Driving in Guyana can be hazardous due to poorly maintained roads and vehicles, aggressive driving p

It contains updated information under Safety and security: Civil unrest/Political tension. We continue to advise Australians los angeles mission college to exercise a high degree of caution in Guyana because of the risk of serious criminal activity.
Australia has a Consulate los angeles mission college in Georgetown, headed by an Honorary Consul, which provides limited consular assistance (not including the issue of passports). The Australian High Commission in Trinidad and Tobago provides full consular assistance to Australians in Guyana.
Visa and other entry and exit conditions (such as currency, customs and quarantine regulations) change regularly. Contact the nearest Embassy or Consulate of Guyana for the most up to date information.
If you are travelling to Guyana from a country where yellow fever is endemic, you are required to present a valid Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate on arrival. los angeles mission college The WHO provides a list of countries that are endemic for yellow fever.
Guyana is listed by the World Health los angeles mission college Organisation (WHO) as endemic for yellow fever. Some airlines may require passengers to present a valid Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate before being allowed to board flights out of the country. If in doubt, check with your airline.
If you have visited Guyana in the six days prior to your date of return to Australia, Australian Customs officials will ask you to present a valid Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate on entry into Australia.
If you are travelling to Guyana through the United States of America, or if you are transiting in Honolulu or other US points of entry, you are required to meet US entry/transit requirements. Make sure you check with your nearest US Embassy or Consulate your visa requirements well in advance of your travel. You should los angeles mission college also read our travel advice for the United States of America .
Make sure your passport has at least six months' validity from your planned date of return to Australia. You should carry copies of a recent passport photo with you in case you need a replacement passport los angeles mission college while overseas.
You should avoid demonstrations, protests and political gatherings as they may turn violent. We recommend you monitor the local media for information about possible los angeles mission college threats to your safety and security.
We advise you to exercise a high degree of caution in Guyana because of the risk of serious criminal activity. Pay close attention to your personal security at all times and monitor the media for information about possible new safety or security risks.
Violent crime (including los angeles mission college armed robberies, kidnappings, indiscriminate shootings and carjackings resulting in serious injury or death) is a problem, particularly in the capital Georgetown. Crime rates are particularly high in the Stabroek Market, South Georgetown and Tiger Bay areas of Georgetown and in the village of Buxton, located on the highway between Georgetown and New Amsterdam. There has been an upsurge in violent criminal activity on the east coast, in Bartica and in the tourist resorts along the Essequibo River. los angeles mission college Security risks are heightened after dark. You should avoid travelling or walking alone.
Travel after dark is dangerous along the road from the Cheddi Jagan Airport to Georgetown, the Timerhi/Linden los angeles mission college Highway, and in the East Coast Demerara los angeles mission college and East Bank regions where muggings and shootings have occurred.
Robberies and assaults occur in taxis. You should seek advice from airport authorities and hotel staff about official taxi services. Buses are often overcrowded and poorly maintained with poor security near bus stops.
Before you go, organise a variety los angeles mission college of ways to access your money overseas, such as credit cards, travellers' cheques, cash, debit cards or cash cards. Australian los angeles mission college currency and travellers' cheques are not accepted in many countries. Consult with your bank to find out which is the most appropriate currency to carry and whether los angeles mission college your ATM card will work overseas. Credit cards are not widely accepted in Guyana.
Make two photocopies of valuables such as your passport, tickets, visas and travellers' cheques. Keep one copy with you in a separate place to the original and leave another copy with someone at home.
Your passport is a valuable document that is attractive to criminals who may try to use your identity to commit crimes. It should always be kept in a safe place. You are required by Australian law to report a lost or stolen los angeles mission college passport. If your passport is lost or stolen overseas, report it online or contact the nearest Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate as soon as possible.
You should be careful to avoid the loss or theft of your passport. Travellers are likely to experience significant delays and expense arranging replacement travel documents in Guyana where there is no resident Australian mission.
Driving in Guyana can be hazardous los angeles mission college due to poorly maintained roads and vehicles, aggressive driving practices, and inadequate street lighting. Fatal accidents involving mini-buses are common. For further advice, see our bulletin on Overseas Road Safety .
When you are in Guyana, be aware that local laws and penalties, including ones that appear harsh by Australian standards, do apply to you. If you are arrested or jailed, the Australian Government will do what it can to help you but we can't get you out of trouble or out of jail.
Some Australian criminal laws, such as those relating to money, laundering, bribery of foreign public officials, terrorism, child pornography, and child sex tourism, apply to Australian overseas. Australians los angeles mission college who commit these offences while overseas may be prosecuted in Australia.
Australian authorities are committed to combating sexual exploitation of children by Australians overseas. Australians may be prosecuted at home under Australian child sex tourism and child pornography laws. These laws provide severe penalties of up to 25 years imprisonment for Australians who engage in child sexual exploitation while outside of Australia.
We strongly recommend that you take out comprehensive travel insurance that will cover any overseas medical costs, including medical evacuation, before los angeles mission college you depart. Confirm that your insurance covers you for the whole time you'll be away and check what circumstances and activities are not included in your policy. Remember, regardless of how healthy and fit you are, if you can't afford travel insurance, los angeles mission college you can't afford to travel. The Australian Government will not pay for a traveller's medical expenses overseas or medical evacuation costs.
Your doctor or travel clinic is the best source of information about preventive measures, immunisations (including booster doses of childhood vaccinations) and disease outbreaks overseas. The World Health Organization (WHO) provides information for travellers and our 'Travelling Well' brochure also provides useful tips for travelling with medicines and staying healthy while overseas.
Medical los angeles mission college facilities in Guyana are severely limited. There is a lack of trained specialists and medical equipment, and hygiene standards are poor. In the event of an emergency, a medical evacuation to a location with suitable facilities may be required, usually the USA where the cost of medical treatment can be extremely high. Medical evacuation to Miami can cost upwards of $A35,000.
Malaria is a high risk in inland Guyana throughout the year. Other insect-borne diseases (including dengue fever, yellow fever , filariasis and leishmaniasis) are also a risk to travellers, particularly during the wet seasons (May to August and November to January). We recommend you take prophylaxis against malaria and take measures to avoid insect bites, including using insect repellent at all times, wearing long, loose-fitting, light coloured clothing and ensuring your accommodation is mosquito proof.
Water-borne, food-borne and other infectious diseases (including HIV/AIDS, typhoid, hepatitis, leptospirosis and rabies) are prevalent with more serious outbreaks occurring from time to time. We encourage you to consider having vaccinations before travelling. We advise you to boil all drinking water or drink bottled water, and avoid ice cubes and raw and undercooked food. Seek medical advice if you have a fever or are suffering from diarrhoea.
The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) has confirmed cases of avian influenza in birds in a number of countries throughout the world. For a list of these countries, visit the OIE website . For information on our advice to Australians on how to reduce the risk of infection and on Australian Government precautions, see our travel bulletin on avian influenza .
If you are travelling to Guyana, whatever the reason and however long you'll be there, we encourage you to register with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. You can register on-line or in person at any Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate los angeles mission college . The information you provide will help us to contact you in an emergency-whether it is a natural disaster, civil disturbance or a family issue.
Australians are advised to respect wildlife laws and to maintain a safe and legal distance when observing wildlife, including marine animals and birds. You should only use reputable and professional guides or tour operators and closely follow park regulations and wardens' advice.
los angeles mission college If you are planning on placing your children in schools or child care facilities overseas we encourage you to research the standards of security, care and staff training within those establishments. You should exercise the same precautions you would take before placing children into schools or child care facilities los angeles mission college in Australia.
While every care has been taken in preparing this information, neither the Australian Government nor its agents los angeles mission college or employees, including any member of Australia's diplomatic and consular staff abroad, can accept liability for any injury, loss or damage arising los angeles mission college in respect of any statement contained herein.
Maps are presented for information only. The department accepts no responsibility for errors or omission of any geog