thit_cho

http://tinyurl.com/28lv2e

I just returned from a trip to the three Guianas -- Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana -- with short visits (due to flight itineraries) in Barbados and Trinidad & Tobago.

Travel within, and between, the three Guianas was much simpler than I had anticipated, and I worked with an excellent agent, based in Georgetown, Guyana, who made all my arrangements (hotels, excursion and transportation). While I do not expect that this region holds interest to many, I would be happy to answer questions from anyone looking to venture to this less-touristed part of South America.

Michael

Pausanias

Wow -- you sure got off the beaten track. Thanks for the pictures.

I was impressed with your photos of the public buildings, and particularly intrigued by the wooden cathedral billed as the world's tallest wooden structure.

How much time did you spend in the individual countries? How were the food and hotels? What would you say is its greatest attraction?

Thanks.

cmerrell

Terrific photos, thit_cho! Thanks for providing a glimpse into these countries that don't get a lot of buzz on the usual travel circuits.

How were the people in general? Are these places you would enjoy returning to for a second visit? Your photos certainly paint an appealing view of each destination. Quite fascinating!

JeanH

I'd like to add my thanks for the photos. Guyana has been on my 'list' for awhile. I'm glad to read travel between countries was easier than expected.

thit_cho

In answer to some of your questions, I only had about 10 days for my trip, so my time in each country was limited to 2 to 3 days, and I would like to return to each, if only to visit the jungle/ecotourist lodges. Contrary to my initial mistaken impressions, each country has decent tourist infrastructure, with charter planes and boats making daily trips into the jungle, and the ecotourist lodges are easy to reach. Its also easy to travel by public transport (minibus and boat) between the countries, but I relied on private transport (which I arranged thru an agent in Guyana).

The hotels ranged from excellent (the Cara Lodge, in Georgetown, Guyana, which has also hosted Mick Jagger and Jimmy Carter) to acceptable (the Amazonia in Cayenne, French Guiana). I also stayed at the Eco Resort (in Paramaribo, Suriname) and Hotel des Roches (in Kourou, French Guiana), both of which are very nice hotels (clean, comfortable, cable TV, A/C, restaurant, Internet access).

Michael

glover

Thanks, Michael. Nice pictures! We got interested in Suriname awhile back, but see very little in media about it at all. Sounded like it would be a good place to see some birds and other wildlife. .

Jeff_Costa_Rica

Thank you for sharing your photos. You just never hear much about these three places. Is it true that they tend toward a lot more expensive than most other places in South America?

thit_cho

Jeff, I wouldn't say that the three countries are more expensive than elsewhere in South America. I would think the opposite is true -- the top hotels in Georgetown, Paramaribo and Suriname are certainly much less expensive than the best hotels in Buenos Aires, Santiago and Sao Paolo, for example, and food and transport is very reasonable. It may be expensive to visit the lodges deep within the jungle, but I would think the prices are at least comparable, and perhaps more favorable, than similar trips into the Amazon, Manu or the Pantanal.

I wouldn't let concerns over price discourage a visit.

Michael

JAGIRL

I'd love to hear more about what you did while in the three countries Michael, especially Guyana.

Jeff_Costa_Rica

Thanks for the info about prices, Michael. That "fear" is what has kept me from considering those three countries, but I guess it's unfounded.

tully

Thanks for posting, lovely photos! The falls are spectacular - though there is no way I could've gone out on that rock, would've been scared to death!

thit_cho

Tully, I was scared too, but its safer than it appears (that being said, very few ventured out on to the promontory for photos).

Femi

Thanks for posting the pics. I find the colonial arhitecture fascinating.

Like others, I'd toyed with the idea of going to Suriname and Guyana but gave up on the idea. This is the first time I've been able to really see what it would be like to visit because of the lack of publicity.

JAGIRL

I enjoyed these pictures so much Michael. Thanks for taking the time to post them.

I agree with tully. I'd be shaking in my boots if I went out on that promontory to take that picture! But look at the result! It really is worth being scared half to death

The Magnificent Seven buildings in Trinidad are truly that : magnificent!

You have managed to really pique my interest in Guyana and most surprisingly in Suriname. Suriname looks really beautiful.

thit_cho

I was asked off-line, but it may be helpful to recommend my agent, which was Dagron Tours (http://www.dagron-tours.com/). I worked with Ann (but my trip was in August 2007 and I don't know if she's still there), but she really helped me put together an excellent trip (I had done a lot of research, or at least as much as I could have done based on the relatively limited information that was then available), and was very wise about transportation and hotel options.

PS -- Since my trip, Bradt has issued a guide to Guyana, so tehre's some more information now available.

thursdaysd

thit_cho - the photo link no longer works. Did you move the photos anywhere else? Also, any recommendations on the best time of year to visit? Tx.

Femi

thit_cho has not been on Fodors in a long time, and his profile has been deactivated. I miss him.

thursdaysd

Thanks Femi - I hadn't realized that deactivated profiles were left clickable.