French Guiana

French Guiana is a French overseas territory on the northeast coast of South America, where dense Amazonian rainforest meets a narrow, lived-in coastal strip. Its blend of European administration, Creole culture and tropical nature makes it a distinctive destination for travellers seeking rainforest, wildlife and space history.

Cayenne, the capital, is the main entry point and cultural hub, known for its colonial architecture, markets and carnival. Kourou is home to the Guiana Space Centre, Europe's main spaceport, while Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni and the Îles du Salut reflect the territory's penal-colony past.

Beyond the towns, French Guiana is dominated by Amazonian forest, including the protected Guiana Amazonian Park. Rivers such as the Maroni and Oyapock, coastal wetlands and beaches such as Awala-Yalimapo, a major nesting site for leatherback turtles, shape much of the visitor experience.

The territory is an outermost region of the European Union, and its economy and international profile are closely tied to the space sector, fisheries, gold and trade with neighbouring Brazil and Suriname. Creole cuisine, carnival and a mix of indigenous, African, Asian and French influences add to its cultural appeal.

Transport is concentrated along the coast, with Félix Éboué Airport near Cayenne, a paved coastal road and limited public transport. The interior is reached mainly by air or river, so private transfers, chauffeur services, rental cars and organised boats make travel between airports, towns, hotels and sights more straightforward.