Money, Banking & Business Guide

• Travel taxes are included in the cost of airline tickets.
• A Value Added Tax (VAT) of 14% is applied to most goods and services, except those that are zero-rated or VAT-exempt.

Licensed cambios operate throughout Georgetown and other major towns.

Opening hours:

• Monday to Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
• Saturday: 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM

Cambios offer competitive exchange rates and a secure alternative to street currency trading.

Most major resorts, hotels, restaurants, gift shops, and tour operators accept:

• Visa
• MasterCard
• Maestro
• Cirrus
• Traveler’s checks are also accepted in some locations

Cards can also be used at bank counters and ATM machines for withdrawals during banking hours.

Visitors can conveniently withdraw funds using international debit or credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, Cirrus, Maestro) at local ATMs, including those operated by the Bank of Nova Scotia and other major banks.

Offsite ATM Locations

These ATMs are located outside of bank branches and are ideal for easy access across key travel points:

Pegasus Hotel Guyana – Seawall Road, Kingston, Georgetown
Courtyard Mall – Robb Street, Lacytown, Georgetown
Harbour Bridge Mall – Bagotstown, East Bank Demerara
Eugene F. Correia Airport – Ogle, East Coast Demerara
Marriott Hotel – Seawall Road, Kingston
Cheddi Jagan Int’l Airport – Timehri, East Bank Demerara
Massy Stores Guyana Inc. – MovieTowne Mall, Turkeyen, East Coast Demerara

You can also access ATMs at the following Scotiabank Guyana branches, which offer multiple machines and in-person banking services:

• Carmichael Street Branch – 104 Carmichael Street, Georgetown (225-9222 / 225-9305 Exts. 258, 222, 226, 268)
• Robb Street Branch – 63 Robb Street, Lacytown, Georgetown (226-4031 Exts. 238, 224, 241, 223)
• New Amsterdam Branch – 12 Strand, New Amsterdam, Berbice (333-4154/5/7/8 Exts. 226, 228, 231)
• Parika Branch – S ½ Lot 299, Parika, East Bank Essequibo (260-4202-7 Exts. 234, 232, 233, 229)

Tip: To avoid international transaction fees, check with your home bank about partner institutions in Guyana and inform them of your travel dates before using your card abroad.

Most banks operate from Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM.
Some branches offer extended hours:

Extended Hours at Select Branches:

• Demerara Bank (Mahaica, Le Ressouvenir, Diamond):
  Saturday: 8:00 AM – 11:30 AM
• Guyana Bank for Trade & Industry (GBTI)
• Diamond Branch: Saturday 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
• Parika Branch: Sunday 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
• Citizen’s Bank Guyana Ltd.
• Linden Branch: Saturday 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
• Parika Branch: Sunday 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Travel Respectfully, Connect Authentically
Guyana is welcoming and relaxed, but a few cultural tips can go a long way:

• Greetings: A friendly “Good Morning” or “Good Day” is appreciated, especially in rural areas.
• Dress Modestly: Especially in religious or Indigenous communities.
• Tipping: Not mandatory, but a 10% tip is appreciated for good service in restaurants.
• Photography: Always ask before taking photos of people or in sacred spaces.

Community Visits: Respect Indigenous protocols—wait to be invited, avoid littering, and follow your guide’s instructions

Business culture in Guyana favors conservative, professional dress:

• Men: Long or short-sleeved shirts, often with ties; jackets are optional
• Women: Conservative office wear is customary in most business settings

English Spoken, Creolese Heard
Guyana’s official language is English, making communication easy for most visitors. However, you’ll also hear Guyanese Creolese, a unique English-based dialect.

• Common Phrases:
• Wah gwan? – What’s happening?
• Leh we go! – Let’s go!
• Me nah know – I don’t know
  Most signs and documents are in English, and locals are happy to help you with phrases or directions.