Best time to visit Guyana
Guyana is situated in the tropics and does not have distinct seasons as we know them, but it does have specific periods of rain and drought. It lies close to the Equator, which means it is generally tropically warm.
In brief:
- The dry season runs from February to April and from mid-August to November
- The rainy season runs from December to January and from May to mid-August
- The climate in Guyana is characterised by plenty of sunshine and rainfall
- Rainfall often comes in the form of heavy, short, cooling showers, usually in the afternoon or at night
The dry season and the rainy season
In Guyana, people refer to the long dry season, the long rainy season, the short dry season and the short rainy season:
- The main dry season runs from mid-August to November
- The short dry season runs from February to April
- The main rainy season runs from May to mid-August
- The short rainy season runs from December to January
The dry months are the best time to travel around Guyana. As many roads in Guyana are unpaved, they can become impassable during the rainy season, making travel outside the capital difficult. National parks, rainforests and attractions such as Kaieteur Falls are best accessed during the dry season.
Best time to visit for wildlife spotting
If you want to spot animals such as jaguars, giant otters and rare birds in the rainforest, it is advisable to travel during the dry season. The reason for this is that water levels are lower at that time, meaning animals are more likely to be seen along riverbanks and in open areas.
Travelling during the rainy season
The rainy season can also be an interesting time to visit, particularly for those who, for example, want to see Kaieteur Falls at their most spectacular. During the rainy season, the Potaro River carries much more water and the falls are even more impressive. Although the roads are more difficult to navigate during the rainy season, domestic flights usually continue as normal and places such as Kaieteur Falls are still easily accessible.
In the coastal region (including Georgetown), there is often less rainfall than inland, meaning that coastal destinations are slightly less affected by seasonal variations than the interior of Guyana.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
| Min. temperature in °C | 22 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 24 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 23 |
| Maximum temperature in °C | 30 | 30 | 31 | 31 | 30 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 33 | 32 | 31 |
| Number of hours of sunshine per day | 6 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 6 |
Want to see specific animals?
Sea turtles
Sea turtles (leatherback turtles, green turtles and hawksbill turtles) come ashore between March and July to lay their eggs on the protected beaches of Shell Beach, situated on the north-west coast, near the border with Venezuela. The eggs hatch 6 to 8 weeks later, with hatching occurring most frequently between May and August.
Caimans, reptiles and mammals
You’re most likely to spot caimans, reptiles and larger mammals during the dry seasons. Water levels are lower then, and the animals often make themselves visible around the rivers.
Birdwatching
Birdwatching in Guyana is possible all year round, although during the dry season the birds are often most visible and the walking trails are most accessible. Bird species commonly found in Guyana include the orange-breasted cock-of-the-rock, various toucans, harpy eagles and giant hoatzins. In the interior, there are various breeding sites which can be visited with a guide.
The best time to visit Guyana when travelling with children
The dry seasons are the best time to visit Guyana if you’re travelling with children. This makes the autumn and spring half-terms the most suitable times to visit.
Time difference between Guyana and the Netherlands/Belgium
During Dutch winter time, it is 5 hours earlier in Guyana.
During Dutch summer time, it is 6 hours earlier in Guyana.
How long is the flight to Suriname?
Depending on when you’re travelling, the KLM flight will make a stopover in Sint Maarten or Barbados.
The flight time from Amsterdam to Guyana is 11 hours and 10 minutes, with a stopover of approximately 1.5 hours in Sint Maarten.
The flight time from Amsterdam to Guyana is 10 hours and 35 minutes, with a stopover of approximately 1.5 hours in Barbados.
Fancy a trip of Guyana?
Would you like to organise your own trip of Guyana and are you curious about the options? Then do have a look at the tours we’ve put together for inspiration. You can book these tours directly, but we’d also be happy to put together a personalised itinerary based on your wishes and ideas.
Do you have a question? Please feel free to contact us. Call +31 73 610 62 04 or send an email to info@sapapanatravel.nl. We’ll be happy to help.
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