The Destination
Picture this: you're standing at the edge of Kaieteur Falls, the world's largest single-drop waterfall by volume, with no crowds jostling for a selfie. The roar of 30,000 gallons of water per second drowns out everything but your own heartbeat. This is Guyana, one of South America's strangest countries—a land where English is spoken, curry is the national dish, and the capital, Georgetown, feels more like a Caribbean port than a South American hub. Just to the east, Suriname offers Dutch colonial architecture and a melting pot of Javanese, Indian, and Maroon cultures, while French Guiana—an overseas department of France—boasts baguettes, space rockets, and the infamous Devil's Island.
Why doesn't anyone visit? Because they're hard to reach, poorly marketed, and overshadowed by Brazil, Peru, and Colombia. But that's exactly why they're trending now. In an age of overtourism, travelers and creators alike are hungry for the authentic, the mysterious, the places that don't appear on every Instagram feed. The video's title taps into a universal curiosity: what are we missing? And for creators, the answer is a goldmine of content.
What surprised me most was the sheer diversity. In one week, you can hike through Amazon rainforest, explore a Dutch colonial fort, watch a rocket launch, and eat roti with a side of French cheese. It's a travel paradox that begs to be filmed.
Getting There & Getting Around
Let's be real: getting here is half the adventure. There are no direct flights from the US to Guyana or Suriname—you'll connect through Miami, New York, or Panama City. From Europe, Paris to Cayenne (French Guiana) is the easiest route, with Air France offering direct flights. Visas? Tricky. US citizens need a visa for Suriname (apply online, $40) but not for Guyana or French Guiana. EU citizens need a visa for Suriname as well. Plan ahead—visa processing can take weeks.
Once you're there, internal transport is basic. In Guyana, minibuses connect Georgetown to the interior, but they're cramped and unpredictable. For Kaieteur Falls, you'll need a small plane—$300 round trip from Ogle Airport. Suriname has decent bus services between Paramaribo and the interior, but renting a car (about $50/day) gives you freedom. French Guiana has paved roads along the coast, but the interior is river-only. The best time to visit is the dry season: February to April for Guyana, August to November for Suriname and French Guiana. Avoid the rainy season (May-July) when roads become mud pits.
Pro tip: use Rome2Rio to map out multi-leg journeys, and book flights early—seats fill up fast, especially to Kaieteur.
The Experience
Start in Guyana: Georgetown's St. George's Cathedral (one of the tallest wooden churches in the world) and the bustling Stabroek Market are must-sees. But the real gem is Kaieteur Falls. The flight over the rainforest is worth it alone—you'll see waterfalls cascading from the clouds. Land on a dirt airstrip, walk 15 minutes, and you're at the falls. No railings, no gift shops—just raw nature. For a deeper dive, take a boat trip up the Essequibo River to see giant river otters and Victoria Amazonica lilies.
Suriname's Paramaribo is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and its Dutch colonial buildings are postcard-perfect. Don't miss the Central Market, where Javanese street food (bami goreng, satay) mixes with Creole dishes. Head to the Commewijne district for old plantations and dolphin-watching. The locals will tell you to try a 'Surinaamse roti' at a warung—it's life-changing.
French Guiana is a different beast. Cayenne's market sells French cheese and baguettes alongside Amazonian fruits. The Guiana Space Centre offers tours (book ahead) where you can see Ariane rockets up close. But the history is heavy: visit the Salvation Islands, including Devil's Island, to understand the penal colony's grim past. The water is turquoise, the beaches are empty, and the contrast between beauty and brutality is haunting.
Hidden gem: in Suriname, stay at a Maroon village like Palumeu—community-run eco-lodges offer jungle treks and cassava bread-making. Tourist trap alert: the 'wildlife tours' in French Guiana that promise jaguars—you'll likely see only caimans.
Costs & Budget
This region isn't cheap, but it's not extortionate either. Budget travelers can get by on $50-70/day. Dorm beds in Georgetown cost $15-20, street food meals $3-5. In Paramaribo, mid-range hotels run $40-60/night, and a good meal at a restaurant is $10-15. French Guiana is pricier due to its EU status—budget $80-120/day.
Splurge options: Guyana's Atta Rainforest Lodge (all-inclusive $300/night) offers luxury in the jungle. Suriname's Royal Torarica Hotel ($150/night) has a pool and casino. For a once-in-a-lifetime experience, book a multi-day river trip into Guyana's interior—$1,000 for a week, including guide, food, and hammocks.
Hidden fees: visa costs, departure taxes (Guyana charges $45 cash at the airport), and the flight to Kaieteur ($300). Bring cash—ATMs are scarce in the interior.
For digital nomads: internet is decent in Georgetown and Paramaribo (10-15 Mbps), but spotty elsewhere. French Guiana has fiber in Cayenne. Consider a local SIM card (Digicel in Guyana, Telesur in Suriname) for $10-20.
For Travel Creators
This is a creator's dream for the 'strangest countries' niche. The hook is the mystery—why don't people come here? Start your video with a shot of Kaieteur Falls with no one in frame, then cut to a crowded Machu Picchu. The contrast sells.
Best spots for footage: the view from Kaieteur's edge (use a drone for aerial shots, but check permits—Guyana requires a $200 license). Paramaribo's Waterkant at sunset, with the Suriname River reflecting colonial facades. The Guiana Space Centre's launchpad—if you time a launch, you'll get explosive B-roll. For storytelling, interview a Maroon elder in Palumeu or a Javanese roti maker in Paramaribo. Their stories are gold.
Lighting: the equator means harsh midday sun. Shoot early morning (6-8am) for soft light in the rainforest, and golden hour (5-6pm) on the coast. Bring a polarizing filter for the water and sky.
Permissions: you can film freely in public spaces, but ask before filming people—especially indigenous communities. In French Guiana, the space centre requires prior authorization for professional cameras. Plan ahead.
Storytelling angle: frame the journey as a quest—'I'm visiting the three most overlooked countries in South America.' Document the struggles (missed flights, muddy roads) and the rewards (empty waterfalls, friendly locals). Authenticity beats polish here.
Should You Go?
Absolutely—but with caveats. Solo travelers will love the adventure, but be prepared for loneliness in the interior. Families should stick to the coasts: Georgetown, Paramaribo, and Cayenne are safe, but jungle trips are rough for young kids. Luxury seekers? Skip French Guiana's basic lodges and splurge on Guyana's eco-resorts. Backpackers can stretch a budget, but you'll spend more on transport than accommodation.
The honest truth: these countries aren't for everyone. If you want Instagram-worthy beaches and seamless infrastructure, go to Colombia. But if you crave the thrill of the unknown—places where maps are vague, locals are curious, and every day is a surprise—then book that flight to Georgetown. You'll come back with stories no one else has. And isn't that why we travel?
