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.
French Guiana has a hot, humid equatorial climate with temperatures staying between 22°C (72°F) at night and 30–32°C (86–90°F) during the day year-round. The territory lies well south of the Caribbean hurricane belt — there is no hurricane risk. The primary seasonal variable is rainfall, which determines trail conditions and outdoor activity feasibility. French Guiana experiences two rainy and two dry seasons annually.
Best time to visit
Best: September–October
Avoid: May–June: the longest and heaviest rainy season. Average rainfall exceeds 350–400 mm/month. Jungle trails flood, leech counts peak, and some roads become impassable.
Peak Season: August–October (dry season) draws the most visitors. January also has relatively dry weather and the lowest hotel prices.
Notes: Sea turtle nesting (April–August) draws wildlife visitors to Les Hattes and Montjoly despite the rainy season. The Space Center operates year-round regardless of weather.
Items:
- Month
- January
- Rain mm
- 80
- Rainy days
- 10
- Temp high c
- 30
- Temp low c
- 23
- Humidity pct
- 82
- Notes
- Short dry season — relatively pleasant, cheapest hotel prices, good for Space Center visits
- Month
- February
- Rain mm
- 75
- Rainy days
- 9
- Temp high c
- 30
- Temp low c
- 23
- Humidity pct
- 80
- Notes
- Mini dry period; often the sunniest stretch of Q1
- Month
- March
- Rain mm
- 120
- Rainy days
- 12
- Temp high c
- 31
- Temp low c
- 23
- Humidity pct
- 83
- Notes
- 'Petit été de mars' — brief sunny spell before long rains build
- Month
- April
- Rain mm
- 200
- Rainy days
- 15
- Temp high c
- 31
- Temp low c
- 24
- Humidity pct
- 87
- Notes
- Rains increasing; turtle nesting begins; still manageable for travel
- Month
- May
- Rain mm
- 350
- Rainy days
- 22
- Temp high c
- 30
- Temp low c
- 24
- Humidity pct
- 90
- Notes
- Heavy rains; jungle trails very difficult; coastal travel still possible
- Month
- June
- Rain mm
- 400
- Rainy days
- 24
- Temp high c
- 29
- Temp low c
- 23
- Humidity pct
- 92
- Notes
- Wettest month; interior travel not recommended; turtle beaches accessible
- Month
- July
- Rain mm
- 280
- Rainy days
- 20
- Temp high c
- 29
- Temp low c
- 23
- Humidity pct
- 89
- Notes
- Rains easing; turtle hatchlings on beaches begin; hiking improving
- Month
- August
- Rain mm
- 120
- Rainy days
- 13
- Temp high c
- 30
- Temp low c
- 22
- Humidity pct
- 84
- Notes
- Conditions improving rapidly; good for hiking; turtle hatchlings peak
- Month
- September
- Rain mm
- 36
- Rainy days
- 7
- Temp high c
- 31
- Temp low c
- 22
- Humidity pct
- 78
- Notes
- BEST MONTH — driest, sunniest, optimal for all activities
- Month
- October
- Rain mm
- 55
- Rainy days
- 8
- Temp high c
- 32
- Temp low c
- 23
- Humidity pct
- 79
- Notes
- Excellent — hottest and dry; superb for hiking; peak season
- Month
- November
- Rain mm
- 130
- Rainy days
- 13
- Temp high c
- 31
- Temp low c
- 23
- Humidity pct
- 83
- Notes
- Good weather but rains beginning to increase; still a fine time to visit
- Month
- December
- Rain mm
- 180
- Rainy days
- 16
- Temp high c
- 30
- Temp low c
- 23
- Humidity pct
- 85
- Notes
- Long rainy season returns; fewer tourists; lower hotel rates
Summary: September–October (peak dry season): the driest, sunniest months. September averages only 36 mm of rain and 7–8 rainy days. Temperatures around 30–32°C (86–90°F). Ideal for all activities — hiking, beach, wildlife, Saül.
Month-by-month weather
Typical conditions throughout the year.
Items
The seasons
What to expect in each part of the year.
Items
Long dry season (Grand Carême), Short dry season (Petit Carême), Long rainy season (Grande Saison des Pluies), Short rainy season (Petite Saison des Pluies)
Crowds & peak times
When to expect tourists and when to avoid them.
- Items
- Month
- September
- Crowd level
- Moderate
- Notes
- Best weather draws visitors; not overcrowded as tourism remains niche
- Month
- October
- Crowd level
- Moderate–High
- Notes
- Peak season; best hotel rates still reasonable vs Europe
- Month
- November
- Crowd level
- Low–Moderate
- Notes
- Good shoulder period
- Month
- January
- Crowd level
- Low
- Notes
- Cheapest month for hotels; off-peak with mini dry weather
- Month
- July–August
- Crowd level
- Moderate
- Notes
- French school holidays bring domestic visitors from mainland France
Major events & festivals
Time your visit around what matters.
Carnaval de Guyane
One of the most distinctive carnivals in the French Caribbean, running from Epiphany (early January) to Ash Wednesday. Known for the traditional Touloulous (masked women) and nightly public street parties in Cayenne.
Leatherback Turtle Season
20,000+ clutches laid annually at Les Hattes beach (Awala-Yalimapo). Night guided walks by conservation groups.
Sea Turtle Hatchling Season
Leatherback and olive ridley hatchlings emerge at Montjoly and Les Hattes beaches.
Kourou Rocket Launch Events
Ariane, Vega, and Soyuz launches from the Space Center attract crowds to Kourou. Launches visible from the town; check ariane.group for schedule. Tours cancelled during launch windows.