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Embark on an unforgettable journey through French Guiana, where every mile brings you closer to raw, unfiltered adventure. Start in vibrant Cayenne, where markets, street food, and colonial charm set the tone. Then hit the road to uncover remote jungle settlements, winding rivers, and hidden trails deep within the Amazon rainforest. Experience the blend of cultures—Creole, Indigenous, and French—that give this region its unique identity. Whether you're navigating muddy tracks, spotting rare wildlife, or connecting with locals in off-grid communities, overlanding in French Guiana offers a rare opportunity to explore one of South America’s least-traveled and most captivating destinations.
Oiapoque to Cayenne in French Guiana
Oiapoque is the gateway to French Guiana, and here we pass through European immigration and customs before we continue on to the capital of Cayenne.
Cayenne is full of colonial architecture that just has to be explored. The two most impressive are the town hall, built by the Jesuits in 1890, and St. Saviours Roman Catholic Cathedral. The city’s botanical gardens are also worth a look or just chill out on the main square with a beer, watch the world go by and try some of the fantastic street food. Depending on the timing of our Suriname visa applications, and when we can collect our passports, the order of the following destinations may change around.
Cayenne to St. Laurent du Maroni
Kourou is a real highlight of our journey, as we can visit the European Spaceport where we can take a tour of the site. A large percentage of the world’s satellites are launched from here aboard the famous Ariane rockets. More recently Russian Soyuz rockets have also used this facility and if we’re lucky we may even see a launch! Time allowing we will also visit Devil’s Island, prior home to one of France’s most notorious prisons.
We may then return to Cayenne to collect our passports and spend another night in the vibrant city, before journeying west to St Laurent. Along the way we will stop head to an area on the coast which is a nesting site for 4 of the world’s most famous turtle species. Nothing can compare coming up close and personal to a giant leatherback turtle. April is normally the start of nesting time, where turtles make the journey up the beach to deposit their eggs in the warm sand. We’ll keep our fingers crossed for sightings.
Founded in 1880, the penal town of St. Laurent du Maroni was inhabited almost entirely with guards or liberated prisoners from the nearby Transportation Camp. Here the famous writer Henri Charriere, who went on to write Papillon, spent some of his days before being moved to the ‘inescapable’ Iles du Salut prison. An informative optional tour takes us into the camp and gives us a snap shot of quite how hard life would have been here.
Leaving French Guyana behind we take another ferry and cross into Suriname.
Our 62 day Rio to Manaus overland adventure explores Brazil, French Guiana, Suriname and Guyana:
RIO TO MANAUS VIA THE GUIANAS (62 DAYS) TROPICS OF SOUTH AMERICA
Explore a landscape like no other with our 62-day tour across Brazil and through French Guiana, Suriname and Guyana. Starting in the bustling city of Rio, you will travel along the Atlantic coast and through the centre of Brazil into the tropical paradise that awaits. Travel south through unspoilt rainforest and into the vibrant metropolis that is Manaus, overlooking the Amazon river. This tour truly gives you the opportunity to explore the road less travelled and discover the outstanding landscapes and cultures of Latin America that many do not get to see.
Or include French Guiana on an epic 27 week expedition across South America:
CARTAGENA TO MANAUS INC. GUIANAS (29 WEEKS) TRANS SOUTH AMERICA
Embark on the journey of a lifetime with an exploratory expedition which takes you throughout South America. Witness some of the most striking landscapes that this part of the world has to offer as you travel through dense rainforests, dry deserts and high altiplano. Experience the pristine coastlines and vibrant cities as you get a real feel of the sights, sounds and flavours of the true South America.