French Guiana has a peculiarity that is often forgotten when looking at the map: almost everything accessible by road is located on a coastal strip. Beyond that lies the Amazon rainforest, which covers almost the entire territory and can only be crossed by canoe or plane. Between Cayenne and Kourou, however, the car becomes the best way to travel at your own pace.
Here is the itinerary we recommend for a first visit.
Why the car is essential on the Guianese coast
Public transport exists, but its schedules are not well suited for sightseeing. The beaches of Rémire-Montjoly, the Mahury trails, or the Kourou dock are much easier to reach by car. Upon arrival at Félix-Éboué airport, you can rent a car with Jumbo Car in French Guiana directly on site: the rental company has an agency there, in addition to those in Cayenne, Kourou, and Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni.
For this itinerary, a city car or a compact car is sufficient. The main roads are paved and in good condition. an SUV is only justified if you plan to take tracks or secondary roads, which are less well maintained, especially during the rainy season.
Day 1 and 2: Cayenne and Cayenne Island
Start at Palmistes Square, then climb up to Fort Cépérou for the view of the city and the estuary. The Cayenne market in the morning gives a good idea of the cultural mix that makes up French Guiana: spices, tropical fruits, Vietnamese soup, and freshly squeezed fruit juices next to the fish stalls.
The next day, head to Rémire-Montjoly. Its beaches lined with coconut trees are less than half an hour from the center, and the Rorota trails offer a first immersion in the forest, without a guide, with viewpoints over the ocean.
From March to July, some beaches host the nesting of sea turtles.
Day 3: the road to Kourou
Kourou is about 60 kilometers northwest of Cayenne via the RN1, about an hour’s drive. The route passes through Macouria and runs alongside savannas and mangroves that contrast with the urban landscape.
Once there, a visit to the Guianese Space Center is worth the detour. The tour lasts about 3 hours and 30 minutes: a bus ride over a 660 km² domain, a visit to the Jupiter 2 control room, then the Guyaspace Experience museum area. Book in advance, as tickets sell out quickly in high season.
Day 4: the Salvation Islands
Leave the car in the parking lot at the Kourou dock and take the boat to the Salvation Islands. The crossing takes about an hour. On Royal Island, the remains of the former penal colony can be visited freely, among monkeys, agoutis, and views of Devil’s Island. This is often the day travelers talk about the most when they return.
To locate the stages before leaving, our map of French Guiana gives a good overall view of the coastline.
Our tips for preparing your stay well
- Yellow fever vaccination is mandatory to enter French Guiana. Plan to get it several weeks before departure.
- The dry season, from August to November, makes driving easier. The rest of the year, showers can complicate some journeys.
- Night driving should be limited to the absolute necessary: poorly lit roads and animals on the roadway.
- The rental vehicle must not cross the Brazilian or Surinamese border.
- The condition report is done by photographing and filming the car before departure.
Four days are enough for this itinerary. With a week, you can extend to Sinnamary or Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni, keeping the same principle: leave early, drive during the day, and take your time.
FAQ: Visiting French Guiana by Car
No, not for the route from Cayenne to Kourou. The main roads are paved and a city car or a compact car is sufficient. An SUV becomes useful for tracks and secondary roads, especially during the rainy season.
Kourou is about 60 kilometers northwest of Cayenne via the RN1, which is about an hour’s drive under normal conditions.
You generally need to be at least 21 years old and have held a license for one year, present your original license, and a credit card for the deposit. The rented vehicle must not cross the borders into Brazil or Suriname.
The dry season, from August to November, offers the best driving conditions. The rest of the year, heavy showers can make some journeys more difficult.
Sources
In French Guiana, in Kourou, the space capital (TourMaG, August 2026)
