Not sure if I should carry coins for public transport in Guyana or if card payments are common. Advice?
Best plan is to bring Guyanese dollars from Republic Bank ATMs in Georgetown, preferably using a Visa card. Public minibuses are everywhere and only accept cash. Always keep small notes handy - drivers won’t break large ones. Cards only work in bigger supermarkets or hotels, not for daily rides.
My Revolut Mastercard was declined at ScotiaBank ATMs in Georgetown, and I had to queue at Republic Bank to get cash with my Visa instead. Public transport is cheap but only accepts cash. I got stuck one night without small bills, and the driver refused a $1,000 GYD note.
I used minibuses from Stabroek Market to Kitty daily, and it was easy with cash - just 100-200 Guyanese dollars each ride. Stayed at Julian Guesthouse in Georgetown, and the staff pointed me to Republic Bank on Camp Street where my Wise Visa worked. ATMs were reliable for me, and everything transport-related was cash.
Public minibuses in Georgetown and beyond are cash-only. Fares are around GYD 100-200 in the city. No drivers take cards. ATMs from Republic Bank and GBTI (Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry) are the most reliable for foreign Visa cards. Mastercard is less accepted. Bring cash for all local travel.