Taxi to the Demerara River
Rides to the Stabroek stelling, the old lighthouse, the Kingston seawall and across the new river bridge.
Georgetown sits on the east bank of the Demerara River, where it meets the Atlantic. Visitors reach the river in three places: the Stabroek stelling behind Stabroek Market, the river mouth at Kingston with its lighthouse and seawall, and, since October 2025, the new bridge upriver.
The Stabroek stelling
Speedboats cross from the Stabroek stelling to Vreed-en-Hoop on the West Bank; the route is regulated by MARAD, and about nine million passengers used it in 2024. GuyWay drops at the stelling entrance on the west side of the market on Water Street. Crossing by road instead, Vreed-en-Hoop is about 18 km via the bridge, about GYD 7,600.
Lighthouse and seawall at the river mouth
The Georgetown Lighthouse on Water Street was first built by the Dutch in 1817 and rebuilt in 1830; it is 30 metres tall and became a national monument in 2024. It is about 1.7 km from Stabroek Market, about GYD 2,000. A few minutes east, the Kingston Seawall Esplanade reopened in 2023 with a restored bandstand, food stalls and parking.
Crossing the river by car
The Bharrat Jagdeo Demerara River Bridge opened on 5 October 2025: four lanes and 2.6 km from Nandy Park on the East Bank to La Grange on the West Bank, toll-free and open around the clock. The old floating Harbour Bridge of 1978 no longer carries traffic, so there are no more waits for retractions. GuyWay serves the West Bank road as far as Parika.
Fort Zeelandia is further
Fort Zeelandia, the Dutch brick fort of 1743, is on Fort Island in the Essequibo River, not on the Demerara. Boats leave from Parika, about 43 km from Georgetown by road; see Georgetown to Parika for that ride.
Questions about getting to Demerara River, Georgetown
Is there a toll to cross the Demerara River?
No. The new Demerara River Bridge is toll-free, and the old Harbour Bridge is closed.
Pickup at the Stabroek stelling?
Yes. Drop the pin at the stelling entrance, west side of Stabroek Market on Water Street.
Does GuyWay handle the onward leg for river tours?
GuyWay covers the ride to and from the jetty. Boat trips are run by private operators.
How GuyWay fares are worked out, and more in the help centre
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