A little more
French Guiana.
A lot less roaming.

Travelling to French Guiana: what to know before you go

French Guiana is an overseas region of France on the north-east coast of South America, between Suriname and Brazil, and part of the European Union. Rainforest covers most of the territory, and visitors come for rocket launches at the Guiana Space Centre, the former penal colony on the Îles du Salut, nesting sea turtles and trips by dugout canoe up jungle rivers. It suits nature and history enthusiasts comfortable with heat, humidity and limited tourist infrastructure.

Where to go

• Guiana Space Centre, Kourou. Europe's spaceport, where rockets are launched close to the equator.
• Îles du Salut. Three islands off Kourou that held one of France's most notorious penal colonies, including Devil's Island.
• Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni. A town on the Maroni River, which forms the border with Suriname, with the Camp de la Transportation, where convicts arrived before being sent to labour camps.
• Turtle nesting at Awala-Yalimapo. The beaches in the north-west are among the world's most important nesting sites for leatherback turtles, the largest sea turtle, along with green and olive ridley turtles.

Best time to visit

The drier season, from roughly August to November, is the most comfortable time to visit, with less rain and easier river travel. There is also a short drier spell known as the 'little summer of March'.

Staying online in French Guiana

Mobile coverage is good in Cayenne, Kourou, Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni and along much of the coastal road. Away from the coast, in the rainforest, along the rivers and in the interior, there is little or no signal. Hotels and guesthouses in towns usually offer Wi-Fi. As French Guiana is part of the EU, EU roaming rules generally apply for EU plans, but check with your provider; others may face high roaming charges. Download offline maps, install an eSIM before you fly and switch it on when you land.