Matoury Travel Guide

City City in French Guiana

A suburb of Cayenne hosting Félix Eboué airport, Matoury offers access to coastal wetlands and lowland rainforest excursions; expect Creole eateries, market stalls, boat trips into mangroves and quick connections to Cayenne’s streets and colonial buildings.

Costs

USD 70-120 typical daily budget

Higher prices than mainland South America due to imports; basic services available.

Safety

Moderate risk; exercise caution

Petty theft and occasional violent incidents - avoid isolated areas after dark.

Best Time

August-December (drier months)

Drier months make jungle trails and coastal excursions far easier.

In This Guide

Why Visit
Best Things to Do
Bucket List
Best Time to Visit
How to Get There
How to Get Around
Where to Stay
Where to Eat

Local Time

2:59 AM

GMT-3

Weather

73°F

Mostly Clear

Population

26,350

Infrastructure & Convenience

Limited buses, car-dependent local travel, French signage and basic services.

Popularity

Mainly a gateway for airport travellers and eco-tourists rather than a destination itself.

Known For

Cayenne-Félix Eboué Airport, Amazon-access, mangroves, Creole cuisine, local markets, riverine landscapes, biodiversity, French administrative services

Cayenne-Félix Eboué Airport (CAY), French Guiana's main airport, is located in Matoury.

Why Visit Matoury? #

Matoury functions as a practical and atmospheric gateway to French Guiana: Cayenne-Félix Eboué Airport sits here, and the town provides access to mangrove-lined shores and lowland rainforest excursions. Travelers come to experience Creole markets and local dishes, to observe coastal birdlife, and to use Matoury as a launch point for interior nature lodges and river trips. The blend of airport convenience and wild landscapes sets it apart.

Best Things to Do in Matoury

All Attractions ›

Cayenne Cathedral

Roman Catholic cathedral in Cayenne, French Guiana

Church

Matoury Bucket List

Don't Miss

Mont Grand Matoury Regional Nature Reserve - Explore Mont Grand Matoury Reserve for rainforest trails, wildlife, and canopy views.
Marché de Matoury - Visit Marché de Matoury for fresh produce, local snacks, and neighbourhood atmosphere.
Maison de la Nature de Matoury - Pop into Maison de la Nature for local ecology exhibits and conservation information.

Hidden Gems

Local Creole eateries - Try small Creole eateries around town for traditional dishes and friendly neighbourhood service.
Rivière du Mahury shoreline - Walk the Mahury riverbanks for mangrove views, birdwatching spots, and quiet sunset scenes.
Community craft stalls - Browse community craft stalls near the mairie for handmade souvenirs and regional specialties.

Day Trips

Cayenne - Take a short drive to Cayenne for colonial architecture, markets, and coastal promenades.
Kaw Marshes (Marais de Kaw) - Day trip to the Kaw Marshes for guided boat safaris spotting caiman and birds.

Best Time to Visit Matoury #

Plan Matoury visits for the drier months to enjoy outdoor activities and easier travel; the long wet season brings frequent heavy rain and high humidity year-round.

Rainy Season

December - July · 24 - 30°C (75 - 86°F)

Heavy, daily downpours make jungle hikes muddy and travel slower; expect oppressive humidity but lush green landscapes and dramatic rivers.

Short Dry Season

August - October · 25 - 32°C (77 - 90°F)

Drier skies, lower rainfall and easier conditions for river trips and beaches-still hot, with mosquitoes and sudden showers possible sometimes.

Short Rain/Transition

November · 24 - 31°C (75 - 88°F)

Switching weather with sudden squalls returning; travel logistics tricky but wildlife activity peaks and rivers rise, making for dramatic scenery.

Best Time to Visit Matoury #

Climate

Matoury's climate is classified as Tropical Monsoon - Tropical Monsoon climate with consistently warm temperatures year-round. Temperatures range from 22°C to 32°C. Heavy rainfall (3173 mm/year), wettest in May with a pronounced dry season.

Best Time to Visit

SeptemberOctoberJuly

Temperature & Rainfall

Temperature Range

32°

Warmest Month

22°

Coldest Month

Monthly Conditions

January

January is warm with muggy conditions (dew point 23°C). Heavy rain (416 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

65 Good

Comfort

25°

Feels Like Warm

25°C

Temperature

22° – 28°

85%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

416 mm

Rainfall

2.5 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.8

UV Index

Very High

11.8h daylight

February

February is warm with muggy conditions (dew point 23°C). Heavy rain (289 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

63 Good

Comfort

26°

Feels Like Warm

26°C

Temperature

23° – 29°

84%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

289 mm

Rainfall

2.8 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.9

UV Index

Very High

11.9h daylight

March

March is warm with muggy conditions (dew point 23°C). Heavy rain (307 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

65 Good

Comfort

26°

Feels Like Warm

26°C

Temperature

23° – 29°

83%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

307 mm

Rainfall

2.8 m/s

Wind

Calm

2.0

UV Index

Extreme

12.0h daylight

April

April is warm with muggy conditions (dew point 24°C). Heavy rain (391 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

65 Good

Comfort

26°

Feels Like Warm

26°C

Temperature

23° – 29°

86%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

391 mm

Rainfall

2.5 m/s

Wind

Calm

2.0

UV Index

Very High

12.1h daylight

May

May is warm with stifling humidity (dew point 24°C). The wettest month with heavy rain (532 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

63 Good

Comfort

26°

Feels Like Warm

26°C

Temperature

23° – 29°

89%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

532 mm

Rainfall

2.1 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.9

UV Index

Very High

12.2h daylight

June

June is warm with muggy conditions (dew point 24°C). Heavy rain (418 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

69 Good

Comfort

26°

Feels Like Warm

26°C

Temperature

22° – 29°

89%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

418 mm

Rainfall

1.7 m/s

Wind

Calm

2.0

UV Index

Very High

12.3h daylight

July

July is warm with muggy conditions (dew point 24°C). Significant rainfall (178 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

75 Very Good

Comfort

26°

Feels Like Warm

26°C

Temperature

22° – 30°

87%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

178 mm

Rainfall

1.8 m/s

Wind

Calm

2.1

UV Index

Extreme

12.2h daylight

August

August is warm with muggy conditions (dew point 24°C). Regular rainfall (87 mm).

75 Very Good

Comfort

26°

Feels Like Warm

26°C

Temperature

22° – 31°

86%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

87 mm

Rainfall

2.0 m/s

Wind

Calm

2.4

UV Index

Extreme

12.2h daylight

September

September is warm with muggy conditions (dew point 24°C). Moderate rainfall (46 mm) and mostly sunny skies.

81 Excellent

Comfort

27°

Feels Like Warm

27°C

Temperature

22° – 32°

83%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

46 mm

Rainfall

2.2 m/s

Wind

Calm

2.5

UV Index

Extreme

12.0h daylight

October

October is the warmest month with muggy conditions (dew point 23°C). Moderate rainfall (74 mm).

77 Very Good

Comfort

27°

Feels Like Warm

27°C

Temperature

22° – 32°

80%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

74 mm

Rainfall

2.2 m/s

Wind

Calm

2.4

UV Index

Extreme

11.9h daylight

November

November is warm with muggy conditions (dew point 24°C). Significant rainfall (111 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

71 Very Good

Comfort

26°

Feels Like Warm

26°C

Temperature

22° – 31°

82%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

111 mm

Rainfall

2.3 m/s

Wind

Calm

2.1

UV Index

Extreme

11.8h daylight

December

December is warm with muggy conditions (dew point 24°C). Heavy rain (324 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

65 Good

Comfort

26°

Feels Like Warm

26°C

Temperature

22° – 29°

85%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

324 mm

Rainfall

2.2 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.8

UV Index

Very High

11.7h daylight

How to Get to Matoury

Matoury is home to Cayenne's Félix Eboué Airport (CAY), so most visitors arrive by air directly into the commune. Ground transport options are primarily taxis, car hire and limited local bus/coach services; scheduled public transport is not extensive.

By Air

Cayenne - Félix Eboué Airport (CAY): The airport is located in Matoury itself, so arrival is straightforward. Taxis from the terminal to Cayenne or points in Matoury typically take 10-25 minutes and commonly cost in the region of €10-€25 depending on destination and time of day. Car rental desks are available at the airport for self-drive.

By Train & Bus

Train: There is no passenger rail service serving Matoury or French Guiana broadly; rail is not a transport option.

Bus: Public bus services in French Guiana are limited and schedules can be infrequent. Local shared taxis or minibuses (and hotel transfers) are commonly used for short trips; fares are low (often a few euros) but services are less regular than in mainland France-plan ahead and confirm timetables locally.

How to Get Around Matoury #

Matoury is suburban and largely car-dependent; most visitors get around by private car or taxi. There are some local bus services linking Matoury with Cayenne, but schedules can be infrequent, so plan journeys in advance. Walking is fine for short distances within the central neighbourhoods, but many amenities and beaches are easier to reach by car or taxi.