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

Guyana primarily operates on a cash basis using the Guyana Dollar (GYD), though US Dollars are widely accepted for large purchases and tours. While Georgetown offers ATM access and credit card facilities in upscale venues, the interior regions remain strictly cash-only, requiring careful budget planning and early currency exchange to avoid logistical hurdles during your adventure. Most travelers find that a mix of local currency for daily expenses and USD for major bookings provides the best flexibility.

The official currency is the Guyana Dollar (GYD), which features colorful banknotes in denominations of $20, $50, $100, $500, $1,000, and $5,000. As of early 2026, the exchange rate is approximately 1 SGD to 156 GYD (or about 1 USD to 209 GYD). While the US Dollar is a common secondary currency, you will almost always receive a better rate using GYD for local meals, market shopping, and taxi fares.

For the best rates, visit licensed 'cambios'—private exchange houses—found throughout Georgetown. They typically offer more competitive rates and faster service than commercial banks. To keep track of these high-denomination transactions, the Hello app is an essential companion. Its expense tracker features multi-currency support with automatic exchange rate conversion, allowing you to log a 15,000 GYD dinner and instantly see the cost in SGD. This ensures you stay on budget without doing complex mental math in the middle of a busy market.

In Georgetown, credit cards (Visa and Mastercard) are accepted at major hotels, international airlines, and high-end restaurants. However, many local businesses apply a 3% to 5% surcharge for card payments. Outside the capital, Guyana is almost entirely a cash economy. ATMs are readily available in Georgetown at banks like Republic Bank and GBTI, but they often have withdrawal limits of around 60,000 GYD per transaction.

Before heading to the interior for a rainforest trek, ensure you withdraw sufficient cash. To find the nearest ATM or check bank opening hours, staying connected is vital. A Hello eSIM for Guyana provides instant data upon arrival, ensuring you aren't left searching for Wi-Fi when you need to manage your finances. According to the Bank of Guyana, the country has seen a 15% increase in digital point-of-sale terminals over the last two years, but cash remains king for the 'real' Guyanese experience.

Tipping in Guyana is appreciated but not mandatory, reflecting a culture of genuine hospitality. In Georgetown’s mid-to-upscale restaurants, a 10% service charge is frequently added to the bill. If it isn't included, a 10% tip for good service is standard. For smaller 'creole' cookshops, tipping is not expected but rounding up the bill is a kind gesture.

When exploring the interior, tipping your guides and lodge staff is customary. A tip of 2,000 to 4,000 GYD per day for a specialized nature guide is considered generous. If you are traveling with friends, the Hello app’s expense splitting feature is incredibly helpful for these scenarios. You can record a group tip in GYD, and the app will automatically calculate each person's share in their preferred currency, making the end-of-trip settlement seamless and transparent.

Guyana can be more expensive than its South American neighbors due to the logistical challenges of reaching the interior. In 2026, a mid-range traveler should budget between $120 and $180 USD per day, including domestic flights and guided tours. However, you can save significantly by eating at local markets where a 'box lunch' of curry or cook-up rice costs roughly 1,200 GYD ($6 USD).

According to the Guyana Tourism Authority, the country welcomed over 320,000 stay-over visitors in 2024, leading to a surge in 'shared' tour options which can lower costs for solo travelers. Another tip: use the local minibus system for city travel. A zone-to-zone fare is usually just 100-200 GYD, a fraction of the 1,500 GYD minimum for a private taxi. To keep these small costs from adding up unnoticed, use Hello's AI receipt scanning to quickly digitize your paper receipts from local vendors.

To help you plan your budget, here is a breakdown of common expenses you can expect during your stay in Guyana in 2026:

Can I use my phone to pay in Guyana? While local apps like MMG (Mobile Money Guyana) are popular for utility bills, they are not easily set up for short-term tourists; stick to cash and cards. Is it safe to carry large amounts of cash? While generally safe, it is wise to use a money belt and only carry what you need for the day, especially in crowded areas like Stabroek Market.

What should I do with leftover GYD? Try to spend your local dollars before leaving, as GYD is difficult to exchange outside of Guyana and its immediate neighbors. If you have leftover funds, the Hello app's budget tracking can help you see exactly how much you have left in your 'travel fund' so you can splurge on a final souvenir at the airport. Lastly, always notify your bank before traveling to Guyana to ensure your cards aren't flagged for suspicious activity when you attempt an ATM withdrawal in Georgetown.