Easter in Guyana: Traditions, Travel, and Time Outdoors
Dear Colleague,
How Guyanese celebrate Easter is something truly special — a multitude of events, a melting pot of culture, and traditions steeped in rich religious and cultural heritage that make Guyana's Easter celebrations unmatched in the Caribbean region.
Celebrations begin on Holy Thursday with the preparation of hot cross buns - a delectable roll with a cross etched upon its face, usually served with cheese and a swig of homemade ginger beer or mauby, a popular tree bark-based beverage. On Good Friday, consuming red meat is strictly forbidden. Instead, a variety of local dishes are served, including metagee, fufu, or dhol, accompanied by a side of fish.
For most religious people, the whole weekend is spent in Church. But there are also a lot of other events that make an exciting Easter time. From the annual kite flying tradition at #63 Beach to the Bartica Regatta, North Pakaraima Mountain Safari, and the Rupununi Rodeo, there are experiences for everyone.
Easter Religious Practices and Traditions
After a forty-day period of fasting, praying, and meditating, Easter celebrations begin in earnest on Good Friday. Good Friday commemorates the crucifixion, death, and burial of Jesus, and Easter Sunday is the celebration of his resurrection. Typically, fervent Christians spend this time in church services all around Guyana. The St. George’s Cathedral, one of Guyana’s most prestigious wooden structures, is famous for its services of reflection and remembrance during this time.
The Bartica Regatta
In Bartica, the Bartica Regatta transforms the riverfront into a busy hub. What started as boat racing now includes water sports, dirt bike racing, pageants, and live shows, with events running throughout the weekend.
North Pakaraima Mountain Safari
The annual safari, organised by Rainforest Tours, is a multi-day 4x4 journey into the hinterland. Travellers cross rivers, forests, and mountain ranges, with stops at sites like Orinduik Falls and Indigenous villages. It often winds down just in time for Easter in the Rupununi.
Rupununi Ranchers Rodeo
The annual safari, organised by Rainforest Tours, is a multi-day 4x4 journey into the hinterland. Travellers cross rivers, forests, and mountain ranges, with stops at sites like Orinduik Falls and Indigenous villages. It often winds down just in time for Easter in the Rupununi.
The Rupununi Ranchers Rodeo is a two-day Easter staple. Set in the savannah, it features bull riding, bronco riding, roping, and horse racing. Beyond the arena, the event blends music, cultural performances, and local traditions, including cassava-based drinks like parikari.
Kite Flying at Number 63 Beach
Number 63 Beach is the center of one of Guyana’s largest annual kite flying traditions. Over Easter Sunday and Monday, thousands gather to picnic, swim, and fly kites of every size and design. It is one of the most recognizable expressions of Easter across the country.
Easter in Guyana moves from quiet reflection to shared experience. Whether in church, on the road, or outdoors, the holiday offers a clear look at how tradition and travel come together.
Join us, let’s #DiscoverGuyana.
For more information, follow us @DiscoverGuyana on Facebook, Instagram, X and TikTok, or visit our website at www.guyanatourism.com.
