The Guianas are the odd ones out in South America: tucked into the continent’s northeast, this trio of small territories skips Spanish and Portuguese entirely, each speaking the language of its former colonial ruler — plus a rich mix of Creoles and Indigenous tongues.
Guyana is the only country in South America where English is the official language, a legacy of its time as British Guiana. In everyday life most people speak Guyanese Creole (known as Creolese), an English-based Creole flavored with African and East Indian influences, and several Amerindian languages are spoken in the interior. For travelers it’s a wonderfully easy place to get around — different cultures, familiar language.
Formerly Dutch Guiana, Suriname is the only Dutch-speaking country in the Americas. Dutch is the official language of school and government, but the everyday lingua franca that ties the country’s many communities together is Sranan Tongo, an English-based Creole. Reflecting Suriname’s remarkable diversity, you’ll also hear Sarnámi Hindustani, Javanese, Maroon and Amerindian languages.
French Guiana isn’t an independent country at all but an overseas region of France — so French is the official language and the euro is the currency. Most people also speak French Guianese Creole, and Amerindian, Maroon and Hmong communities add still more languages to the mix.
In Guyana, easily. In Suriname and French Guiana, English is less widespread, so a few words of Dutch or French help — but all of our guides are English-speaking, so you’ll always be looked after. Discover all three territories in our guide to the Guianas.
