Guyana Currency & Money Guide: Exchange, Cards, and Tips

Guyana runs mostly on cash in Guyana Dollars (GYD), with US dollars widely accepted for hotels and tours, and credit cards mainly usable in Georgetown. Plan to exchange money at licensed cambios, withdraw cash before heading into the interior, and tip modestly but consistently for good service.

The official currency is the Guyanese Dollar (GYD), issued by the Bank of Guyana, and you’ll see prices written simply with a dollar sign (e.g. $500 meaning 500 GYD). According to the Bank of Guyana and recent FX data, 1 USD is roughly 209 GYD and 1 SGD is around 160–165 GYD in 2025–2026, so GYD is a low‑value, high‑denomination currency.

You’ll get the best rates by exchanging US dollars at licensed cambios in Georgetown rather than at hotels or the airport. ATMs from local banks are easy to find in the capital but almost non‑existent in the jungle interior, so carry enough cash if you’re visiting Kaieteur Falls or remote lodges. Tipping isn’t strictly mandatory, but 5–10% at restaurants and a few hundred GYD for guides or porters is appreciated.

To keep all these conversions straight, the Hello app can track expenses in multiple currencies with automatic exchange rates—ideal when you’re logging a 15,000 GYD dinner and want to see it instantly in SGD or USD. Combine that with an eSIM from Hello for Guyana to stay connected to maps, banking apps, and your budget while you explore.

Guyana uses the Guyanese Dollar (GYD) as its official currency, and travellers should expect to pay for most day‑to‑day expenses in cash using GYD, even though US dollars are also common for larger transactions like hotels and tours. Understanding the exchange rate before you land makes budgeting much easier.

The Guyanese Dollar has been Guyana’s unit of account since the 19th century and is a free‑floating currency, not pegged to the USD or any other major currency. The central bank, the Bank of Guyana, issues notes in denominations of 20, 50, 100, 500, 1,000 and 5,000 GYD, so you’ll quickly get used to carrying big numbers in your wallet. Recent FX data and tourism guides put the rate at about 1 USD ≈ 209 GYD and 1 SGD ≈ 160–165 GYD in 2025–2026, with low day‑to‑day volatility according to currency trackers and Investopedia.

To put that in real terms, a 20,000 GYD hotel bill is roughly 95–100 USD or 120–130 SGD. A street snack for 300 GYD is just over 1 USD. Because prices are quoted in the thousands, it’s handy to think in rough “GYD to SGD” or “GYD to USD” chunks: 10,000 GYD is about 48 USD; 50,000 GYD is around 240 USD.

The Hello app helps here by automatically converting expenses between currencies, so if your home base is Singapore, you can log costs in GYD and immediately see the amount in SGD, USD, or any other currency you choose—no manual calculations needed.

The best way to handle currency exchange in Guyana is to bring US dollars and change them to GYD at licensed cambios or banks in Georgetown, which generally offer better rates and safer service than hotels or informal street changers. Singapore dollars can be exchanged, but USD is more widely used.

In practice, most travellers arrive with a mix of USD and their home currency, then head to licensed cambios—private foreign exchange houses—to convert into GYD. Local travel resources and operators note that cambios across central Georgetown usually beat both airport kiosks and hotel desks on rate and fees, with spreads close to the official mid‑market rate of roughly 1 USD = 209 GYD as of 2026. Hotels may offer convenience but typically shave a few percent off the rate.

Commercial banks like Republic Bank, Demerara Bank, and Scotiabank also offer currency exchange, though queues can be longer and opening hours more rigid. For peace of mind, always:

• Bring crisp, undamaged USD notes
• Avoid unlicensed street money changers (risk of counterfeit or short‑changing)
• Check the day’s rate at the Bank of Guyana or a trusted FX site before you exchange

If you’re coming from Singapore, exchanging SGD directly into GYD may be possible at major banks, but you’ll usually get a smoother experience and better rate by converting SGD→USD at home, then USD→GYD in Georgetown.

Once you’ve exchanged, you can use the Hello app to log each exchange transaction and see exactly how much you’ve converted into GYD, SGD, or USD, helping you keep track of your overall trip budget.

Credit cards are reliably accepted in Georgetown’s major hotels and upscale restaurants, but Guyana remains a cash‑first country, especially once you leave the capital. Don’t rely on contactless payments or local apps alone—have physical GYD ready for taxis, markets, and interior lodges.

Visa and Mastercard work at most business‑class hotels, international airlines, and high‑end dining spots in Georgetown, though smaller guesthouses, local eateries, and shops can be cash‑only. Contactless terminals do exist, but they’re not universal; treating tap‑to‑pay as a bonus rather than a guarantee is wise.

ATMs from banks such as Republic Bank, Demerara Bank, and Scotiabank are clustered in Georgetown and larger coastal towns, with very limited access deeper inland. Local travel sites advise withdrawing enough cash before you head to destinations like Lethem, Kaieteur Falls, or Rupununi, where remote eco‑lodges may run entirely on cash. Expect per‑withdrawal fees from your home bank and possible local ATM charges—often 3–5 USD per transaction—so it’s better to take out larger amounts less frequently.

Digital payment is growing; MMG (Mobile Money Guyana) is widely used by locals for utility bills and some online services. However, MMG accounts are difficult to set up for short‑term visitors, and most tourists won’t use it. Focus on a mix of cash and cards instead.

To stay on top of withdrawals and card spends, you can log ATM transactions and card payments in the Hello app’s budget tracker, and if you’re travelling with friends, split shared hotel or tour costs in multiple currencies without manually working out exchange rates.

Tipping in Guyana is appreciated but not strictly mandatory, with 5–10% at restaurants and small cash tips for guides, drivers, and hotel staff considered good practice when service is friendly and attentive. Most tips are given in Guyana Dollars, not foreign currency.

In restaurants in Georgetown, some higher‑end venues may add a service charge of around 10% to the bill—if that’s already included, additional tipping is optional. Where there’s no service charge, leaving 5–10% is a polite way to acknowledge good service. On a 6,000 GYD dinner (roughly 29 USD or 40 SGD), a 600–800 GYD tip is typical.

For tours and excursions, particularly in the interior, tipping guides is more common. On a full‑day group tour priced at 30,000 GYD (about 145 USD), many travellers give around 2,000–3,000 GYD per person. Porters or drivers might receive 500–1,000 GYD for helpful service, especially when handling bags or late‑night airport transfers.

Hotel housekeeping can be tipped with smaller notes—say 300–500 GYD per night—left in the room. At small local eateries, rounding up the bill or leaving coins and low‑value notes (100–200 GYD) is fine.

Culturally, Guyanese people are warm but down‑to‑earth; flashy displays of cash aren’t typical. Avoid counting large stacks of bills in public, and keep tips discreet. If you’re tracking what you’re spending on tipping and service charges, the Hello app can categorize these automatically from receipts or voice entries, giving you a clear picture of how much extra you’re adding on top of base prices.

Travel in Guyana is moderately priced by South American standards, with everyday costs fairly affordable but tours and interior logistics driving budgets higher. Avoiding money scams, planning cash ahead, and tracking expenses will help you get the most from your trip without overspending.

According to regional tourism operators, mid‑range travel in Guyana typically looks like:

• Local meal at a casual spot: 2,000–4,000 GYD (10–20 USD) in 2025–2026
• Coffee or snack from a street vendor: 300–600 GYD (1.5–3 USD)
• Mid‑range hotel in Georgetown: 20,000–35,000 GYD per night (95–170 USD)
• Interior eco‑lodge packages with tours and meals: from 60,000–120,000 GYD per person for multi‑day stays

To save money:

• Exchange at licensed cambios or banks, not street changers or hotels
• Withdraw cash in Georgetown before remote trips to avoid emergency exchanges at poor rates
• Pay in GYD rather than USD where possible, as local‑currency prices are often slightly lower
• Eat at local "cook‑up" spots and markets instead of only international restaurants

Here’s a quick comparison of common payment options:

| Payment Method | Best Use Case | Pros | Cons | | Cash (GYD) | Markets, taxis, interior lodges | Widely accepted, simple | Must carry and safeguard; no recovery if lost | | Credit/Debit Card | Hotels, airlines, upscale dining | Secure, good for larger bills | Limited acceptance outside Georgetown; possible FX fees | | USD Cash | Hotels, tours | Widely understood; easy to exchange | Not always accepted for small purchases; watch for poorer direct‑USD pricing |

Common money‑related scams are similar to elsewhere: unofficial street money changers offering “too good” rates, taxi drivers quoting vague prices, or tour prices creeping up with unexplained fees. Agree on prices in GYD upfront and avoid exchanging cash outside banks or cambios.

If you use the Hello app to log each expense, you can see in real time whether you’re sticking to your daily budget and spot any suspicious or overpriced charges quickly.

Most travellers’ top questions about Guyana currency and money revolve around how much cash to bring, whether cards work outside Georgetown, and how to stay connected to manage banking and budgets on the road. Here are clear, practical answers.

Q: What currency does Guyana use?
A: Guyana uses the Guyanese Dollar (GYD) as its official currency. US dollars are also widely accepted for hotels, tours, and larger payments, but everyday purchases like snacks, taxis, and local restaurants are usually paid in GYD.

Q: How much cash should I bring?
A: For a week with some interior travel, many visitors bring the equivalent of 300–500 USD in cash, plus cards. You can exchange more as needed at cambios in Georgetown. If you’re doing remote lodge stays, plan extra cash as ATMs are rare outside the capital.

Q: Are ATMs and cards reliable?
A: ATMs from major banks are available in Georgetown and coastal towns but limited inland. Visa and Mastercard are generally accepted at big hotels and upscale venues; budget guesthouses and local eateries may be cash‑only.

Q: Are digital payment apps like WeChat Pay or PayPay used?
A: International apps such as WeChat Pay or PayPay are not widely used. Locals commonly use MMG (Mobile Money Guyana), but it’s difficult for short‑term visitors to set up, so most travellers rely on cash and cards.

Q: How can I manage money and stay connected in Guyana?
A: Download the Hello app before your trip to track expenses, split costs with friends, and convert currencies automatically. Pair it with a Hello eSIM for Guyana so you arrive connected—making it easy to use maps, access banking apps, and keep your budget on track while exploring Guyana.