7. Remire-Montjoly Beach
If you’re seeking a beach fix, you’ll find Cayenne’s best stretch of sand and sea at Remire-Montjoly. French Guiana beaches are typically wild, windswept affairs, and this beach is no different, but it does have a narrow, strip of golden shoreline that is great for sunbathing. Palms and lush greenery fringe the sand, providing welcome patches of shade.
The silty waters here are not ideal for swimming but they’re decent enough for a quick dip after a hike in the nearby nature reserve. You might spot sea turtles here during nesting season.
8. Pirogue River Trip
Paddling along a jungle-fringed river in a local boat is an exhilarating way to explore French Guiana’s seemingly impenetrable wilderness. The rivers flow through the heart of the steamy jungle and are the best way to travel between remote villages and see wildlife in its natural habitat, including capybara, caiman, and monkeys. Typically, guides offer cruises in pirogues, dugout canoes carved from local wood.
One of the most popular rivers to paddle is the Maroni River, on the border of French Guiana and Suriname. This is the country’s longest and most populated waterway and provides a chance to encounter Amerindians and Maroons and learn about their culture.
