What actually happens to travelers here.
Major cities typically treat water, but rural areas and older infrastructure can be unreliable. Bottled water is a cheap insurance policy.
Verify requirements at your destination's embassy. Vaccination must be administered 10+ days before travel and is documented on a yellow International Certificate of Vaccination.
The system.
System: French healthcare system. As an overseas department of France, French Guiana has the same healthcare framework as mainland France. Centre Hospitalier de Cayenne (Andrée Rosemon Hospital) is the main facility. French social security (Sécurité Sociale) covers residents. Tourists pay out-of-pocket and claim from insurance. Good quality care in Cayenne; very limited in interior rainforest regions.
Quality: ★★★☆☆ Good
Healthcare in Cayenne and Kourou is good, operating under French standards. Andrée Rosemon Hospital is well-equipped. The interior (Amazonian rainforest) has very limited health posts staffed by rotating medical teams. For highly complex cases, evacuation to mainland France or Martinique may be needed. French is the sole language of healthcare; very little English spoken.
Not a medical tourism destination. French Guiana attracts visitors for the Guiana Space Centre in Kourou, Amazonian rainforest expeditions, and Creole culture. The Iles du Salut (including Devil's Island) are popular historic sites.
Where to actually go.
Main hospital in French Guiana. French-standard care. 24/7 emergency department. Well-equipped. French is the primary language.
Hospital serving Kourou and the Space Centre area. Good standard of care. Useful for visitors to the Guiana Space Centre.
Regional hospital serving western French Guiana. Gateway to Maroni River trips. French spoken.
Finding what you need.
Access: Easy
Hours: Pharmacies open 8am-12:30pm and 3pm-7pm weekdays, 8am-12pm Saturdays. Duty pharmacies (pharmacies de garde) available nights and weekends in Cayenne.
Prescription rules: French prescription system applies. Antibiotics require a prescription. Standard OTC medications available without prescription. Controlled substances require French or EU prescription documentation.
Pharmacies are well-stocked and operate to French standards. French is essential for communication. French brand medications are standard. Antimalarial prophylaxis is essential for rainforest trips and should be arranged before arrival. Insect repellent with DEET is critical.
Available over the counter
- paracetamol (Doliprane)
- ibuprofen (Advil)
- antihistamines
- antacids
- oral rehydration salts
- insect repellent (essential)
- sunscreen
- antimalarial medications
Useful pharmacy phrases
- J'ai besoin d'un médicament contre le mal de tête
- J'ai mal au ventre
- J'ai des allergies
- Où est la pharmacie la plus proche?
- J'ai besoin d'un médecin
Chains you'll see
- Pharmacie de Cayenne (various) — Green cross pharmacy sign (Cayenne)
- Pharmacie de Kourou — Green cross sign (Kourou)
- Pharmacie du Maroni — Green cross sign (Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni)
Common OTC medications by local brand
- paracetamol/acetaminophen → Doliprane / Efferalgan / Dafalgan
French brand names standard. Widely available. - ibuprofen → Advil / Nurofen / Ibuprofène
Available at all pharmacies. - loperamide (anti-diarrheal) → Imodium / Lopéramide
Available over the counter at pharmacies.
What you can't bring in.
Carry a doctor's letter in French for controlled medications. EU/EEA citizens can use the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) but may still need to pay upfront and claim reimbursement. Keep medications in original packaging.
Deep-dive guides for this country's restrictions: CBD · Xanax · Opioids
Controlled under French law. Carry doctor's letter (preferably in French) and original packaging.
Illegal under French law. Do not bring.
Controlled. Carry prescription documentation.
If something breaks.
Availability: Good dental care in Cayenne and Kourou. Multiple private dental practices operating to French standards.
Cost range: $50-200 USD for basic procedures (French pricing)
Dental care follows French standards and pricing. Quality is good in urban areas. French is the language of care. EU/EEA citizens may use EHIC for partial coverage.
What you actually need.
🛡️ Recommended
Average cost: $25-50/week
Recommended for all visitors. EU/EEA citizens with EHIC get some coverage but travel insurance is still advisable. Essential for rainforest and river expeditions where medical evacuation may be needed. Ensure coverage for jungle activities and remote area evacuation.
Filing a claim
French healthcare system applies. Pay upfront and receive a feuille de soins (care sheet) for reimbursement. EU/EEA citizens with EHIC may get partial reimbursement. Non-EU visitors file claims with travel insurance. Hospitals provide detailed documentation in French. Keep all receipts and medical records.
What it costs out of pocket.
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Doctor visit (private) | $30-70 |
| ER visit | $100-400 |
| Overnight hospital stay | $300-1000 |
| Ambulance | $50-300 |
French pricing applies. Euro (EUR) is the currency. Costs are higher than mainland France due to remoteness. EHIC provides partial coverage for EU/EEA citizens.
When local won't cut it.
Primary destination: Fort-de-France, Martinique or Paris, France
Secondary destination: Paramaribo, Suriname or Belém, Brazil
Typical cost band: $20,000-80,000
Common providers: Global Rescue, MedJet, International SOS
Medical evacuation for complex cases typically goes to Martinique or mainland France. Interior rainforest evacuations require helicopter or boat extraction, adding significant cost and time. The French military can assist with remote evacuations.
What to get done before you fly.
Required
- Yellow Fever (required for all travelers over 1 year of age)
Recommended
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis B
- Typhoid
- Malaria prophylaxis (required for rainforest interior)
- Rabies (for extended stays in the interior)
Yellow fever vaccination is MANDATORY for entry to French Guiana. Carry your International Certificate of Vaccination (yellow card). Malaria is present in the interior rainforest but not in coastal cities. Antimalarial prophylaxis is essential for any inland travel.
The Bali belly prevention guide.
Tap water: Use caution — Tap water in Cayenne, Kourou, and Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni is treated and generally safe. Outside urban areas, water is unsafe and should be boiled or purified. In the interior rainforest, always treat water. Bottled water is widely available in towns.
Food safety
Food safety is good in urban areas, following French standards. Cayenne has excellent Creole, French, and multicultural cuisine. Bouillon d'awara (a traditional Easter stew) is a renowned local specialty. Fresh fish, tropical fruits, and cassava are staples. Exercise caution with food in remote interior areas. Market food in Cayenne and Saint-Laurent is generally safe.
In crisis abroad.
English / international line: 112 (European emergency number)
English-speaking therapists: Very rare. French-speaking psychologists and psychiatrists available in Cayenne.
Mental health services follow the French system. Psychiatric services available at Cayenne hospital. Private psychologists practice in Cayenne. All services in French.
International crisis support: findahelpline.com — crisis lines in 130+ countries.
Getting around with mobility needs.
French accessibility laws apply but implementation varies. Urban areas in Cayenne have some accessible infrastructure. The interior rainforest is inaccessible for mobility-impaired travelers.
Hospital accessibility: Hospitals follow French accessibility standards with wheelchair access and elevators.
Accessible transport: Urban buses in Cayenne have limited accessibility. Taxis can be arranged. Interior travel (pirogue river boats, forest trails) is not accessible.
Cayenne and Kourou are the most accessible areas. French accessibility laws provide some protections. The rainforest interior is not suitable for travelers with significant mobility challenges. Contact accommodations and tour operators in advance.
Entry rules + local status.
Entry requirements: No COVID testing or vaccination requirements for entry as of 2026.
Mask policy: No general mask mandates. Healthcare facilities may require masks per French health directives.
Testing availability: COVID testing available at hospitals and laboratories in Cayenne.
French Guiana follows mainland France's health protocols. Check current French government advisories.
French Guiana travel health, answered.
What we checked.
- US Department of State — travel advisory for this country
- CDC Travelers' Health
- WHO International Travel and Health
- French Ministry of Health (Ministère de la Santé)
- Institut Pasteur Travel Health
- ARS Guyane (Agence Régionale de Santé)