Looking for reliable ATMs in Guyana that work well with foreign debit/credit cards and dont charge crazy fees. Any recos will be highly appreciated.
My experience with ATMs in Guyana was a bit mixed, to be honest. I tried to use an ATM at a Citizens Bank in a smaller town outside of Georgetown and my card was declined multiple times, even though my bank confirmed it was fine. I think it's just a connectivity issue. When I got to Georgetown, I went to a Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI) branch, and everything worked perfectly. So, my main advice would be to always have a backup plan and to try the major banks first.
I'm a bit more of a budget traveler, so I always try to minimize fees. In Georgetown, I found that the Demerara Bank ATMs are a decent option. The withdrawal limit is quite high, up to 200,000 G$ in a single transaction, which helps you avoid multiple fees. I used my Visa debit card and the fee was 340 G$ for a non-customer withdrawal. This is a bit lower than some other banks, so it's a good choice if you're trying to save money.
I've had a few trips to Guyana and learned that not all ATMs are created equal. The most reliable ones I found were at the Scotiabank branches. My UK-based card (Monzo) worked every time without a hitch. I was able to take out 30,000 G$ at once to cover my expenses for a few days. The fees were around 500 G$ per transaction, which is pretty fair. I would strongly advise against using any standalone ATMs in smaller shops, as they're far less reliable.
Finding a reliable ATM in Guyana is generally straightforward, but it's best to stick to the major cities, especially Georgetown. I used a Republic Bank ATM on Camp Street with my US-issued debit card and it worked perfectly. The fees weren't too bad, just a standard small transaction fee from the local bank plus whatever my home bank charged. I withdrew around 20,000 G$ and the machine dispensed a mix of notes. Just be aware that ATMs can sometimes run out of cash, so don't leave it until the last minute.