Explore a destination where lush Amazon rainforests, multicultural culture, and renowned space expeditions unite. The things to do in French Guiana include enjoying breathtaking nature reserves and picturesque towns, as well as seeing rare species of animals and the unique Guiana Space Centre, making every visit a lifetime memory.

When to Visit French Guiana

The best time to visit French Guiana would be the dry season because of the favorable weather conditions that will allow you to enjoy various outdoor activities.

• February to April: Ideal for trekking, wildlife watching, and exploring the rainforest.

• August to November: Ideal for festivities and outdoor activities.

Given a range of choices from rainforest expeditions to history and space travel, the things to do in French Guiana will surely provide you with memories that you will never forget.

How to Reach French Guiana

Accessing French Guiana is simple and hassle-free owing to the availability of international air transport, road transport, and ferry transport from the neighboring countries.

• Via Air: Traveling to Cayenne-Felix Eboue Airport through flights from Paris and other Caribbean/South American countries.

• Via Road: Travel to French Guiana via land route from Brazil or Suriname through approved border posts.

• Via Boat: Ferry travels to Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni from Suriname.

Once you reach there, you can enjoy all the fun things to do in French Guiana, from exploring the rainforest and wildlife to learning about the area’s space history and culture.

Where to Stay in French Guiana

The accommodation in French Guiana is based on your travel plan. You may choose Cayenne if you want to feel the culture and lively life of the city, Remire-Montjoly for spending your time by the beach; Kourou to explore the space adventure; and Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni for its historical places and rivers.

Tip: It would be a good idea to stay in Cayenne for easy sightseeing tours, stay in Kourou during the rocket launchings, and reserve your lodging in advance, especially in the tourist season.

10 Top Attractions and Things to Do in French Guiana 

Explore the best places to visit in French Guiana with its tropical forests, interesting history, exotic animals and beautiful islands, making it an excellent vacation destination.

1. Visit the Guiana Space Centre, Kourou 

Experience of the Guiana space centre visit is one of the best things to do in French Guiana. Discover Europe’s largest spaceport, get insight into rocket launches via interactive displays, and if you’re lucky, watch a launch live.

• Location: Kourou, French Guiana 

• Entry Fees: Free guided tours (Early registration required)

• Recommended Duration: 3-4 hours

2. Explore the Salvation Islands (Iles du Salut) 

The Salvation Islands tour allows you to visit three beautiful islands that feature lush tropical landscapes, remnants of old prisons, and clear waterways. Boat trips can give you the chance to view wildlife and coastal sceneries.

• Location: Off the coast of Kourou 

• Entry Fees: Free Island entry; Boat tours costs €45-€65 

• Recommended Duration: Full day

3. Discover Devil's Island 

Devil's Island is considered as one of the most famous French Guiana tourist attractions, well known for its intriguing history as a prison colony, beautiful surroundings, and its relation to the Papillon legend.

• Location: Salvation Islands, near Kourou 

• Entry Fees: Included with the Salvation Islands boat tour

• Recommended Duration: 2-3 hours

4. Cruise Through the Kaw Marshes 

Experience real life in the French Guiana rainforest adventure by sailing through the Kaw Marshes, the most bio-rich wetlands in the country. You will encounter the likes of black caimans, monkeys, otters, birds, and Amazon wildlife.

• Location: Kaw-Roura Nature Reserve 

• Entry Fees: Guided boat tours costs €40-€70 

• Recommended Duration: 3-5 hours

5. Relax at Remire-Montjoly Beach 

Remire-Montjoly Beach is one of the most beautiful French Guiana beaches and offers visitors lovely sandy beaches and amazing sea views along with stunning sunsets. This beach is the best place for spending time in leisure and relaxation. 

• Location: Remire-Montjoly, near Cayenne 

• Entry Fees: Free 

• Recommended Duration: 2-4 hours

6. Explore Cayenne's Historic Centre 

Explore the best Cayenne attractions by taking a stroll through vibrant colonial streets, markets, museums, and squares which exemplify the cultural influences from French, Creole, and Caribbean heritage. 

• Location: Cayenne city center 

• Entry Fees: Cayenne city center; Museum charges around €3-€6 

• Recommended Duration: Half day

7. Watch Leatherback Sea Turtles Nest 

Experience the amazing wildlife of French Guiana as giant leatherback sea turtles crawl up onto their beaches to lay eggs during their breeding period from April to July.

• Location: Awala-Yalimapo 

• Entry Fees: Free 

• Recommended Duration: 2-3 hours

8. Hike the Rorota Trail 

Hike along the beautiful Rorota Trail, which passes through rainforests packed with tropical plants, butterflies, birds, and monkeys. Hikers are also rewarded with breathtaking views from the trail of the coast.

• Location: Remire-Montjoly 

• Entry Fees: Free

• Recommended Duration: 2-3 hours

9. Visit Cacao Village 

Enjoy your stay at the beautiful Hmong village of Cacao, where you will be able to visit the vibrant Sunday market, enjoy delicious cuisine, buy unique handicrafts, and relax by the calm riverside with its rainforest backdrop.

• Location: Cacao, French Guiana 

• Entry Fees: Free

• Recommended Duration: 2-4 hours

10. Tour Camp de la Transportation 

Take the tour of this well-maintained former penal colony to understand the history of prisons in French Guiana with informative displays and guided tours of the restored buildings.

• Location: Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni 

• Entry Fees: Cost around €5 

• Recommended Duration: 1-2 hours

7-Day French Guiana Itinerary 

Stick to this French Guiana travel itinerary and discover vibrant cities, rainforest experiences, historical islands, wildlife encounters, and even space travel within seven days of your stay.

At a Glance:

Cayenne → Kourou → Salvation Islands → Cacao Village → Remire-Montjoly → Kaw Marshes → Cayenne 

1. Day 1: Arrive in Cayenne

Reach the Cayenne-Felix Eboue Airport, rent a car, and begin exploring the best means of seeing French Guiana. You can spend an afternoon exploring the city, visiting Fort Ceperou and having a traditional Creole meal at the market.

2. Day 2: Kourou & Guiana Space Centre

Drive to Kourou and explore the world-famous Guiana Space Centre on an organized tour. Learn about the most advanced spaceport in Europe and then unwind at Plage des Roches. In the evening, enjoy a waterfront dinner.

3. Day 3: Salvation Islands

Take the early ferry to the Salvation Islands. Visit the old prison structures on Ile Royale and take in the sight of Devil's Island before returning to Kourou in the evening or spending the night on the island.

4. Day 4: Cacao Village

Visit the beautiful Hmong village of Cacao especially on Sundays when there is an active market going on. Spend some time walking around the handmade stuff and eating Hmong food and then drive down to Remire-Montjoly.

5. Day 5: Remire-Montjoly

Begin your trip by hiking the beautiful Rorota Trail, famous for its rich animal life. Enjoy a break on the beach at Remire-Montjoly and, from April to August, take a night walk to see leatherback turtles laying their eggs.

6. Day 6: Kaw Marshes

Make a visit to the Kaw-Roura Nature Reserve and enjoy yourself in the midst of the wetlands. Have a boat ride in the swamp areas and spot some monkeys, birds, and caimans, after which there will be an exciting night safari ride.

7. Day 7: Departure from Cayenne

Head back to Cayenne for last-minute sightseeing and shopping. Grab some specialities such as spices, rum, or crafts prior to taking the rented vehicle back to the airport.

This itinerary encompasses all the top things to do in French Guiana, guaranteeing a perfectly balanced combination of nature, culture, history, wildlife, and amazing experiences.

Local Foods to Try in French Guiana

Cuisine of French Guiana is the blend of cuisine from Creole, French, Indigenous and African backgrounds. Experience some typical dishes like Bouillon d'Awara, Colombo, Couac and Cassava bread for a flavor of French Guiana.

1. Typical Dishes 

• Bouillon d'Awara:  Bouillon d'Awara is one such dish that symbolizes French Guianese cuisine. It is made from the pulp of awara fruit, chicken, smoked meat, fish, and various other vegetables depending on what season it is.

• Colombo: Derived from the cuisine of the Caribbean region, Colombo curry is a milder curry dish, consisting of meat or chicken along with vegetables and other spices like turmeric and other aromatic spices.

2. Sides and Staples 

• Couac: Couac, which is made from roasted cassava flour, is one of the popular side dishes in French Guiana. It’s soft texture is a great accompaniment to stews, meat and fish dishes.

• Cassava Bread: Using grated root of manioc, this thin and crispy flatbread is a traditional indigenous specialty and is served along with soups and curries.

3. Sweets and Drinks 

• Gateau Caramanioc: This delicious, moist cassava cake is a popular dessert and is very sweet and soft in consistency.

• Ti' Punch: It is a traditional drink that is made using white rum, fresh lime, and cane sugar syrup. It is usually consumed before dinner as an appetizer.

Travel Tips While Visiting French Guiana

Ensure your journey to French Guiana is hassle-free and fun-filled with some well-planned tips. Here are some important traveling tips for French Guiana that will ensure your safety and make your stay enjoyable.

• Always remember to bring your passport because French Guiana is a department overseas of France.

• Arrange a car for sightseeing because there will be places that can’t be accessed via public transport.

• Pack light clothes, sun screen, insect repellent, and an umbrella.

• Use euros (€) to pay everything as credit cards are accepted in all places.

• Remember to learn French phrases as the official language of French Guiana is French.

• Drink plenty of water because of the hot climate.

• Pre-book visits to the Guiana Space Centre and your hotel stay, particularly during rocket launches.

• Be sure to follow all guidelines for wildlife in any nature reserves you visit.

• Check the weather prior to your visit to any rainforests or other outdoor areas.

• Purchase insurance for your trip that covers medical emergencies and any adventure activities.

Adhering to these simple tips will ensure that you have a wonderful time doing the best things to do in French Guiana in the most enjoyable way possible.

Final Thoughts

French Guiana is blessed with unspoiled rainforests, ancient islands, creole culture, and even the space center of Europe; therefore, the destinations and best things to do in French Guiana will suit any traveler craving an exciting destination to visit. The rich and diverse features that French Guiana has in abundance make it a South American destination not to be missed.

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FAQ’s

What is the best time to visit French Guiana? 

The ideal times to visit are during the dry seasons between February to April and August to November.

How many days are enough for French Guiana? 

An ideal itinerary for visiting Cayenne, Kourou, Salvation Islands, forests, beaches, and wildlife would be 7 days.

Do Indian citizens need a visa for French Guiana?

Yes, since French Guiana is a French overseas department, an Indian must have a French/Schengen visa to visit there.

Is French Guiana safe for tourists? 

French Guiana is generally a safe place for tourists to visit. Tourists should practice proper safety measures and respect all travel advisories.

What are the must-see things to do in French Guiana?

Some of the major places which tourists must visit when traveling to French Guiana are the Guiana Space Centre, Salvation Islands, Devil’s Island, Kaw Marshes, Cayenne, and Remire-Montjoly Beach.