Rupununi
Rupununi is a region of open grassland in the interior of Guyana. Travelers go for wildlife, cattle ranch stays and wide savanna views, with Lethem as the main town.
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Rupununi is a region of open savanna in the interior of Guyana, in South America. Most of the land is grassland, broken by gallery forest along rivers, granite hills and cattle ranches. Lethem, near the Brazilian border, is the main town and the usual base for trips into the region. Iwokrama, a large rainforest reserve in the same district, is the other well-known destination.
Travelers come for wildlife and slow days on a cattle ranch. Giant anteaters, macaws, giant river otters and jaguars are the animals most people hope to see, though no sighting is guaranteed. The trip suits independent travelers who are comfortable with rough roads, long drives and basic facilities. The dry season, roughly February to April, is the easiest time to get around. Allow at least a few days, and more if you want to reach Iwokrama.
Rupununi in five
- Book the Lethem flight from GeorgetownThe flight is much faster than the overland road, which can be impassable in the rains. Small planes limit baggage, so confirm your allowance with the airline before you fly.Getting around
- Carry Guyana dollars in cashATMs are few outside Georgetown, and card payments are not reliable at savannah lodges. Ask each lodge in advance whether it takes US dollars.Money and costs
- Confirm your lodge transfer in writingLethem is the gateway to the savannah. Get the pickup time, meeting point and a phone number from your lodge in writing before you fly.Where to stay
- Set up an eSIM before you leave LethemMobile signal fades quickly outside Lethem and is often absent at the lodges. Install an eSIM before you arrive and download offline maps.Phones and eSIM
- Take malaria advice before you goThe interior is in a malaria risk area. Ask a travel clinic about prophylaxis, and pack a repellent containing DEET or picaridin for the evenings.Travel insurance
Need to know
- Currency
- Guyana dollar (GYD)
- Entry
- Check your nationality before you fly, as visa rules vary by passport
- Emergency
- Police 911 or 999; ambulance 913. Remote lodges may take longer to reach
- Tipping
- Tip guides and lodge staff in cash
- Time
- UTC-4, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryDry, firmer roads
- FebruaryDry, best roads
- MarchDry, hot
- AprilDry, hot
- MayRains begin
- JuneRainy season
- JulyRainy, floods
- AugustRainy, floods
- SeptemberRains easing
- OctoberDry, good roads
- NovemberDry, good roads
- DecemberRains return
Right now in Rupununi
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
37
- Feels like
- 39°
- Humidity
- 34%
- Wind
- 17 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 37%
Rupununi
04:36 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today37°27°37%Monday: Drizzle. High 37°, Low 27°. Chance of rain 37%.
- Tue36°26°51%Tuesday: Rain. High 36°, Low 26°. Chance of rain 51%.
- Wed33°23°38%Wednesday: Rain. High 33°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 38%.
- Thu34°24°25%Thursday: Drizzle. High 34°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 25%.
- Fri35°24°8%Friday: Cloudy. High 35°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 8%.
- Sat36°24°6%Saturday: Cloudy. High 36°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 6%.
- Sun38°26°29%Sunday: Drizzle. High 38°, Low 26°. Chance of rain 29%.
Updated 01:28 PM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 209.6 GYD
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Before you go to Rupununi
Rules for Rupununi, checked
- Ask village leaders (toshaos) for permission before entering a community or photographing people there.
- Cross the Takutu River to Brazil only at the official border post, and clear immigration on both sides.
- Check the Guyana Revenue Authority rules on what you can carry in, including firearms, medicines and cash.
- Do not bring fresh food, plants or animal products without checking Guyana's biosecurity rules first.
Plan around Rupununi
Entry, money and transport basics for the whole country
Read the guideGetting around GuyanaFlights to Lethem, the long road and local transfers
Read the guideMoney and costsCash, card limits and what to budget for lodges
Read the guideVisas and entryEntry requirements and the Brazil border crossing
Read the guideWhere to stayLodges and guesthouses around Lethem and the savannah
Read the guideTravel insuranceMedical cover and evacuation from remote areas
Read the guideRupununi FAQ
Do I need a permit to visit the Rupununi?
Ask the village leaders (toshaos) for permission before you enter a community or photograph people there. Ask your lodge whether any other permit applies to your trip.
How do I get to the Rupununi?
Fly from Georgetown to Lethem, the main town in the region. The overland road from the coast is long and rough, and wet-season rain can make it slow or impassable.
When is the best time to visit the Rupununi?
February to April, in the dry season, when roads are firmer and the savannah is easier to cross. Ask your lodge about current road conditions before you book.
Is there mobile signal in the Rupununi?
Some signal exists in Lethem, but it is patchy and often absent at the savannah lodges. Set up an eSIM and download offline maps before you leave the town.
Do I need cash in the Rupununi?
Yes. ATMs are few outside Georgetown, and card payments are not reliable at many lodges. Bring enough Guyana dollars for your stay.