Cycling in Guyana
Including Bartica to Mahdia Trail Region, Berbice River and Corentyne Coast, and Essequibo Coast and Supenaam. On the map.
The vibe
Pedaling the long red-dirt arterial tracks and coastal roads places you in direct competition with heavy logging trucks and domestic minibuses rather than scenic leisure tour groups. The weather is most forgiving during the drier stretches of the year, though relentless heat and sudden dust storms test your endurance. It is decidedly not a bike-holiday country, feeling much more like an unvarnished endurance test where you roll completely unsupported through rural settlements.
Bartica to Mahdia Trail Region
Cuyuni-Mazaruni
NASA / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)
Tackle rugged interior logging and mining roads that plunge into Guyana's deep rainforest interior. This challenging route tests endurance with rolling hills, red clay surfaces, and dense jungle canopy.
Access. Accessible via speedboat or ferry from Parika to Bartica, the gateway to Guyana's interior mining districts.
Notes. High humidity, heavy transport trucks, and seasonal mud require self-sufficiency and robust off-road touring gear.
Berbice River and Corentyne Coast
East Berbice-Corentyne
User:Loriski / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Cruise long stretches of flat coastal highway from New Amsterdam toward Corriverton near the Suriname border. This route traverses vibrant sugar cane estates, rice farming communities, and historically rich rural settlements.
Access. Reached via the East Bank Berbice road network or by crossing the Berbice River Bridge from Rosignol.
Notes. Flat terrain with occasional strong coastal headwinds from the Atlantic.
Essequibo Coast and Supenaam
Pomeroon-Supenaam
Marco Farouk Basir / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Pedal through wide paddy fields and peaceful riverside communities along the estuary of the mighty Essequibo River. The flat, paved roads make this an ideal region for multi-day touring and scenic exploration away from major city congestion.
Access. Access requires taking the passenger and vehicle ferry from Parika across the Essequibo River to Supenaam.
Notes. Best experienced during the dry seasons (February to April and August to October).
Georgetown to Mahaica Coastal Road
Demerara-Mahaica
Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit , Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)
Experience coastal riding along Guyana's populated Atlantic seaboard, passing through flat agricultural lands, villages, and seawalls. The paved coastal highway offers a unique look at rural life and Dutch-influenced drainage canals just outside the capital.
Access. Begin in Georgetown where bike rentals and local cycling clubs are available. The coastal route is easily accessible straight from the city center.
Notes. Tropical climate requires early morning starts to beat the heat; coastal traffic can be busy near Georgetown.
Rupununi Savannah Trail
Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo
Embark on an epic adventure across vast open grasslands and red dirt tracks stretching toward the Brazilian border. The sprawling Rupununi Savannah provides challenging mixed-surface riding amidst sweeping vistas and encounters with local indigenous ranches.
Access. Access is typically via overland transport or scheduled flights from Georgetown to Lethem, where expeditions begin.
Notes. Recommended during the dry season; wet season brings flooded trails and challenging river crossings. Suitable for experienced gravel and bikepacking travelers.