Where to base yourself
Island and riverside resorts
Baganara Island, Sloth Island, Aruwai on the Mazaruni and Hurakabra on the west bank are small resorts with rooms or cabins, meals and boats. Quiet, green and good for swimming; prices include transfers or quote them separately.
Bartica
A handful of plain hotels and guesthouses, some with river views, plus bars, restaurants and shops. Noisy at weekends and during the regatta.
Essequibo Coast
A lakeside resort at Lake Mainstay and simple hotels in Anna Regina and Charity for travellers heading to the Pomeroon or Shell Beach.
Food & drink
Bartica’s Brazilian miners have given it good churrasco and buffet restaurants alongside the usual cook-up, curry, fried fish and chow mein. Parika’s market is famous for fruit and for fried fish with plantain chips to eat while you wait for a boat. Resorts serve set meals and will prepare river fish if asked.
Tips: saving money and staying safe
- Travel in the morning: the river is calmer and boats more frequent.
- Carry cash in Guyanese dollars; there are banks in Bartica but not at the resorts.
- Put electronics in a dry bag and bring a rain jacket for spray.
- Wear the life jacket every time, and avoid boats travelling after dark.
- In Bartica, take the same care as in any mining town at night: stay on the main avenues and use a taxi.
- Book well ahead for the Easter regatta, when every bed is taken.
Sample plans
One day
- Early drive to Parika; speedboat to Fort Island.
- On to Bartica for a walk and lunch.
- Boat to Marshall or Baracara Falls for a swim; pass Kyk-Over-Al.
- Return to Parika and Georgetown by evening.
Two nights
- Day 1: Parika, Fort Island, then to a river resort; kayaking and a swim.
- Day 2: Bartica market, Kyk-Over-Al and Marshall Falls; sunset on the river.
- Day 3: early birding by boat; return to Georgetown.
Where to stay: Essequibo River & Bartica
Baganara Island Resort
A private island resort south of Bartica with a river beach and its own airstrip. Booked directly or through an operator.
Not sold on Trip.com: book direct or through a local operator. The button opens the Trip.com search for the nearest town it lists.
Sloth Island Nature Resort
A small nature resort on a forested island near Bartica, with trails and rescued wildlife.
Not sold on Trip.com: book direct or through a local operator. The button opens the Trip.com search for the nearest town it lists.
Aruwai Resort White H2O
A resort on an island in the Mazaruni River above Bartica, a common lunch stop on day tours.
Not sold on Trip.com: book direct or through a local operator. The button opens the Trip.com search for the nearest town it lists.
Hotels and guesthouses in Bartica
Plain town hotels and guesthouses; the button searches Trip.com for Bartica.
Not sold on Trip.com: book direct or through a local operator. The button opens the Trip.com search for the nearest town it lists.
