Crossing between Guyana and Venezuela

I know it's a big question and the only legal route is via Brasil but there is a half-illegal route. 2 years ago I travelled down to Lethem and I decided to never do it again. But my flight back to Europe was from Parbo, so I had to cross the border between Venezuela and Guyana. I didn't have much time, so I didn't do that, but the route I discovered can be cheaper and easier than the Lethem-Georgetown nightmare.

So... I got a tip from Venezuelan miners and I'm sure this route is doable but only from Venezuela to Guyana because of burocracy of Venezuela. So, there is a twice-a-week 4x4 service from Tumeremo (half way between Santa Elena and Ciudad Guyana) to San Martin de Turumban on the border (if I remember well, it's 150 bolivar, around 17 US$). This village is in the middle of the rainforest with a lot of gold mine around. I hitchiked there first and I went with miners to over the end settlements. Only hard faces, heavy miners were there and that was the first time in my 7 years of travelling in Latin America when I really felt gringo myself. But I speak fluent Spanish and I helped to my driver so it was okay (later they invited me for a Roja).

These miners told me that from Turumban there is a 10 minutes boat to Isla Anacoco on the Cuyuni River. Twice a week Trans Guyana has a flight from Isla Anacoco (it's an airstrip, not a village) what is connected to the jeeps. The airfare is around 60 US$ to Georgetown.

There is a guesthouse in Turumban where you can reserve seat on the plane. Venezuelan soldiers will give the stamp to you in Turumban but in Isla Anacoco there is no immigration because this route is only for Venezuelan and Guyanese citizens. Anyway, I think the penalty is not that high (I crossed green borders various times in Central and South America and I never payed more than 50 dollars), so just go to the immigration in Georgetown and tell them you were in hurry and you know it's illegal, but you leave Guyana as soon as possible and you'll get a 1 week or 10 days stamp. If you are lucky you won't pay any penalty.

I think it's more complicated to do reverse, becuase there is immigration on the Venezuelan side and they won't let yo step in the country. In the next year I'll be there again and my plan to cross the border on this route.

I heard, there is a cheaper route from Turumban downriver on Cuyuní once a week. It takes 3 days to get to Bartica and can be a beautiful trip.