Community-based tourism (CBT) represents the best of what travel can be: authentic experiences that benefit the people and places you visit. In Guyana, Indigenous communities have pioneered this approach, building a network of eco-lodges and experiences that provide sustainable income while protecting some of Earth's most pristine wilderness.
This guide explains how CBT works in Guyana, why it matters, and how you can be part of this transformative approach to travel.
What is Community-Based Tourism?
Community-based tourism puts local communities at the center of tourism development. Rather than outside investors building hotels on Indigenous land, the communities themselves own and operate tourism facilities, make decisions about how tourism develops, and keep the economic benefits within the community.
The CBT Difference
Traditional Tourism: Outside ownership, profits leave the area, communities have little control.
Community-Based Tourism: Local ownership, profits stay local, communities decide how tourism develops.
In Guyana, CBT emerged in the 1990s when Indigenous villages in the Rupununi began exploring alternatives to extractive industries. Communities like Surama built the first community-owned eco-lodges, proving that tourism could generate income while preserving forest and culture.
Benefits of Community-Based Tourism
Economic Benefits
Revenue stays in the community, supporting families and local projects.
Education
Tourism income funds schools and youth training programs.
Healthcare
Communities invest in health posts and medical supplies.
Cultural Preservation
Youth learn traditions by sharing them with visitors.
Conservation
Standing forest becomes more valuable than cleared land.
Employment
Young people stay in villages as guides, cooks, and managers.
Conservation Through Tourism
Perhaps the most significant impact of CBT in Guyana is on conservation. When communities earn income from tourists who come to see wildlife, they have strong incentives to protect that wildlife. Several examples illustrate this:
- Rewa Village banned commercial arapaima fishing and now earns more from catch-and-release fishing tourism than they ever did from selling fish
- Yupukari protects black caiman populations that now draw researchers and tourists
- Surama monitors harpy eagle nests, creating both income and conservation data
- Multiple communities have created wildlife reserves on their titled lands
The CBT Formula
"When wildlife is worth more alive than dead, communities become the best conservationists. Tourism provides the economic argument for protection." - Conservation International
CBT Communities in Guyana
Major communities offering tourism experiences:
North Rupununi Communities
Coordinated through the North Rupununi District Development Board (NRDDB)
South Rupununi Communities
Coordinated through the South Rupununi District Council
How CBT Works
Community Ownership
Each CBT initiative is owned by the village community as a whole. Village councils make decisions about tourism development, set prices, and allocate revenues. Individual families participate as guides, cooks, artisans, and hosts.
Revenue Distribution
Typical revenue split in Guyanese CBT:
- 40-50% - Operating costs (food, maintenance, transport)
- 30-40% - Staff wages (guides, cooks, managers)
- 10-20% - Community fund (schools, healthcare, projects)
- 5-10% - Reserve fund (improvements, emergencies)
Partnerships
Communities work with:
- Tour operators - Bring visitors and handle marketing
- NGOs - Provide training and capacity building
- Government - Support infrastructure and policy
- Researchers - Collaborate on conservation projects
Support Community Tourism
Choose community-owned lodges and experiences. Your visit directly benefits Indigenous communities and conservation.
View ExperiencesHow to Support CBT
As a Visitor
- Book community-owned lodges - Ask your operator which accommodations are community-owned
- Buy local - Purchase crafts directly from artisans
- Respect guidelines - Follow cultural and environmental protocols
- Tip appropriately - Gratuities go directly to staff
- Share your experience - Reviews and recommendations help communities reach more visitors
Questions to Ask Tour Operators
When booking, ask:
- Are the lodges community-owned?
- How much of my payment goes to the community?
- Are guides from the local community?
- What community projects does tourism support?
Beyond Your Visit
- Donate - Some communities accept direct donations for specific projects
- Volunteer - Long-term volunteers can contribute skills
- Advocate - Support policies that empower Indigenous communities
- Educate - Share the CBT model with other travelers
Challenges and Realities
CBT is not without challenges:
- Accessibility - Remote locations require significant travel
- Capacity - Small communities can only host limited visitors
- Seasonality - Rainy season limits access to some areas
- Infrastructure - Basic facilities may not suit all travelers
- Communication - Limited phone and internet connectivity
These challenges are also part of what makes CBT special - you are visiting real communities, not purpose-built tourist facilities. Flexibility and realistic expectations are essential.
The Right Mindset
CBT works best when visitors come as guests, not consumers. You are visiting someone's home, learning about their culture, and contributing to their community. The experience may be rustic, but it is genuine.
The Future of CBT in Guyana
Community-based tourism in Guyana continues to grow and evolve:
- New communities are developing tourism programs
- Training programs are building local capacity
- Technology is improving communication and booking
- Recognition - Guyana's CBT model is studied internationally
- Carbon credits - Communities are exploring forest carbon programs alongside tourism
As Guyana's tourism sector grows, the CBT foundation ensures that growth benefits the people who have stewarded this land for generations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is community-based tourism (CBT)?
Community-based tourism is a form of sustainable tourism where local communities own, operate, and benefit directly from tourism activities. In Guyana, Indigenous villages run their own eco-lodges, employ local guides, and use tourism revenue for community development.
How does community tourism benefit local communities in Guyana?
Benefits include: direct income for families, employment for youth as guides and staff, funding for schools and healthcare, cultural preservation through sharing traditions, reduced pressure on natural resources, and incentives for conservation.
Which communities in Guyana offer community-based tourism?
Major CBT communities include Surama, Rewa, Annai, Yupukari, Nappi, Wowetta, and others in the Rupununi region. Each offers unique experiences from arapaima fishing to cultural immersion to wildlife watching.
How can visitors support community-based tourism in Guyana?
Visitors can support CBT by: booking directly or through operators who work with communities, staying at community-owned lodges, purchasing crafts directly from artisans, respecting cultural guidelines, and sharing positive experiences to encourage others.
Last updated: January 2026. For help planning your community tourism experience, browse our sustainable travel options or contact us.