end of Ave of the Republic is the well-kept Dutch period Parliament Building, built in 1834.
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