French Guiana travel advice

Risk level

Safety and security

Crime

Petty Crime

Petty crime, such as pickpocketing and purse snatching, occurs regularly, particularly in urban areas.

Thefts commonly occur:

• in popular tourist areas, including viewpoints
• on buses, at bus stations as well as in airport terminals
• in hotel lobbies
• at restaurants, including on patios located near streets

While in French Guiana:

• ensure that your personal belongings, including your passport and other travel documents, are secure at all times
• avoid isolated or deserted areas
• avoid walking alone after dark
• avoid showing signs of affluence

Violent crime

Violent crime occurs occasionally.

Violent incidents commonly include burglaries of private homes, during which acts of violence are committed against the occupants.

• Stay in reputable accommodation with adequate security measures
• Keep doors and windows locked at all times
• In case of an attack, do not resist

Fraud

Credit card, debit card, and ATM fraud can occur.

When using credit or debit cards at an ATM or with a card reader:

• cover the keypad with one hand when entering your PIN
• pay careful attention when your cards are being handled by others
• avoid using card readers with an irregular or unusual feature
• use ATMs located in well-lit public areas or inside a bank or business
• check for any unauthorized transactions on your account statements

Overseas fraud

Adventure tourism

Outdoor activities, such as jungle expeditions and other adventure sports can be dangerous if unprepared. Trails are not always marked and weather conditions can change rapidly, even in the summer.

Some gold miners operating in the Amazon rainforest also carry out illegal activities. You could find yourself in the wrong place at the wrong time.

You may need a permit to access certain parts of the Amazon rainforest.

If you intend to participate in adventure tourism activities:

• never do so alone, and don’t part with your expedition companions
• obtain detailed information on your activity and on the environment in which you will be before setting out
• consider hiring an experienced guide from a reputable company
• inquire with the local authorities if the area where you plan to travel requires a special permit or permission
• buy travel insurance that includes helicopter rescue and medical evacuation
• ensure that your physical condition is good enough to meet the challenges of your activity
• avoid venturing off marked trails
• ensure that you’re adequately equipped and bring sufficient water
• stay informed of weather and other conditions that may pose a hazard
• refrain from using facilities or equipment if you have doubts on their safety
• inform a family member or friend of your itinerary

French Guiana - Tourism Committee of French Guiana

Water activities

Coastal waters can be dangerous.

Tidal changes and strong winds can cause hazardous currents and riptides.

Swimming

Some beaches are unsupervised.

• Don’t swim alone
• Consult residents and tour operators for information on possible hazards and safe swimming areas
• Don’t dive into unknown waters, as hidden rocks or shallow depths can cause serious injury or death
• Always obey warning flags advertising dangerous conditions
• Watch out for weather alerts or warnings
• Follow the advice of local authorities

Boating

The rivers of French Guiana are, along with air travel, the only way to access the interior of the territory.

If you plan to navigate the river network:

• be sure that you have a good understanding of local laws and regulations
• engage an experienced guide from a reputable company
• do not overload your boat
• have personal safety devices available for all passengers
• carry a VHF marine radio to signal your position in case of an emergency

Water safety abroad

Telecommunications

The telecommunications network is not always reliable.

Cellular service might be intermittent, especially outside of cities. It is non-existent in certain regions of the Amazon rainforest.

• Don’t rely on your cellphone in an emergency, especially outside of population centres
• Avoid travelling alone
• Inform a family member or friend of your itinerary

Demonstrations

Demonstrations may occur.

Even peaceful demonstrations can turn violent at any time. They can also lead to disruptions to traffic and public transportation.

• Avoid areas where demonstrations and large gatherings are taking place
• Follow the instructions of local authorities
• Monitor local media for information on ongoing demonstrations

Mass gatherings (large-scale events)

Road safety

Road safety is overall very good throughout the territory.  

Road conditions

Major roads are paved and well maintained.

Driving in remote areas could be dangerous due to:

• inadequate lighting
• insufficient road signage
• less-developed rural roads

Driving habits

Motorcyclists have little regard for traffic regulations. They could be reckless and drive at excessive speeds.

If you choose to drive in French Guiana:

• plan your route in advance, especially if you plan on travelling to rural areas
• avoid travelling after dark
• always carry a cellular phone and charger
• check local cellular phone coverage, which remains unstable in the Amazon rainforest
• advise a relative of your anticipated itinerary and route
• ask about insurance coverage options for roadside assistance when you rent a vehicle

Public transportation

Public taxis and vans are relatively safe.

Buses

A bus service serves the communes of:

• Cayenne
• Montsinéry-Tonnegrande
• Remire-Montjoly

Taxis

Taxis and shared taxis are available in coastal areas.

Shared taxis don’t follow a set schedule. They leave for their destination when the van is full. In addition to shared taxis operated by private companies, the government provides a public shared taxi service, the TIG. Every TIG vehicle carries an identifying “TIG” sticker.

Ferry

A ferry service operates on the Maroni river, allowing passengers to cross the river border with Suriname.

Pirogues

Pirogues or dugout canoes equipped with outboard motors are the essential mode of public transportation along French Guiana’s river network. They are registered and security standards are generally respected.

Fares vary depending on the distance travelled.

Ensure to have life jackets available for all passengers.

Air travel

We do not make assessments on the compliance of foreign domestic airlines with international safety standards.

Information about foreign domestic airlines

Entry and exit requirements

French Guiana is an overseas department of France. However, it is not part of the Schengen area.

Every country or territory decides who can enter or exit through its borders. The Government of Canada cannot intervene on your behalf if you do not meet your destination’s entry or exit requirements.

We have obtained the information on this page from the French authorities. It can, however, change at any time.

Verify this information with the Foreign Representatives in Canada.

Passport

Entry requirements vary depending on the type of passport you use for travel.

Before you travel, check with your transportation company about passport requirements. Its rules on passport validity may be more stringent than the country’s entry rules. 

Regular Canadian passport

Your passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond the date you expect to leave French Guiana.

Passport for official travel

Different entry rules may apply.

Official travel

Passport with “X” gender identifier

While the Government of Canada issues passports with an “X” gender identifier, it cannot guarantee your entry or transit through other countries. You might face entry restrictions in countries that do not recognize the “X” gender identifier. Before you leave, check with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

Other travel documents

Different entry rules may apply when travelling with a temporary passport or an emergency travel document. Before you leave, check with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

Useful links

• Foreign Representatives in Canada
• Canadian passports

Visas

Tourist visa: not required for stays up to 90 days
Residence visa: required
Work visa: required
Business visa: required
Student visa: required

Other entry requirements

Customs officials may ask you to show them:

• a return or onward ticket 
• proof that you have a place to stay 
• proof that you have sufficient funds for the duration of your stay

Drug screening

French Guiana is reinforcing its screening measures at Félix-Éboué international airport to combat drug trafficking. Customs officials may:

• search your luggage
• take your fingerprints
• X-ray you upon arrival or departure

Allow enough time for customs screening.

Children and travel

Learn more about travelling with children.

Yellow fever

Learn about potential entry requirements related to yellow fever (vaccines section). 

Health

Routine vaccines

Make sure your routine vaccinations are up-to-date before you travel, no matter where you’re going.

These may include vaccines for measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR), diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), polio, varicella (chickenpox), meningococcal disease, seasonal flu, and others.

Provincial and Territorial Immunization Information

Pre-travel vaccines and medications

When travelling in this destination, you might be at risk for diseases that can be prevented with vaccines or medications. Talk to a travel health care provider about which ones are right for you based on your travel plans.

The highlights below will also tell you if your destination may require that vaccine for entering or exiting.

Safe food and water precautions

Eating or drinking unsafe food or water, or swimming in contaminated water can make you sick while travelling. Take precautions by following these tips:

• Boil it, cook it, peel it, or leave it (only eat food that is prepared safely)
• Avoid, if possible, getting water in your eyes, mouth, or nose when swimming in freshwater (like streams, lakes, or canals), especially after heavy rain or flooding - the water might look clean but can still be contaminated 
• Don’t swallow water when bathing, showering, swimming in pools, or using hot tubs 

Eat and drink safely abroad

Tick and insect bite prevention

Many diseases are spread by bites from infected ticks and insects like mosquitoes, fleas, or flies. Before you travel, find out what types of ticks or insects are in the area, when they’re most active, and what diseases they can spread.

To protect yourself from bites:

• use an approved bug spray (insect repellent) on exposed skin
• wear light-coloured, loose clothing made of tightly woven materials like nylon or polyester
• wear socks and closed-toe shoes
• sleep under mosquito netting if you’re outdoors or staying in places that aren’t fully enclosed
• do a full body tick check on yourself, your children, your gear, and any pets you’re travelling with when you return from outdoor activities

Insect bite and pest prevention
Personal insect repellents

Animal precautions

Some infections, like rabies and bird flu (avian influenza), can be spread from animals to humans. Certain activities can increase your chances of coming into contact with animals, like:

• travelling in rural or forested areas
• camping, hiking, or visiting caves
• visiting places where live animals are sold or killed for food, like wet markets

To reduce your risk of getting sick, avoid contact with animals like stray dogs, livestock (such as pigs and cows), monkeys, snakes, rodents, birds, and bats. Avoid eating undercooked meat.

Make sure to closely watch children; they are more likely to try to touch animals.

Person-to-person infections

When travelling, you can reduce your risk of getting or spreading respiratory infections, like the flu or COVID-19, by:

• staying at your accommodation and limiting contact with others if you’re sick
• wearing a well-fitting mask, especially: 
  
  • if you’re sick and need to be around others 
  • when you’re at large indoor events or in crowded settings, like sporting events, concerts, and airports
• cleaning your hands regularly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or using hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol
• covering your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your elbow, not your hands

Mass gatherings (large-scale events)
Clean your hands to help reduce the spread of infectious diseases
Respiratory infectious diseases: How to reduce the spread with personal protective measures

To lower your risk of getting sexually transmissible infections (STIs), HIV, and mpox, you can:

• get vaccinated against mpox if you’re eligible
• practise safer sex methods
  • use barrier protection during sexual activity, like condoms and dental dams.

Mpox vaccines
Sexual health and travel
HIV and AIDS: Travel health advice

Medical services and facilities

Access to high quality healthcare is limited. Quality of care varies greatly throughout the country.

There are public and private health care providers, including hospitals and clinics, in French Guiana. Most hospitals and clinics are in coastal areas. The interior of the department has fewer medical facilities.

Ambulances are not always available or reliable. If you are hurt or injured, a taxi or a private vehicle could be more efficient for getting to the hospital.

Clinics may require an up-front payment before admitting patients.

Medical evacuation is very expensive. You will likely need medical evacuation in case of serious illness or injury.

Not all doctors speak or understand English.

Make sure you get travel insurance that includes coverage for medical evacuation and hospital stays.

Health and safety outside Canada

Medication

Certain prescription medications may not be available in French Guiana.

If you take prescription medication, you’re responsible for determining their legality in French Guiana.

• Bring sufficient quantities of your medication with you
• Always keep your medication in the original container
• Pack them in your carry-on luggage
• Carry a copy of your prescription

Keep in Mind...

The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller. The traveller is also responsible for his or her own personal safety.

Be prepared. Do not expect medical services to be the same as in Canada. Pack a travel health kit, especially if you will be travelling away from major city centres.

Laws and culture

You must abide by local laws.

Learn about what you should do and how we can help if you are arrested or detained abroad.

Transfer to a Canadian prison

Canada and France are signatories to the Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons. This enables a Canadian imprisoned in France to request a transfer to a Canadian prison to complete a sentence. The transfer requires the agreement of both Canadian and French authorities.

This process can take a long time, and there is no guarantee that the transfer will be approved by either or both sides.

Drugs

Penalties for possession, use or trafficking of illegal drugs are severe. Convicted offenders can expect jail sentences and heavy fines.

• Pack your luggage yourself and keep it with you at all times
• Do not carry any parcels, bags, or luggage that do not belong to you

Drugs, alcohol and travel

2SLGBTQI+ persons

French law does not prohibit sexual acts between individuals of the same sex. However, homosexuality is not widely socially accepted.

Travel and your sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics

Dual citizenship

Dual citizenship is legally recognized in France.

If you are a Canadian citizen, but also a citizen of France, our ability to offer you consular services may be limited while you're there. You may also be subject to different entry/exit requirements.

Dual citizens

International Child Abduction

The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction is an international treaty. It can help parents with the return of children who have been removed to or retained in certain countries in violation of custody rights. The convention applies between Canada and France.

If your child was wrongfully taken to, or is being held in French Guiana, and if the applicable conditions are met, you may apply for the return of your child to the French Guianese court.

If you are in this situation:

• act as quickly as you can
• contact the Central Authority for your province or territory of residence for information on starting an application under The Hague Convention
• consult a lawyer in Canada and in French Guiana to explore all the legal options for the return of your child
• report the situation to the nearest Canadian government office abroad or to the Vulnerable Children's Consular Unit at Global Affairs Canada by calling the Emergency Watch and Response Centre

If your child was removed from a country other than Canada, consult a lawyer to determine if The Hague Convention applies.

Be aware that Canadian consular officials cannot interfere in private legal matters or in another country's judicial affairs.

Useful links

• List of Canadian Central Authorities for the Hague Convention
• International Child Abductions: A guide for affected parents
• Children and travel
• The Hague Convention – Hague Conference on Private International Law
• Canadian embassies and consulates by destination
• Request emergency assistance

Marriages

If you wish to marry in French Guiana, you should consult local authorities at the city hall to obtain the necessary information.

The Embassy of France in Canada can also provide you with the requested documents.

Useful links

• Foreign diplomatic missions and consulates in Canada
• Get married in France - Embassy of Canada in France
• Marriage abroad

Investments

Disputes related to property acquisition or other investments are costly and take time to resolve.

If you plan on buying property, or making other investments in French Guiana:

• seek legal advice in Canada and in French Guiana before making commitments
• choose your own lawyer
• avoid hiring a lawyer recommended by a seller

Driving

You can drive with your Canadian license for up to 3 months.

You should carry an international driving permit.

The legal driving age in France and its territories is 18. However, many rental car companies require drivers to be at least 25 years of age and have two years of driving experience.

Priority to the right

The "priority to the right" system is in effect in French Guiana. Drivers must give way to vehicles approaching from the right at intersections except when otherwise indicated by road signs, usually on main roads.

This is often a surprise to foreign drivers and results in accidents.

Useful links

• Driver’s licences in France
• International Driving Permit

Money

The currency of French Guiana is the euro (EUR).

ATMs are rare outside of major cities.

Restaurants and hotels accept payment by credit card. However, small local businesses may only accept payment in cash.

Plan accordingly.

Natural disasters and climate

Rainy season

The rainy season extends from mid-December to June.

Seasonal flooding can hamper overland travel and reduce the provision of essential services. Roads may become impassable due to mudflows and landslides. Bridges, buildings, and infrastructure may be damaged.

• Monitor local media for the latest updates, including those on road conditions
• Stay away from flooded areas
• Monitor local news and weather reports
• Follow the instructions of local authorities

Useful links

• Tornadoes, cyclones, hurricanes, typhoons and monsoons
• Large-scale emergencies abroad

Wildfires

Bush and forest fires can occur. The air quality in areas near active fires may deteriorate due to heavy smoke.

In case of a major fire:

• stay away from affected areas, particularly if you suffer from respiratory ailments
• monitor local media for up-to-date information on the situation
• follow the advice of local emergency services personnel