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French Guiana (France) Traveler View
Travel health notices, vaccines and medicines, non-vaccine-preventable diseases, stay healthy and safe.
- Packing List
After Your Trip
Be aware of current health issues in French Guiana. Learn how to protect yourself.
Level 1 Practice Usual Precautions
- Dengue in the Americas April 18, 2024 Dengue is a risk in many parts of Central and South America, Mexico, and the Caribbean. Some countries are reporting increased numbers of cases of the disease. Travelers to the Americas can protect themselves by preventing mosquito bites. Destination List: Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, including the Galápagos Islands, French Guiana (France), Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Martinique (France), Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Turks and Caicos Islands (U.K.), Uruguay
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Check the vaccines and medicines list and visit your doctor at least a month before your trip to get vaccines or medicines you may need. If you or your doctor need help finding a location that provides certain vaccines or medicines, visit the Find a Clinic page.
Routine vaccines
Recommendations.
Make sure you are up-to-date on all routine vaccines before every trip. Some of these vaccines include
- Chickenpox (Varicella)
- Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis
- Flu (influenza)
- Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR)
Immunization schedules
All eligible travelers should be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines. Please see Your COVID-19 Vaccination for more information.
COVID-19 vaccine
Hepatitis A
Recommended for unvaccinated travelers one year old or older going to French Guiana.
Infants 6 to 11 months old should also be vaccinated against Hepatitis A. The dose does not count toward the routine 2-dose series.
Travelers allergic to a vaccine component or who are younger than 6 months should receive a single dose of immune globulin, which provides effective protection for up to 2 months depending on dosage given.
Unvaccinated travelers who are over 40 years old, immunocompromised, or have chronic medical conditions planning to depart to a risk area in less than 2 weeks should get the initial dose of vaccine and at the same appointment receive immune globulin.
Hepatitis A - CDC Yellow Book
Dosing info - Hep A
Hepatitis B
Recommended for unvaccinated travelers of all ages traveling to French Guiana.
Hepatitis B - CDC Yellow Book
Dosing info - Hep B
CDC recommends that travelers going to certain areas of French Guiana take prescription medicine to prevent malaria. Depending on the medicine you take, you will need to start taking this medicine multiple days before your trip, as well as during and after your trip. Talk to your doctor about which malaria medication you should take.
Find country-specific information about malaria.
Malaria - CDC Yellow Book
Considerations when choosing a drug for malaria prophylaxis (CDC Yellow Book)
Malaria information for French Guiana.
Cases of measles are on the rise worldwide. Travelers are at risk of measles if they have not been fully vaccinated at least two weeks prior to departure, or have not had measles in the past, and travel internationally to areas where measles is spreading.
All international travelers should be fully vaccinated against measles with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, including an early dose for infants 6–11 months, according to CDC’s measles vaccination recommendations for international travel .
Measles (Rubeola) - CDC Yellow Book
French Guiana is free of dog rabies. However, rabies may still be present in wildlife species, particularly bats. CDC recommends rabies vaccination before travel only for people working directly with wildlife. These people may include veterinarians, animal handlers, field biologists, or laboratory workers working with specimens from mammalian species.
Rabies - CDC Yellow Book
Recommended for most travelers, especially those staying with friends or relatives or visiting smaller cities or rural areas.
Typhoid - CDC Yellow Book
Dosing info - Typhoid
Yellow Fever
Required for all arriving travelers ≥1 year old.
Recommended for all travelers ≥9 months old.
Yellow Fever - CDC Yellow Book
Avoid contaminated water
Leptospirosis
How most people get sick (most common modes of transmission)
- Touching urine or other body fluids from an animal infected with leptospirosis
- Swimming or wading in urine-contaminated fresh water, or contact with urine-contaminated mud
- Drinking water or eating food contaminated with animal urine
- Avoid contaminated water and soil
Clinical Guidance
Avoid bug bites, chagas disease (american trypanosomiasis).
- Accidentally rub feces (poop) of the triatomine bug into the bug bite, other breaks in the skin, your eyes, or mouth
- From pregnant woman to her baby, contaminated blood products (transfusions), or contaminated food or drink.
- Avoid Bug Bites
Chagas disease
- Mosquito bite
Leishmaniasis
- Sand fly bite
- An infected pregnant woman can spread it to her unborn baby
Airborne & droplet
- Breathing in air or accidentally eating food contaminated with the urine, droppings, or saliva of infected rodents
- Bite from an infected rodent
- Less commonly, being around someone sick with hantavirus (only occurs with Andes virus)
- Avoid rodents and areas where they live
- Avoid sick people
Tuberculosis (TB)
- Breathe in TB bacteria that is in the air from an infected and contagious person coughing, speaking, or singing.
Counsel your patients on actions they can take on their trip to stay healthy and safe.
Eat and drink safely
Food and water standards around the world vary based on the destination. Standards may also differ within a country and risk may change depending on activity type (e.g., hiking versus business trip). You can learn more about safe food and drink choices when traveling by accessing the resources below.
- Choose Safe Food and Drinks When Traveling
- Water Treatment Options When Hiking, Camping or Traveling
- Global Water, Sanitation and Hygiene | Healthy Water
- Avoid Contaminated Water During Travel
You can also visit the Department of State Country Information Pages for additional information about food and water safety.
Prevent bug bites
Bugs (like mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas) can spread a number of diseases in French Guiana. Many of these diseases cannot be prevented with a vaccine or medicine. You can reduce your risk by taking steps to prevent bug bites.
What can I do to prevent bug bites?
- Cover exposed skin by wearing long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and hats.
- Use an appropriate insect repellent (see below).
- Use permethrin-treated clothing and gear (such as boots, pants, socks, and tents). Do not use permethrin directly on skin.
- Stay and sleep in air-conditioned or screened rooms.
- Use a bed net if the area where you are sleeping is exposed to the outdoors.
What type of insect repellent should I use?
- FOR PROTECTION AGAINST TICKS AND MOSQUITOES: Use a repellent that contains 20% or more DEET for protection that lasts up to several hours.
- Picaridin (also known as KBR 3023, Bayrepel, and icaridin)
- Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) or para-menthane-diol (PMD)
- 2-undecanone
- Always use insect repellent as directed.
What should I do if I am bitten by bugs?
- Avoid scratching bug bites, and apply hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion to reduce the itching.
- Check your entire body for ticks after outdoor activity. Be sure to remove ticks properly.
What can I do to avoid bed bugs?
Although bed bugs do not carry disease, they are an annoyance. See our information page about avoiding bug bites for some easy tips to avoid them. For more information on bed bugs, see Bed Bugs .
For more detailed information on avoiding bug bites, see Avoid Bug Bites .
Note: Zika is a risk in French Guiana. For more information, see Zika Travel Information .
Stay safe outdoors
If your travel plans in French Guiana include outdoor activities, take these steps to stay safe and healthy during your trip.
- Stay alert to changing weather conditions and adjust your plans if conditions become unsafe.
- Prepare for activities by wearing the right clothes and packing protective items, such as bug spray, sunscreen, and a basic first aid kit.
- Consider learning basic first aid and CPR before travel. Bring a travel health kit with items appropriate for your activities.
- If you are outside for many hours in heat, eat salty snacks and drink water to stay hydrated and replace salt lost through sweating.
- Protect yourself from UV radiation : use sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15, wear protective clothing, and seek shade during the hottest time of day (10 a.m.–4 p.m.).
- Be especially careful during summer months and at high elevation. Because sunlight reflects off snow, sand, and water, sun exposure may be increased during activities like skiing, swimming, and sailing.
- Very cold temperatures can be dangerous. Dress in layers and cover heads, hands, and feet properly if you are visiting a cold location.
Stay safe around water
- Swim only in designated swimming areas. Obey lifeguards and warning flags on beaches.
- Practice safe boating—follow all boating safety laws, do not drink alcohol if driving a boat, and always wear a life jacket.
- Do not dive into shallow water.
- Do not swim in freshwater in developing areas or where sanitation is poor.
- Avoid swallowing water when swimming. Untreated water can carry germs that make you sick.
- To prevent infections, wear shoes on beaches where there may be animal waste.
Keep away from animals
Most animals avoid people, but they may attack if they feel threatened, are protecting their young or territory, or if they are injured or ill. Animal bites and scratches can lead to serious diseases such as rabies.
Follow these tips to protect yourself:
- Do not touch or feed any animals you do not know.
- Do not allow animals to lick open wounds, and do not get animal saliva in your eyes or mouth.
- Avoid rodents and their urine and feces.
- Traveling pets should be supervised closely and not allowed to come in contact with local animals.
- If you wake in a room with a bat, seek medical care immediately. Bat bites may be hard to see.
All animals can pose a threat, but be extra careful around dogs, bats, monkeys, sea animals such as jellyfish, and snakes. If you are bitten or scratched by an animal, immediately:
- Wash the wound with soap and clean water.
- Go to a doctor right away.
- Tell your doctor about your injury when you get back to the United States.
Consider buying medical evacuation insurance. Rabies is a deadly disease that must be treated quickly, and treatment may not be available in some countries.
Reduce your exposure to germs
Follow these tips to avoid getting sick or spreading illness to others while traveling:
- Wash your hands often, especially before eating.
- If soap and water aren’t available, clean hands with hand sanitizer (containing at least 60% alcohol).
- Don’t touch your eyes, nose, or mouth. If you need to touch your face, make sure your hands are clean.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing.
- Try to avoid contact with people who are sick.
- If you are sick, stay home or in your hotel room, unless you need medical care.
Avoid sharing body fluids
Diseases can be spread through body fluids, such as saliva, blood, vomit, and semen.
Protect yourself:
- Use latex condoms correctly.
- Do not inject drugs.
- Limit alcohol consumption. People take more risks when intoxicated.
- Do not share needles or any devices that can break the skin. That includes needles for tattoos, piercings, and acupuncture.
- If you receive medical or dental care, make sure the equipment is disinfected or sanitized.
Know how to get medical care while traveling
Plan for how you will get health care during your trip, should the need arise:
- Carry a list of local doctors and hospitals at your destination.
- Review your health insurance plan to determine what medical services it would cover during your trip. Consider purchasing travel health and medical evacuation insurance.
- Carry a card that identifies, in the local language, your blood type, chronic conditions or serious allergies, and the generic names of any medications you take.
- Some prescription drugs may be illegal in other countries. Call French Guiana’s embassy to verify that all of your prescription(s) are legal to bring with you.
- Bring all the medicines (including over-the-counter medicines) you think you might need during your trip, including extra in case of travel delays. Ask your doctor to help you get prescriptions filled early if you need to.
Many foreign hospitals and clinics are accredited by the Joint Commission International. A list of accredited facilities is available at their website ( www.jointcommissioninternational.org ).
In some countries, medicine (prescription and over-the-counter) may be substandard or counterfeit. Bring the medicines you will need from the United States to avoid having to buy them at your destination.
Malaria is a risk in French Guiana. Fill your malaria prescription before you leave and take enough with you for the entire length of your trip. Follow your doctor’s instructions for taking the pills; some need to be started before you leave.
Select safe transportation
Motor vehicle crashes are the #1 killer of healthy US citizens in foreign countries.
In many places cars, buses, large trucks, rickshaws, bikes, people on foot, and even animals share the same lanes of traffic, increasing the risk for crashes.
Be smart when you are traveling on foot.
- Use sidewalks and marked crosswalks.
- Pay attention to the traffic around you, especially in crowded areas.
- Remember, people on foot do not always have the right of way in other countries.
Riding/Driving
Choose a safe vehicle.
- Choose official taxis or public transportation, such as trains and buses.
- Ride only in cars that have seatbelts.
- Avoid overcrowded, overloaded, top-heavy buses and minivans.
- Avoid riding on motorcycles or motorbikes, especially motorbike taxis. (Many crashes are caused by inexperienced motorbike drivers.)
- Choose newer vehicles—they may have more safety features, such as airbags, and be more reliable.
- Choose larger vehicles, which may provide more protection in crashes.
Think about the driver.
- Do not drive after drinking alcohol or ride with someone who has been drinking.
- Consider hiring a licensed, trained driver familiar with the area.
- Arrange payment before departing.
Follow basic safety tips.
- Wear a seatbelt at all times.
- Sit in the back seat of cars and taxis.
- When on motorbikes or bicycles, always wear a helmet. (Bring a helmet from home, if needed.)
- Avoid driving at night; street lighting in certain parts of French Guiana may be poor.
- Do not use a cell phone or text while driving (illegal in many countries).
- Travel during daylight hours only, especially in rural areas.
- If you choose to drive a vehicle in French Guiana, learn the local traffic laws and have the proper paperwork.
- Get any driving permits and insurance you may need. Get an International Driving Permit (IDP). Carry the IDP and a US-issued driver's license at all times.
- Check with your auto insurance policy's international coverage, and get more coverage if needed. Make sure you have liability insurance.
- Avoid using local, unscheduled aircraft.
- If possible, fly on larger planes (more than 30 seats); larger airplanes are more likely to have regular safety inspections.
- Try to schedule flights during daylight hours and in good weather.
Medical Evacuation Insurance
If you are seriously injured, emergency care may not be available or may not meet US standards. Trauma care centers are uncommon outside urban areas. Having medical evacuation insurance can be helpful for these reasons.
Helpful Resources
Road Safety Overseas (Information from the US Department of State): Includes tips on driving in other countries, International Driving Permits, auto insurance, and other resources.
The Association for International Road Travel has country-specific Road Travel Reports available for most countries for a minimal fee.
Maintain personal security
Use the same common sense traveling overseas that you would at home, and always stay alert and aware of your surroundings.
Before you leave
- Research your destination(s), including local laws, customs, and culture.
- Monitor travel advisories and alerts and read travel tips from the US Department of State.
- Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) .
- Leave a copy of your itinerary, contact information, credit cards, and passport with someone at home.
- Pack as light as possible, and leave at home any item you could not replace.
While at your destination(s)
- Carry contact information for the nearest US embassy or consulate .
- Carry a photocopy of your passport and entry stamp; leave the actual passport securely in your hotel.
- Follow all local laws and social customs.
- Do not wear expensive clothing or jewelry.
- Always keep hotel doors locked, and store valuables in secure areas.
- If possible, choose hotel rooms between the 2nd and 6th floors.
Healthy Travel Packing List
Remind your patients to pack health and safety items. Use the Healthy Travel Packing List for French Guiana (France) for a list of health-related items they should consider packing.
If you are not feeling well after your trip, you may need to see a doctor. If you need help finding a travel medicine specialist, see Find a Clinic . Be sure to tell your doctor about your travel, including where you went and what you did on your trip. Also tell your doctor if you were bitten or scratched by an animal while traveling.
If your doctor prescribed antimalarial medicine for your trip, keep taking the rest of your pills after you return home. If you stop taking your medicine too soon, you could still get sick.
Malaria is always a serious disease and may be a deadly illness. If you become ill with a fever either while traveling in a malaria-risk area or after you return home (for up to 1 year), you should seek immediate medical attention and should tell the doctor about your travel history.
For more information on what to do if you are sick after your trip, see Getting Sick after Travel .
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French Guiana (South America)
Advice for all destinations.
Read the information on the COVID-19: Health Considerations for Travel page for advice on travelling during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Vaccinations and malaria risk
Review both the Vaccination and Malaria sections on this page to find out if you may need vaccines and/or a malaria risk assessment before you travel to this country.
If you think you require vaccines and/or malaria risk assessment, you should make an appointment with a travel health professional:
- How to make an appointment with a travel health professional
A travel health risk assessment is also advisable for some people, even when vaccines or malaria tablets are not required.
- Do I need a travel health risk assessment?
Risk prevention advice
Many of the health risks experienced by travellers cannot be prevented by vaccines and other measures need to be taken.
Always make sure you understand the wider risks at your destination and take precautions, including:
- food and water safety
- accident prevention
- avoiding insect bites
- preventing and treating animal bites
- respiratory hygiene
- hand hygiene
Our advice section gives detailed information on minimising specific health risks abroad:
- Travel Health Advice A-Z
Other health considerations
Make sure you have travel insurance before travel to cover healthcare abroad.
Find out if there are any restrictions you need to consider if you are travelling with medicines .
Know how to access healthcare at your destination: see the GOV.UK English speaking doctors and medical facilities: worldwide list
If you feel unwell on your return home from travelling abroad, always seek advice from a healthcare professional and let them know your travel history.
Vaccinations
- Confirm primary courses and boosters are up to date as recommended for life in Britain - including for example, seasonal flu vaccine (if indicated), MMR , vaccines required for occupational risk of exposure, lifestyle risks and underlying medical conditions.
- Courses or boosters usually advised: Tetanus; Yellow Fever.
- Other vaccines to consider: Hepatitis A; Hepatitis B; Rabies; Typhoid.
- Selectively advised vaccines - only for those individuals at highest risk: none.
Yellow fever vaccination certificate required for all travellers aged 1 year or over.
Notes on the diseases mentioned above
Risk is higher where personal hygiene and sanitation is poor.
Risk is higher for long stays, frequent travel and for children (exposed through cuts and scratches), those who may require medical treatment during travel.
- Tetanus :  spread through contamination of cuts, burns and wounds with tetanus spores. Spores are found in soil worldwide. A total of 5 doses of tetanus vaccine are recommended for life in the UK. Boosters are usually recommended in a country or situation where the correct treatment of an injury may not be readily available.
- Typhoid :  spread mainly through consumption of contaminated food and drink. Risk is higher where access to adequate sanitation and safe water is limited.
- Yellow Fever :  spread by the bite of an infected, day-biting mosquito. The disease is mainly found in rural areas of affected countries but outbreaks in urban areas do occur. Vaccination is usually recommended for all those who travel into risk areas. (View yellow fever risk areas here), and areas where there is an outbreak ongoing (check the 'news' section for outbreaks). In addition, certain countries may want to see proof of vaccination on an official yellow fever vaccination certificate - check above under Immunisations .
Malaria is a serious and sometimes fatal disease transmitted by mosquitoes.You cannot be vaccinated against malaria.
Malaria precautions
- Malaria risk is present throughout the year. Risk is highest in the municipalities of Camopi, Saint Georges and Regina bordering Brazil and along the major rivers of the country. In Cayenne, Iracoubo, Kourou, Montsinery Tonnegrande, Ouanary, Saite-Elie and Sinnamary there is low to no risk.
- In all other areas risk is not high enough to warrant chemoprophylaxis for most travellers, however, it may be considered for certain groups who may be at higher risk (see below under Low risk with additional advice).
- Malaria precautions are essential. Avoid mosquito bites by covering up with clothing such as long sleeves and long trousers especially after sunset, using insect repellents on exposed skin and, when necessary, sleeping under a mosquito net.
- Check with your doctor or nurse about suitable antimalarial tablets.
- See malaria map – additional information can be found by clicking on the Regional Information icon below the map.
- High risk areas: atovaquone/proguanil OR doxycycline OR mefloquine is usually advised for those visiting risk areas.
- Low risk with additional advice: antimalarial tablets are not usually recommended, however, they can be considered for certain travellers who may be at higher risk e.g. longer stay in rural areas, visiting friends or relatives, those with medical conditions, immunosuppression or those without a spleen. Atovaquone/proguanil OR doxycycline OR mefloquine is advised for those at risk.
- Low to no risk areas: antimalarial tablets are not usually advised.
- If you have been travelling in a malarious area and develop a fever seek medical attention promptly. Remember malaria can develop even up to one year after exposure.
- If travelling to an area remote from medical facilities, carrying standby emergency treatment for malaria may be considered.
Other Health Risks
Dengue fever.
There is a risk of exposure to coronavirus (COVID-19) in this country.
Please be aware that the risk of COVID-19 in this country may change at short notice and also consider your risk of exposure in any transit countries and from travelling itself.
- The 'News' section on this page will advise if significant case increases or outbreaks have occurred in this country.
Prior to travel, you should:
- Check the latest government guidance on the FCDO Foreign travel advice and country specific pages for travel to this country and the rules for entering the UK on return.
- Ensure you are up to date with UK recommendations on COVID-19 vaccination.
- You can check this in the FAQ's.
- If you are at increased risk of severe COVID-19 you should carefully consider your travel plans and consider seeking medical advice prior to making any decisions.
For further information, see Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and COVID-19: Health Considerations for Travel pages.
Zika Virus Infection
This country has been categorised as having a risk of Zika (ZIKV) virus transmission.
ZIKV is mainly spread through mosquito bites. The mosquito responsible most commonly bites during daylight hours and is common in towns and cities.
The illness is usually mild but infection during pregnancy may lead to babies being born with birth defects. There is no vaccine currently available against ZIKV.
Advice for All Travellers
You should practice strict mosquito bite avoidance at all times. Do not travel without adequate travel insurance . Seek pre-travel health advice from a travel health professional 6 to 8 weeks in advance of travel.
Additional recommendations for pregnant travellers or those planning pregnancy
If you are planning pregnancy in the very near future you should consider whether you should avoid travel to this country.
- contact your GP, obstetrician or midwife for further advice, even if you have not been unwell or had any symptoms of ZIKV infection
- use barrier methods of contraception during and after travel and for the duration of your pregnancy, even in you have not been unwell or had any symptoms of ZIKV infection
- If you develop symptoms of ZIKV infection, it is recommended that you avoid becoming pregnant for a further 2 months following your recovery
- 2 months afterwards if you are female
- 3 months afterwards if you are male or if both partners travelled
These measures reduce the chance of sexual transmission of ZIKV and/or the risk of ZIKV infection in pregnancy.
For further information, see Zika virus infection page.
- 69 additional items in the news archive for this country
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Update April 12, 2024
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French Guiana
French Guiana is a remote region of France covered in thick jungle and wilderness, although you'll also find colonial architecture, eerie prison-camp history and some of the world's most diverse plant and animal life here. It's a strange mix of French law and rainforest humidity where only a few destinations along the coast are easily accessed and travel can be frustratingly difficult as well as expensive.
Leave the planning to a local expert
Experience the real French Guiana. Let a local expert handle the planning for you.
Attractions
Must-see attractions.
Centre Spatial Guyanais
Visiting the Centre Spatial Guyanais and (if you're lucky) seeing a rocket launch are two of French Guiana's biggest highlights. Both need to be arranged…
Camp de la Transportation
The eerie Camp de la Transportation, where prisoners arrived for processing, was the largest prison in French Guiana. Convicts arrived exhausted after 20…
Central Market
Inside Cayenne's market, shoppers will find a vibrant jumble of Amerindian basketry, African-style paintings and carvings, piles of spices at great prices…
Plage Les Hattes
This long stretch of beach is a very important nesting ground for giant leatherback turtles, which can grow up to 600kg. The females come ashore from…
Trésor & Kaw Nature Reserves
The Trésor Nature Reserve is one of French Guiana's most accessible primary rainforest areas, and wandering its 1.75km botanical trail is a great way to…
Once the administrative headquarters of the penal settlement, Île Royale has several restored prison buildings, including a fine prisoner-built chapel and…
Maison de la Reserve Naturelle l'Amana
Amerindian settlements and thick clouds of mosquitoes populate Awala-Yalimopo and Plage Les Hattes, one of the world's most spectacular nesting sites for…
Fort Cépérou
Off the gardened Place Léopold Héder are the remains of Fort Cépérou, perched on land bought in 1643 from the Galibi people by the first French colonists…
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Jan 9, 2013 • 5 min read
The Guianas: Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana hide so well under their blanket of South American jungle that even geography nerds have a hard time…
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Travel Vaccines and Advice for French Guiana
French Guiana is a territory of France and part of the European Union. It is surrounded by Brazil on the South and East, Suriname on the West, and the Atlantic Ocean on the Northeast.
The territory’s population is made of Creole, with minorities being French, Haitians and other groups.
Do I Need Vaccines for French Guiana?
Yes, some vaccines are recommended or required for French Guiana. The National Travel Health Network and Centre and WHO recommend the following vaccinations for French Guiana: COVID-19 , hepatitis A , hepatitis B , typhoid , yellow fever , rabies and tetanus .
See the bullets below to learn more about some of these key immunisations:
- COVID-19 – Airborne – Recommended for all travellers
- Hepatitis A – Food & Water – Recommended for most travellers to the region, especially if unvaccinated.
- Hepatitis B – Blood & Body Fluids – Recommended for travellers to most regions.
- Tetanus – Wounds or Breaks in Skin – Recommended for travelers to most regions, especially if not previously vaccinated.
- Typhoid – Food & Water – Jab lasts 3 years. Oral vaccine lasts 5 years, must be able to swallow pills. Oral doses must be kept in refrigerator.
- Yellow Fever – Mosquito – Required for all travellers over 1 year of age.
- Rabies – Saliva of Infected Animals – Moderate risk country. Vaccine recommended for long-stay travellers and those who may come in contact with animals.
See the tables below for more information:
Yellow fever is a risk to travellers to French Guiana. Ensure you’ve been vaccinated.
Malaria , dengue and Zika are also present. Be sure to bring and use mosquito netting and repellent. Antimalarials may also be recommended based on your itinerary.
See our vaccinations page to learn more about these infections and vaccines. Ready to protect yourself? Book your travel health appointment today by calling or schedule online now .
Do I Need a Visa to Travel to French Guiana?
A visa is not needed for stays in French Guiana under 90 days. Passports must be valid for the duration of a traveller’s stay. Proof of yellow fever vaccination may be required for entry. Proof of yellow fever vaccination is required to enter the country. If you do not have proof of vaccination, you may be vaccinated on site, quarantined or returned to your previous location.
Sources: Embassy of French Guiana and GOV.UK
What is the Climate Like in French Guiana?
French Guiana has a warm and wet tropical climate with even temperatures year round. The trade-winds help stabilise the coastal weather.
The dry season is from June to November and the wet season is from December to May. The northwest has consistent rainfall whilst the rest of French Guiana follows dry and rainy season patterns. The Marawijne River regularly floods surrounding areas with all the rainfall it gets.
The coolest month for French Guiana is January. September is both the driest and warmest month with May being the wettest. Cayenne, the capital city, has average daily highs of the mid 20’s Celsius, sometimes going up to the low 30’s.
French Guiana is typically away from standard hurricane routes.
How Safe is French Guiana?
According to The government of the UK, French Guiana is usually a safe place for travellers as it is quite remote. Here are some helpful tips to keep you safe whilst there.
Avoid flaunting wealth and take necessary precautions in French Guiana. Petty street crime can be common in the major cities especially.
Travellers wishing to go deep into French Guiana should only use well-established sources and tour companies.
What Should I Pack for French Guiana?
Think ahead on what to pack by perusing these suggestions:
- Clothing – French Guiana can often be hot and humid due to its tropical climate. Be sure to pack accordingly for the time of year and the activities you wish to do. Consider items such as sun cream, water-protective gear, and bathing suits.
- Health Kit – It is always useful to have important first aid kit items whilst travelling. Consider bringing a traveller’s diarrhoea kit as well.
- Insect Repellent – French Guiana has a variety of mosquito-borne diseases. Be sure to bring repellent with you for added protection.
Embassy of the United Kingdom in French Guiana
If you are in French Guiana and have an emergency (for example, been attacked, arrested or someone has died) contact the nearest consular services. Contact the embassy before arrival if you have additional questions on entry requirements, safety concerns or are in need of assistance.
While there is no consulate or embassy in French Guiana, it is served by the British embassy in Paris:
British Embassy Paris 35, rue du Faubourg St Honoré Paris Cedex 08 75383 Paris France Telephone: +33 (0) 1 44 51 31 00 Emergency Phone: +33 (0)1 44 51 31 00 Fax: +33 (0) 1 44 51 31 09 Contact Form: Click Here
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On This Page: Do I Need Vaccines for French Guiana? Do I Need a Visa to Travel to French Guiana? What is the Climate Like in French Guiana? How Safe is French Guiana? What Should I Pack for French Guiana? Embassy of the United Kingdom in French Guiana
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French Guiana Travel Advisory. Travel Advisory. July 17, 2023. French Guiana - Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions. Reissued with obsolete COVID-19 page links removed. Exercise normal precautions in French Guiana. Read the country information page for additional information on travel to French Guiana. If you decide to travel to French Guiana:
FCDO travel advice for French Guiana. Includes safety and security, insurance, entry requirements and legal differences.
Monitor travel advisories and alerts and read travel tips from the US Department of State. Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). ... Use the Healthy Travel Packing List for French Guiana (France) for a list of health-related items to consider packing for your trip. Talk to your doctor about which items are most important for you.
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.
Travelers to French Guiana may experience border closures, airport closures, travel prohibitions, stay at home orders, business closures, and other emergency conditions within French Guiana related to COVID-19. Visit the Embassy's COVID-19 page for more information on COVID-19 in French Guiana. Read the country information page.
Road travel If you are planning to drive in French Guiana, see information on driving abroad and check the rules of the road in the RAC's France guide as French driving laws apply. The guide ...
Travel advice help and support. If you're abroad and you need emergency help from the UK government, contact the nearest British embassy, consulate or high commission. If you need urgent help ...
COVID-19 Traveler Information page on travel.state.gov CDC page on COVID-19 French Guiana Country Information and French Guiana Travel Advisory on travel.state.gov For medical assistance while in French Guiana, you may consult our list of medical resources in French Guiana. View the U.S. Embassy Paramaribo, Suriname's Most Recent Alerts
French Guiana Travel Advisory On September 13, 2021 September 13 SD2018 Update to information on getting a COVID-19 vaccine if you live in French Guiana ('Coronavirus' page)
Advice for All Destinations COVID-19. Read the information on the COVID-19: Health Considerations for Travel page for advice on travelling during the COVID-19 pandemic.. Vaccinations and malaria risk. Review both the Vaccination and Malaria sections on this page to find out if you may need vaccines and/or a malaria risk assessment before you travel to this country.
Yemen Travel Advisory: Level 4: Do Not Travel: December 19, 2023: Zambia Travel Advisory: Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions: July 31, 2023: Zimbabwe Travel Advisory: Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution: June 27, 2023: French Guiana Travel Advisory: Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions: July 17, 2023: British Virgin Islands Travel Advisory
Yellow fever is a risk to travellers to French Guiana. You can find further information on the website of the WHO. General Travel Advice. Irish citizens need a valid passport or passport card to enter French Guiana. French Guiana is an Overseas Department of France and part of the European Union.
French Guiana. South America. French Guiana is a remote region of France covered in thick jungle and wilderness, although you'll also find colonial architecture, eerie prison-camp history and some of the world's most diverse plant and animal life here. It's a strange mix of French law and rainforest humidity where only a few destinations along ...
Passport validity requirements. Your passport must have an 'expiry date' at least 3 months after the date you plan to leave French Guiana. Check with your travel provider that your passport ...
Travel advice and advisories by destination. The Government of Canada's official source of travel information and advice, the Travel Advice and Advisories help you to make informed decisions and travel safely while you are outside Canada. ... french-guiana French Guiana: Take normal security precautions. 2024-04-15 13:01:11: french-polynesia ...
Canada and French Guiana. Services for Canadians if you're visiting, studying, working or doing business in French Guiana. Includes information about coming to Canada. Travel advice and advisories - French Guiana. Exercise normal security precautions. Travel advice, passport and entry requirements, health and safety information, and more.
From £8355 189 days ex flights. See all our French Guiana Holidays Give us a call. Written by Joanna Simmons. French Guiana travel guide. Honest and easy to read 2 minute summary on French Guiana with useful map and highlights to help you make the most of your time. Find out more in our French Guiana travel guide.
Information on travel disruption due to recent extreme weather ('Warnings and insurance' page). Travel Advisory Published: April 17, 2024 15:20 … Read More
Travel Vaccines and Advice for French Guiana. French Guiana is a territory of France and part of the European Union. It is surrounded by Brazil on the South and East, Suriname on the West, and the Atlantic Ocean on the Northeast. The territory's population is made of Creole, with minorities being French, Haitians and other groups.
If you plan to live in French Guiana, consult the UK Department for Work and Pensions ( DWP) about long-term entitlement to healthcare under the French national system. DWP Overseas Medical ...
You can call FCDO in London if you need urgent help because something has happened to a friend or relative abroad. Telephone: 020 7008 5000 (24 hours) Find out about call charges. FCDO travel ...
In a landmark move to bolster regional security and defence, Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana yesterday signed a security Common Master Plan. A release from the Ministry of Home Affairs said ...