Bartica, one of Guyana’s most beautiful towns, is located in Region 7, also called the Cuyuni-Mazaruni Region of Guyana, South America. where the Cuyuni and Mazaruni Rivers merge with the Essequibo River. The population of Bartica is approximately 20,000, and the main economic activity of the residents of Bartica is gold mining.
The town of Bartica sits on the left bank of the Essequibo River at the confluence of the Cuyuni and Mazaruni Rivers. In 2016, Bartica was officially declared a township by then President of Guyana, David Arthur Granger, making it the official capital of Region 7.
At the time of this article, (last updated April, 2023), tourism in Bartica is believed to have excessive potential but is poorly developed or promoted.
The name “Bartica” comes from an Amerindian word meaning “red earth.” Red earth is abundant in the Bartica area, and this is what likely influenced the name.
How to Get to Bartica
From Georgetown, it is possible to get to Bartica using public transportation. First you need to take a bus going to Parika. The bus charges about 500 Guyana dollars from Georgetown to Parika per person. The drive from Georgetown to Parika is approximately 30 minutes. You can get a bus from the bus park in Georgetown which is located close to the Stabroek Market, or you can get a bus from the junction near to the Demerara Harbour bridge.
The bus leaves Georgetown and crosses over the Demerara Harbour Bridge into the West Bank of Demerara. It drives a few minutes and then makes a left turn into the West Coast of Demerara. From there, it travels to the Parika Stelling.
The speedboats
At the Parika Stelling, there are two choices of transportation across the Essequibo River into Bartica: the big diesel-powered ferry and the small speedboats. The ferry takes approximately 4 hours to reach from the Parika stelling to Bartica and vice-versa, and it makes an average of 2 trips to Bartica per day.
The ferry all loaded and taking off from the Parika stelling.
The speedboat takes an average of 1 hour, 15 minutes to travel from the Parika Stelling to Bartica. There are speedboats leaving every hour of the day up to 5 pm from Parika to Bartica and vice versa.
An inside shot of one of the Speedboats which ply the waters of the Essequibo River from Parika to Bartica
Bartica can also be reached from the towns of Linden and Mahdia.
Where to Stay
Once you arrive in Bartica, there are some great hotels where you can spend the night. There include:
The New Modern Hotel
Balkarran’s Guest House
Zen’s Plaza
7th Avenue Hotel (Now Wei Fung Hotel)
What to Do When You’re in Bartica
So what do you do once you’re in Bartica? Aside from visiting friends and relatives, and doing business, here are some fun things to do in Bartica.
Go to the beach. Yes, Bartica sports a really beautiful beach.
Take a boat ride up to the “meeting of the waters” where the Cuyuni and Mazaruni Rivers run side by side.
Visit Aruwai Nature Resort. Aruwai Resort is a beautiful getaway spot located about 15 minutes by boat from the town of Bartica. It is build on a small island and includes a hotel, swimming pool, and much more. Aruwai Resort is a great nature treat for someone look for peace and quiet.
