Just Back From: Guyana and St Lucia with Carrie

How did you get there?

There is now a direct BA flight from London to Georgetown in Guyana. It touches down briefly in Saint Lucia in both directions, making it easy to add this Caribbean paradise to your holiday – or, alternatively, head straight to Guyana.

Whereabouts did you go?

I flew into Georgetown which is a fascinating city but spent most of my time in the interior of the country, a mixture of savannah and rainforest. I also visited the spectacular Kaieteur Falls on a day trip from Georgetown, which is how most people do it.

Had you been before?

Never – the three Guianas are the only countries in Latin America that I hadn’t visited, so it was very exciting to finally visit one of them. It definitely felt very different to the rest of Latin America! It was also my first time in Saint Lucia so it was great to be able to combine the two.

Which was your favourite:

Place: Iwokrama rainforest in the centre of Guyana was beautiful and we saw so much wildlife, though I also loved Kaieteur Falls for the remote and spectacular setting.

Hotel: I loved Atta Lodge in the Iwokrama rainforest, since it was so close to the canopy walkway, and also Waikin Ranch in the savannah. Anse Chastanet in Saint Lucia was a wonderful place to end.

Excursion: Finding the giant anteaters while we were cycling through the savannah was definitely a highlight – there was a bit of luck involved, but then again this is one of the best places in the world to see them.

What was your most memorable moment?

Flying over Kaiteur Falls and getting a bird’s eye view of the spectacular drop.

Were there any surprises along the way?

The biggest surprise for me was the food – it was absolutely delicious everywhere we went. Guyana is a real melting pot of cultures, and the cuisine really reflects this. Their national dish pepperpot (a stewed meat dish) is one of the tastiest meals I’ve ever eaten.

What tips do you have for travellers wanting to visit the same destinations?

Guyana is one of those places you don’t come across very often anymore.

It’s still very pristine and undeveloped – most of the journeys were on unsealed roads and the lodges were quite simple. However for people with a sense of adventure who like to get off-the-beaten-track and don’t mind forgoing a few creature comforts, it’s an absolutely spectacular destination, one that’s rich in nature, wildlife and culture.

Staying at the lodges was a wonderful experience as many of them have been in the same family for generations and some of the characters we met and stories they told could keep you entertained for weeks! Being able to combine it with a relaxing few days in Saint Lucia at the end is a real bonus too.

Is there anything indispensable to pack or prepare for?

It was very hot everywhere so you just need to be prepared for warm weather. I travelled very light due to the number of small planes I’d be taking, so I wouldn’t advise bringing a huge suitcase!

Any local snacks, dishes or drinks that should be sampled?

I’ve already mentioned pepperpot which is rich braised beef stew flavoured with cinnamon, clove, thyme, and pepper. There is also a big Indian influence in Guyana, and the curries and rotis were excellent.

Any restaurant or bar recommendations?

We ate in the lodges when we were in the interior, but in Georgetown we did a market tour with chef Delven Adams who then prepared a delicious lunch for us at his restaurant the Backyard Café – thoroughly recommended!

Sum up your trip in a sentence?

It was a spectacular journey full of highlights with so much wildlife and wonderful characters.