- Know your surroundings: It is important to pay attention to your surroundings and exercise a high degree of caution in Guyana due to high crime rates with regular armed and violent robberies against businesses and individuals. There is a risk of passers-by being caught up in such incidents. Avoid neighborhoods that are not well-lit and places that are known locally as ‘shady’. Do not venture out late at night to such areas. Move around in groups or at least with a few friends.
- Robberies/Muggings: Robberies and muggings can take place even in broad daylight, often at gun or knife point. Take sensible precautions to protect yourself and your belongings. Try to avoid revealing huge cash money, especially jewellery, mobile phones, etc. You should be particularly vigilant when leaving local banks/ATM/Money Exchange to ensure that you are not being followed. Take extra precautions to safeguard your passports.
- Crime-prone areas: In Georgetown, avoid the Tiger Bay and Albouystown areas and take care in Sophia, all of south Georgetown. Take special care in areas such as Buxton and Agricola, Agricola, Albouystown, Albertown, Bourda, Buxton, East Ruimveldt. Sophia, Stabroek, Tiger Bay, West Ruimveldt. Take particular care in the Stabroek Market area where robberies are a daily occurrence. Criminals often target the following tourist sites: Stabroek Market, Bourda Market, Botanical Gardens, the National Park, the sea wall. If possible go with an organised group and avoid taking valuables with you.
- It must also be borne in mind that given its history of political and racial divide and violence, the law and order situation sometimes becomes highly delicate and minor issues can give rise to public disturbance and violence.
- Remain connected: Be in touch with the High Commission, local mentors and Indian community members. Update your whereabouts with family and close friends especially when moving outside alone.
- Students should have their medical degrees apostilled from local authorities and attested by the High Commission of India before booking their tickets for departure to India to avoid unnecessary rush or inconvenience.
- Abide by local law: Take general precautions and abide by local laws and regulations, including while driving or undertaking recreational activities. (For example – not driving/swimming in inebriated condition; using life jackets during boating, etc).
In case of Emergency while in Guyana:
- Dial 911 for police in emergency. If you don’t have an emergency but you still need to contact the police, you can call: +592 2252700; +592 2276123.
- Dial 912 for Fire Department
- Dial 913 for ambulance
- High Commission of India: High Commission’s emergency number is: +592 6230704.
