Canada Raises Travel Advisory for Guyana Amid High Crime

Canada updated its travel advisory for Guyana on May 5 2026, urging Canadians to exercise a high degree of caution due to widespread petty and violent crime. The advisory notes that criminals frequently target foreigners and returning Guyanese, with offences such as homicides, assaults, armed robberies, break‑ins, vehicle theft and carjackings reported nationwide and linked to illegal drug trafficking.

Travelers are warned to avoid walking alone after dark, stay away from deserted areas, keep vehicle doors locked, avoid carrying large amounts of cash and refrain from using street money changers. The guidance recommends staying in secure accommodation, using reputable hotel‑linked taxis and avoiding overloaded public minibuses. Specific high‑risk neighbourhoods in Georgetown include Stabroek, Tiger Bay, Albouystown, Sophia, Bourda, Buxton, East Ruimveldt and West Ruimveldt, as well as tourist sites such as Stabroek Market, Bourda Market, the Botanical Gardens, the National Park and the sea wall.

Outside the capital, the East Coast Demerara region (especially Buxton and Friendship), East Bank Demerara and New Amsterdam are flagged as risky. The advisory also highlights a volatile security situation along Guyana’s border with Venezuela, urging use of official crossings with Brazil or Suriname only. Poor road conditions, drunk driving, roaming livestock and frequent fatal accidents are cited, along with risks of pirate attacks and armed robbery on coastal waters. Women traveling alone may face harassment. The warning comes as Guyana’s booming oil sector attracts significant international investment and a large diaspora of Canadians, Americans and Britons who travel there annually. Canada advises travellers to monitor local media, follow authorities’ instructions and ensure comprehensive travel‑insurance coverage.