French Guiana
French Guiana blends Amazonian rainforest, majestic rivers and the Kourou Space Centre. Hostel Toucan manages most of its accommodations here, around Cayenne and along the coast, for nature getaways as well as business trips.
At a glance
- Area
- 83,846 km² (≈ 1/6 of mainland France)
- Capital
- Cayenne
- Population
- ~290,000 inhabitants
- Status
- French overseas department and region (DROM)
- Currency
- Euro (€)
- Language
- French (+ Guianese Creole, Bushinengé and Amerindian languages)
- Time difference
- -5 h in winter / -6 h in summer compared to Paris
- Dialing code
- +594
Practical info
Formalities
No passport required for French and European nationals: French Guiana is French territory. A valid national ID card or passport is enough. For non-EU travelers, the Schengen visa does not automatically apply — check the specific conditions for the overseas departments (DROM).
Health
Yellow fever is the only mandatory vaccine (to be done at least 10 days before departure). An antimalarial treatment is advised if you plan to travel up the rivers or stay in the interior. Remember mosquito repellent and protection against dengue, which is present along the coast.
Money & electricity
Payment in euros, bank cards accepted along the coast (Cayenne, Kourou, Saint-Laurent). Bring cash for the interior. Plugs and voltage identical to mainland France (230 V, type E) — no adapter needed.
Connection
Decent mobile coverage along the coastal strip, almost nonexistent once you enter the forest. Take the chance to disconnect.
When to go?
French Guiana follows the rhythm of two seasons, not four:
- Dry season (mid-July to mid-November) — the best period. Tracks are passable, rivers navigable, skies clear to watch an Ariane launch. It is also the nesting season for leatherback turtles on the western beaches (April to July for nesting, until September for hatchings).
- Rainy season (December to mid-July) — with a drier "little summer of March" in March. Explosive vegetation, full waterfalls, but high humidity.
Constant temperature all year round: 26 to 30 °C. It is never cold in French Guiana — it is humid.
Getting there & around
Getting there
Félix-Éboué airport (Cayenne–Matoury) is served by direct flights from Paris-Orly (≈ 8 h 30) by Air France, Air Caraïbes and French Bee, as well as from the French West Indies and Belém (Brazil). Expect generally between 500 € and 900 € for a round trip from mainland France depending on the season.
Getting around
Renting a car is essential: public transport is limited and the sights have to be earned. The only major route, the RN1/RN2, links Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni (west) to Saint-Georges-de-l'Oyapock (east, the Brazilian border) by way of Cayenne and Kourou. For the interior, you swap the steering wheel for a dugout canoe, the only way to travel up the Maroni or the Approuague.
💡 Hostel Toucan's tip : Book your vehicle at the same time as your accommodation — we offer a car rental from 35 €/day with direct pickup at the airport.
Book a car →Top things to do
The Guiana Space Centre (Kourou)
The only European spaceport, and the visit is free. Book in advance to attend an Ariane 6 or Vega launch: watching a rocket tear up above the forest remains a rare experience. The Space Museum rounds out the visit.
The Salvation Islands
Off the coast of Kourou, the former penal colony (Île Royale, Île Saint-Joseph, Île du Diable made famous by Dreyfus and Papillon) can be visited in a day or a night. Monkeys, agoutis, coconut palms and a heavy history: a striking site.
Traveling up a river by dugout canoe
The beating heart of the trip. From Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni, you head up toward the Bushinengé and Amerindian villages; from Régina, you venture along the Approuague toward the falls. A night in a carbet, hammock and mosquito net: the Amazon in its most intimate version.
The Kaw marshes
Two hours from Cayenne, this nature reserve is home to black caimans, scarlet ibises and a spectacular biodiversity observed at night by boat. Unforgettable.
Old Cayenne and its markets
Place des Palmistes, colorful Creole houses, Fort Cépérou and above all the Saturday morning market: Chinese soup, aouara broth at Easter, spices and crafts. The best way to taste French Guiana.
Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni
Former penitentiary capital, a vibrant border town facing Suriname, the starting point toward the Upper Maroni. Its Camp de la Transportation can be visited with a guide.
Where to stay: towns to know
| Town | For whom? | Vibe |
|---|---|---|
| Cayenne | First time, city life, markets | Creole capital, restaurants, ideal base |
| Rémire-Montjoly | Beaches & families | Coastal beaches, more residential |
| Matoury | Close to the airport | Practical, quiet, quick access |
| Kourou | Space & the Salvation Islands | Space industry, departure for excursions |
| Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni | Adventure & river | History, dugout canoe, border |
French Guiana FAQ
Do I need a passport to go to French Guiana?
No, a French ID card is enough: French Guiana is a French department.
What is the best season?
The dry season, from mid-July to mid-November, ideal for the forest, the rivers and the Ariane launches.
Is French Guiana dangerous?
As everywhere, caution is advised in certain neighborhoods at night, but a well-prepared stay along the coast and on supervised excursions goes smoothly.
How much does a trip to French Guiana cost?
Expect a flight at 500–900 €, a car from 35 €/day and accommodation from 50 €/night. An average budget of 80–120 €/day/person excluding the flight is realistic.
Where to stay in French Guiana?
Hotels are scarce in French Guiana. Our 21 furnished properties — studios, apartments and villas — book by the night just like a hotel, with a fitted kitchen, cleaning included and self check-in at any hour.
Our accommodations in French Guiana
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Residence · 13 units Cayenne
Résidence Francis — Chill & Piscine
A residence with a swimming pool in the heart of Cayenne (Montabo district): air-conditioned studios and apartments, perfect for both business and leisure stays.
Cayenne
Sweet Dreams — Chill & Piscine
A cosy apartment with pool access in Cayenne, ideal for relaxing after a day of sightseeing or work.
Cayenne (Zac Hibiscus)
Cayenne Chic 1
Cayenne Chic 1 apartment with an elegant tropical-wood design, set in the residence in Cayenne (Zac Hibiscus). Breakfast available as a paid option.
Reading about French Guiana
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Guide pratique Visiting Cayenne from Suriname for shopping or a medical appointment: an apartment for the night
A day of shopping or a medical appointment in Cayenne rarely fits into one day from Suriname. Book a full apartment online, pay in euros, and drive home rested.
Guide pratique Paramaribo to Cayenne by road: where to sleep once you arrive
Driving from Suriname to French Guiana? After the Maroni crossing and the long road east, here is where to sleep in Cayenne — real apartments, online booking, prices in euros.
Practical guide French Guiana: What to Know Before You Book Your Trip
French Guiana for non-French travellers: Schengen status, the mandatory yellow fever vaccine, French as the service language, the euro and flights via Paris.
Practical guide Can you watch a Kourou launch from Cayenne?
Watching an Ariane 6 or Vega-C launch from Cayenne, Rémire-Montjoly or Matoury: what you really see at 60 km, the best vantage points and where to look.
Practical guide Watching a launch for free in Kourou: the best public spots
The free public spots for watching Ariane 6 or Vega-C lift off at Kourou: sightlines, when to arrive, parking and the mistakes that ruin the evening.
Practical guide Why do rocket launches get postponed? The 7 real causes
Weather, technical faults, high-altitude wind, a boat in the zone: the real causes of a launch delay at Kourou, the usual timeframes and how to protect your trip.
Practical guide What to pack for a launch day in Kourou: the checklist
Full checklist for watching a rocket launch in Kourou: repellent, water, a seat, a red headlamp, ID. What changes between an official site and a public spot.
Practical guide How much does a trip to watch a rocket launch in Kourou cost?
The real budget for a launch trip to French Guiana: flights, accommodation, car, meals, excursions. Three costed scenarios and the items everyone forgets.
Practical guide Photographing a rocket launch at Kourou: gear and camera settings
Settings, focal lengths and tripod advice for photographing an Ariane 6 or Vega-C launch at Kourou, by day or by night — and what actually works on a phone.
Trust
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Companies and institutions that book their stays in French Guiana, Martinique and Guadeloupe with Hostel Toucan.
