Capital city, French Guiana
Is Cayenne safe?
Calmer than neighbours, but crime is well above mainland France.
Is Cayenne safe?
Calmer than neighbours, but crime is well above mainland France. Take care after dark in Cayenne and avoid illegal gold-mining zones in the interior.
Key facts
- SoloSquare safety rating: 3/5, take real precautions.
- US travel advisory: Level 1: Exercise normal precautions, updated 2026-07-07.
- Emergency numbers: Police 17 · Ambulance 15 · Fire 18 · All emergencies 112.
Safety in Cayenne at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Crime | Muggings and bag snatching at night, burglary, car break-ins, and occasional armed robberies; violent incidents mostly involve locals. |
| At night | The center empties by about 9 pm. Use taxis booked by phone or your hotel rather than walking. |
| Solo women | Generally comfortable but harassment and robberies happen at night. Avoid isolated beaches and walking alone after dark. |
| Other risks | Dengue and Zika mosquitoes; Rip currents and muddy water on beaches; Heat and heavy rain |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Unregistered taxis quoting inflated fares
- Street sellers pressuring tourists to buy
- Informal tour guides asking for cash upfront
Take care
- Quiet streets and the waterfront after dark: muggings
- Parking lots and rental cars: break-ins
- Interior and river areas with illegal gold mining: armed groups
Calmer areas to stay
Laws visitors break by accident
- French law applies, including a 0.5 g/l drink-driving limit
- Visiting parts of the far south (upper Maroni and Oyapock) requires prefecture permission
Quick answers
Is Cayenne safe for solo female travelers?
Generally comfortable but harassment and robberies happen at night. Avoid isolated beaches and walking alone after dark.
Is Cayenne safe at night?
The center empties by about 9 pm. Use taxis booked by phone or your hotel rather than walking.
What is the crime rate in Cayenne?
Muggings and bag snatching at night, burglary, car break-ins, and occasional armed robberies; violent incidents mostly involve locals.
What number do I call in an emergency in Cayenne?
Police 17 · Ambulance 15 · Fire 18 · All emergencies 112.
More about Cayenne
Going to Cayenne solo?
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Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- Centre Hospitalier de Cayenne
- World Bank: intentional homicides (UNODC)
- World Bank: road traffic deaths (WHO)
Safety ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment from official advisories, crime data and local reporting. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.