Thirteenth Annual Eastern Caribbean Island Cultures Conference The Islands in Between : Language, Literature and Culture of the Eastern Caribbean Thursday 4 November to Saturday 6 November 2010 (Arrival Wednesday 3 November; Departing Sunday 7 November) University of Guyana --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hello Everyone, We know that your preparations to travel to Guyana would be in full gear by now. Here is some information which should be helpful at this time: 1. The Conference will be held at the University of Guyana Turkeyen campus. The campus is just outside of central Georgetown and is in very easy reach (about 15 mins. from Georgetown). It is well-served by mini buses and taxis. 2. LCD Projectors and other electronic equipment for video and power-point presentations, etc will be available at the conference venue, and there will be persons available to assist you if needed. Please tell us in advance if you require any other kinds of equipment. 3. Meals: Non-alcoholic drinks and snacks will be provided throughout the conference. Lunch will be provided at a small cost on a request basis only. 4. Note On Transportation Please note that we will not be providing transportation between the airport and Georgetown. However, taxis officially affiliated to the airport are easy to find once you have cleared customs and begin to emerge out of the airport, you will see information about the taxi fares. You will also see men in cream shirts (the official airport taxi drivers) waiting there. Their taxis are usually white in colour. It will cost around GY $5,000 (US$ 25) to get to Georgetown. Also, there will be no conference transportation. Once again, taxis will be easy to get from your hotel and from the campus. The trip to the campus is about 15 mins. (or less) drive from central Georgetown. The cost should be GY$600 (US$3) whether you are the only passenger or you share. From the Conference venue, you can call (ask one of us and we will be glad to help) for a taxi. To travel from your hotel to points within Georgetown, or to travel around Georgetown, the cost will be around GY$300 (US$1.50). It is important to come to an agreement on the cost of the taxi before entering.
Around Georgetown by Bus: Travel within Georgetown- Short stops within the limits of the city are G$80.00. Travelling to areas out of central Georgetown, prices will tend to vary. Rental cars are also available. Please check local directory for listings. (http://www.gtt.co.gy/whitepages/) or (http://www.gtt.co.gy/yellowpages/). 5. Local and international calls can be made through phone cards which can be bought from your hotel or nearby shops. 6. In case of any emergency, here are personal phone numbers which you can use to contact us: Alim Hosein: (592) 222-4812 (home), 614-6683 (cell) Mellissa Ifill 621-8222 Tameca Sukhdeo-Singh 615-6110 Kencil Banwarie 642-2432 Elsa Cromarty 609-0826 Facts and Figures GUYANA...Naturally "The Undiscovered Treasure of the Caribbean" Air travel The following airlines travel to Guyana: AIRLINES 1. Caribbean Airlines from Toronto, New York, Miami, Fort Lauderdale. 2. LIAT everyday flights within the Caribbean. Everyday connections to Guyana from Trinidad or Barbados. 3. Delta flights on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from New York. 4. Meta flights on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays from Brazil; and Tuesdays and Thursdays from Suriname. 5. Blue Wing flights on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from Suriname.
Our Airport is Cheddi Jagan International Airport-Timehri which is located approximately 25 miles from Georgetown. Requirements for entry to Guyana All persons wishing to travel to Guyana must have in their possession a valid passport. Visas are not required for persons travelling from Canada, United States of America or citizens of the Commonwealth. For further information, please contact the Guyana consulate nearest to you or the Guyana Tourism Authority website (www.guyana-tourism.com). Banking Hours: 08:00 14:30 hrs on Monday to Friday. Currency The Guyana dollar is the only legal tender accepted in this country. It is a floating currency and the value fluctuates in accordance with the changes in the value of the US$. Visitors may exchange their currencies at banks, cambios and most hotels. The rate of the dollar fluctuates and the exchange is approximately US$1 GY$206. Major credits cards and traveller s cheques are generally accepted at many resorts, hotels, gift shops, restaurants and tour operators. Telephone When calling around Guyana, enter the area code and number. The International code for Guyana is (592) with 0011 in front, followed by the local area code and number Taxes and service charges Time Departure Tax GY$4,000.00 Service Charge is usually 10% and some establishments include it in the Bill. A 16% VAT is in effect One hour ahead of EST and 4 hours GMT. Climate Average temperature ranges from between 75-87 degrees F. Rainy season occurs in May and June, and again in December and January, with an average annual rainfall of 91. Language: English and Creole.
Dining Creole, Chinese, Indian and International dishes are available. Dress code is casual, though long pants are preferred in the evenings. Shopping Locally produced items are available craft and hand painted fabrics, woodwork, pottery, sculptures, and paintings. Amerindian work includes straw work, hammocks and Nibi furniture. Jewelry Gold, silver and semi-precious stones. Transportation Driving is on the left hand side of the road. Public transportation is available to most parts of the country. Car rentals are also available. Tourist Offices Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce229 South Road, Lacytown, Georgetown, Guyana. Tel: 592-226-3182/592-226-2505/592-225-6710/592-226-2392 Fax: 592-225-4310 Email: ministry@mintic.gov.gy Website: www.mintic.gov.gy Tourism & Hospitality Association of Guyana, 157 Waterloo Street, North Cummingsburg, Georgetown, Guyana. Tel: 592-225-0807 Fax: 592-225-0817 Email: thag@networksgy.com / thag.secretariat@gmail.com Website: www.exploreguyana.com Guyana Tourism Authority,National Exhibition Centre, Sophia, Georgetown, Guyana. Tel: 592-223-6351/592-223-6352/592-231-6627/592-231-6638 Fax: 592-2316672 Email: info@guyana-tourism.com Website: www.guyana-tourism.com Electricity: 110V. 220V (50 60 Cycles) Water Bottled water is recommended and is widely available. If tap water is used, it should be boiled before drinking,
Immunization This should be done before arrival in Guyana. Please check with travel agent, tour operator or consulate nearest to you for further information (www.guyana-tourism.com) ACCOMMODATION These are all good hotels in and around Georgetown. All of them even those located in central Georgetown are within 15-20 minutes drive or less from the campus. All are well-served by taxis and minibuses (to and from campus). Please mention the Islands In Between Conference when making bookings to be eligible for corporate or group rates. Feel free to contact us if you need further information. 1. Cara Suites, 176 Middle Street (outskirts of Georgetown) (Studio) Single room: $130.00 plus 16% VAT [Corporate rate: $100.00 plus 16% VAT (single occupancy); $110.00 plus 16% VAT (double occupancy: one queen sized bed)] (Suite) Double room: $155.00 plus 16% VAT (Corporate rate: $130.00 single occupancy plus 16% VAT, $140.00 double occupancy plus 16% VAT) (Suite) Executive: $200.00 plus 16% VAT Includes internet, a/c, hot and cold water TEL.: (592) 226-1612-5; FAX (592) 226-1541 www.carahotels.com; carasuites@carahotels.com 2. Duke Lodge (outskirts of Georgetown) Single room: $120.00 plus 16% VAT Double room: $140.00 plus 16% VAT Includes breakfast, internet, a/c, hot and cold water www.roraimaairways.com e-mail: roraimadukelodge@hotmail.com TEL.: (592) 227-2212, 231 7220, 223 5427
3. Roraima Residence Inn (suburb of Georgetown) Single room: $100.00 plus 16% VAT Double room: $120.00 plus 16% VAT www.roraimaairways.com e-mail: ral@roraimaairways.com TEL.: (592) 225-9648 4. Pegasus Hotel, Seawall Road (outskirts of Georgetown) Corporate rates: Executive room: $130.00 plus 16% VAT ($15.00 per additional person up to 2 in room) Luxury room: $185.00 plus 16% VAT www.pegasushotelguyana.com e-mail: susan.isaacs@pegasushotelguyana.com reservations@ pegasushotelguyana.com TEL.: (592) 225-2853-9; FAX (592) 225-3703 5. Atlantic Inn (suburbs of Georgetown) Single room: $85.00 VAT included Suite: $95.00 (single occupancy) $105.00 (double occupancy) VAT included Includes internet, a/c, hot and cold water www.atlanticinngy.com e-mail: info@atlanticinngy.com TEL.: (592) 225-5826 A 20% discount is being offered to the conference. The hotel has 18 rooms. A bit on the quieter side. 6. El Dorado Inn, 295 Thomas & Quamina Streets (outskirts of Georgetown) Corporate rates: Single/double room with one queen-sized bed: $70 plus 16% VAT Double rooms with two beds: $80 - $110 plus 16% VAT Includes breakfast, internet, a/c, hot and cold water TEL.: (592) 225-3966-7 www.eldorado-inn.com, reservations@eldorado-inn.com
7. Leisure Inn Single room: $60.00 plus 16% VAT Double room: $100.00 plus 16% VAT www.leisureinnguyana.com e-mail: leisureinn@yahoo.com TEL.: (592) 226-8990 8. Brandsville, 88-90 Pike Street (suburb of Georgetown) Corporate rates: Standard room: $70.00 plus 16% VAT (single); $105 plus 16% VAT (double with two beds) Executive room: $85.00 plus 16% VAT Includes breakfast, a/c, hot cold water www.brandsvilleapartments.com e-mail: brandsville@gol.net.gy TEL.: (592) 227-0989, 226-1133 9. Hotel Tower (central Georgetown) Single room: $60.00 plus 16% VAT Double room: $70.00 plus 16% VAT www.hoteltowerguyana.com e-mail: htower@networksgy.com hotel.tower@solutions 2000.net TEL.: (592) 227-2011-4 Some construction work is now being completed at the Tower but I was assured that full hotel service is available, and that you should not be disturbed by noise, etc. On the other hand, the Tower is the central Georgetown location if you want to be step away from the main stores, etc.
10. Ariantze Hotel, 176 Middle Street (central Georgetown) Group rate: Single room: $58.00 VAT included Double room: $70.00 VAT included (two single beds), $75.00 VAT included (two double beds) Suite/Triple room: $87.00 VAT included Includes breakfast, internet, a/c, hot and cold water www.ariantzesidewalk.com e-mail: ariantze@networksgy.com TEL.: (592) 226-5363, 225 4634, 225 4644; FAX (592) 227-0210 This is one of the social hubs in Georgetown with a good restaurant that serves excellent food. 11. Sleepin Hotel, 24 Brickdam Single room: $35.00 plus 16% VAT - no a/c (fan only) $45.00 plus 16% VAT - a/c $50.00 plus 16% VAT - a/c and fridge Double room: $65.00 plus 16% VAT - a/c, fridge and microwave www.sleepininternationalhotel.com e-mail: stay@sleepinternationalhotel.com Includes internet, hot and cold water TEL: (592) 227-3467, 227-3446 12. Cara Lodge, 294 Quamina Street Single/Double rooms with one or two beds: $85.00 (corporate rate) plus 16% VAT - all with A/C www.carahotels.com; reservations.caralodge@carahotels.com TEL. (592)225-5301; FAX (592) 225-5310 Cara Lodge has one of the best restaurants in Georgetown. Copyright University of Guyana, Sept. 2010.