An overseas region of France, the small country of French Guiana is a blend of French, South American, and Caribbean cultures on the coast of South America. French is the primary language of French Guiana, but native languages like French Guiana Creole, Wayampi, and Paramaccan (among many others) are also spoken. A working knowledge of basic French will serve a traveler well. And some familiarity with French and Caribbean cuisine will be good for the taste buds as food in French Guiana showcases the blend of cultures present in the country. Desserts show off French influence in the rich, creamy custards favored by the people of French Guiana for special occasions. Meanwhile, savory dishes like roti with curry show off the Indian influence in the Caribbean.

Outdoor adventures are the adventures of choice for most travelers in French Guiana. With such vast expanses of pristine forests, it’s the best way to see the forests and get your adrenaline pumping. Hire a guide and trek through the Amazon for a few days. You’ll see more wildlife and push your body to its limit on a multi-day trek. You could take night-hikes from camp to get a glimpse of nocturnal mammals and insects by flashlight or maybe spot an ocelot up close.

If you’re up for water sports, consider a trip down one of the rivers. Go quickly on a white water rafting trip bouncing past dense forest with an experienced guide. Or paddle along more quietly in a canoe for an afternoon or a day. You never know what might float up beside you as you glide along like snakes or maybe even piranha.

The Guiana Amazonian Park holds some of the most well-preserved rainforest in the world. It is a large park of over eight million acres, which provides ample habitat for big cats like the jaguar and many other mammals to roam. Parts of the park are inhabited by native tribes, while other areas of the park are kept completely untouched. All areas of the park are highly regulated in terms of land use, and large-scale economic projects like logging are extremely restricted.

If you enjoy birding, head into the forest early in the day to see toucans, macaws, and other large tropical birds typical of the country. The rainforest in French Guiana is home to well over seven hundred species, many of which reside in the Amazon.

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