Antigua and Barbuda • Colombia • Costa Rica • Barbados • Dominican Republic • Fiji • Ecuador • Gambia • Chile • Belize • Grenada • Haiti • Indonesia • Ireland • Malaysia • Mauritius • Dominica • South Korea • Lesotho • Peru • Uruguay • Vanuatu • Jamaica • Micronesia • South Africa • Trinidad and Tobago • Yemen • Argentina • Swaziland • Panama Philippines • Bahamas • Botswana • Saint Vincent and the Grenadines • Saint Kitts and Nevis Brazil • Russia • Saint Lucia • Singapore • Suriname •
Above is a list of countries that you can visit visa-free if you have a Guyanese passport. Now, if you've traveled as much as I have or even had to apply for any kind of visa to explore some new place outside of the Caribbean, then you would understand why some people would prefer to look at a list of beautiful countries they can visit without having to deal with the hassle of gathering, notarizing and copying reams of documents. Although the thrill of adventure and memories are always worth it, some destinations are better left undiscovered (for now). If you choose to avoid visiting certain countries because of complicated visa policies or you just dare to be different, scroll down and get to know more about some magical cities and sites you might want to consider. Keep in mind that visa policies and requirements are always changing so feel free to click the link at the bottom of this page to view updates.
Flights can be pretty expensive, not to mention stressful with all the security checks, weight restrictions and dealing with baggage claim. If you're traveling from Guyana, countries such as Colombia, Brazil, Peru, Ecuador and Bolivia can be accessed without flying but if it is your preference then there are many sites online where you can find cheap airfares instead of going to the travel agencies around town. Websites such as ITA Matrix, Hipmunk, Momondo and Flightfox are all known for the lowest offers.
If you're the adventurous sort looking for a South American escapade, you could take any overnight bus from Georgetown to Lethem, Guyana, which takes about thirteen hours, cross the border and go to the Brazilian immigration office in Bonfim to stamp your passport. There are buses and cars just outside that office that can take you to Boa Vista in less than four hours. Once you've arrived in Boa Vista, you could always book a room at a hotel or hostel or you could take another overnight bus, this time to Manaus. Most buses have semi-cama seats and WiFi so you can sleep while traveling and by taking this option, you save some money by not paying for a room. From Manaus, you can take a boat to your next destination. Marco and I once took a boat ride for seven days with just our backpacks and hammocks. If you have never done something like this before, you might have some reservations. I've had them too but adventure awaits and you must be willing to take some chances. The boat ride from Manaus to Tabatinga takes you through the Rio Negro and offers breathtaking sunsets, Forro music at nights on deck and the natural beauty of the amazon and all its wonders and charm. Be sure to look out for the dolphins, monkeys and exotic bird and remember to smile at all the indigenous families you will come across!
Machu Picchu According to travelers, a visit to this Peruvian UNESCO World Heritage site is a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. Located in the Andes Mountains, the lost city of the Incas features 12 acres of temples, aqueducts and gardens for travelers to discover. Spend a few days acclimating to the altitude in the neighboring city of Cusco, where you can soak up a mix of Incan and Spanish cultures. (GETTY IMAGES)
Bali, Indonesia Ancient temples, imposing landscapes and legendary sunsets are enough for any traveler to daydream of Bali. This Indonesian island offers some of the best beaches in the world, along with volcanic mountains, elephant sanctuaries and a wealth of five-star resorts. Getting here isn't cheap, but travelers seeking seclusion in an exotic locale agree it's worth the trek for the photo ops alone. (GETTY IMAGES)
St. Petersburg, Russia
The second largest city in Russia, St. Petersburg is the country’s cultural heart. View splendid architectural gems like the Winter Palace and the Kazan Cathedral, and give yourself plenty of time to browse the world-renowned art collection of the Hermitage. Sprawling across the Neva River delta, St. Petersburg offers enough art, nightlife, fine dining and cultural destinations for many repeat visits.
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
With its plentiful beaches, dramatic mountains, and backdrop of samba and Bossa nova rhythms, it's easy to fall in love with Rio de Janeiro. Made famous in song, Ipanema Beach is still the place to stroll, sunbathe, and be seen. The largest Art Deco statue in the world, Christ the Redeemer, beckons visitors to Corcovado Mountain. Rio’s annual Carnaval celebrations are bacchanalian extravaganzas of feasting, music, dance, and costumed revelry.
Cusco, a city in the Peruvian Andes, was once capital of the Inca Empire, and is now known for its archaeological remains and Spanish colonial architecture. Plaza de Armas is the central square in the old city, with arcades, carved wooden balconies and Incan wall ruins. The baroque Santo Domingo Convent was built on top of the Incan Temple of the Sun (Qoricancha), and has archaeological remains of Inca stonework.
Spanish landmarks like the 17th-century cathedral used Inca masonry as foundations, and for construction. Above the city, the hilltop complex of Sacsayhuamán has distinctive zigzag dry-stone walls, plus views over red-tiled roofs and the surrounding mountains. Set at an altitude of 3,400m, Cusco is the gateway to further Inca sites in the Urubamba (Sacred) Valley and on the Inca Trail, a multiday trek that ends at the mountain citadel of Machu Picchu.
Lima, the capital of Peru, lies on the country's arid Pacific coast. Though its colonial center is preserved, it's a bustling metropolis and one of South America’s largest cities. It's home to the Museo Larco collection of pre-Columbian art and the Museo de la Nación, tracing the history of Peru’s ancient civilizations. The Plaza de Armas and the 16th-century cathedral are the heart of old Lima Centro.
Other Lima Centro landmarks include the baroque Convent of San Francisco and Torre Tagle Palace. Downtown, the Parque de la Reserva’s Magic Water Circuit features 13 interactive fountains choreographed to music and light. Lima’s barrios include Miraflores, where many of the bars and restaurants are, as well as the Malecón clifftop promenade overlooking the Pacific. San Isidro is a barrio with upscale shopping. The hip, seaside Barranco neighborhood is known for nightlife. Lima is also renowned for its vibrant food scene, encompassing specialties from ceviche to refined global fare.
