French Guiana
Country Specific Information

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September 04, 2007

COUNTRY DESCRIPTION: French Guiana map French Guiana is an overseas department of France.  It is a sparsely populated tropical area located on the northern coast of South America.  French is the predominant language; English is not widely spoken.  Tourist facilities are available, especially in the larger cities such as Cayenne and Kourou, but in some instances are not highly developed.

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ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS:  Passports are required for U.S. citizens entering French Guiana.  Visitors who arrive by land or on a commercial air carrier with a return ticket may enter for up to 90 days without a visa.  Visit the Embassy of France web site at http://www.info-france-usa.org for the most current visa information, or contact the Embassy of France at 4101 Reservoir Road N W , Washington, DC  20007; telephone (202) 944-6000; or the nearest French Consulate in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, New Orleans or San Francisco.

Find more information about dual nationality and the prevention of international child abduction .  For further information about customs regulations, please read our Customs Information .

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SAFETY AND SECURITY:   For the latest security information, Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department’s Internet web site , where the current Worldwide Caution , Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts can be found.

Up-to-date information on safety and security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S., or for callers outside the U.S. and Canada, a regular toll-line at 1-202-501-4444.  These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).

The Department of State urges American citizens to take responsibility for their own personal security while traveling overseas.  For general information about appropriate measures travelers can take to protect themselves in an overseas environment, see the Department of State’s pamphlet A Safe Trip Abroad.

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CRIME:  Criminal activity, such as assault, armed robbery, and theft has been reported by Americans traveling in French Guiana, particularly in major cities.  Petty street crime occurs throughout the major cities.  Individuals should make sure to keep valuables out of sight, especially if left unattended in an automobile.

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INFORMATION FOR VICTIMS OF CRIME:  The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to the local police and the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.  If you are the victim of a crime while overseas, in addition to reporting to local police, please contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate for assistance.  The Embassy/Consulate staff can, for example, assist you to find appropriate medical care, contact family members or friends and explain how funds could be transferred.  Although the investigation and prosecution of the crime is solely the responsibility of local authorities, consular officers can help you to understand the local criminal justice process and to find an attorney if needed.

See our information on Victims of Crime .

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MEDICAL FACILITIES AND HEALTH INFORMATION:  Medical care within French Guiana is limited, and hospital facilities are available only in major urban areas.  Patients' rooms in hospitals are primarily open-air facilities; instead of glass panes, hospital windows are fitted with wooden slats.

Information on vaccinations and other health precautions, such as safe food and water precautions and insect bite protection, may be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s hotline for international travelers at 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1-877-394-8747) or via the CDC’s Internet site at http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/default.aspx .  For information about outbreaks of infectious diseases abroad consult the World Health Organization’s (WHO) web site at http://www.who.int/en.  Further health information for travelers is available at http://www.who.int/ith.

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MEDICAL INSURANCE:  The Department of State strongly urges Americans to consult with their medical insurance company prior to traveling abroad to confirm whether their policy applies overseas and whether it will cover emergency expenses such as a medical evacuation.  Please see our information on medical insurance overseas .

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TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS:  While in a foreign country, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States.  The information below concerning French Guiana is provided for general reference only, and may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance.

Primary roads in French Guiana are well paved and well maintained.  Emergency call boxes are available at regular intervals on the main highways.  Roads in rural areas are less developed.  Roads leading to more remote regions in the interior are often improved dirt roads.  French Guiana has a relatively moderate to high volume of traffic and police enforce traffic safety.  Night driving can be dangerous, especially in the remote interior regions or on less-developed rural roads.  Public transportation in the form of taxis and vans is relatively safe.

Please refer to our Road Safety page for more information.  Visit the web site of the French National Tourist Organization at http://www.franceguide.com.

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AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT: Civil aviation operations in French Guiana fall under the jurisdiction of French authorities.  The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the Government of France’s Civil Aviation Authority as being in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards for oversight of France’s air carrier operations.  For more information, travelers may visit the FAA’s Internet web site at http://www.faa.gov/safety/programs_initiatives/oversight/iasa .

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SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES: In addition to being subject to all French laws affecting U.S. citizens, dual nationals may also be subject to other laws that impose special obligations on French citizens.  For additional information, please see our dual nationality flyer.

French customs authorities may enforce strict regulations concerning temporary importation to or exportation from French Guiana of items such as firearms, medications, and animals .  It is advisable to contact the Embassy of France in Washington or one of the many French consulates in the United States for specific information regarding customs requirements.

Customs authorities encourage the use of an ATA (Admission Temporaire/Temporary Admission) Carnet for the temporary admission of professional equipment, commercial samples, and/or goods for exhibitions and fair purposes.  ATA Carnet Headquarters , located at the U.S. Council for International Business , 1212 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10036, issues and guarantees the ATA Carnet in the United States.  For additional information call (212) 354-4480, e-mail atacarnet@uscib.org, or visit www.uscib.org for details.

Please see our Customs Information .

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CRIMINAL PENALTIES:  While in a foreign country, a U.S. citizen is subject to that country's laws and regulations, which sometimes differ significantly from those in the United States and may not afford the protections available to the individual under U.S. law.  Penalties for breaking the law can be more severe than in the United States for similar offenses.  Persons violating French laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned.  Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs in French Guiana are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines.  Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime, prosecutable in the United States.  Please see our information on Criminal Penalties .

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CHILDREN'S ISSUES:  For information on international adoption of children and international parental child abduction, see the Office of Children’s Issues web site.

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REGISTRATION / EMBASSY LOCATION:   Americans living or traveling in French Guiana are encouraged to register with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate through the State Department’s travel registration web site and to obtain updated information on travel and security within French Guiana . Americans without Internet access may register directly with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.  By registering, American citizens make it easier for the Embassy or Consulate to contact them in case of emergency.  The nearest U.S. Embassy is located in neighboring Suriname in the capital city Paramaribo at Dr. Sophie Redmondstraat 129, telephone (011) (597) 472-900, web site http://paramaribo.usembassy.gov/.  There is no U.S. Embassy or Consulate in French Guiana.  The Consular Section hours of operation for routine American citizen services are Mondays and Wednesdays from 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm, or by appointment, except on American and Surinamese holidays.  U.S. citizens requiring emergency assistance evenings, weekends, and holidays may contact an Embassy duty officer by cell phone at (011) (597) 088-08302. 

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This replaces the Country Specific Information dated August 14, 2006 to update the section on Crime and Registration/Embassy Location.

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