Keeping tourism revenues in the destinations in which they’re generated is one of the fundamental goals of sustainable tourism. When tourism is well managed, it enables locals the opportunity to maintain or elevate their quality of life without jeopardizing the natural and cultural treasures that draw visitors there in the first place. The money that comes into a community-owned and operated tourism enterprise stays within that indigenous village, providing economic benefits to the entire community. From the guides and the cooks to the drivers and support staff, all employees are members of the local community. Best of all, your hosts want to share their culture and show off the iconic wildlife that live in - the ecosystems they’ve been stewards of for millennia. Your visit provides an incentive to protect wildlife habitat and preserve traditional culture. It provides travellers with the chance to enhance their experience and knowledge by connecting with and learning from the locals. This is just one of the many ways tourism is a force for good in the world today.
There are many Amerindian community-owned and operated eco-lodges travelers in Guyana, each with its own unique charm and appeal. The first one was established in 1996, so this is still a relatively new concept in the country. Because Guyana is the only country in South America where English is the native language, visitors can interact with the indigenous locals of the villages without the need for an interpreter.
Rewa Eco-Lodge.
This lodge, which was founded in 2005 thanks to a grant provided by Conservation International, directly employs 80% of the village’s population. To maximize employment, members of the community work two-week shifts at the lodge, cooking, cleaning, gardening, guiding and otherwise tending to the overall experience. Visitors can visit the village, and gain deeper insight into the indigenous way of life.
The lodge itself is relatively modest. There are five self-contained bungalows with private bathrooms, and two “benabs,” traditional, round, thatch-roofed buildings, each with two bedrooms and shared bathrooms and showers (18 beds total). Meals are served in the main dining benab, which you can also relax under and be entertained by stories of the village and landscape from the guides and staff.
Surama Eco-Lodge.
Opened in 1996, this was Guyana’s first community-run lodge. It is an ideal place from which to explore the Rupununi savannahs. Like Rewa, Surama incorporates indigenous traditions in the design of the lodge. There are four simple bungalows, a larger thatched structure that contains four en suite bedrooms, and a large benab, which serves as the main dining area and has a second story filled with hammocks and chairs for you to relax and enjoy the views of the Pakaraima Mountains.
The nearby village of Surama is home to just over 300 people, and is surrounded by the mountains which are the backdrop for many of the adventures you can have around the area. Most Surama villagers are from the Makushi Indigenous group.
Caiman House.
This unique facility is a combination of a guest-lodge and education center focused on research and conservation projects along the Rupununi River. Both the Caiman House Lodge and Cayman House Field Station are located within the Yupukari Village, which provides the workforce for each.
Visitors have many opportunities to observe – or become involved with – the projects at Caiman House, two of which focuses on the black caiman and yellow-spotted Amazon river turtle. A popular night time excursion allows guests to observe caiman tagging (the capture, measure, and release of the animal) and assist in data collection. Visitors also have the opportunity to meet local craftspeople involved in Wabbani, a nonprofit venture to connect remote artisans with customers to create local jobs.
Warapoka Lodge and Karasabai Lodge.
These are two of Guyana’s newer community-owned lodges. They’re still in the development stage, but open to adventurous travelers looking for a more rustic experience than the other lodges mentioned. Warapoka is known for its excellent catch and release sport fishing, it's proximity to Shell Beach Protected Area and resident harpy eagles that often nest near the village. Karasabai is one of the only known placed globally where you can see the sun parakeet. It also offers some exceptional hikes.
Moraikobai Guest House and Wakapou Rest House. For travelers looking for an even more intimate, authentic experience near Georgetown, the villages of Moraikobai and Wakapou deliver. They both offer very basic lodging. Moraikobai’s elders are known for their evening storytelling. Village tours and recreational fishing are other popular activities. Wakapou offers swimming, samples from a small-scale coffee production enterprise, and a hike to what are believed to be fossilized whale bones.
Rewa Eco-Lodge.
This lodge, which was founded in 2005 thanks to a grant provided by Conservation International, directly employs 80% of the village’s population. To maximize employment, members of the community work two-week shifts at the lodge, cooking, cleaning, gardening, guiding and otherwise tending to the overall experience. Visitors can visit the village, and gain deeper insight into the indigenous way of life.
The lodge itself is relatively modest. There are five self-contained bungalows with private bathrooms, and two “benabs,” traditional, round, thatch-roofed buildings, each with two bedrooms and shared bathrooms and showers (18 beds total). Meals are served in the main dining benab, which you can also relax under and be entertained by stories of the village and landscape from the guides and staff.
Surama Eco-Lodge.
Opened in 1996, this was Guyana’s first community-run lodge. It is an ideal place from which to explore the Rupununi savannahs. Like Rewa, Surama incorporates indigenous traditions in the design of the lodge. There are four simple bungalows, a larger thatched structure that contains four en suite bedrooms, and a large benab, which serves as the main dining area and has a second story filled with hammocks and chairs for you to relax and enjoy the views of the Pakaraima Mountains.
The nearby village of Surama is home to just over 300 people, and is surrounded by the mountains which are the backdrop for many of the adventures you can have around the area. Most Surama villagers are from the Makushi Indigenous group.
Caiman House.
This unique facility is a combination of a guest-lodge and education center focused on research and conservation projects along the Rupununi River. Both the Caiman House Lodge and Cayman House Field Station are located within the Yupukari Village, which provides the workforce for each.
Visitors have many opportunities to observe – or become involved with – the projects at Caiman House, two of which focuses on the black caiman and yellow-spotted Amazon river turtle. A popular night time excursion allows guests to observe caiman tagging (the capture, measure, and release of the animal) and assist in data collection. Visitors also have the opportunity to meet local craftspeople involved in Wabbani, a nonprofit venture to connect remote artisans with customers to create local jobs.
Warapoka Lodge and Karasabai Lodge.
These are two of Guyana’s newer community-owned lodges. They’re still in the development stage, but open to adventurous travelers looking for a more rustic experience than the other lodges mentioned. Warapoka is known for its excellent catch and release sport fishing, it's proximity to Shell Beach Protected Area and resident harpy eagles that often nest near the village. Karasabai is one of the only known placed globally where you can see the sun parakeet. It also offers some exceptional hikes.
Moraikobai Guest House and Wakapou Rest House. For travelers looking for an even more intimate, authentic experience near Georgetown, the villages of Moraikobai and Wakapou deliver. They both offer very basic lodging. Moraikobai’s elders are known for their evening storytelling. Village tours and recreational fishing are other popular activities. Wakapou offers swimming, samples from a small-scale coffee production enterprise, and a hike to what are believed to be fossilized whale bones.
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