Southeast to Suriname

Linden

Linden, the second-largest town in Guyana, is a bauxite mining town 112 kilometres south of Georgetown on the west bank of the Demerara River. The two towns are connected by a good road (slow for the first part to Timehri); the police checks are to stop drug and gun running. Linden is a company mining town. The opencast mine is 60-90 metres deep and is said to have the world’s longest boom walking dragline. The town is dominated by a disused alumina plant and scarred by old bauxite pits.

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South from Linden

From Linden rough roads suitable for four-wheel drive vehicles run south to the bauxite mining towns of Ituni and Kwakwani. The road south to the logging centre at Mabura Hill is in excellent condition; it continues to Kurupukari, but four-wheel drive is needed on this stretch. A good road goes west from Linden to Rockstone ferry on the Essequibo River. From Rockstone roads run north to Bartica (bad) and southwest to Issano (being improved).

New Amsterdam

New Amsterdam on the east bank of the Berbice River, near its mouth, picturesque New Amsterdam is 104 kilometres southeast of Georgetown. From Georgetown, take a minibus (44, or express No 50) or collective taxi to Rosignol on the west bank of the Berbice, then cross the river by the ferry, 15 minutes crossing, but add another 45 minutes for loading/unloading (US$0.30; also takes vehicles).

Corriverton

The road continues east from New Amsterdam (minibus, No 50, US$1.75-2.50), to Springlands and Skeldon at the mouth of the Corentyne River. The two towns are officially known as Corriverton (Corentyne River Town, pop: about 31,000). Springlands is two kilometres long, so you need to know where you want to get off the bus.

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