A small but intriguing destination, its tropical rainforests, stunning coastlines, and diverse wildlife make it a unique and captivating place. No visit to French Guiana would be complete without exploring the vast Amazonian rainforest, which covers over 90% of the country. While the town of Cacao is the gateway to the famous Guiana Space Centre used by the European Space Agency and other international partners for launching rockets and satellites. Contrast this with the charming capital city of Cayenne which offers a mix of French colonial architecture, vibrant markets, and delicious cuisine. For the adventurous type, the Kaw Nature Reserve is home to diverse wildlife such as jaguars, anteaters, and caimans, while the stunning beaches of Remire-Montjoly offer a tranquil escape from the jungle, with opportunities for surfing, paddle boarding, and kiteboarding.
Top Recommendations
- Iles du Salut, peaceful tropical islands with the ruins of South America’s most notorious penal colony
- The Guiana Space Centre, one of the world’s busiest satellite launchers (about 9 per year)
- Cacao, with its sparkling rivers, Hmong residents and colour market days, a surreal piece of Laos in South America
- Jaw-dropping numbers of leatherback turtles swimming ashore to lay their eggs at Awala-Yalimop (April to July)
- Journey into the rainforest on a two-day trek along the Sentier Molokoi de Cacao
- Stroll the colourful streets of Cayenne, sampling the vibrant markets, ethnic diversity colonial architecture and tasty Creole fare
When to Visit
The best time to visit French Guiana is during the dry season, which runs from June to November when the weather is generally sunny and pleasant. However, it’s important to note that French Guiana’s climate can be unpredictable, and the region is prone to tropical storms and heavy rainfall, even during the so-called dry season.
Average monthly high and low temperatures, plus average monthly rainfall and days with rain can be seen below for Cayenne.
Everitts Adventures 