Your decision to travel to Lethem is a wise one and it will surely make you a wiser person 🙂  So prepare yourself by knowing more about your options.
About Lethem
Lethem is the border town located between Brazil and Guyana. The culture is a rich blend of Amerindian, Guyanese and Portuguese. The environment is a perfect blending of the wilderness with a hint of modern things. Yes, there is internet, the Wifi and other modern conveniences are offered by hotels. But this is the ideal place for you to commune with nature.
How to get there?
You can fly to Georgetown from any place in the world. Georgetown, the capital of Guyana is a beautiful place with so much to offer; but you are on your way of Lethem – so let us go!
Finding your way from Georgetown to Lethem
You have two options; you can travel by air or by bush trail. Yes it is possible to drive there by car, or a motorbike, but the road is terrible, full of pot holes and muddy in rainy season! So only the plane or the Lethem Bus Service (or a capable SUV and a good driver) are your best options.
By Air
Fly from the airport at Ogle to Lethem. There are daily flights to Lethem that costs around 48,000GYD (250USD) return. Flying time is about 2 hours. The flights are usually during daytime so if you get a seat next to the window in the airplane you will have a unique view of Guyana’s lush rain forest and open savannahs. The Lethem airport is close to all the major hotels in the area, so your commute to your hotel is a short trip.  We found that in Lethem, the taxi driver will charge per person (even if it is a private hire).
By Bush Trail
You can Taking a bus is the most economical, most adventurous and the most popular way to go to Lethem but it is also the most uncomfortable. There are several buses available and the price is between $9000-12000GYD ($45 – 60 USD) for one way and $17000-24000GYD ($85 – $120USD) for round ticket.
Be in the bus park around 5 PM, but the buses normally leave a few hours later.
Linden Bauxite Company
The first leg of travel will take you from Georgetown to Linden – asphalt road. The bus may make a short pit stop at the gas station in Linden to fill up. From here on it is rough bush trail – no asphalt – just bumpy bush trail all the way to Lethem – some 445KM of it.
The trip can be done in about 12 hours but in the rainy season the drive can take much longer.
Some reminders:
Buses Crossing at Kurupukari, Essequibo River
It is quite dangerous to travel by bus. The bus follows its own speed and hazardous driving is common – don’t expect to sleep. If you are a picky traveler, take the plane. The road is bumpy and you will be sitting close to co-passenger as space is tight. Don’t lose faith, grin and bear it. After all you will soon reach your destination.
Resources:
- Air Service Limited (https://www.aslgy.com/)
- Trans Guyana Airways (https://transguyana.net/)
- Carly Bus Service (https://www.stabroeknews.com/2014/news/stories/12/30/georgetown-lethem-operator-now-running-25-buses/)
- Ori Hotel (http://origuyana.com)
1 Comment