 | Guyana's known for its spectacular waterfalls | | | The South American country of Guyana’s lush rainforests, stunning landscapes and unblemished nature earned it a spot on Lonely Planet’s 2023 Best in Travel list. If you’re looking for a place to switch off from the digital world – you’ve found it. A trip to Guyana refreshes and revitalizes, allowing you to reconnect with the earth by experiencing a mind-boggling amount of stunning waterfalls and unspoiled wilderness. Lonely Planet contributor Carinya Sharples plotted out this spectacular week-long itinerary, which immerses you in all that this magnificent place has to offer. Born and raised on stories of Guyana, Carinya told me when she first went back to the country where her dad was born, she was planning to spend a few months getting the lay of the land. She ended up staying for more than three years, working as a journalist and teacher. Carinya told me there is nowhere quite like Guyana in terms of the richness of cultures, landscapes and foods. We chatted about why it keeps calling her back. | | | You come to Guyana to truly experience nature and wilderness. These are some must-see places from Carinya’s itinerary. | | | | | In the capital city of Georgetown, power up for the day with fresh, fluffy “bakes” (a kind of fried-dough bun) and saltfish sautéed with onions, garlic, tomato and pepper ($4) at Oasis Café. | | | | | A trip to Guyana isn’t complete without a visit to Kaieteur Falls – a stunning, roaring force of nature where you’ll see lush greenery and small golden frogs while hearing captivating folktales told by your guide. | | | | | Stay at one of the eco-lodges dotted across different river, forest and savannah landscapes, like the Rewa Eco-Lodge, recognized for its community-run approach and conservation work. | | | | | Check out Moco Moco Falls, a former hydropower site with 999 steps leading up to the mountaintop, or Kumu Falls, a smaller waterfall with a series of natural pools to relax in. | | | | | Don’t leave Guyana without a visit to the bustling Bourda Market. Sample some of the local fruits in season – look for sweet soursop, honey-like sapodilla and juicy mangos. | | | | | With so much beauty surrounding you, it's easy to feel a connection to nature in this country. | | | I spoke to Lonely Planet contributor Carinya Sharples about planning a trip to experience the wondrous food, culture and nature of Guyana. | | | You pointed out so many wonderful places in Guyana. Which is your favorite? | It has to be Kaieteur Falls. When you arrive you are usually taken on a short wildlife walk, then left to take in the incredible sights and sounds of the huge single-drop waterfall. This is a sacred site for the Patamuna, one of Guyana’s Indigenous peoples, and the surrounding landscape is stunning. | | | You talked about how Sunday is “lime” day – tell me more about that. | To "lime" in Guyana, and elsewhere in the Caribbean, means to relax with friends, perhaps with music and a few drinks. On a Sunday afternoon, nothing beats liming on the seawall with a cold beer, or driving to one of the black-water creeks up the Soesdyke-Linden highway, such as Pandama Retreat & Winery. | | | What should people know before they travel to Guyana? | Learning about Guyana’s history will really enrich your trip. As you travel around, look for Philip Moore’s amazing sculpture representing 1763 rebel leader Cuffy; the many mandirs, mosques and churches that mark Guyana’s religious diversity; and the statue commemorating the 1823 Demerara Rebellion, which marks its 200th anniversary this month [August]. | | | | | “On a Sunday afternoon, nothing beats liming on the seawall with a cold beer.”
— Carinya Sharples | | | Do you think there are any mistakes people make when they travel to Guyana? | Some people stick to their hotel or the more recognizable restaurant brands, but I've found that hotel fare rarely measures up to the (much cheaper) creole food you'll get from street vendors or at smaller food spots. Visitors sometimes also forget that Guyana is not just Georgetown, so try to get out of town: even taking the public ferry over the Demerara River to Parika is an adventure! | | | What’s the food like in Guyana? What should I try? | Guyana’s population have ancestral roots in Africa, India, China and Europe, as well as their Indigenous heritage, so Guyanese food is diverse and full of flavor. The national dish, pepperpot, is delicious, but my favorite is pumpkin curry with dhal puri (like roti but stuffed with ground split peas), and a glass of fresh cane juice. | | | Any suggestions for souvenirs to bring home?
| The market near the National Museum has a good array of leather goods, crafts and art. I prefer to head for The Guyana Shop on Robb and Alexander Streets to stock up on locally made jams, chutneys, soaps, wine and more. For those that drink, you can’t leave Guyana without buying a bottle of El Dorado rum at the airport. | | |  | Love travel inspiration in your inbox? | | | Share with a fellow travel lover by forwarding to a friend. Did someone share this email with you? Subscribe by clicking here. | | | This email was sent to you by: | Lonely Planet Publications Ltd. | 1101 Red Ventures Drive, Fort Mill, SC 29707 | | | |
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