Cayenne Region Attractions
Centered around the Cayenne Peninsula is the capital city of Cayenne, the administrative and commercial center of French Guiana, along with other neighborhoods such as Rémire-Montjoly with its deep sea harbor and Matoury with the country's Rochambeau airport. Further upstream are Montsinery and the Hmong village of Cacao.
Emerald Jungle Village
The best eco-tourism opportunity in the Cayenne region is the Emerald Jungle Village.
The solar-powered lodge is an abandoned French Foreign Legion post and run by a former director of the Suriname Zoo.
The building contains a library and there is a botanical trail on the property.
The staff at the lodge run excursions through eastern French Guiana and canoes and mountain bikes are rented.
The solar-powered lodge is an abandoned French Foreign Legion post and run by a former director of the Suriname Zoo.
The building contains a library and there is a botanical trail on the property.
The staff at the lodge run excursions through eastern French Guiana and canoes and mountain bikes are rented.
Emerald Jungle Village
Carrefour de Gallion, French Guiana 97356
French Guiana
Carrefour de Gallion, French Guiana 97356
French Guiana
Approuague River
Eco-tourism tours can be taken up the Approuague River, the fourth largest river in French Guiana.
Takari Tours
8 rue du Cap Bernard
Cayenne, French Guiana 97332
French Guiana
8 rue du Cap Bernard
Cayenne, French Guiana 97332
French Guiana
Cacao, French Guiana
Sunday is the best day to visit this Asian village of 1,000 populated mainly by Hmong refugees transplanted from Laos in the 1970s. The fascinating Sunday market held here features Hmong embroidery and weaving and local noodle soups.
The Cacao museum has a very extensive bug and butterfly collection.
The Cacao museum has a very extensive bug and butterfly collection.
Cayenne - Fort Diamant
The historical ruins of Fort Diamant are seen at the point of the Cayenne Peninsula.
Degrad des Cannes, French Guiana
This is the main port of French Guiana, located on the Cayenne Peninsula on the northwest bank of the Mahury river.
The entrance is lit and buoyed, and yachts usually anchor outside the main channel by the shore.
The entrance is lit and buoyed, and yachts usually anchor outside the main channel by the shore.
Gabrielle Creek & Fourgassié Waterfalls
Gabrielle Creek is a good example of Amazonian forest scenery, amid which the large blue Morpho butterflies can be seen.
Upstream are the clear and swimmable Fourgassié waterfalls.
Upstream are the clear and swimmable Fourgassié waterfalls.
Grand Matoury Nature Reserve
The Grand Matoury Nature Reserve offers an interesting 5km/3mi hike on interpretation paths through a primary forest.
Les Nourages Nature Reserve
Les Nourages, a remote site not far from Régina is one of the best bird watching areas in French Guiana. This research station is technically off-limits to travelers, but trips to the edge of the reserve can be arranged.
Macouria - Zoo, French Guiana
A large range of Guianese animals such as jaguars, black caimans, monkeys, snakes, tapirs, giant otters, parrots, and anteaters can be seen at the Macouria Zoo.
There is also an excellent Creole restaurant in the village.
There is also an excellent Creole restaurant in the village.
Facilities
Restaurant or food service
Mahury Mountain
From the town of Rémire-Montjoly there is a hiking trail to the top of Mahury Mountain on the Cayenne Peninsula.
Montsinery, French Guiana
This town on the Montsinery River has a little zoo whose big attraction is the feeding of the spectacled caiman.
An orchid garden is located nearby.
An orchid garden is located nearby.
Regina, French Guiana
This somewhat rundown village on the Approuague River is located in a former gold-mining area.
Roura, French Guiana
This village on the east bank of the Mahury River has an interesting 19th C church.
Near Roura is the village of Dacca where Laotian immigrants have made the area home.
Near Roura is the village of Dacca where Laotian immigrants have made the area home.
St Georges de l'Oiapoque, French Guiana
St Georges de l'Oiapoque, located at the Brazilian border is reachable only by plane. St Georges de l'Oiapoque presents an ethnic mix of Palikur Amerindians, Creoles, Europeans and Brazilians.
It's the starting point for discovering the large border river and its rapids, or for journeys into the Amapá region of Brazil with its native Amerindian population.
It's the starting point for discovering the large border river and its rapids, or for journeys into the Amapá region of Brazil with its native Amerindian population.
Vidal de Lingendes Estate Ruins, French Guiana
This village named after a former governor features an early colonial sugar mill. Hiking opportunities through the forest are available. The path crosses what was once French Guiana's largest sugar plantation in the 18th C.
Read More