Is Guyana a good place for US citizens to retire?

Are you looking to experience a new culture and retire to a more laid-back country?. Or do you want to go to a place where your savings could go a lot further?

Here is all the things you want to know regarding living and retiring in Guyana:

Is Guyana a good place to live?
Is Guyana safe for expats?
What to do in Guyana?
Is it cheap to live in?
Can I buy a house?
How much does it cost to buy a house?
Does it have good healthcare?
What retirement visas are available?
How to get around in Guyana?
What is the food like?
What are the people like?
What is the market like?

Have you ever thought about these questions regarding retiring to Guyana before? Then you MUST read the following details before you are starting a new life in Guyana!

Is Guyana a good place to live?

Guyana is a country in South America boarded by several countries: Brazil, Venezuela and Suriname. This state’s capital Georgetown as well as a lot of other cities in Guyana is bordering the Atlantic Ocean which means there are plenty of beautiful beaches and fresh seafood all within reach. In addition, if you’re looking for that warm weather, then Guyana would be the perfect choice for you with the average temperature of 26 °C/ 78 °F during the day and 22 °C/ 71.6 °F during the night.

Is Guyana safe for expats?

Being located outside of the hurricane zone, Guyana is a MUCH safer country in the Caribbean and being in South America makes it the perfect permanent place for you after retiring when it comes to prevention of natural disasters. Personal Safety is fairly decent but this is not to say that you should not be as cautious as you would be in any other city in the world. Minor robberies sometimes occur outside of the metropolitan areas of cities and at tourist attractions, so follow normal travel safety precautions as you would anywhere else in the world. Avoid wearing expensive jewelry and wandering into the poorer parts of town alone at night.

IMPORTANT: Always remember to check your local country travel advisory for current information on how safe Guyana is.

LINK: US State Department Travel Advisory for Guyana

What to do in Guyana?

There are a few excellent cities in Guyana that may possibly be where you might like to retire. This country offers both the metropolitan and the tropical rainforest retreat lifestyles.. Another aspect of Guyana that might make it the perfect paradise for you is the abundance of historical sites and things to do.

Here are a few places you can visit while in Guyana:

Is Guyana cheap to live in?

Guyana is 60% cheaper on average compared to the United States with the price of real estate being 80% cheaper than in the United States. Food is generally cheaper compared to the prices in the United States

Here is a summary of some regular bills you might need:

Bill	Cost
Electricity	$13 USD
Internet (25 Mbps)	$50 USD
Petrol (1 Gallon / 3.8 L)	$3.7 USD
Rent – 3 bed / 2 bath / 2 car	$520 USD
Mobile Phone	$16.20 USD
Meal for 2 in a good restaurant	$20 USD

NOTE: The level of your expenses can be a lot lower or higher according to your lifestyle but these prices are meant for a standard of living much like the USA.

Can I buy a house in Guyana?

Yes, you can purchase land and a house in Guyana the same way as the local Guyanese resident. Foreigners as well as local residents need to apply to the Ministry of Housing & Water first before acquiring a property.

How much does a house cost in Guyana?

A 3 Bed, 2 bath, 2 car mansion will cost you approximately $108k USD. To rent a similar place in Guyana will cost you about $542 USD each month.

The process of renting a property is a lot easier than buying one in Guyana. If you would prefer to rent, it is advisable to look at listings from real estate agents. But if you are looking for something cheaper, you can always try to look up options at facebook marketplace and change your filter to the specific town you desire and then click on Property Rentals.

When it comes to purchasing a house in Guyana, easier if you hire a real estate agent since the procedure and local law can be confusing when it comes to owning a property in Guyana.

Here are some suggestions regarding real estates in Guyana:

Does Guyana have good healthcare?

Guyana’s healthcare system is regarded as a priority by the national government with a huge focus on universal access to healthcare and providing essential drugs for the people of Guyana. Even though the healthcare system does not compare favorably to that of the United States, it is better to the majority of Caribbean countries. In Guyana, private medical insurance is comparable to that available in the United States. It is generally essential to get a private medical insurance plan while moving to a low income country.

Private health care plans begin as little as $151 USD per month, with only a $1000 USD deductible for every major surgery.

Here are some international insurance provider you can check for prices:

Here is more information provided by United States State Department regarding verified health and medical related issue:

LINK: State Department Medical Assistance

What retirement visas are available for Guyana?

To retire to Guyana you will need a permanent residency visa which will be granted for anyone over 45 years of age who can prove they have 2k USD income per month. There is no special retirement visa you just use the normal permanent residency process.

LINK: United States Embassy in Guyana

For tourist visas there are different procedures for Guyana depending on your country of origin. The cost for the tourist visa is $25 USD on arrival in most cases and lasts for 3 to 6 months. Below is the official link regarding the status and requirement to obtain a visa for the respective country.

LINK: Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Guyana

How to get around in Guyana?

There are numerous ways to explore the beauty of Guyana ranging from taxis, buses, riverboats, ferries, and ubers. The bus will cost you about $0.60 USD for transportation within the city and $0.80 USD for longer destinations.

Here are the list of available transportation in Guyana:

Inner City Busses / National Busses
Taxi’s
Uber
Ferries
Riverboats

For more details about public transportation of Guyana, check the link below

LINK: Explore Guyana

What is the food in Guyana like?

The local cuisine that Guyana has to offer is a mix of different ethnic cuisines including African, Creole, Cajun, Portuguese, Indian and British. Guyanese foods are usually rich in herbs and spices which are common ingredients in foods from Guyana. The one dish that you can’t miss is the classic pepperpot which is Guyana’s national dish. This dish’s main ingredient is beef but there are a few versions using chicken and pork as well. The meat is slowly cooked with a variety of spices and served with bread.

Here are some notable restaurants in Georgetown the capital you may want to try:

What are the people like in Guyana?

The people of Guyana are very friendly and the main and official language that is spoken is English so it will make it easier to communicate with the natives while visiting. With a rather small population of around 782.000 people, this country would be perfect if you want to escape the rat race and have a slower pace of life. Like the rest of the caribbean and south american countries in Guyana, the people are all about family and sharing during the countless Fiesta’s.

What is the market in Guyana like?

Even though the price for restaurants in Guyana are fairly cheap, sometimes you would just like to cook a hearty meal at home and that means you would have to go to the local supermarkets or grocery stores. Since Guyana’s national language is English, you would not have to worry about not understanding what the vendors are selling.

Here are some prices of basic needs:

Item	Per	Price
Milk	1 Liter / 1 quart	$3.2 USD
Bread	1 Loaf	$1.5 USD
Eggs	Dozen	$3.6 USD
Beef Round	1 kg / 2.2 pounds	$6 USD
Chicken Fillets	1 kg / 2.2 pounds	$5.6 USD
Beer	1 Liter / 1 quart	$3 USD
Local Cheese	1 kg / 2.2 pounds	$7.1 USD

For more information regarding prices, you can check at link to an online market below:

LINK: gtPlaza.com

NOTE: Check Retire In Guyana: Visas, Costs And More to learn more about general cost detail information about visas and more.