Money, cards and phone coverage in Guyana
Money and connectivity in Guyana: Guyana and US dollars, card acceptance, ATMs, tipping, local SIM cards, mobile coverage and Wi-Fi at interior lodges.
Stabroek Market and its clock tower, central Georgetown
In short
Guyana is still largely a cash economy outside upscale Georgetown hotels. Bring US dollars in good condition, expect limited card use and ATMs, and plan for patchy or no mobile signal in much of the interior, where lodges may have only basic Wi-Fi.
Two practical surprises catch visitors to Guyana: how much depends on cash, and how quickly mobile signal disappears once you leave the coast. Both are easy to plan for.
Currency
The local currency is the Guyana dollar (GYD). In tourism, prices for flights, tours and lodges are commonly quoted in US dollars, and your proposal will be in US dollars unless agreed otherwise. Everyday purchases, markets and taxis use Guyana dollars.
Cash and cards
- Cards are accepted at larger hotels, some restaurants and supermarkets in Georgetown, but not everywhere.
- In the interior, assume cash only for extras such as drinks, crafts and tips, unless your lodge confirms otherwise.
- ATMs that accept foreign cards are limited and have daily withdrawal limits. Use them in daylight, ideally inside banks or hotels.
- Bring US dollars in clean, undamaged notes; worn notes may be refused.
- Exchange at banks, hotels or licensed cambios, never on the street.
Your trip itself is paid as set out in your proposal, so you only need cash for personal spending.
Phones and data
Guyana’s mobile networks are Digicel and One Communications (formerly GTT). Local SIM cards are sold at the airport and in Georgetown, usually with passport identification. Many travelers also use an eSIM.
Coverage is good in Georgetown and along the coast, patchy along the interior road and in larger settlements such as Lethem, and absent in many remote areas. Some interior lodges provide Wi-Fi via satellite, but speed and availability vary, and power may be limited to certain hours.
Staying in touch
Before you leave, share your proposal and the lodge contacts with family. Your proposal lists who to contact during your trip, and we stay reachable by email before and during your travels. For anyone who must stay connected, we look at lodge connectivity when choosing where you stay.
Questions travelers ask
Should I bring US dollars?
Yes. Clean, undamaged US dollar notes are useful for tips, drinks and small purchases at lodges, and can be exchanged at banks or licensed cambios in Georgetown. Avoid changing money on the street.
Will my phone work in the Rupununi?
Sometimes. Coverage exists around some villages and towns such as Lethem, but large areas have no signal. Some lodges offer Wi-Fi via satellite, often slow or available at set times. Plan to be partly offline.
How much should I tip?
Tipping guides, boat drivers and lodge staff is customary in tourism. We suggest amounts in your pre-departure information so you can bring the right cash.
Sources and checks
Time-sensitive details on this page (prices, schedules, entry rules, access) were last checked against the sources below on 9 October 2026. They change, so your proposal always reconfirms them.
Tell us what you want from Guyana
Share your dates, interests and the pace you enjoy. We reply with suggestions and, when you are ready, a written proposal with the route, prices, inclusions and who provides each part of the trip.
