French Guiana


French Guiana is an overseas department of France on the northeast coast of South America, composed mainly of tropical rainforest. 

The ruins of 17th-century Fort Cépérou overlook the capital, Cayenne, with its colorful Creole houses and street markets.

Shops and cafes surround the palm-filled main square, Place des Palmistes, while the Rémire-Montjoly suburb is lined with Atlantic coast beaches.

 

Source: Google


DEVIL'S ISLAND

A photographer's paradise today, this tiny island has not always been a place you would wish to land. 

Starting in 1852, the island received convicts from the prison of St-Laurent-du-Maroni. 

Notorious for the harsh treatment of detainees, the tropical climate and diseases, the prison had a death rate of 75% at its worst and was finally closed down in 1953. 

Although uninhabited today, it remains the home to a variety of tropical animals so abundant it's impossible not to cross paths with them while walking about. 

GETTING THERE:

The only way to access Devil's island is by boat.  These trips can be booked from Kourou, which is about an hour drive from Cayenne (CAY).

Search the best rates on flights here.

 

PLACES TO STAY:

Find great deals on hotels here.

 

GETTING AROUND:

The best ways of getting around French Guiana would be via rental car, local transit or private car hire.

 

THINGS TO DO:

Once on the island, the only way to explore is via foot. 

There is no civilization or establishments so it's purely a walk through nature with a very high concentration of tropical wildlife. 

The historical artifacts and buildings of the old prison also remain.   

The entire island takes less than an hour to walk around (depending on how often you stop).

 

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