💰 Quick Context: The Guyanese Dollar
Guyana uses the Guyanese Dollar (GYD / G$). The rate hovers around GYD 210 per $1 USD, so a quick shortcut: divide by 200 and you are close. A GYD 1,000 note is roughly $5 USD, and GYD 5,000 is about $24 USD. USD is widely accepted at hotels, tour operators, and some restaurants, but daily life runs on Guyanese dollars. This is a cash-heavy country where ATMs exist only in a handful of towns, and the interior has none at all.
🎧 Order Guyanese Dollars Before You Fly
Have cash in hand when you land. Insured delivery, 2–5 day shipping.
Order GYD → CEI Currency ExchangeUsing US Dollars in Guyana
Guyana has a dual-currency reality. Hotels and tour operators (especially eco-lodges in the Rupununi, Kaieteur Falls flight companies, and Iwokrama Canopy Walkway packages) quote prices in USD and prefer USD payment. The Marriott Georgetown, Pegasus Hotel, and international-standard accommodations all price in dollars.
However, everything else runs on GYD. Minibuses across Georgetown cost GYD 80-100. A plate of cook-up rice at Demico House or a street-side roti costs GYD 500-800. Stabroek Market vendors, rum shops, and local restaurants only deal in Guyanese dollars. Bring a mix: USD for big-ticket items and GYD for daily spending.
Cash vs. Card: What to Expect in Guyana
Guyana is overwhelmingly cash-based. Outside Georgetown's hotels, major supermarkets like Massy Stores, and a handful of upscale restaurants, card payments are rare. The Marriott, Pegasus, and Cara Lodge accept Visa and Mastercard. So do duty-free shops at Cheddi Jagan International Airport. Beyond that, assume you need cash.
In Georgetown, you can get by with a mix of card and cash. The Giftland Mall, MovieTowne, and larger restaurants along Sheriff Street and Main Street take cards. But Stabroek Market, Bourda Market, street food vendors, minibuses, and taxis are all cash-only. In Bartica, Lethem, Linden, and other towns, card acceptance is extremely limited to nonexistent.
The interior is 100% cash. If you are flying to Kaieteur Falls, staying at Iwokrama or Surama village, or exploring the Rupununi savannah, bring all the cash you need from Georgetown. There are no ATMs, no card machines, and no backup options once you leave the coast.
How to Get Guyanese Dollars for Your Guyana Trip
Guyana is overwhelmingly cash-based. Cards work at Georgetown's Marriott, Pegasus, and Cara Lodge, the Giftland Mall and MovieTowne, larger Sheriff Street and Main Street restaurants, Massy Stores supermarkets, and the GEO airport duty-free shops. Everywhere else (Stabroek Market, Bourda Market, every minibus and taxi, Bartica, Lethem, Linden, the entire interior including Kaieteur Falls and the Rupununi) is cash. The Guyanese dollar is also a closed currency, so most travelers handle Guyana by bringing USD cash and exchanging at a Georgetown bureau, plus pulling GYD from a Republic Bank or Demerara Bank ATM.
Bring USD or order Guyanese dollars before you fly
For pre-arrival GYD, two paths. A currency-exchange service like CEI Currency Exchange may stock Guyanese dollars on request, with insured 2–5 day delivery. Most US home banks generally do not stock GYD. Backup that works in Guyana: pack USD $400–800 in clean post-2009 bills (large denominations get noticeably better rates at Georgetown bureaux). Guyana does not have a Bank of America Global ATM Alliance partner. The cleanest setup for most Guyana trips: pack USD for tour deposits, interior trips, and as exchange backup; use a Wise card at Georgetown hotels and chain restaurants; and pull GYD from Republic Bank or Demerara Bank ATMs in Georgetown for daily cash.
Withdraw from a Guyanese bank ATM
On the ground, the cheapest source of GYD is a major Guyanese bank ATM. Republic Bank Guyana, Demerara Bank, Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI), and Scotiabank Guyana all give the actual interbank rate with no markup. Most charge a per-transaction operator fee for foreign cards (typically G$300–500, posted on the screen before you confirm). Withdrawal limits run roughly G$40,000–80,000 per transaction (about $190–380). ATMs cluster around Georgetown (Robb Street, Main Street, the Giftland Mall area) and at GEO (Cheddi Jagan International) airport arrivals. Coverage is essentially zero past the coastal towns. Decline DCC every time the screen offers "charge in USD". See the Best ATMs section below for the bank-by-bank lineup. Want to know what a Republic Bank Guyana withdrawal will actually cost on your card after fees? Drop it into our ATM fee calculator.
Airport counters & cambio booths
Three traps to walk past in Guyana. The currency-exchange counter in arrivals at GEO (Cheddi Jagan International) advertises rates that look reasonable but routinely runs 5–10% off the interbank rate. The exchange windows inside hotel lobbies bake the markup into the rate. Honest exception worth knowing: licensed cambio bureaux around Stabroek Market and along Robb Street in Georgetown often offer the country's best USD-to-GYD spreads if you've brought clean USD. Stick to bank-branded ATMs at Republic Bank, Demerara Bank, GBTI, or Scotiabank Guyana; decline DCC; and licensed Georgetown cambios are the one acceptable cash-to-cash route. Guyana does not yet have a city-specific guide on this site, but the Best ATMs section below covers the bank lineup.
For a side-by-side comparison of every method (bank wire, travel card, pre-order, ATM, exchange counter) including USD-to-GYD timing tips, see our complete Getting Currency guide →.
Best ATMs to Use in Guyana
ATMs are concentrated in Georgetown, with scattered machines in Linden, New Amsterdam, Bartica, and Lethem. They dispense Guyanese dollars only, and most cap foreign card withdrawals at GYD 40,000-80,000 per transaction (roughly $190-380 USD). Withdraw in Georgetown before heading anywhere else.
Republic Bank (Guyana)
The largest bank in Guyana with the widest ATM network. Machines on Robb Street, Camp Street, and at Giftland Mall in Georgetown are reliable with foreign Visa and Mastercard. Also has ATMs in New Amsterdam, Linden, and Corriverton. English-language interface and relatively high withdrawal limits.
Top PickDemerara Bank
Locally owned bank with ATMs along Main Street and at their Lot 214 Camp Street headquarters. Reliable for Visa withdrawals. Smaller network than Republic Bank, but machines are well-maintained and located in central Georgetown.
RecommendedCitizens Bank
A subsidiary of Banks DIH with ATMs at their Regent Street headquarters and Giftland Mall. Accepts international Visa cards. Limited locations but machines in central Georgetown are convenient for travelers staying in the Kitty or Queenstown neighborhoods.
RecommendedGuyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI)
One of Guyana's oldest banks with branches in Georgetown, Linden, Bartica, and Lethem. Their ATM at Water Street in Georgetown is centrally located. The Lethem branch is useful if you are crossing from Brazil at the Takutu River border.
Recommended⚠ Watch Out for Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC)
DCC is uncommon in Guyana since most transactions are cash-based. However, at the Marriott Georgetown, Pegasus Hotel, and a few other international-standard businesses, card terminals may offer to charge you in USD instead of GYD. Always choose GYD (Guyanese dollars) at the payment prompt. The DCC conversion rate includes a 3-7% markup that your own bank would not charge. If the terminal shows "USD" as the default, ask the staff to reprocess in local currency.
ATMs to Avoid in Guyana
Guyana's ATM infrastructure is limited, so your options are not extensive. Still, some machines cause more problems than others for foreign cardholders.
Cheddi Jagan Airport ATM
The lone ATM at Cheddi Jagan International (GEO) frequently runs out of cash, especially when multiple international flights land close together. When it does work, it may impose lower withdrawal limits than Georgetown machines. Exchange a small amount at the airport cambio desk and withdraw properly once you reach Georgetown (40 minutes by taxi).
AvoidStandalone ATMs Outside Bank Branches
Freestanding machines at gas stations and shopping plazas occasionally have connectivity issues and may hold your card during a failed transaction. Stick to ATMs at or inside bank branches on Robb Street, Camp Street, or Main Street in Georgetown where staff can assist if something goes wrong.
AvoidPaying by Card in Guyana
Card Networks
Visa has the broadest acceptance among the few places that take cards. Republic Bank's merchant network processes Visa at hotels, Massy Stores, and Giftland Mall shops. Mastercard is accepted at most of the same locations but occasionally rejected at smaller merchants. American Express and Discover are effectively useless in Guyana. Do not rely on them for any purchases.
Contactless & Mobile Payments
Contactless tap-to-pay is extremely rare. The Marriott Georgetown and a few international-chain businesses have NFC-capable terminals, but most card machines in Guyana still require chip insertion. Apple Pay and Google Pay are not widely recognized. The local mobile money platform Mobile Money Guyana (MMG) is used by locals but requires a Guyanese phone number and bank account, making it impractical for tourists.
Where Cards May Not Work
Stabroek Market and Bourda Market are entirely cash-only. So are minibuses, taxis, street food stalls, and rum shops. Bartica (the gateway to gold mining country and Kaieteur Falls overland trips) has almost no card acceptance. Lethem on the Brazilian border has a few businesses that take cards, but do not count on it. The Rupununi savannah, interior lodges, and Amerindian villages are 100% cash economies.
Tipping in Guyana
Tipping Guide
At restaurants, 10% is appreciated but not always expected. Check if a service charge is already included (common at hotel restaurants like the Marriott and Pegasus). If not, leave GYD 500-1,000 for a casual meal or 10% at upscale spots. At eco-lodges in the Rupununi or Iwokrama, tip your guide GYD 2,000-5,000 per day ($10-24 USD) and leave something for the lodge staff in the communal tip box. For taxi drivers, round up to the nearest convenient number. Boat operators on river transfers (Georgetown to Bartica, for example) appreciate GYD 1,000-2,000 for longer trips. Tip in GYD, not USD, unless you are at a tourist operation that prices in dollars.
Georgetown & Beyond: Practical Money Tips
Things to Know
Georgetown is your financial hub. Do all your ATM withdrawals, currency exchanges, and card-based shopping here before heading anywhere else. The best cambios are clustered on America Street (between Robb and Light Streets) and along Water Street. They offer better rates than the airport or hotels. Bring clean, recent-series USD bills for the best exchange rates.
Kaieteur Falls day trips and interior packages are typically prepaid in USD through Georgetown-based operators. Budget GYD 3,000-5,000 for lunch and tips on the day itself. Iwokrama and Surama lodges should be booked and prepaid, but bring GYD and small USD bills for tips, village handicrafts, and any extras.
Banking hours are Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM (some branches stay open until 3:00 PM). Saturday banking is limited to a few Republic Bank branches until noon. Plan your cash needs around these hours, as ATMs can run out of cash over weekends. Carry small denominations of GYD (500s and 1,000s). Vendors at Stabroek Market and minibus drivers may not have change for a GYD 5,000 note.
Money Safety in Guyana
Staying Safe
Georgetown requires street awareness. Avoid flashing large amounts of cash around Stabroek Market, Tiger Bay, or Albouystown. Use ATMs during daylight hours and preferably inside bank branches on Robb Street or Camp Street. After dark, take a taxi rather than walking with cash.
Keep your cash distributed. Carry what you need for the day in one pocket, and store the rest in your hotel safe or a money belt. The interior is generally very safe, but losing cash there means you have no way to replace it.
Notify your bank before traveling. Guyana is flagged by many fraud detection systems. If your card gets blocked, you may have difficulty reaching your bank by phone since international roaming coverage is spotty outside Georgetown. Digicel and GTT provide mobile coverage in Georgetown and along the coast, but the interior has limited cell service. Bring a backup card on a different network (one Visa, one Mastercard) since some ATMs may accept one and not the other.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use US dollars in Guyana?
USD is widely accepted at hotels, tour operators, and some restaurants in Georgetown and tourist areas. However, you will receive change in Guyanese dollars and local businesses, minibuses, and market vendors deal exclusively in GYD. Bring clean USD bills for major expenses and exchange some to GYD for daily spending.
Are there ATMs in Guyana's interior?
No. ATMs are concentrated in Georgetown, with a few in Linden, New Amsterdam, and Bartica. The Rupununi savannah, Kaieteur Falls area, and interior regions have zero ATM access. Withdraw all the cash you need in Georgetown before heading inland.
What is the best way to exchange money in Guyana?
Licensed cambios on America Street and Water Street in Georgetown offer the best rates. Hotels and the airport exchange counter at Cheddi Jagan International give worse rates. Avoid unlicensed street changers. ATMs dispense GYD at reasonable rates if your card has no foreign transaction fees.
Do restaurants in Georgetown accept credit cards?
Upscale restaurants, international hotel chains like the Marriott Georgetown, and larger businesses accept Visa and Mastercard. Most local restaurants, street food vendors, and smaller establishments are cash-only. Outside Georgetown, expect to pay cash for almost everything.
How much cash should I bring for a trip to Guyana's interior?
For a week in the Rupununi or rainforest lodges, bring at least $300-500 USD in cash (a mix of GYD and USD). Lodge stays are often prepaid, but you will need cash for tips, local guides, handicrafts, and any unplanned expenses. Small GYD bills (500s and 1,000s) are essential for village purchases.
Is Guyana expensive for tourists?
Georgetown is relatively affordable. A local meal costs GYD 800-1,500 ($4-7 USD), a beer runs GYD 400-600 ($2-3 USD), and a decent hotel room is $50-100 USD per night. Interior eco-lodges and Kaieteur Falls flights are the big expenses, often $200-500 USD per person for multi-day packages.
Skip the Foreign Transaction Fees
The Wise card converts your money at the real mid-market exchange rate. No markups, no surprises. Spend Guyanese dollars like a local.
Get the Wise Card →Quick Comparison
| Method | Cost | Convenience | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wise card (no-FX-fee) | Best rate (mid-market) | ★★★★☆ | ATM withdrawals and the few card-accepting businesses |
| USD cash exchanged at cambios | Good (competitive rates) | ★★★★☆ | Daily spending in Georgetown and the interior |
| Bank ATMs in Georgetown | Good (if no-FX-fee card) | ★★★☆☆ | Getting GYD cash without carrying large USD amounts |
| Airport exchange / hotel front desk | Poor (3-8% worse rates) | ★★☆☆☆ | Emergency only |
Guyana Quick Facts
| Currency | Guyanese Dollar (GYD / G$) |
| Approx. Rate | ~GYD 210 per $1 USD |
| USD Accepted? | Yes, at hotels and tour operators. Daily life uses GYD |
| Best ATMs | Republic Bank, Demerara Bank, Citizens Bank, GBTI |
| ATM Locations | Georgetown primarily. Limited in Linden, New Amsterdam, Bartica, Lethem. None in interior |
| Card Acceptance | Very limited. Hotels and large businesses in Georgetown only |
| Tipping | 10% at restaurants. GYD 2,000-5,000/day for interior guides |
| Best Strategy | Bring clean USD, exchange at Georgetown cambios, carry all cash needed for interior trips |