Is It Safe to Travel to French Guiana in 2026?
French Guiana - Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions
Last updated: · Source: U.S. Department of State
French Guiana, also known by its French name Guyane or Guyane française, is an overseas department and region of France located on the northern coast of South America in the Guianas and the West Indies. Bordered by Suriname to the west and Brazil to the east and south, French Guiana covers a total area of 84,000 km2 (32,000 sq mi) and a land area of 83,534 km2 (32,253 sq mi).
Is It Safe to Travel to French Guiana in 2026?
French Guiana is currently rated Level 1 — Exercise Normal Precautions by the U.S. Department of State. French Guiana is generally a safe destination for travelers. There is no official U.S. consular representation in French Guiana; services are provided by the U.S. Embassy in Paramaribo, Suriname. Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive important updates and alerts from the U.S. embassy or consulate. Visit the CDC website for the latest Travel Health Information for French Guiana.
Traveler Impact
Solo travelers may encounter petty crime in urban areas, particularly in transit hubs, so maintaining situational awareness is essential.
Business travelers may face logistical challenges due to the lack of U.S. consular representation, but the overall safety and infrastructure in major areas are adequate for travel.
Families with children should be cautious of health risks like malaria in certain areas, particularly near gold mining sites, and ensure access to necessary vaccinations.
Remote workers can find reliable internet in urban centers like Cayenne, but should avoid rural areas where connectivity may be intermittent.
Data on this page comes from the U.S. Department of State, the CDC, the World Bank Worldwide Governance Indicators, and Freedom House. All sources are updated regularly and cross-referenced to provide a composite safety picture for French Guiana.
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▶Safety and Stability Ratings
Threat Severity (0-10 scale)
French Guiana has an overall threat severity of 1.2 out of 10. Crime risk is rated 2.0/10, terrorism risk 0.0/10, and kidnapping risk 0.0/10.
▶Entry Requirements and Health
Entry Information
Visa
Check embassy for details
Currency
Euro (EUR)
Language
French
Vaccinations
Required:
- Yellow Fever: Vaccine is required for all arriving travelers ≥1 year old.
Recommended:
⚠ Malaria Risk: moderate
Recommended medications: Atovaquone-proguanil, doxycycline, mefloquine, tafenoquine
Active health notices:
- alertChikungunya in French Guiana: There is an outbreak of chikungunya in French Guiana. You can protect yourself by preventing mosquito bites.
- watchGlobal Measles: Measles cases are rising in many countries around the world. All international travelers should be fully vaccinated against measles with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, according to CDC's measles vaccination recommendations for international travel.
Vaccination data sourced from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Consult a travel health professional before your trip.
Common Questions About Traveling to French Guiana
▶What is the current travel advisory level for French Guiana?
▶Is it safe to travel to French Guiana right now?
▶Do I need a visa to visit French Guiana?
▶What vaccines do I need for French Guiana?
▶Is French Guiana safe for solo travelers?
▶How bad is crime in French Guiana?
More French Guiana Data
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Read the full advisory on travel.state.gov.
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On-demand country risk PDFs from 6 government sources.