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French Guiana Country Security Report

Published: May 12, 2025

This report is intended to supplement the U.S. Department of State French Guiana Travel Advisory and French Guiana Country Information Page.

Embassy & Consulate Contact Information

There is no U.S. Embassy in French Guiana.

The nearest Embassy is in neighboring Suriname, at Kristalstraat 165, Paramaribo. Tel: +597 556-700; After-hours Emergencies: +597 710-1112

OSAC Country Chapter(s)

 

There is no OSAC Country Chapter in French Guiana.

Contact OSAC’s Americas team with any questions.

French Guiana Travel Advisory

The current U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory at the date of this report’s publication indicates that travelers should exercise normal precautions when traveling to French Guiana.

Crime

Although French Guiana does not have official ratings for crime from the U.S. Department of State, it should be considered similar to Paramaribo, which ​the U.S. Department of State has assessed as being a HIGH-threat location for crime directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.

 

The U.S. Department of State has not included a Crime “C” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for French Guiana.

There is moderate risk from crime in Cayenne. The risk from crime is higher in the border city of Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni. French Guiana is an overseas department of France but does not have the same level of law enforcement infrastructure as mainland France. Petty street crime occurs throughout the major cities. 

Most of the territory in French Guiana consists of the Amazon rainforest, with most of the population living in the coastal cities. However, not all crime occurs in the cities. Criminal issues involving illegal migration and trafficking occur along the borders with Brazil and Suriname. Criminals have used small arms in the commission of violent crimes around small-scale/illegal mining operations in the interior.

The criminals operating in the interior attempt to go unnoticed in order to continue illegal activities. No attacks or confrontations with tourists have been reported. Strongly consider using a well-established tour company when traveling outside of coastal cities to avoid areas in which illegal activity is occurring. Accidental contact with illegal activities in French Guiana’s interior may result in wrong-place-wrong-time violence.

In Cayenne, avoid the Chinatown neighborhood both day and night, as well as Avenue de la Liberté after dark. The open market in this neighborhood is typically safe during daytime. Avoid the neighborhoods of Mango, Pascaline, Eaux-lisette, Brutus, and Mirza, as well as the suburb areas of Mont-Lucas, Petit Lucas, and Cabassou.

In Kourou, the L'anse, Eldo, and Saramaca Village neighborhoods are high-crime areas. At night, avoid the beach areas.

In St. Laurent, avoid the Balte area along the riverbank and Chinatown.

The coastal area between Cayenne and Kourou known as Macouria has several small towns. In Tonate, avoid the Frangipaniers and Sainte-Agathe neighborhoods at night.  Avoid the town of Soula at night.

Kidnapping Threat

The U.S. Department of State has not included a Kidnapping “K” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for French Guiana.

 

There is minimal risk from kidnapping in Cayenne. 

Terrorism

Although French Guiana does not have official ratings for crime from the U.S. Department of State, it should be considered similar to Paramaribo, which ​the U.S. Department of State has assessed as being a LOW-threat location for terrorism directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.

The U.S. Department of State has not included a Terrorism “T” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for French Guiana.

 

Although there is no recent history of terrorism in French Guiana, attacks are not beyond the realm of possibility. There is currently no indication of any terrorist attack plans in French Guiana.

All travelers should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks. These could take place in public areas; terrorists tend to target sites expatriates and foreign travelers frequent. The Guiana Space Center located near Kourou is considered a potential target for terrorists, although there have been no credible threats reported on the facility or surrounding area. French Guiana's geographical isolation plays a key part in making it a difficult target for attacks. 

Political Violence and Civil Unrest

Although French Guiana does not have official ratings for crime from the U.S. Department of State, it should be considered similar to Paramaribo, which ​the U.S. Department of State has assessed as being a LOW-threat location for political violence directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.

 

The U.S. Department of State has not included a Civil Unrest “U” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for French Guiana. Civil unrest can develop quickly without prior notice, often interrupting logistics and services. Avoid demonstration activity, as even those planned to remain peaceful have the potential to turn violent.

Elections/Political Stability

French Guiana is an overseas department of France and is administered by the French Guiana Assembly led by Gabriel Serville.

U.S. citizens should be aware that demonstrations and large events intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational. Avoid areas of demonstrations and exercise caution in the vicinity of any large gathering.

Protests & Demonstrations

Widespread social unrest in 2017 highlighted the high levels of economic inequality and poor infrastructure of French Guiana compared to other French overseas departments and mainland France. These protests included roadblocks at the borders and violence in Cayenne and Kourou. There was a shortage of fresh food in many markets and a temporary cessation of flights. The protests lasted a month and ended when the French government agreed to an emergency financial relief package.

There have not been major protests since 2017, and there is minimal risk from civil unrest in Cayenne. Demonstrations and strikes affecting transportation, including airports and roads, may occur. Reconfirm any domestic and/or international flight reservations if you are traveling during one of these events.

Anti-U.S./Anti-Western Sentiment

There is little anti-U.S. sentiment in French Guiana. Anti-French sentiment is most prevalent due to some discontent with local economic, social, and political conditions.

Law Enforcement

As a French overseas department, French Guiana’s policing structure mimics that of France: the police are the main law enforcement agency in the capital. Officers wear dark blue uniforms with a bright blue stripe across the back, and dark blue caps. Vehicles are white with a blue stripe and clear markings of “Police Municipale.”

The gendarmerie is a military group with law enforcement duties. It is the main law enforcement agency outside of the capital. Gendarmes wear dark blue uniform pants and light blue uniform shirts. Vehicles are blue with a white stripe and clear markings of “Gendarmerie.” The gendarmerie is also responsible for the protection of the Kourou Space Center and guarding against illegal immigration. 

Citizens of French Guiana can serve as both police and gendarmerie, but the vast majority of law enforcement officers come from France on a temporary assignment.  Essentially all of the gendarmerie consists of officers from France. There is no animosity towards the officers from mainland France. Small towns have police departments staffed by local residents.  

Police Response

The ability of local police to assist victims of crime is limited due to lack of response vehicles, radios, and other essential equipment.

Travelers with Special Considerations

For specific traveler concerns in French Guaina, review the local laws and circumstances on the Department of State’s Country Information Page.

 

Rule of Law, Arbitrary Detention, Official Harassment, Corruption, & Transparency

The U.S. Department of State has not included a Risk of Wrongful Detention “D” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for French Guiana.

​There are no serious concerns regarding rule of law or arbitrary detention in French Guiana.

Cybersecurity

French Guiana is not a major location for cybersecurity incidents. However, exercise caution when using public Wi-Fi, especially with personally identifiable information or confidential business.

Import/Export Restrictions

Travelers entering from Suriname should ensure they enter French Guiana officially at the Port of Entry in Saint Laurent du Maroni via the vehicle ferry which runs between Albina, Suriname, and French Guiana. Small boats and canoes regularly cross the river, but are unregulated and do not cross traditional ports of entry unless specified to be dropped at the Port of Entry. French authorities enforce strict regulations concerning firearms, artifacts, medications, business equipment, and sales samples. There are no known restrictions on the import of personal satellite phones.

A country-specific listing of items/goods prohibited from being exported to the country or that are otherwise restricted is available from the U.S. International Trade Agency website.

Additional resources and reports can be found in the OSAC Traveler Toolkit.

 

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