Tuesday - April 26, 2011

French Guiana

Let there be no misunderstanding: no, you don't have to go to these places. No, these are not by definition the best spots. After having travelled in South America for so long we realize that it's no problem here to find your own beautiful spots for camping. We decided to continue the page anyway, for people who would like some tips about camping spots which we enjoyed or found practical – please note that this is always our personal experience. 

N.B. We use the following system:

HDDD.MM.MMM -WGS 84

1. St. George de Oyapock, in the Parking Communal

We spent the night in the public parking lot, across the school. A sign says it is only open during the day, but in fact was open at night when we stayed there.

gps: N.03.53.287 - W 051.48.226

2. Cayenne and surroundings

Accommodation

10 Kilometres east of Cayenne lies the harbour Dégrad de Cannes, which is a good place to spend the night. Showers and toilets available. Downside: lots of mosquitoes at night.

gps: N 04.51.155 - W 052.17.002

An alternative is the parking space along the road on Mont Bourda. More wind, less mosquitoes, no facilities. Take the turn off to Mont Bourda on Route de Montaba from Cayenne to Remire.

gps: N 04.56.228 - W 052.17.824

WIFI

Cric Crac Restaurant along the common road to Remire.

You pay 1 euro to receive a password. You can sit all day in the restaurant and work quietly. Good connection.

gps: N 04.53.760- W 052.16.419

3. Chutes de Fourgassie

At 35 kilometres from Cayenne to Kaw you pass Chutes de Fourgassie. Easy, lovely hike to waterfalls and at the entrance a large parking lot we considered well suited for camping [we didn't spend the night ourselves].

gps: N 04.37.554- W 052.18.613

4. Kaw

Kaw can only be reached by boat. We camped at the parking lot of the ramp where tourists boats and local boats pick passengers up. From the parking lot starts a lovely walk up the hill.  At the summit are rock carvings and yellow-blue poison dart frogs [dendrobat].

gps: N 04.29.905 - W 052.03.142

5. Kourou

Camped in the parking lot of Hotel Roches Kourou, along the coast. Maybe you'll be more lucky and the hotel's WIFI will work when you are there.

gps: N 05.09.594- W 052.37.625

Worth a visit, but not easy to find: rock carvings.

gps: N 05.09.545- W 052.39.9128

6. Sinnemary

Lovely camping spot near a carbet [open-air hut] where you can stay free of charge. Officially you ought to make reservations at Sinnemary's Maison de la Reserve. The hike near this carbet is spectacular [Sentier de St Elie].

gps: N 05.17.825- W 053.03.127

7. Strand van Awala - Yalimapo

Great camping spot along the beach, with a shaded picnic table. Good place to watch sea turtles lay their eggs [high season: May-Aug].

gps: N 05.44.767- W 053.56.054

8. St. Laurent de Maroni

Quiet spot along the coast to spend the night.

gps: N 05.30.393- W 054.01.680