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Back to Mabaruma

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Voykit pocket guide · Guyana

Mabaruma

Skip unless you have a specific reason (research, border business, or a beach day-trip from Kamaka). One night is enough: fly in, see the coast, fly out.

Mabaruma is a tiny administrative centre of about 800 people near the Venezuelan border, reachable only by light aircraft or a fortnightly supply boat. There is no bank, no ATM, and the main draw is the remote Atlantic beaches (Almond and Shell) a short boat ride from Kamaka. Most travellers should spend their time elsewhere in Guyana.

GeorgetownLethemLindenNew AmsterdamParamakatoiMabaruma200 kmdots: other places in this guide
Sketch, not to navigate by: shapes follow this guide’s areas and places, not official boundaries. North is up.
Country
Guyana
Best months
Sep–Apr (dry season)
Avoid
May–Aug (heavy rain, flights may be disrupted)
Stay
1 night

Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.

Essentials

Currency
GYD
Money
Currency is the Guyanese dollar (GYD, $), steady at about GYD 208–210 per US dollar (check). Cards work in larger Georgetown hotels, malls and some restaurants; cash is needed almost everywhere else.
Daily spend
Budget GYD 8,000–12,000 · Mid GYD 12,000–18,000 · High GYD 18,000+ (estimate; check)
SIM and data
Digicel and ONE Communications (formerly GTT) sell SIMs at the airport and in Georgetown with passport; data is cheap (check eSIM support).
Emergency
Police 911 · Fire 912 · Ambulance 913
Plugs
Types A, B, D, G · 110 V and 240 V · 60 Hz · Check before plugging in; bring a universal adapter.
Tipping
Restaurants: 10% if no service charge.; Guides and lodge staff: US$10–20 a day into the staff box.
Water
Do not drink tap water; bottled water is sold everywhere.
Toilets
In hotels, malls and restaurants; carry tissue.

What things cost

ItemPrice
Boat hire to Almond/Shell Beach (per boat)GYD 5,000–8,000
Set meal at Broomes HotelGYD 2,000–3,000
Bottled water (1.5 L)GYD 200–300
BeerGYD 400–600

Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.

Get in

By air

check · Mabaruma Airstrip
Trans Guyana Airways from Georgetown municipal airport; daily flights, tight luggage limits, passport required for non-citizens.

Typical fares

Georgetown → Mabaruma flight (Trans Guyana)
about GYD 30,000–40,000 one way (check)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card

Get around

On foot or by hired boat from Kamaka docks to the beaches. No public transport.

See and do

Known for

  • Almond and Shell Beaches
  • Cash-only society
  • Broomes Hotel

Day trips

WhereHowTime
Almond BeachHired boat from Kamaka docksAbout 30 min each way
Shell BeachHired boat from Kamaka docksAbout 30 min each way

Sleep

Broomes Hotel (midway Mabaruma–Kamaka)
15-min walk to either town. Fan rooms, cold showers, set meals. No air conditioning.

Phrase card

EnglishSay or show
HelloHellohello
Thank youThank youthank you
How much?How much?how much
Where is the boat?Where is the boat?where is the boat

Etiquette, safety and scams

Etiquette

  • Greeting: Say good morning or good afternoon before any question; avoid: Launching straight into a request
  • Villages: Meet the toshao (village leader) or host first; avoid: Wandering in unannounced
  • Temples and mosques: Shoes off, cover shoulders; avoid: Photos during prayers
  • Politics and race: Listen; avoid: Taking sides; politics splits along community lines

Scams and watch-outs

  • Cash only: no banks or ATMs. Bring enough GYD and some USD.
  • Malaria is present: bring medication and repellent.
  • Drink only bottled water.
  • Flights are small and weather-dependent; allow flexibility.

Malaria is the main concern. The town is quiet and safe, but medical facilities are minimal.

One and two days

No timed day plan for Mabaruma yet. Suggested stay: 1 night. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.

  • Almond and Shell Beaches
  • Cash-only society
  • Broomes Hotel

Sources

Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.

Pocket card

Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.

Mabaruma

To Broomes Hotel, Mabaruma

To Broomes Hotel, Mabaruma

My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)

English is the official language; Guyanese Creolese is common.

Voykit · checked 2026-09

Printed from Voykit (/mabaruma). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.