French Guiana (France)

French Guiana is an overseas department of France located in South America between Brazil and Suriname. Historically, French Guiana was initially used as a penal colony for the French where the worst of criminals and political prisoners were placed in terrible conditions. Today, French Guina is home to the only space shuttle base for Europe in the entire world.

French Guiana, within the Region of the Guyanas

French Guiana's Fast Facts

Language

French

Capital City

Cayenne (Paris, France)

Currency

Euros

Budget Range

$ - $$

Visa Info (Learn More Here)

Find out more about the visa requirements for France and French Guiana here.

Know Before You Go to French Guiana

The primary language in French Guiana is French. Most people do not speak English but using a translator app will go a long way in the country. People are very friendly and want to help. However, most signage in museums and at different historical sites are only in French. The people of the country also speak a creole language that descends from the slaves who were forcibly brought to French Guiana. And finally, the indigenous populations within French Guiana also have their own languages. However, everyone also speaks French.

The weather in French Guiana is incredibly tropical and can feel rather harsh. The months of December to February and April to July are the wet season and you will experience heavy rain every day. The rain can last just a few minutes throughout the day but you will want to find cover when it starts to fall because it can be really heavy. The nice thing about the rain is that it cools down the temperature and removes the humidity in the air. During the dry season, the temperature can be very hot but the rain will not inhibit you from doing different things. It is important to be careful in the harsh sun and make sure to drink plenty of water.

In French Guiana, you will find French bakeries with all the traditional pastries and breads that are well known in France. The other food that you should try is the Creole cuisine that is traditional to the region. It is often meat in a stew with sides of vegetables. While you can get the regular meat options of chicken or beef, you also have the opportunity of trying local rainforest meat, such as capybara or other native animals. Finally, there is a strong Vietnamese community in French Guiana of the people who helped the French during their colonization of Vietnam. You can find some delicious Vietnamese pho soups and spring rolls at the Central Market of Cayenne. And being in this tropical location, the fruit juices and smoothies are delicious no matter where you are in the country.

French Guiana, being an overseas department of France, uses the euro. While you should consider carrying some cash with you in case of emergency while in French Guiana, the majority of locations accept all major credit cards.

The towns within French Guiana are small and it is easy to walk around the towns, so long as you can manage through the rain and the heat. While there is a bus system to get between locations, the hours are not always publicized and it runs very infrequently. It may be easier to rent a car to get between towns or hire a taxi car service. The service that we recommend using is ADG Transport and the owner of the company speaks French, English, Dutch, and various creole dialects. You can reach out to him on Whatsapp.

Don't forget to rent your car for your trip in French Guiana