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

Guyana uses the Guyanese dollar (GYD), while US dollars are commonly accepted by hotels, tour operators, and some larger tourist businesses. Carry GYD cash for taxis, minibuses, markets, small shops, and travel outside Georgetown, because card payments and ATMs become much less reliable in rural and interior areas. Exchange money through banks or licensed cambios, check the day’s Guyana exchange rate before converting Singapore dollars, and keep a separate emergency reserve. For everyday budgeting, the Hello app can scan receipts, track spending in multiple currencies with automatic exchange-rate conversion, and split shared costs with travel companions.

The Guyanese dollar (GYD) is Guyana’s everyday currency, but Singapore dollars are rarely accepted directly, so travellers should convert SGD before or after arrival through a bank or licensed cambio. Guyana’s exchange rate changes, and official rates published by the Guyana Revenue Authority and Bank of Guyana should be treated as reference points rather than the exact cash rate offered by every provider. As a recent benchmark, UK government tariff data listed approximately GYD 280.02 per SGD in November 2026; check a live rate immediately before travelling because rates and provider margins change.

The safest exchange options are:

• Licensed cambios in Georgetown, where you can compare rates and ask about commissions.
• Bank branches, which may require identification and operate limited weekday hours.
• Hotel exchange desks for convenience, although the rate may be less competitive.

Avoid street money changers offering unusually favourable rates. Count every note at the counter, request a receipt, and keep smaller denominations for taxis and markets. US dollars are useful as a backup, particularly for interior lodges and tours, but do not assume every seller will provide a fair exchange rate. The Hello app’s automatic multi-currency conversion can help you compare a quoted GYD price with your SGD budget before agreeing to a purchase.

Guyana remains a cash-first destination: cards work best in Georgetown’s established hotels, supermarkets, tour companies, and upscale restaurants, while small businesses, taxis, guesthouses, and interior lodges often require cash. Visa and Mastercard are generally more useful than relying on contactless payments alone, because tap-to-pay terminals exist but are not universal.

ATMs are concentrated in Georgetown and other larger towns and become scarce or unavailable around remote riverside communities, rainforest lodges, and attractions such as Kaieteur Falls. Withdraw GYD before leaving the capital and keep enough for transport, meals, tips, entrance fees, and unexpected delays. Your home bank may charge an international withdrawal fee, while the Guyanese bank may add its own fee; check the on-screen total before accepting a transaction. Try a different bank ATM if a card is declined, and avoid withdrawing after dark.

Tipping in Guyana is appreciated but not compulsory; a 5–10% restaurant tip is suitable when no service charge has already been added, while guides, drivers, porters, and lodge staff deserve particular recognition for hands-on service. Check the bill first, since some restaurants add a service charge of about 10%, then tip only what feels appropriate rather than automatically paying twice.

Round up a short taxi fare, give hotel porters a few hundred GYD per bag or service, and consider a few US dollars per day for an interior guide or lodge worker when service is excellent. Group tours can pool tips at the end, making distribution easier.

Costs vary sharply between Georgetown and the interior. A local minibus ride may cost around GYD 200–300, a short Georgetown taxi ride commonly starts around GYD 1,000–1,500, and a café coffee may be approximately GYD 600–900. Remote lodge packages can reach US$150–350 per person per night, often including meals and guided activities, so Guyana is not uniformly a budget destination. Track meals, transport, tips, and exchange fees separately in Hello; its AI receipt scanning and automatic categorisation make it easier to see where a daily budget is going.

Digital payments are growing in Guyana, but visitors should not plan a trip around international wallet apps: local MMG is used for some domestic bills and services, while WeChat Pay, PayPay, and similar overseas systems are not dependable options for ordinary tourist purchases. A physical card, cash reserve, and offline copies of booking details remain the safest combination.

Save money by withdrawing fewer, larger amounts where fees apply, using GYD for everyday purchases instead of accepting an informal US-dollar conversion, and comparing tour prices before paying deposits. Choose local minibuses for inexpensive city travel when you understand the route, but use a hotel-arranged taxi for airport transfers or late-night journeys. Book interior trips with clear inclusions so meals, transfers, park fees, and guide costs do not create surprises.

Reliable mobile data is especially useful for maps, booking confirmations, banking alerts, and contacting a driver. Buy and activate Hello eSIM for Guyana before departure so an eSIM from Hello can connect you on arrival; Hello plans are available for 200+ countries and prices are updated live. Use Wi-Fi for large downloads, disable background roaming, and keep your bank’s fraud-notification number accessible.

The most avoidable Guyana money problems involve unofficial currency exchange, unlicensed taxis, short-changing, and unexpected fees, so slow down, confirm the amount, and use established providers. Never hand cash to a stranger who claims to be an official demanding an immediate on-the-spot payment, and be cautious of online offers involving overpayment followed by a request to refund the difference.

Practical safeguards include:

• Exchange only at a bank or licensed cambio; count notes before leaving the counter.
• Agree on a taxi fare before entering, particularly near Cheddi Jagan International Airport and Stabroek Market.
• Use hotel-arranged or known dispatch taxis rather than unsolicited drivers.
• Confirm whether a restaurant bill includes service charge, taxes, or a separate card fee.
• Keep large cash amounts divided between a money belt, locked luggage, and a day wallet.
• Photograph receipts and record deposits, especially for flights, river transfers, and interior tours.

Keep emergency cash separate from your main wallet and carry small GYD notes for quick payments. If a card terminal offers to charge in Singapore dollars, compare the displayed conversion with your bank’s expected rate; paying in GYD often avoids unfavourable dynamic currency conversion.

Most visitors can manage Guyana comfortably by combining GYD cash for daily purchases, a card for Georgetown businesses, and US dollars as a backup for selected tours and interior lodges. Plan withdrawals before travelling inland, because the country’s payment infrastructure is strongest in Georgetown and weaker in remote areas.

What currency is used in Guyana? Guyana uses the Guyanese dollar, abbreviated GYD. US dollars may be accepted by hotels, tour operators, and some tourist businesses, but GYD is necessary for many ordinary purchases.

Can I use Singapore dollars in Guyana? Usually not directly. Convert SGD through a bank or licensed cambio and check a current Guyana exchange rate before travelling.

Are credit cards accepted in Guyana? Visa and Mastercard are commonly accepted at larger Georgetown hotels, restaurants, supermarkets, and tourism businesses. Small shops, taxis, markets, and rural accommodation may be cash-only.

How much should I tip in Guyana? Leave about 5–10% at restaurants when no service charge is included. Round up taxis and give modest cash tips to porters, drivers, guides, and lodge staff.

Do Guyana ATMs charge fees? They may, and your home bank can add a separate foreign withdrawal fee. Check the displayed charge, withdraw in GYD, and carry enough cash before visiting remote destinations.

Is Guyana expensive? Georgetown can be moderate, but remote lodge packages and guided interior travel can cost substantially more, with some lodge stays reaching US$150–350 per person per night.