Georgetown

Georgetown, the capital of Guyana, is a faded but atmospheric colonial city on the Atlantic coast, the cultural gateway to a country that, though on the South American mainland, feels distinctly Caribbean. Once known as the Garden City, it is famous for its striking colonial architecture rendered in white-painted timber, above all the soaring St George's Cathedral, one of the tallest wooden buildings in the world. Its lively Stabroek Market, grand public buildings, sea wall and remarkable ethnic diversity of Indian, African, Amerindian, Chinese and European heritage make it a fascinating, if ramshackle, introduction to Guyana.

History

In 1748 Governor Laurens Storm van 's Gravesande built a guard post at the mouth of the Demerara, and English planters began building houses around it. The town was laid out in 1782, during a brief French occupation of the Dutch colony, as Longchamps, renamed Stabroek in 1784; it had 780 people in 1789 and about 8,500 by 1807, took the name Georgetown under British rule in 1812, in honour of George III, and became a city on 24 August 1842 (Wikipedia, Georgetown, Guyana).

What to look for

• St George's Cathedral - one of the world's tallest wooden buildings.
• Stabroek Market - the bustling, iconic covered market.
• The colonial architecture - the grand white timber buildings.
• The sea wall - the coastal promenade and city life.

When to go

The drier spells, roughly February to April and September to November, are the most comfortable, avoiding the two rainy seasons; the low-lying, coastal city is hot and humid year-round. A day is enough to see the main sights before heading to the interior, the real draw of Guyana.

Before you go

Georgetown is a poor, low-lying and somewhat run-down tropical capital, with faded architecture, drainage canals and the usual precautions of a developing-world city, so it is a cultural gateway and curiosity rather than a polished destination, and most visitors pass through quickly en route to the interior. For its remarkable wooden colonial architecture, vibrant market and diverse Caribbean-flavoured culture, though, it is an interesting and atmospheric introduction to the country.

Nearby

The rainforest interior, the Essequibo River and the coast are within reach.

Key facts