Lethem.
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Overview

Lethem is a border town of 3,000 in Guyana. It's right across the border from the Brazilian town of Bonfim.

Understand

At 73 m above sea level, Lethem is located in the Guyanese Highlands. The city was named after Sir Gordon James Lethem who was the governor of British Guyana between 1941-47. Next to the town flows the river Takutu, which also is the river to Brazil.

Being located north of the Equator, the rainy season in Lethem is from April to August. The temperature is constant around the year with daytime highs just above +30°C and nighttime lows ten degrees lower.

Get in

By car The dirt road from Georgetown through Linden to Lethem is being kept up despite the frequent need for repairs to bridges and hill slides; it's the only road link between the Brazilian state of Roraima and the sea coast. In particular during the rainy season the driving conditions are poor.

The Brazilian road coming from Boa Vista (125 km) to the south, is paved and in a much better shape. In 2008 the bridge from the Brazilian side of the river was completed, replacing the ferry.

From Georgetown, overnight minibuses depart every evening around 18:00 and they arrive in Lethem the next day around noon. Minibuses operate around the year, also in the rainy season — service with the full-size buses who could take up to 36 hours in the rainy period has been discontinued. From Linden onwards the road is a dirt road with a lot of potholes so don't expect to sleep well. Tickets are around GYD 9000-10000.

From Bonfim, take a taxi or walk across the border.

Trans Guyana Airways has two daily flights between Georgetown and Lethem (no flights on Sundays). These flights leave from the small Georgetown-Ogle municipal airport closer to downtown (not the international airport) and are a comparatively comfortable way of getting Lethem from the capital. Luggage space is very limited so be sure to have the amount of allowable luggage clarified before arrival at the airport. Although this is a domestic flight, a passport is required for non-citizens. One-way tickets are GYD 30,000, round trip GYD 55,000 (may be out of date).

From some major Brazilian cities, you simply can fly into Boa Vista and travel the last leg by bus.

Get around

Walk or drive. There's left-hand traffic in Guyana — watch out for cars that to you come from the "wrong direction".

Roads are unlit and in poor condition. Locals avoid driving in the dark and you should too.

See

There are many tourists attractions in Lethem area such as the Kanuku and the Moco Moco mountains and falls.

English colonial-style houses all over the town.

Mount Roraima. Mount Roraima is at a height of 2810 m the tallest mountain in Guyana and marks the tri-border between Guyana, Brazil and Venezuela. It can reportedly be seen from Lethem, despite being over 200 km away as the crow flies.

St. Ignatius. Walk across the wooden bridge in Lethem to visit the community of St. Ignatius. There are no businesses other than a cashew factory cooperative run by local women. You will, however, witness the daily lives of the Amerindian population.

Do

Rodeo. A rodeo takes place in Lethem around Easter time. It is a draws a large number of tourists from Guyana and from the bordering areas of Brazil.

Waterfalls- There are two main waterfalls that people like to visit, Kumu falls, and Mocomoco falls.

Buy

There are two banks in Lethem — Guyana Bank for trade and Industry Ltd (GBTI) and Republic Bank — but cash is the better way to go. Besides the Guyanese dollar, some places might accept the US dollar. Brazilian currency is readily accepted.

Next to the Takutu Hotel is a small establishment that sells Amerindian crafts. It has some unique items but business hours are very random. Other interesting things you may want to look after in the town are bicycles, design shoes, and home electronics.

Eat

Eating options are rather limited in Lethem; you may want to bring your own food. If you'll buy food in town, check the best before dates.

Restaurant T & M. Local basic eatery in the bus station. You can exchange currency here too. Betty's Creole corner- Local creole food and snacks.

Drink

Bring mineral water. Takutu Hotel has a bar.

Sleep

Takutu Hotel. This is a friendly little establishment. The water may not be hot but the service is personal. There are a few rooms that have air conditioning. The restaurant serves good food but orders usually need to be placed in advance. A bar located on the grounds can get rather noisy, so it is wise to request a room that does not overlook the popular establishment.

Savannah Hotel. Hotel with both room and air-conditioned cabin accommodation. The hotel has a general store too with both food and other goods, and they can arrange tours in the jungle as well. Friendly staff.

Alternatively you can sleep on the Brazilian side in Bonfim — while more expensive, it's a safer town.