Key takeaways
French Guiana is a French overseas department on the north coast of South America, which means the euro, French law and EU roaming apply for travellers arriving with EU SIMs. However, mobile coverage is sharply split: Cayenne, Kourou and Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni have solid 4G from Orange Caraibe, Digicel and SFR Caraibe, while the vast rainforest interior has no signal at all. A Roamix French Guiana eSIM activates automatically on arrival at Cayenne Felix Eboue Airport on the Orange Caraibe network, which has the widest reach including some interior towns. Budget 5 to 10 GB for a two-week trip and cache offline maps before any jungle lodge or forest route.
- Orange Caraibe is the strongest network in French Guiana, reaching coastal cities and some interior towns where others drop out.
- A Roamix eSIM activates before you fly and connects automatically at Felix Eboue Airport, saving you a queue at the arrivals SIM kiosk.
- French Guiana uses the euro and follows French law; EU/EEA roaming rules apply for travellers with European SIMs, but Roamix is often more economical.
- The rainforest interior has no mobile coverage outside of a handful of river towns. Always download offline maps and lodge details before leaving Cayenne.
- Emergency services use the French standard 112 and 15/17/18 numbers, identical to mainland France.
Best way to get data in French Guiana
For most visitors, a Roamix eSIM is the simplest and most cost-effective option, connecting you to Orange Caraibe on arrival with no setup at the airport.
| Option | Best for | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Roamix eSIMRecommended | Best for: Most travellers | Instant activation on Orange Caraibe, the strongest local network, with no kiosk queue on arrival at Felix Eboue. |
| Local physical SIM | Best for: Stays of more than two weeks needing a French Guiana number | Available at Felix Eboue airport from Orange Caraibe and Digicel kiosks. Requires passport for registration. |
| Pocket wifi | Best for: Groups needing a shared connection in Cayenne | Another device to charge and coverage is still limited to the coastal corridor. |
| Carrier roaming | Best for: EU travellers covered by Roam Like At Home | EU SIM holders roam free in French Guiana as it is an EU territory. Check your data allowance for overseas departments with your carrier. |
Wifi is available in hotels, cafes and guesthouses in Cayenne, Kourou and Saint-Laurent. It is absent in jungle lodges and interior communities. Mobile data is more reliable on the coast.
How much data you need
Data needs are moderate for a coastal trip and essentially zero for deep jungle travel. Invest your data allowance in offline preparation before heading anywhere beyond the N1 highway.
4 to 6 GB
One week coastal trip: Cayenne, Kourou and Iles du Salut
Navigation, social uploads, messaging and browsing on a well-covered coastal route.
6 to 8 GB
Two week jungle and coast combination
Heavy offline map downloads before jungle segments, video calls from Cayenne and space launch live updates.
15 GB or more
Remote work base in Cayenne
Video calls, cloud uploads and tethering a laptop alongside sightseeing require a generous allowance.
Data per hour, by activity
- Maps and navigation
- 5 MB per hour of active navigation
- Social media and browsing
- 100 to 150 MB
- Music streaming
- 70 MB
- Standard video streaming
- 700 MB to 1 GB
- Video calls
- 500 MB to 1.5 GB
Download the Organic Maps or Maps.me jungle overlays and your entire route as offline maps in Cayenne before any interior excursion.
How to set up a French Guiana eSIM
Install your Roamix French Guiana eSIM over wifi before departure. It activates automatically on the Orange Caraibe network when you land at Felix Eboue Airport, so you step out of arrivals already connected.
- 1
Buy your plan on the Roamix French Guiana eSIM page before departure.
- 2
Scan the QR code or install via the app over wifi at home.
- 3
Label it Roamix and keep your home SIM as primary for calls and SMS.
- 4
Enable data roaming for the Roamix line only.
- 5
Land at Cayenne Felix Eboue Airport and the eSIM connects automatically to Orange Caraibe.
Works on unlocked eSIM-capable phones including iPhone XS and newer, Google Pixel 3 and newer, and recent Samsung Galaxy models.
Roamix configures the APN automatically on most devices. If data does not start after landing, apply the APN from your order and toggle airplane mode off and on.
If no data appears, check that data roaming is enabled for the Roamix line and select the Orange Caraibe network manually in your phone settings.
Visa and entry for French Guiana
French Guiana is an integral part of France and therefore of the European Union. Entry rules are identical to mainland France. Citizens of the EU, EEA, UK, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and many other countries do not need a visa for stays of up to 90 days. Citizens of most other countries require a Schengen visa.
- eVisa or ETA
- There is no separate eVisa for French Guiana. Schengen visa holders enter without additional formalities. A yellow fever vaccination certificate is mandatory for entry and is strictly enforced.
- Passport validity
- Passport should be valid for at least the duration of your stay. EU nationals may enter on a national ID card.
- Onward ticket
- Proof of onward travel and sufficient funds may be requested by border police on arrival.
Keep your travel documents and vaccination certificate accessible on your phone. Use your Roamix eSIM to access your booking confirmation at the border.
Entry rules change. Check current requirements with the French consulate or the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs before booking.
When you land in French Guiana
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How people message here
French Guianans use WhatsApp and SMS for most daily communication. French-language messaging is the norm, though Creole is widely spoken socially.
Do you need a local number?
A local French Guiana number is rarely needed as a tourist. Hotel bookings, tour operators and taxis work with your existing number via WhatsApp.
Keep your home SIM active for SMS two-factor authentication. Use your Roamix eSIM for data and calls via WhatsApp.
Airports in French Guiana
CAY
Cayenne Felix Eboue Airport
Cayenne
Free wifi available in the terminal. Coverage is adequate for messaging and map downloads.
Install your Roamix eSIM before departure so you connect to Orange Caraibe the moment you land and can navigate to your hotel without relying on patchy airport wifi.
LDX
Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni Airport
Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni
Small domestic terminal with basic facilities. Limited wifi connectivity.
Confirm your pirogue or river tour booking over Roamix data before arriving at Saint-Laurent, as signal disappears once you head upriver.
XAU
Saul Airport
Saul
No wifi and no mobile coverage at this remote highland airstrip.
Download all trail maps, lodge contacts and emergency information over Roamix data in Cayenne before flying to Saul. There is no connectivity in the village or park.
MPY
Maripasoula Airport
Maripasoula
No wifi. Basic airstrip serving remote Maroon communities on the Maroni River.
Load your offline maps and accommodation details in Cayenne before your flight. Orange Caraibe may have a faint signal in the village but do not rely on it.
Apps and internet access in French Guiana
French Guiana has a fully open internet as a French overseas department. All apps including WhatsApp, Google, Instagram and FaceTime work normally on a Roamix eSIM.
There is no internet censorship. French law applies and no VPN is required for any mainstream app or service.
WhatsApp, works
Fully available for messaging and calls.
FaceTime, works
Works normally over 4G and wifi.
Google Maps and Search, works
No restrictions. Essential for navigation.
Social media, works
Instagram, Facebook, X and TikTok all work without a VPN.
Getting around French Guiana
French Guiana has limited road infrastructure. The coastal N1 highway links Cayenne, Kourou and Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni. Interior travel requires light aircraft from Cayenne airport or river pirogues from river towns. Taxis and rental cars cover the coastal strip.
Rental car and taxi on the coast
4G coverage is good along the N1 highway between Cayenne and Kourou. Use navigation apps freely on this route. Taxis can be booked via WhatsApp from Cayenne.
Light aircraft to interior airstrips
The only access to Saul, Maripasoula and remote interior communities. Download all information before flying, as no signal awaits at jungle airstrips.
River pirogue
Main transport on the Maroni and Oyapock rivers. Signal is present at river towns but absent on the water between. Download maps and tide tables before departure.
Intercity buses
Shared taxis and minibuses run between Cayenne, Kourou and Saint-Laurent. Orange Caraibe covers most of this coastal corridor.
Shared taxis called 'taxis collectifs' are the main intercity transport. They depart when full from known spots in Cayenne and are very affordable. Book private taxis via WhatsApp for early departures.
Money and payments in French Guiana
French Guiana uses the euro. Card payments are accepted in hotels, supermarkets and larger restaurants in Cayenne and Kourou. Cash is essential for markets, jungle lodges and rural areas.
- Cards and cash
- Cards work well in Cayenne and Kourou. Outside the coastal cities, cash is often the only option. Withdraw euros before leaving Cayenne.
- ATMs
- ATMs are available at Felix Eboue Airport and throughout Cayenne. Interior towns have no ATMs, so carry enough cash for your entire jungle or river trip.
- Payment apps
- Apple Pay and Google Pay work in larger stores in Cayenne. French banking apps such as Lydia are popular locally. Mobile money is not widespread.
- Tipping
- Tipping is not mandatory in French Guiana as service charges are included in French-style pricing. Rounding up or leaving 5 to 10 percent for good service in restaurants is appreciated.
Daily budget
Budget travellers spend around 80 to 120 EUR per day. Jungle lodge packages typically include meals and guides and cost 150 to 300 EUR per day all-inclusive.
Local tips for French Guiana
- Language
- French is the official language and used in all government and commercial contexts. French Guianese Creole is widely spoken socially. English is limited outside of tourist-facing businesses in Cayenne.
- Food
- Creole cuisine dominates: bouillon d'awara (palm nut stew), accras (salt cod fritters), colombo curry and freshwater fish from the rivers. The Cayenne covered market is the best place to eat and sample local produce.
- Plugs
- 220V, Type C and E plugs
Apps worth having
Maps.me
navigation
Offline maps with jungle trail overlays for French Guiana, essential for interior travel without mobile signal.
WhatsApp
communication
Used by virtually all tour operators, guides and taxi drivers in French Guiana for bookings and communication.
Meteo France
weather
Official French weather service with tropical storm alerts and rainfall forecasts for French Guiana.
Safety and health in French Guiana
French Guiana is generally safe in Cayenne and Kourou. Exercise normal urban caution in Cayenne at night. The interior is physically demanding and carries health risks including malaria in certain areas. Stay connected to receive weather and safety alerts.
- Stay reachable
- Keep your Roamix eSIM active for emergency calls on the coast. Beyond mobile coverage in the interior, carry a satellite communicator or emergency locator beacon for any rainforest or river expedition.
- Health
- Malaria prophylaxis is recommended for travel to the interior. Yellow fever vaccination is mandatory. Travel health insurance covering medical evacuation is strongly advised.
- Tap water
- Tap water is safe in Cayenne and Kourou. In interior communities and jungle lodges, use filtered or bottled water.
Networks and coverage in French Guiana
French Guiana has three active mobile operators: Orange Caraibe, Digicel and SFR Caraibe. Orange Caraibe holds the largest footprint, reaching Cayenne, Kourou and some interior river towns via satellite backhaul. Digicel and SFR are reliable along the coastal corridor. A Roamix eSIM connects to Orange Caraibe on arrival at Cayenne Felix Eboue Airport, so you land already online without visiting a kiosk.
Orange Caraibe
Widest footprint in the territory, covering Cayenne, Kourou, Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni and several interior communities via satellite-backed infrastructure. The safest choice for trips outside the coast.
Digicel
Strong 4G along the coastal strip from Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni to Cayenne and Saint-Georges-de-l'Oyapock. Coverage deteriorates quickly into the interior.
SFR Caraibe
Reliable in Cayenne and Kourou urban areas. Less reach than Orange Caraibe in towns away from the coast.
- Typical speeds
- 4G delivers 20 to 80 Mbps in Cayenne and Kourou. Speeds drop quickly as you move inland.
- 5G
- 5G has not launched in French Guiana. 4G LTE is the highest technology available in 2026.
If you are heading to the Guiana Space Centre for a rocket launch viewing, activate your eSIM in Cayenne before making the 60 km drive to Kourou, as coverage in the launch viewing areas at Agami Beach can be patchy.
The vast rainforest interior of French Guiana, including Saul, the Maroni basin villages and the Amazonian parks, has no mobile signal on any carrier. The only connectivity in deep jungle is via satellite devices. Even the N1 highway south of Roura loses coverage. Networks use standard EU LTE bands. Most unlocked iPhones from XS onward and recent Android phones work without issue.
Where to go in French Guiana
French Guiana is one of the most biologically diverse places on the planet, with over 90 percent of its territory covered by equatorial rainforest. The territory mixes a French Caribbean coastal culture in Cayenne with frontier jungle towns, Maroon communities along the Maroni River and one of the world's most active space launch facilities at Kourou. Data is essential on the coast and useless deep inland, so plan your connectivity windows carefully.
Best time to visit
July to November is the main dry season with the best jungle and river conditions. February to April is the short dry season. Rocket launch dates from the Guiana Space Centre are announced months in advance and attract visitors year-round.
Cayenne and the Cayenne Peninsula
The capital and main urban area of French Guiana, where colonial architecture, a lively covered market and Creole cuisine create an approachable base. Remi re-Montjoly beach is 15 minutes from the city centre.
- Cayenne market
- Fort Ceperou
- Montjoly beach
- Musee des Cultures Guyanaises
- Remi re Montjoly
Best 4G coverage in French Guiana from all three operators. Orange Caraibe and SFR deliver consistent signal across Cayenne, Remire-Montjoly and Matoury.
Kourou and the Space Coast
Home to the Guiana Space Centre, the world's most active commercial spaceport, Kourou draws visitors for rocket launches by Ariane, Vega and SpaceX launches from the European space complex. The surrounding coast has calm beaches and the Iles du Salut offshore.
- Guiana Space Centre
- Iles du Salut
- Agami Beach launch viewing
- Kourou waterfront
- Musee de l'Espace
Good 4G coverage in Kourou city and the visitor complex. The Agami Beach rocket viewing zone can be patchy; download launch schedules before you go.
Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni and the Maroni River
The second city of French Guiana sits on the Maroni River across from Suriname. It is the gateway to Maroon villages deep in the jungle interior and a base for river pirogue journeys.
- Camp de la Transportation
- Maroni River pirogue trips
- Saint-Jean village
- Maroon cultural villages
- Friday market
Orange Caraibe provides reliable 4G in Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni town centre. Coverage disappears on the river within 20 km of town.
Saul and the Amazon Highlands
A remote highland village accessible only by light aircraft from Cayenne, Saul is the trekking hub for the Parc Amazonien de Guyane, the largest national park in the European Union.
- Parc Amazonien de Guyane
- La Fumee waterfall
- Mont Galbao summit
- Roche Balate lookout
- Saul village trails
No mobile coverage in Saul or the park interior. Download offline maps, lodge details and trail guides over wifi in Cayenne before flying in.
Maroni and Oyapock River Borders
French Guiana shares its western border with Suriname along the Maroni River and its eastern border with Brazil along the Oyapock River. Both borders see legal and illegal crossings and have small frontier towns with basic facilities.
- Saint-Georges-de-l'Oyapock bridge to Brazil
- Maroni riverside markets
- Grand-Santi upstream village
- Papaichton wildlife
- Apatou forest
Orange Caraibe covers Saint-Georges-de-l'Oyapock on the Brazilian border. Signal is limited at border crossings and absent on river routes between.
Off the beaten path
Three jungle-covered islands including the famous Devil's Island, former site of France's most notorious penal colony. Intact colonial prison buildings, sea turtle nesting beaches and caimans in the forests.
Signal: No mobile coverage on the islands. Download your visit guide, boat schedule and accommodation confirmation on the mainland before the 45-minute ferry from Kourou.
The largest national park in the European Union, covering 3.4 million hectares of pristine Amazonian rainforest. Jaguars, harpy eagles, tapirs and over 700 bird species populate a wilderness few travellers ever see.
Signal: Absolutely no mobile signal inside this vast park. The village of Saul has no connectivity. Download all trail maps, emergency contacts and park regulations in Cayenne before your light aircraft flight in.
The world's most commercially active spaceport, launching Ariane 5, Ariane 6 and Vega rockets for the European Space Agency and commercial clients. Free public viewings from Agami Beach draw large crowds for night launches.
Signal: 4G coverage is good in Kourou and at most visitor viewpoints. The Agami Beach public viewing area can be patchy during peak launch periods.
The highest peak in French Guiana at 782 metres, reached by a full-day jungle hike from Saul. The summit offers rare panoramas over unbroken Amazonian canopy stretching to the horizon in all directions.
Signal: No mobile signal on the trail or summit. The hike departs from Saul village, which also has no coverage.
Multi-day pirogue journeys along the Maroni River pass Maroon Aluku and Ndjuka communities whose culture, woodcarving and way of life have remained largely unchanged since escaped slave ancestors settled these forests 300 years ago.
Signal: Orange Caraibe covers Saint-Laurent itself. Signal disappears within the first 20 km upriver. Villages like Grand-Santi and Apatou may have brief signal at the river's edge.
A compact and accessible rainforest reserve 35 km east of Cayenne, with well-marked trails through primary forest. Night walks reveal tree frogs, tarantulas and luminescent fungi.
Signal: Patchy signal on the Roura road near the reserve entrance. No coverage on forest trails inside.
A long Atlantic beach where massive leatherback sea turtles come ashore to nest between March and July in one of the largest such gatherings in the world. Supervised nighttime walks protect nesting sites.
Signal: Good 4G signal from Orange Caraibe along the Remi re-Montjoly beachfront, 15 minutes from the airport.
The sprawling covered market is the social and culinary heart of Cayenne, where Creole, Hmong, Brazilian and Maroon vendors sell spices, tropical fruit, fresh fish and cooked food in a vivid multicultural atmosphere unique in the Americas.
Signal: Full 4G coverage in central Cayenne at the covered market and surrounding streets.
A Maroon Aluku village deep in the interior reached by two days of pirogue travel on the Maroni River. Traditional architecture, canoe-carved furniture and a slower river pace give a glimpse of Amazonian Maroon culture.
Signal: Very limited or no mobile signal. Accessible only by pirogue from Saint-Laurent or by light aircraft. Download all information before leaving the coast.
The Oyapock River Bridge connecting French Guiana to the Brazilian state of Amapa is the only road link between mainland France and Brazil. The small frontier town of Saint-Georges has Creole restaurants and a jungle-edge atmosphere.
Signal: Orange Caraibe covers Saint-Georges-de-l'Oyapock. The bridge and the Brazilian side of the river have reasonable signal from Oi and TIM Brazil.
Events and seasons in French Guiana
January to February
Carnival of Cayenne
Cayenne
One of the most intense and authentic carnival traditions in the Americas, running for weeks with neighbourhood parades every Sunday. The Grand Parade on the final weekend draws costumed groups from across the territory and crowds that fill every Cayenne street.
March to July
Leatherback Sea Turtle Nesting Season
Montjoly and Awala-Yalimapo beaches
French Guiana hosts one of the largest nesting populations of leatherback sea turtles in the world. Females come ashore at night on the Cayenne beaches and the Awala-Yalimapo beach in the northwest to lay eggs under strict wildlife protection.
June
Amazonia Film Festival
Cayenne
An international film festival focusing on Amazonian and Caribbean cinema, with screenings, workshops and panels in Cayenne that celebrate the distinctive cultural crossroads of French Guiana.
July 14 (Bastille Day)
Cayenne Waterfront Festival
Cayenne waterfront
French Guiana celebrates Bastille Day with a military parade on the Place des Palmistes, a public concert and fireworks over the waterfront. As a French department the event is on the same scale as comparable cities in mainland France.
August
Festival du Bele
Cayenne and surrounding communes
A celebration of Bele, a traditional dance and music form brought to the Americas by enslaved Africans. Street performances, workshops and competitions spread across Cayenne and nearby communes in late summer.
October
Maroon Heritage Festival
Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni area
A celebration of the artistic, musical and spiritual heritage of the Maroon communities of the Maroni River region, featuring woodcarving exhibitions, traditional dance, drumming and community canoe racing.
October
Amerindian Heritage Day
Awala-Yalimapo and Amerindian villages
An official French Guiana public holiday celebrating the heritage of the territory's indigenous Kali'na, Arawak, Wayampi and Teko peoples, with cultural events, crafts markets and village visits.
November
Saint-Laurent Music Festival
Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni
A multicultural music festival in the capital of the western Maroni region, celebrating Maroon, Creole, Brazilian and Amerindian musical traditions with outdoor concerts along the riverside.
December to January
Hmong New Year in Cacao
Cacao village, near Cayenne
The Hmong community of Cacao, descendants of refugees who resettled in French Guiana in the 1970s, celebrates the traditional Hmong New Year with traditional costumes, music, traditional ball games and elaborate food.
Year-round, multiple per year
Ariane or Vega Rocket Launch
Kourou, Guiana Space Centre
The Guiana Space Centre launches commercial and scientific satellites for the European Space Agency and private clients. Public viewings from Agami Beach and the Jupiter control area are among the most dramatic spectacles available to any traveller.
Through the year
- Spring
- March to May is the main wet season. Heavy daily rains make jungle trails muddy and river levels rise, which can suspend some pirogue routes. The major turtle nesting season on Montjoly Beach begins in March.
- Summer
- June to August is the main dry season and the best time for jungle trekking and river travel. Temperatures are consistent at 28 to 32C and humidity is lower than in the wet season. Sea turtle nesting continues on the beaches through July.
- Fall
- September to November marks the start of the short rainy season transitioning to a second short dry period. The Saint-Laurent music festival and Maroon heritage celebrations fall in October and November.
- Winter
- December to February is carnival season, the most vibrant cultural period. The Carnival of Cayenne runs for weeks with growing intensity. The short dry season in February makes interior travel more feasible.
Working remotely from French Guiana
Cayenne has coworking spaces and hotels with business facilities, making it workable as a remote base. The interior is completely unsuitable for remote work.
- Connection
- 4G speeds of 20 to 80 Mbps in Cayenne handle video calls and cloud uploads. A Roamix plan with 15 GB or more suits a working week alongside sightseeing.
Use your Roamix eSIM as a secure hotspot for laptop work rather than relying on hotel wifi for sensitive tasks.
