A hiking paradise
This territorial community is among the richest in the world in terms of biodiversity, both animal and plant. With most of its territory covered by forest, a national park, a regional park and several nature reserves, French Guiana is, as you would expect, a hiker's paradise. Whatever your level, you will find marked trails, which can be walked with or without a guide, in a wide variety of areas of the territory. For example, the General Council has identified several trails for beginners, opened and developed by the National Forestry Office (ONF), in various places in French Guiana such as the islands of Salut, the Voltaire Falls near Apatou or the trails of Saül. For more experienced walkers, many possibilities are offered by tourism professionals, starting from towns and villages, for a few hours or several days. Ecotourism accommodations also allow you to stop between the different stages of your hike.
The Molokoi trail. This hiking trail is the longest marked trail in French Guyana. Managed by the ONF, it traces an itinerary through the tropical forest, from the town of Cacao to the RN2. A flagship hike in French Guiana, it offers a total immersion in the natural heritage of the region, in the heart of an abundant and exuberant nature. You will also discover, along the way, magnificent small creeks.
The access to the path is free, but the hike, classified as sporting, remains relatively difficult. Even if it is only 18 km long, it represents a good ten hours of walking. It is therefore recommended to do it in two days. A bivouac area is available halfway along the route.
The Salvation Islands. Located about 14 km off the coast of the space city of Kourou, the Salvation Islands - Île Royale, Île du Diable and Île de Saint-Joseph - are a must-see tourist stop. Made famous by the presence of the penal colony and the stories of Papillon or the exile of Dreyfus, these islands are a magnificent place for a walk, where the water is much clearer than on the coast, and the coconut trees are present by the thousands.
Beautiful rides on horseback too! The natural areas of the department are also available to budding or experienced riders. Ranches offering horseback riding and other riding lessons are not uncommon in French Guiana, although the practice is still not widespread. Two-day excursions with an overnight stay in a carbet on the edge of a creek or in the forest are also possible.
On the water, great possibilities
Whether on the ocean or inland, on the rivers, one can practice many water sports during a stay in Guyana.
Kitesurfing and surfing. More and more kitesurfing enthusiasts are meeting on Guiana's beaches, although the practice of this sport is still marginal. French Guiana has the perfect conditions to practice kitesurfing, namely regular wind, waves (although rather modest), and space, since the beaches of the coastline remain little frequented. Between December and June, the outings are more rare. The association and kitesurfing school Guya'Kite School(www.guyakite.club)
offers introductory and advanced courses led by state-qualified instructors. Surfing is less common, while paddleboarding is a great way to discover the Guyanese coastline or to travel up rivers.Canoeing and kayaking.
Drained by rivers and streams, the nature of Guyana offers a playground for canoeing or canoeing, an activity not to be missed if you want to get closer to the Amazonian flora and fauna. On the other hand, the jumps or rapids are an opportunity to get some great sliding sensations in a kayak. Countless rapids line the way up or down the Guiana rivers. And they are also often an ideal place for swimming.Most of the agencies, but also some carbets, offer free or guided kayak excursions along the streams, rivers or on the calm waters of the Kaw marshes. As the boat glides gently over the surface of the water, your eyes and ears, on the alert, are surprised by the diversity of a still rich fauna, so protected and so threatened at the same time... Finally, jet-skiing on the river is also an activity very much appreciated by locals as well as by passing tourists.
Fishing. Fishing is widely practiced throughout Guyana. Sport fishing during sea trips with professionals, or simple leisure fishing during a stopover on the Kaw marshes, the options are multiple and will delight both enthusiasts and neophytes. Snappers, rumps, machoirans, palikas, piranhas... the aquatic fauna being rather rich, it is difficult to come back empty-handed from a fishing trip. This activity is very popular off the Salvation Islands, a well-known spot for big game fishing enthusiasts from all over the world. Many records have been set there. Fun and not requiring expensive equipment, fishing can also take on the appearance of a competition between family members. It can be practiced alone or with service providers. It is a good pretext to immerse yourself in the forest, but also to offer the whole family the opportunity to have a picnic near a creek or at the beach. You can contact the agency Atmosphere d'Amazonie to organize great fishing trips.
Traditional leisure activities
Dominoes and card games. Dominoes, belote and tarot reign supreme in Guyana: there is not a weekend without a competition and, on all the terraces, people play dominoes. The games of dominoes give rise to memorable confrontations with vociferations, gesticulations, passion and word games. A spoken and played folklore that cannot be missed!
Cockfights. In Guyana, they have long been part of the traditions. The cock pitts (gallodromes) are places of betting, excitement, cries... This practice tends to disappear today.
