Guyana, South America's Hidden Treasure

Guyana, South America’s Hidden Treasure

At first, Guyana wasn’t on my travel wish list. My husband had been living in America for decades but wanted to reconnect with family back home. The idea of spending ten whole days there made me anxious. Honestly? I didn’t know what to expect, and what little research I did left me skeptical. But what started as a trip I dreaded turned into one of the most beautiful, eye-opening adventures of my life.

Preparing for the Unexpected

I’ll admit—I tried to talk my husband out of it. My co-workers encouraged me to give it a chance, so I reluctantly researched Guyana. What I found scared me more: collapsed bridges, limited infrastructure, no hot water or air conditioning. “I’m not staying with family,” I told my husband. “We’re booking hotels.” He agreed and even promised a few nights at a lakefront resort. That small compromise gave me the push I needed.

The Journey Begins

We drove to Miami from North Carolina, a 14-hour drive, for our JetBlue flight—road trips are our thing, so the extra miles didn’t bother us. The plane was crowded and to my surprise, there were only four Guyanese people aboard, including my husband. Everyone else were American born and traveling to Guyana for various reasons. The flight was uneventful. I slept almost the whole time and before I knew it, we had landed in Guyana. To my surprise, the airport was modern, colorful, and easy to navigate. Customs was a breeze, and as a spouse, I even got to use the Guyanese citizen line. A warm welcome right from the start. My husband’s friend picked us up from the airport, but it was already midnight, so I couldn’t see anything while we drove to the hotel.

First Stay: Joseph Apartments

Our first night was at Joseph Apartments, in an area called Amelia's Ward, a simple motel-style guesthouse costing just $20 USD per night. The room was small but clean, with a bed, bathroom, and—thank goodness—hot water. Travel Tip: Don’t expect luxury everywhere in Guyana but do expect warm hospitality and unbeatable prices. After we settled into the room, we showered, snacked on some chips and called it a night. We stayed for a total of two nights. The second day, we got to walk around the area. There were no street signs. This was odd and intriguing at the same time. How does the mailman know who or where to deliver mail I asked. They just know, he replied. Later that night, we went to a dinner and comedy shop. It was the first time I had trouble understanding the accent. The comedian talked fast and with a different dialect than my husband’s. Still, all in English but just different. So, while he sat there laughing at the jokes, I honestly had no clue what was going on.

A Touch of Culture Guyana

The next day we met with his family over delicious food. A restaurant that served—mixed rice, plantains, and fish. Sadly, I cannot recommend it because the restaurant permanently closed a short time later. But the restroom stop afterward was my first taste of culture shock: no soap. From that point on, my Lysol wipes and hand sanitizer were my constant companions. Nowhere in my research did it speak about the lack of soap but thank goodness, I do not go anywhere without Lysol and sanitizer. We said our goodbyes and did a bit of sightseeing. Driving around, I noticed something else: cars in Guyana drive on the right side, but with the steering wheel also on the right. That was new for me! We drove over the Demerara Bridge and passed several small towns. I saw all types of undomesticated animals roaming freely in the street. The towns were flat with small houses. Some looked as if they were built tin. There were areas where the makeshift homes were small and dilapidated, and others looked like mansions. When we reached Linden, my husband’s hometown, I saw a simpler way of life—unpaved streets, roaming animals, and neighbors rushing to greet him. Some he remembered, and some he did not. I got to see his childhood home in Blueberry Hill, which was still standing and was being remodeled. They also had a fruit tree. The tiny home was beautiful, and I could picture my husband’s life there based on some of the stories he shared.

We stayed in Linden for a few hours and then took the ride to his cousin’s house where we would stay for the night. I was angry at my husband because he sprung that one on me. He told me his cousin would be the one to drive us to the lake resort and we needed to get up early in the morning to catch the ferry. Being that we would not have a ride to the ferry, it was a sealed deal. Driving to his cousin’s house I was pissed but the country’s land make-up of trees from the Amazon Basin and dirt roads put me at a calm peace. Nothing but trees for miles. No stores, no streetlights, stop signs, crossroads, just the road and tranquility.

A Night at His Cousins

We arrived at a massive light green concrete home. There was a gate surrounding the property with big, beautiful plants everywhere. Entering the house, I was a little shocked and somewhat disappointed. There were two sets of living room furniture there. The couches were pushed into a position facing one another. The only way to sit on it would be to climb over one couch. I had asked my husband what the deal with that was because at this point, this was the third house we visited like this. None of the two sets matched. He had explained that a house that had more than one living room set was considered well-off. It meant you could afford things. I shrugged it off and was ready to shower. We were out all day. I was hot and sticky and wanted to wash off the day’s events. To my surprise, the big and beautiful house did not have a shower, tub or sink. His cousin ran some water from the hose outside and brought up a bucket for me to bathe. I just declined and told myself, I would shower at the lake house the next day. My husband laughed at me. I explained that when I was child, my grandmother also did not have a bathroom in her home, so the bucket and water bathing system was nothing new to me. But the bucket had been sitting outside and that was the determining factor.

The bedroom was big with a queen-size bed and a mosquito net to surround it, but the room was very hot. The windows were open, but there was no air flowing through them. Apparently, I laid against the net, so the mosquitos were still able to bite me. Here I was being bit everywhere, laying in pure humidity and not so fresh. To make matters worse, my husband could only sleep with his leg over mine. What a sleepless night it was. The next morning, we got up around 3 AM to catch the ferry. It only crossed the river once per day. I placed on my clothes from the night before and hopped in the van so we could get there in time. We arrived a bit early, so we got out to get snacks from a street vendor who sold plantain chips. It was my first time having them and they were so fresh, lightly salted and savory. I asked for another bag for the ride. Finally, the ferry arrived. Fear crept into my soul. The ferry was made of wood and was huge but looked as if it would fall apart at a moment’s notice. I expressed my thoughts to my husband, but he shrugged them off. Just then, the ferry motioned for drivers to drive their cars on the massive boat. I could not believe that it was strong enough to hold the number of cars it did. We exited the car and climbed onto the boat. The ride was about an hour. Once again, I attempted to go to the bathroom but to my chagrin, there was no soap, running water or tissue. I opted to just wait until we arrived. The hour ride on the river was peaceful. However, it was the first time I had seen water so brown the whole ride.

We arrived on the other side and my husband’s cousin was there to pick us up and drive us to Mainstay. The ride was long and bumpy was an understatement. The roads were not paved but they were not flat and smooth either. About an hour into our drive, we were there. And there it was, my calm and happy place.

Escape to Mainstay Resort

Our trip completely shifted once we arrived at Mainstay Lakefront Resort on the Essequibo Coast. Picture this: tiny blue cottages overlooking a glassy lake, mango trees scattered across the property, and peaceful silence everywhere you turn. The cottages were spacious, with porches perfect for watching the water. Mainstay was a place for us to reconnect without any distractions. Mornings started with room service or a hearty buffet served by staff. Food Highlight: Fresh mangoes falling right from the trees—my husband picked them, rinsed them, and ate them each day. Nights were serene with light conversation and a view of the lake. On the ride there, I remember seeing man carrying live iguanas. My husband explained they are used in curry dishes. Later that night, I reluctantly tried iguana curry. Believe it or not—it tasted like chicken! Still, after a few bites, I could not continue. I enjoyed everything else, and the peacefulness was all I needed. We stayed there for three nights and then crossed over to Georgetown.

Must-Do: If you visit Guyana, do not miss Mainstay. Even if you skip the iguana curry, the peaceful lake views alone are worth the trip.

Bustling Georgetown

After our peaceful lake retreat, we returned to the capital, Georgetown. We stayed at the Millennium Hotel, a gorgeous property run by former New Yorkers. The rooms were beautiful, though the restaurant was… let’s just say memorable (who knew fried chicken would not taste like fried chicken). The city itself was alive—chaotic traffic, constant honking, and a fast-paced vibe.

The Street Market Experience

The highlight? The Stabroek Market in Georgetown was a big thing there and at night, street vendors sold sizzling hot food well past midnight. I ordered Callaloo with rice and fried fish, and it was some of the freshest food I have ever had. Seeing vibrant street life at midnight was unforgettable. The market would remind you of a dark colored church from the outside. On the inside, it was filled with little makeshift stores and stands welcoming tourists to try all that they had to offer. Inside was dark with only sunlight used to brighten the place. I remember my husband telling me not to pull out my phone for pictures because it could be easily taken. I did As I was told and stayed close to him. He’d told me some of the horror stories there. I didn’t want to be apart of it.

Travel Tip: Always stick to bottled water. While the fresh juices look tempting, my American stomach was not ready for them.

Falling in Love with Guyana

Here is the twist: after 10 days in Guyana, I didn’t want to leave. I actually asked my husband if we could extend our stay—or even move there! To my surprise, I, a self-proclaimed “city girl,” had fallen in love with Guyana’s peaceful beauty and warm culture. I just wanted to stay and drink up all that tranquility and peace that my mind and body experienced while there. I knew we couldn’t stay, but I vowed to go back.

Back to the U.S.: Miami

Before we blinked, we were back in the U.S. As much as I loved Miami, when we arrived, it felt crowded and loud. People were everywhere. Tall buildings invaded the streets, and nothing felt like home. Still, we enjoyed our Miami nightlife and the ocean. Miami beach happens to be one of our favorite destinations, so regardless, we were going to make the best of it.

Final Thoughts

Guyana is more than a destination—it’s an experience. From serene lake views to bustling street markets, it challenged my expectations and captured my heart.

If you’ve never been, I encourage you to go. And if you need help planning your trip, visit www.simplisticexpeditions.com—we’d love to help you make it happen.

Here are a few extras to help make your decision to visit an easy one.

Travel Guide Extras

What to Pack for Guyana

• Hand sanitizer & wipes – Soap isn’t always available in public restrooms.

• Light, breathable clothing – It’s warm and humid.

• Comfortable walking shoes – Expect unpaved streets in some towns.

• Insect repellent – A must, especially near lakes and rivers.

• Travel adapter – For charging your devices.

• Bottled water budget – Stick with bottled water for peace of mind.

  
  

Top 3 Must-Do Experiences in Guyana

1. Stay at Mainstay Lakefront Resort – Peaceful, scenic, and unforgettable.

2. Explore Georgetown’s Night Markets – Hot street food served well past midnight.

3. Visit Linden (or a local town) – Experience authentic Guyanese culture and history

   
   

Sample 10-Day Guyana Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Georgetown – Settle in at your hotel.

Day 2: Explore Georgetown – Visit the markets, sample local food.

Day 3-4: Drive to Linden – See where locals live and reconnect with the roots of Guyana.

Day 5-7: Mainstay Resort – Relax by the lake, enjoy mango picking, and soak in nature.

Day 8: Return to Georgetown – Evening street markets.

Day 9: Day trip to Demerara or Essequibo River areas.

Day 10: Last morning in Georgetown – Breakfast, pack, and prepare for your flight.

Summary

Why Visit Guyana? 

Affordable stays ($20/night motels to luxury resorts) 

Delicious food (street vendors, fresh fruit, traditional dishes) 

Rich culture (welcoming locals, vibrant markets, unique customs) 

Breathtaking scenery (serene lakes, mango groves, untouched landscapes)

From bustling Georgetown to the calm of Mainstay Resort, Guyana offers the perfect balance of adventure and peace.