Overland French Guiana Travel

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Visiting French Guiana

French Guiana is part of France (European Union). Expect to find French road rules, French policing, Euros and French language. The common Overland route is from Brazil (Oiapoque to St Georges) to Suriname (Albina to St Laurent du Maroni), there are very few roads to the interior.

Entering French Guiana with a Car or Motorbike

Correct as of: November 2014
As of November 2014 the bridge between French Guiana and Brazil is complete but not open, and it doesn't seem likely to open soon. Motorbikes can take the passenger boats but other vehicles must take a vehicle ferry. It is operated by Brazilian company Lunay: Email: balsalunay@hotmail.com (might be worth emailing them in advance to try to coincide your journey with others as this will significantly reduce the price).
Open hours: 8.00-12.00 and 14.00-18.00. GPS: N 03•50.644, W051•50.351

Required Paperwork

(To check if you need a travel Visa for French Guiana, application instructions and fees see: French Guiana Visa online application at VisaHQ.com)

Process at border

  • Entering the other side of the river with the ferry, you first go to immigration.
  • EU passport holders will not need to do anything (not even get a entry stamp), people of other passports will need to complete appropriate paperwork/ get officially entered into France.
  • You should have vehicle insurance. We were only asked to show proof of insurance on exit. Insurance can be purchased in Albina (Suriname), but we didn't find any in Oiapoque (Brazil).

Cost of entry

European vehicles are free to enter French Guiana (France).

Permitted length of stay

  • Europeans unlimited.
  • Other countries will vary.

Extension of stay

Describe the process to extend the permitted length of entry for the vehicle, if possible.

Storing a vehicle and temporarily leaving the country

Some EU citizens leave their vehicles for unlimited periods, while they return to their home country or Metropolitan France.

Exiting with a vehicle

  • In St Laurent du Maroni the immigration and Aduanas is conveniently at the same port as the vehicle ferry. In St Georges immigration is in Rue du Commandant Kodij, Aduana is on the river front.
  • If you are traveling to (or from) Brazil (Oiapoque) the bridge is not open (November 2014) and you will need to take a vehicle ferry. It is operated privately by Lunay, details as follows:

Email: balsalunay@hotmail.com (might be worth emailing them in advance to try to coincide your journey with others, as this makes the price significantly less).
Open hours: 8.00-12.00 and 14.00-18.00.

Driving in French Guiana

Recommended books for Overlanding in French Guiana

Lonely Planet French Phrasebook & Dictionary (lonely P...
Lonely Planet French Phrasebook & Dictionary (lonely P...
by Lonely Planet
From $3.74 on Amazon
Work Less To Live Your Dreams: A Practical Guide To Sa...
Work Less To Live Your Dreams: A Practical Guide To Sa...
by Dan Grec
From $click on Amazon
Don't Go There. It's Not Safe. You'll Die. And Other M...
Don't Go There. It's Not Safe. You'll Die. And Other M...
by LifeRemotely.com
From $click on Amazon
Americas Overland - The Driving Handbook
Americas Overland - The Driving Handbook
by Donald Greene
From $29.95 on Amazon
Overlanders' Handbook: Worldwide Route And Planning Gu...
Overlanders' Handbook: Worldwide Route And Planning Gu...
by Chris Scott
From $22.49 on Amazon
Adventure Motorcycling Handbook: A Route & Planning Gu...
Adventure Motorcycling Handbook: A Route & Planning Gu...
by Chris Scott
From $click on Amazon
Guyana, Guyane & Suriname (footprint Handbooks)
Guyana, Guyane & Suriname (footprint Handbooks)
by Ben Box
From $11.09 on Amazon

Insurance requirements

European third party insurance is required.

Cost of insurance

State the price of insurance and a time period.

Where to purchase insurance

Can be purchased in Albina (Suriname). Europeans can buy from their home country.

Driving license

State the kind of driving licenses required. i.e. International Driving Permit.

Driving side of road

Right hand side. Right hand drive can be legally driven.

Mandatory items in vehicle

State any mandatory items that must be carried in the vehicle. (i.e. safety triangle, first aid kit, fire extinguisher, etc.)

Roads

General Road quality

Roads are generally very good, there is asphalt from the Brazil border to the Suriname border.

Road signs

European quality of signs, French.

Toll roads

No tolls have been experienced.

Bribery in French Guiana

Do not expect bribery in French Guiana.

Checkpoints

There was a checkpoint between the Brazil border and Cayenne (on the river), and another between Cayenne and St Laurent du Maroni. Both checked passports of driver and passenger, but did not check vehicle papers (but they could).

Traveling with pets

List the entry requirements and anything else required to travel with a pet.

Gas price in French Guiana and Diesel price in French Guiana

Last updated: (last updated date)

Gasoil = diesel Essance = Gasoline Fuel prices seemed to be about 20% more than in Europe. Currency and unit to display:

Gasoline Grade Price
Unleaded $0.00 USD per Gallon (US)
Diesel $0.00 USD per Gallon (US)

Gas and Diesel Availability / Frequency

No gas shortages are known.
From the Brazilian border there isn't a gas station until you are almost in Cayenne. Cacoa has an unmanned station with a phone number to call. Filling up in Brazil is generally less expensive.

Gas and Diesel Quality

Gasoline and diesel are to a European standard.
State the sulfur content of diesel, if known.

Safety and Security Considerations

Driving at night

Discuss driving at night and if it should it be avoided. Mention why.

Vehicle parking

In St Laurent du Maroni we parked overnight beside the river behind the tourist information. Police came and warned us that it might be a problem spot, but we had no problems. If vehicles can not be parked on the street, list the other options that exist.

Special driving considerations

A List of special things to be careful of (i.e. Unsigned speed bumps, abnormal road rules, people or animals on the road, etc.).
List any roads that are not recommended to drive for safety or other security reasons.

Security advisories and information

Camping in French Guiana

No paid camping facilities were found in French Guiana.
List the approximate average price range of camping in organized campgrounds.
In the absence of paid camping, wild and street camping (pamping) is the only option. No problems were experienced in using pamps varying from street camps to beachside to hotel parking areas to picnic grounds. Sometimes you might find "carbets en foret" where people can hang a hammock free and you can also pamp overnight (and sleep).

Camping guide books

List and link to books specifically for camping.

Drinking water

Describe if the regular tap water is safe to drink. If not, describe where safe water can be purchased and the approximate average price range.

Navigation

Paper maps

Reise Know-How are amoung the best paper maps. Purchase paper maps before arriving in French Guiana

Guyana, French Guiana & Suriname 1:850,000 Travel Map,...
Guyana, French Guiana & Suriname 1:850,000 Travel Map,...
by Reise Knowhow
From $12.95 on Amazon
Lonely Planet South America Planning Map
Lonely Planet South America Planning Map
by Lonely Planet
From $4.68 on Amazon
Guyana/suriname & French Guiana 1:850 000 (internation...
Guyana/suriname & French Guiana 1:850 000 (internation...
by International Travel maps
From $11.69 on Amazon
Lonely Planet South America On A Shoestring (travel Gu...
Lonely Planet South America On A Shoestring (travel Gu...
by Lonely Planet, Regis St Louis, Sandra Bao, Celeste...
From $15.79 on Amazon

GPS Maps of French Guiana

Review different GPS companies, quality and coverage (Tomtom, Garmin, OSM, Tracks4Africa). (with links to each).

GPS co-ordinates for camping, propane, gas, repairs, etc. in French Guiana

Link to sites that have a list of GPS co-ordinates (or directions) for camping locations (including "wild" campsites), propane filling, gas stations, repair shops, places of interest, etc.

Special Overland Travel interests

If you wish to see a shuttle launch in Kourou then you should check the schedule and book in advance (up to a week ahead should suffice). Go to www.cnes.fr for information. You can also book at the tourist office in Cayenne or Kourou.
French Guyana is a good place to enjoy Cheese, Salami, French Wine.

Vehicle Maintenance

Dealers

4x4s / Trucks

Motorbikes

Local Garages

Add known good mechanics here.

Buy or sell a car or motorbike in French Guiana

Buy
Describe how a foreigner can buy a vehicle. List any difficulties or limitations on where the vehicle can be driven. Things are generally expensive in French Guiana.

Sell
Describe how a foreigner can sell a foreign-plated vehicle, or list not possible.'

References

Links to the source of any information - blogs or discussion forums, etc.


Helpful External links

Add any helpful external links here.