Guyana

Recommended Vaccinations For Guyana

For Most Travellers

Hepatitis B Vaccine

There is a moderate risk of infection with hepatitis B for this country, therefore, the vaccination is recommended.

Hepatitis A Vaccine

There is a risk of exposure to hepatitis A for this country, therefore, the vaccination is recommended.

For Some Travellers

Rabies Vaccine

Vaccination against rabies is recommended for travellers involved in outdoor activities (e.g., campers, hikers, bikers, adventure travellers, and cavers) who may have direct contact with rabid dogs, bats, and other mammals. Those with occupational risks (such as veterinarians, wildlife professionals, researchers) and long-term travellers and expatriates are at higher risk and should be vaccinated.

Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) Vaccine

BCG vaccine is recommended for those at increased risk from coming in close contact with infected persons or for unvaccinated, children under 16 years of age, who are going to live in the country for more than 3 months.

Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) Vaccine

A dose of Measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is recommended for infants aged 6 to 11 months.

Yellow Fever Vaccine

This country requires a yellow fever vaccination certificate for travellers 1 year of age or older if arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission or having transited for more than 4 hours through an airport located in a country with a risk of yellow fever transmission. The yellow fever vaccination is recommended for all travellers 9 months of age or older.

Typhoid Fever Vaccine

There is a risk of exposure to typhoid fever in this country through consumption of unsafe food and water. Since exposure to unsafe sources is variable within this country, the vaccination against typhoid fever is generally recommended, especially when visiting smaller cities or rural areas, where food and water sources may be contaminated.

Recommended Medications For Guyana

For Some Travellers

Anti-malarial Drugs

The recommended anti-malarial medication for all areas, except the cities of Amsterdam and Georgetown, is mefloquine, doxycycline or atovaquone/proguanil. Drug resistance to chloroquine is present.

Diseases To Be Aware of for Guyana

For Most Travellers

Hepatitis A

There is a risk for hepatitis A virus exposure in Guyana through contaminated food or water.

Hepatitis B

There is a moderate risk for acquiring hepatitis B in Guyana.

Dengue Fever

Outbreaks of dengue fever may occur in Guyana.

Chikungunya Fever

Chikungunya fever has occurred in this country.

For Some Travellers

Malaria

There is a risk of malaria in all areas of Guyana. There is a very low risk of malaria in the cities of Georgetown, Amsterdam, and the coastal region

Measles

There is a risk of acquiring Measles in this country.

West Nile Fever

There is a risk of acquiring West Nile virus in this country.

Leishmaniasis

There is a risk of acquiring Leishmaniasis in this country through sand fly bites.

Hanta Virus

There is a risk of acquiring Hantavirus in this country through the consumption of food and water contaminated by an infected rodent or through rodent bites.

Yellow Fever

There is a risk of yellow fever transmission in Guyana. This country requires a yellow fever vaccination certificate for travellers 1 year of age or older if arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission or having transited for more than 4 hours through an airport located in a country with a risk of yellow fever transmission. The yellow fever vaccination is recommended for all travellers 9 months of age or older.

Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis occurs in Guyana. Travellers to this country are at risk for tuberculosis if visiting sick friends or family, working in the healthcare field, or having close prolonged contact with a sick person.

Typhoid Fever

Unvaccinated people can become infected through contaminated food and water in Guyana, especially when visiting smaller cities, villages, or rural areas where food and water sources may be contaminated.

Chagas Disease

There is a very low risk for American trypanosomiasis (“Chagas disease”) unless staying in very poor quality housing or camping.

Rabies

Rabies occurs in Guyana. Travellers involved in outdoor activities (e.g., campers, hikers, bikers, adventure travellers, and cavers) may have direct contact with rabid dogs, bats, and other mammals. Those with occupational risks (such as veterinarians, wildlife professionals, researchers) and long-term travellers and expatriates are at higher risk.

Zika Fever

Zika fever can occur in this country.

Safety & Security in Guyana

Personal Safety

Guyana has significant crime challenges that affect visitors. Violent crime including murder, armed robbery, carjacking, kidnapping and sexual assault occurs regularly across the country. Police capacity remains limited, with understaffed forces lacking resources to respond effectively to serious incidents. Most crime happens at night when risks multiply substantially. Armed robberies often involve multiple attackers and can occur in daylight, with muggers holding victims at gunpoint or knifepoint. Criminals frequently target foreigners, especially those showing signs of wealth. Criminals sometimes follow vehicles from Cheddi Jagan International Airport and attack victims upon arrival at their destination. This makes travel to and from the airport during darkness particularly dangerous. Banks and ATMs attract criminals who target people after withdrawals. The route between Georgetown and the international airport sees increased crime activity at night. Petty crime such as pickpocketing and purse snatching remains common in busy areas, markets, and on public transport. Travel in groups rather than alone whenever possible. Book taxis through hotels or reputable companies rather than hailing from streets. Pre-arrange secure transport for airport transfers. However, 2024 data showed crime rates declining, with the lowest murder rates, robberies, and break-ins recorded in a decade, representing a 13.6 percent reduction compared to 2023.

Extreme Violence

Guyana ranks among countries with higher violent crime rates globally. The murder rate sits approximately four times higher than the United States. Armed robbery, murder, carjacking, shootings, kidnapping and sexual assault occur regularly. Crime often involves multiple attackers, with victims sometimes caught in gunfire when police return fire. Drug trafficking drives much of the violent crime, as Guyana serves as a transit route. Georgetown experiences particular vulnerability to gang activity and subsequent violence. Domestic violence occurs regularly across all regions, with enforcement of protective laws remaining weak, especially in interior areas where police presence diminishes and courts meet quarterly. Sexual assault reports increased in 2024 despite overall crime reductions. Most sexual assault victims know their attackers. Passers-by can become unintended casualties during violent incidents. Criminals use weapons commonly despite strict licensing requirements. However, government data from late 2024 indicated improvements, with the country recording its lowest murder numbers in a decade and achieving a 71 percent clearance rate for homicides.

Political Unrest

Political tensions in Guyana stem primarily from longstanding ethnopolitical divisions between major political parties. The country experiences occasional protests and demonstrations that can disrupt traffic and public transportation. Even peaceful gatherings can turn violent without warning. Elections create heightened risk periods, with the potential for disputed results triggering unrest. The 2020 general election proceeded without major security incidents, but subsequent elections carry risks of road blockages, burning debris, clashes with police, and confrontations if results face challenges. In April 2025, fiery riots erupted across Georgetown and other areas following an autopsy report, leading to road blockages, looting, vandalism, and vehicle burnings. The government imposed restrictions on public gatherings between 12:30am and 5am across all regions in response. Ongoing territorial disputes with Venezuela over the Essequibo region create border area tensions. Venezuela held a referendum in December 2023 regarding the disputed territory, raising security concerns. The border situation may deteriorate quickly in remote areas. Border disputes also exist with Suriname over the New River Triangle area. Both border regions see minimal official presence and infrastructure.

Areas To Avoid

Georgetown contains several high-risk neighborhoods that should be avoided at all times. These include Agricola, Tiger Bay, Albouystown, and Stabroek Market area. South Georgetown generally presents elevated crime risks. The areas of Buxton, Friendship, and Agricola on the East Coast Demerara region experience frequent violent incidents. Academic research confirms crime concentrates west of Vlissengen Road in Georgetown. During daytime, exercise increased caution at National Park, the Seawall, and Bourda Market. At night, avoid the seawall east of Vlissengen Road, National Park, and Bourda Market entirely. The road between Georgetown and Cheddi Jagan International Airport becomes particularly dangerous after dark and before dawn, with armed robberies and vehicle attacks occurring. The route sees criminals following travelers from the airport to their destinations. Travel to interior regions carries risks due to minimal police presence. The hinterlands require convoy travel rather than solo trips. Border areas with both Venezuela and Suriname should be approached with extreme caution due to territorial disputes, gang violence, robberies, and extortion. The Guyana-Venezuela border region sees violent crime in fishing villages and mining camps with virtually no law enforcement presence.