Rémire-Montjoly is the town where you unpack your bags when you want the best of French Guiana without giving up comfort: sandy beaches where the sea meets the forest, trails that climb toward Atlantic viewpoints, and Cayenne just ten minutes away. At Hostel Toucan, a local concierge service based on the Guianese coast, we manage a curated selection of rentals built for that “toes in the sand, head in nature” way of life. Here’s everything you need to know to book smart.
Why choose Rémire-Montjoly for your stay
Tucked between Cayenne and Matoury, Rémire-Montjoly is the most sought-after residential town in the metro area. It combines three perks that are hard to find anywhere else in French Guiana.
- Beaches close by: Montjoly, Rémire, Salines beach… several kilometres of sand lined with coconut palms and coastal forest.
- Peace and quiet: you fall asleep to birdsong and the surf, away from the bustle of Cayenne, yet 10–15 minutes by car from the town centre.
- Quick access: Félix-Éboué airport (Matoury) is about 20 minutes away, handy for late arrivals or day trips out to Kourou.
For a trip to French Guiana, the dry season from mid-July to mid-November remains the best time to come: trails are passable, beaches are clear, and the sky is kinder for watching an Ariane 6 launch from the coast. Since French Guiana is a French overseas region, you pay in euros, speak French (Guianese Creole is everywhere) and have no roaming charges to worry about. A quick practical reminder: the time difference is -5h in winter and -6h in summer relative to Paris, the dialling code is +594, and a yellow fever vaccine is mandatory.
Our rentals close to beaches and trails
Our principle: offer places that are genuinely well located, not just “somewhere in town.” In practice, our rentals in Rémire-Montjoly fall into three moods.
Toes in the sand, Montjoly side
Studios and apartments a few hundred metres from Montjoly beach, perfect for an early-morning swim and sunset watching. Ideal for a couple or a solo traveller who wants to start or end the day in the water.
Nature side, at the foot of the trails
Houses and one-bedroom flats near the Rorota trail and Mahury mountain, for hikers and families. The Rorota is a loop of about 1h30 through the forest, with a lake and ocean viewpoints: you’ll come across squirrel monkeys, agoutis and spectacular birdlife, all just 5 minutes from your door.
For families and longer stays
Rentals for 4 to 6 people with a fully equipped kitchen, terrace and sometimes a pool, designed for work assignments, homecomings and family holidays. The equipped kitchen makes a real difference: restaurants close early, and cooking local (fish from the market, island vegetables) is part of the trip.
All of our accommodations include: bed linen and towels provided, wifi, air conditioning in the bedrooms, and a digital arrival guide with our favourite spots. To browse the full selection and availability, see our accommodation in French Guiana page.
What a typical day in Rémire-Montjoly looks like
To help you picture it, here’s a rhythm many of our travellers adopt.
- 7am: morning swim at Montjoly before the heat, then coffee on the terrace.
- 9am: Cayenne market (15 min by car) for fruit, fish and spices.
- 11am: a hike on the Rorota or a stroll along the Mahury trail.
- 1pm: lunch at home or a bokit from a seafront food truck.
- 4pm: lazing on Salines beach, wilder and shadier.
- 6pm: sunset facing the Atlantic, then Place des Palmistes in Cayenne for the evening buzz.
A car is essential in French Guiana: arrange a rental right at the airport. From Rémire-Montjoly, allow about 1 hour to reach Kourou and the Guiana Space Centre (free visit by reservation, Ariane 6/Vega launch viewing depending on the schedule), or to set off for the Salvation Islands.
The must-sees within reach of your rental
Rémire-Montjoly is an excellent base camp for exploring all of French Guiana. A few day-trip ideas from your rental:
- Kaw marshes (approx. 2h drive + canoe): caimans, scarlet ibis and a starry sky, an unforgettable night in a carbet shelter.
- Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni (approx. 3h): the Transportation Camp and the history of the penal colony, then a trip down the Maroni River by canoe.
- Awala-Yalimapo: leatherback turtle nesting (April–July season) on the western coast.
- Cacao: the Hmong community and its Sunday market, soup and fritters not to be missed.
- Nouragues Reserve and the surrounding marshes for lovers of raw nature.
To plan these outings, with distances and season-by-season tips, check out our complete guide to French Guiana.
