French Guiana

Recommended Vaccinations For French Guiana

For Most Travellers

Hepatitis A Vaccine

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

Hepatitis B Vaccine

There is a significant risk of infection with hepatitis B 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.

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.

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

A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for all travellers 1 year of age and older. However, the vaccination is recommended for all travellers 9 months of age and older.

Recommended Medications For French Guiana

For Some Travellers

Anti-malarial Drugs

Recommended anti-malaria medications include atovaquone-proguanil, mefloquine or doxycycline. Resistance to chloroquine and sulfadoxime-pyrimethamine has been reported.

Diseases To Be Aware of for French Guiana

For Most Travellers

Hepatitis B

There is a significant risk for acquiring hepatitis B in French Guiana.

Hepatitis A

There is a significant risk for hepatitis A virus exposure in French Guiana through contaminated food or water. Infection can still occur at tourist destinations and resorts.

Chikungunya Fever

Chikungunya fever has occurred in this country.

Dengue Fever

Outbreaks of dengue fever may occur.

For Some Travellers

Malaria

All areas of French Guiana are at risk for malaria, especially in the border areas. There is a low risk in Cayenne.

West Nile Fever

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

Measles

There is a risk of acquiring Measles 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.

Chagas Disease

The risk for most travellers is extremely low. However, the risk is higher if staying in poor-quality housing.

Yellow Fever

There is a risk of yellow fever in this country. A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for all travellers 1 year of age and older. However, the vaccination is recommended for all travellers 9 months of age and older.

Tuberculosis

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 French Guiana, especially when visiting smaller cities, villages, or rural areas where food and water sources may be contaminated.

Rabies

Rabies occurs in French Guiana. 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

There is transmission of the Zika virus in this country.

Safety & Security in French Guiana

Personal Safety

French Guiana presents a low to moderate crime environment. Petty crimes like pickpocketing and purse snatching occur regularly, particularly in urban areas such as Cayenne. You need to secure your belongings and be alert in crowded places. Violent crime happens occasionally, but tourists face little direct threat from serious violence. Burglaries targeting private homes where occupants are present do occur. ATM and credit card fraud exists, so cover keypads when entering PINs and check card readers before use. Cellular service can be intermittent outside cities and nonexistent in rainforest regions, so don’t rely on your phone in emergencies when traveling into interior areas. While the territory’s crime rate sits well below global high-risk locations, the homicide rate remains elevated compared to mainland France. Drug trafficking activity exists due to French Guiana’s position as a transit point for South American cocaine. Despite warnings from some authorities, day-to-day safety for visitors compares favorably to France rather than higher-risk destinations. Crime primarily relates to local issues rather than targeting tourists.

Extreme Violence

Extreme violence in French Guiana centers on organized crime rather than terrorism or civil conflict. The territory recorded 42 homicides in 2016 and maintains the highest murder rate of any French department. Recent figures show a homicide rate of 18.4 per 100,000 people compared to 1.2 per 100,000 in mainland France. This violence stems from drug trafficking networks moving cocaine from South America to European markets through French Guiana. France announced plans in 2025 to build a high-security prison specifically to isolate dangerous drug traffickers. Conflicts between criminal gangs drive much of the violence. Illegal gold mining operations in the interior involve criminal networks and guides traveling to remote areas may carry firearms for protection. The French government has increased police presence in Cayenne and interior towns in recent years, leading to falling violence levels. However, most extreme violence occurs within criminal circles rather than affecting tourists. The risk of terrorism remains low with no recent history of attacks. Visitors should avoid isolated areas after dark and neighborhoods flagged by local authorities, but you face minimal risk of becoming involved in violent incidents if you follow basic precautions.

Political Unrest

French Guiana experienced significant unrest in 2017 when massive strikes paralyzed the territory for over five weeks. Protesters demanded action on high crime rates, unemployment, deteriorating infrastructure, and lack of investment. The general strike shut down schools, businesses, the airport, and the Guiana Space Centre, postponing rocket launches. The largest demonstrations in French Guiana’s history brought 10,000 people to streets in Cayenne and other cities. Roadblocks prevented movement and supermarkets ran low on fresh products. This peaceful protest eventually secured government commitments for increased funding. A similar episode occurred in 2008 over fuel prices. Since 2017, the political situation has stabilized, though underlying issues around poverty, unemployment, and inequality persist. More than half the population lives below the poverty line and unemployment stands at elevated levels. Demonstrations can occur and may disrupt traffic and public transportation. Even peaceful gatherings can turn confrontational. However, major unrest episodes remain relatively unique rather than frequent. The 2017 protests focused on local governance and resource allocation rather than separatist violence or political extremism. Current conditions show no imminent signs of returning to 2017-level disruption, but travelers should monitor local media for any developing protest activity.

Areas To Avoid

Several areas in French Guiana require additional caution. In Cayenne, certain neighborhoods present higher robbery risks, especially after dark. Avoid walking in darkened and isolated areas of the capital at night. Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni warrants alertness after dark based on traveler reports. In Kourou, some specific neighborhoods should be avoided after dark according to security briefings. The interior rainforest areas beyond coastal cities pose risks due to extreme remoteness and lack of infrastructure. Cellular service is nonexistent in large portions of the Amazon rainforest, making emergency communication impossible. The interior also hosts illegal gold mining operations run by criminal organizations. The border regions with Brazil and Suriname see heightened activity related to illegal immigration and smuggling. Rivers provide the only access to interior regions aside from air travel, and these areas lack medical facilities and services. Remote villages and forest areas require expert guides as getting lost carries serious risk. Beaches should be avoided after dark due to crime concerns. While the coast and main towns remain relatively safe during daylight, isolated areas throughout the territory present elevated risks particularly at night.