The cultural diversity in Guyana is unique in the Caribbean and has made significant contributions to the country and the region. A unique, yet growing market in tourism is that of Culture and Heritage tourism.

Guyana has one of the most rich and varied heritage in the region, beginning with the arrival of the Amerindians and developed and consolidated with the arrival of the Europeans: (Dutch, French, English and even the Spanish) along with the Chinese, Indians, Africans and Madeirrians. The legacy became increasingly cosmopolitan and polyglot. Each group brought to Guyana its cultural traditions and made its imprint on the Guyanese cultural landscape. The variety of these contributions provides the plural tapestry of which Guyanese are so very proud.

Guyana's history is quite visible, as one only has to look at the colonial architecture of Georgetown, the rural landscapes and historical sites. Perhaps more than any other city in the English speaking Caribbean, Georgetown evolved with a distinctive architectural style that combined elegance with practicality.

Guyana is the mecca of craft production in the Caribbean. The country's huge reserves and variety of natural resources married to an Amerindian population which has been making use of these materials for centuries have led to an incredibly vibrant and diverse craft industry.

In Guyana nothing is imported for craft production. Materials include tanned hides of cattle, sheep, goat, snake and caiman skins, woods of every hardness and colour (e.g. purpleheart, mahogany, samaan, silver bali et al), straws, vines and palm leaves such as tibibscri, nibbi and mukru, balata (rubber tree sap), calabash, coconuts, beads, stones (precious and semi-precious), and gold.

Crafted items include furniture, footwear of all kinds, belts, handbags, jewellery and jewel boxes, masks and sculptures, paintings, rolling pins, letter openers, hammocks, bowls, walking sticks, mortars and pestles and the list goes on. The prevalence of materials and the favourable exchange rate of the Guyana dollar to the US also make a veritable bargain emporium. There is even a promising fine arts industry among many contemporary Guyanese, not least the Amerindian artists.

If you're looking for original hand-made art, you can't do better than a trip to Guyana. Some of the main craft selling points in Georgetown are the Amerindian Hostel, Guyana Stores, Hibiscus Plaza, Fogarty's, House Proud, Stabroek Market and on many pavements around the city, including the GPO Building. You might also want to visit Amerindian settlements such as St. Cuthbert's, Santa Anna Mission and the Pomeroon. Also check out the many reputable jewellery outlets that make use of local gold, diamonds and semi-precious stones set at very reasonable prices.