French Guiana is an overseas department and region of France on the northeastern coast of South America, offering a remarkable fusion of pristine Amazonian rainforest, French European infrastructure, and extraordinary cultural diversity. Home to Europe's primary orbital launch facility, the territory combines space-age technology with some of the world's most biodiverse ecosystems.
Local currency: Euro.
Daily budget by traveller style
Typical per-person daily spend in French Guiana.
Cost breakdown
Typical price ranges across major spending categories.
Items
- Typical
Trip budgets by length
What a typical trip to French Guiana costs end-to-end.
Items traveller
Money-saving tips
Practical ways to stretch your budget further.
Eat at Cayenne's Central Market (Wed, Fri, Sat) and Madeleine Market (Mon–Sat mornings) for meals at €7–€12 — the best food value in the territory
The Space Center in Kourou is completely free — book at least 3 days in advance by emailing visite-csg@cnes.fr
Travel by collective taxi (taxis collectifs) between Cayenne, Kourou, and Saint-Laurent — costs €8–€30 vs €50–€150 for private taxi
Stay in Saül at Gîte Akenou (€50–€80/night) which includes breakfast and trail access — this combines accommodation with free hiking
January is the cheapest month for hotels in Cayenne — prices drop 20–30% in the mini dry season
Shop for fruit and vegetables at the Madeleine Market rather than supermarkets — typically 40% cheaper
Hmong noodle soup at Cacao on Sundays costs €3–€6 — the cheapest good meal in French Guiana
Wild camp/hammock carbet for €10–€20/night along jungle rivers (arrange through local guides in Saint-Laurent)
Free things to do
Memorable experiences that cost nothing.
Space Center tour in Kourou (free; advance booking required — book at centrespatialguyanais.cnes.fr)
Fort Cépérou viewpoint, Cayenne
Place des Palmistes, Cayenne
Canal Laussat walk, Cayenne
Cacao Sunday market (free entry)
Réserve Naturelle du Trésor hiking trails
All hiking trails in Saül (trails are free; flights to Saül are the cost)
Plage Les Hattes sea turtle watching (free; no entry fee to beach)
Plage de Montjoly beach
Jardin Botanique de Cayenne
Cayenne Central Market (free to browse)
Maroni River waterfront walk, Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni