Electricity

The electric current is 220 volts, 50Hz. Round two or three-prong plugs are used.

Language

The official language is French, and Guianese Creole is widely spoken.

Money

French Guiana uses the Euro (EUR).

Tipping

Tipping isn't part of the culture and isn't expected.

Health

A yellow fever vaccination is necessary when visiting French Guiana.

Safety

Petty and violent crime are concerns, so visitors should take sensible precautions. These include ensuring that their personal belongings, including their passports and other travel documents, are secure at all times, and avoiding isolated or deserted areas, walking alone after dark or showing signs of affluence.

Local customs

Local customs in French Guiana reflect its colonial history. European values permeate the country and western travellers, if they ignore the heat, should feel very much at home.

Doing business

Generally speaking, a more formal approach is expected in initial interactions and with superiors, with attendees exchanging elaborate greetings and using titles. As relationships develop, a more informal and collaborative style often emerges. Humor can be used to build rapport, but attendees should avoid anything that might be perceived as disrespectful towards authority figures.

Duty free

Visitors to French Guiana who arrive from within the EU may import the following without incurring duty: 800 cigarettes, 10 litres of spirits, and 90 litres of wine. Travellers from outside the EU may bring in 200 cigarettes, one litre of spirits and four litres of wine.

Communications

The international access code for French Guiana is +594. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0044 for the United Kingdom).

Passport & Visa

All visitors to French Guiana must hold an onward or return ticket and valid travel documentation for their next destination. They must also have sufficient funds to cover their stay in the country, or a lodging certificate. Schengen Visas are valid for French Guiana, provided they are endorsed 'also valid for French Guiana', and a yellow fever vaccination certificate is required to enter the territory. It is highly recommended that visitors' passports have at least six months' validity remaining after their intended dates of departure, as immigration officials often apply different rules to those stated by travel agents and official sources.

Entry requirements

US citizens must have a passport that is valid for the period of intended stay in French Guiana. No visa is required for stays up to 90 days.

British citizens must have a passport valid for the period of intended stay in French Guiana. A visa is not required for passports endorsed British Citizen. No visa is required for holders of passports endorsed British National (overseas), British Overseas Territories Citizen (containing a Certificate of Entitlement to the Right of Abode issued by the United Kingdom), and British Subject (containing a Certificate of Entitlement to the Right of Abode issued by the United Kingdom) for 90 days.

Canadian citizens must have a passport that is valid for the period of intended stay in French Guiana. No visa is required for stays for a maximum stay of 90 days.

Australian citizens must have a passport that is valid for the period of intended stay in French Guiana. No visa is required for stays up to 90 days.

South Africans require a passport that is valid for the period of intended stay, and a Schengen visa, to enter French Guiana.

Irish citizens must have a passport that is valid for the period of intended stay in French Guiana. No visa is required for nationals of Ireland.

New Zealand citizens must have a passport that is valid for the period of intended stay in French Guiana. No visa is required for 90 days.

Useful contacts

112 (General Emergency Helpline)

Embassies / consulates in other countries

French Guiana Embassy, Washington, United States: +1 202 944 6000 or info@ambafrance-us.org

French Guiana Embassy, London, United Kingdom: +44 207 073 1000.

French Guiana Embassy, Ontario, Canada: +1 613 789 1795.

French Guiana Embassy, Canberra, Australia: +61 2 621 160100

French Guiana Embassy, Pretoria, South Africa: +27 12 425 1600.

French Guiana Embassy, Dublin, Ireland: +353 1 277 5000.

French Guiana Embassy, Wellington, New Zealand: +64 4 384 2555.

Embassies / consulates in French Guiana

British Embassy, Paris (also responsible for French Guinea): +33 1 4451 3100

Canada Embassy, Georgetown, Guyana (also responsible for French Guinea): +592 227 2081.

Australia Mission, Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago (also responsible for French Guinea): +1 868 822 5450.