Matoury at a Glance
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.
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
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.
Nearby Cities #
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
Heavy, daily downpours make jungle hikes muddy and travel slower; expect oppressive humidity but lush green landscapes and dramatic rivers.
Short Dry Season
Drier skies, lower rainfall and easier conditions for river trips and beaches-still hot, with mosquitoes and sudden showers possible sometimes.
Short Rain/Transition
Switching weather with sudden squalls returning; travel logistics tricky but wildlife activity peaks and rivers rise, making for dramatic scenery.
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.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Good | 22° - 28° | 25° | 416 mm | overcast | 85% | 2.5 m/s | 1.8 very high | 11.8h |
| February | Good | 23° - 29° | 26° | 289 mm | overcast | 84% | 2.8 m/s | 1.9 very high | 11.9h |
| March | Good | 23° - 29° | 26° | 307 mm | overcast | 83% | 2.8 m/s | 2.0 extreme | 12.0h |
| April | Good | 23° - 29° | 26° | 391 mm | overcast | 86% | 2.5 m/s | 2.0 very high | 12.1h |
| May | Good | 23° - 29° | 26° | 532 mm | overcast | 89% | 2.1 m/s | 1.9 very high | 12.2h |
| June | Good | 22° - 29° | 26° | 418 mm | partly cloudy | 89% | 1.7 m/s | 2.0 very high | 12.3h |
| July | Very Good | 22° - 30° | 26° | 178 mm | partly cloudy | 87% | 1.8 m/s | 2.1 extreme | 12.2h |
| August | Very Good | 22° - 31° | 26° | 87 mm | some cloud | 86% | 2.0 m/s | 2.4 extreme | 12.2h |
| September | Excellent | 22° - 32° | 27° | 46 mm | mostly sunny | 83% | 2.2 m/s | 2.5 extreme | 12.0h |
| October | Very Good | 22° - 32° | 27° | 74 mm | some cloud | 80% | 2.2 m/s | 2.4 extreme | 11.9h |
| November | Very Good | 22° - 31° | 26° | 111 mm | partly cloudy | 82% | 2.3 m/s | 2.1 extreme | 11.8h |
| December | Good | 22° - 29° | 26° | 324 mm | overcast | 85% | 2.2 m/s | 1.8 very high | 11.7h |
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.
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.
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
Because Félix Eboué Airport is in Matoury, arriving is usually quick; taxis and car hire are the practical choices for onward travel. Public buses exist but are limited-use hotel transfers or taxis for predictable door-to-door service.
- Airport taxi (€10-€25) - Taxis at Félix Eboué Airport are the most reliable way into Matoury and Cayenne; rides are short (10-25 minutes) and fares are modest but can vary by time of day. Agree a price or ensure the meter is used before starting the trip.
- Car hire (€40-€90 per day) - Car rental at the airport is useful if you want to explore French Guiana beyond Matoury. Roads are generally good around Cayenne, but driving longer distances (into the interior) requires planning and sometimes a 4x4.
- Shared taxis / minibuses (€1-€5) - Shared taxis and minibuses run on popular local routes and are the low-cost option for short journeys. They are informal, can be crowded and may not follow strict timetables-ask at your hotel or the airport information desk for current routes and prices.
- Private transfer / hotel shuttle (€15-€40) - Many hotels and guesthouses offer paid transfers from the airport; these are convenient and remove uncertainty about local transport. Prices vary by provider and distance.
- Walking - Matoury’s urban areas and nearby Cayenne neighbourhoods are walkable for short trips, but sunny tropical conditions and limited pedestrian infrastructure in places mean walking is best for short, planned journeys during daytime.
Where to Stay in Matoury
Budget
Matoury outskirts - €30-80/night (Cayenne: €40-110)
Matoury itself has very few visitor accommodations; most budget travellers stay in nearby Cayenne where more guesthouses and hostels exist.
Matoury / Cayenne budget options (Booking list) - Small guesthouses listed; limited infrastructure
Budget stays in Cayenne (nearby) - Wider budget selection in Cayenne
Mid-Range
Matoury/Cayenne area - €70-150/night
Mid-range hotel options are concentrated in Cayenne; Matoury has a few guesthouses but limited choice for full-service hotels.
Selected mid-range hotels in Cayenne - Better choice of 2-3★ hotels in Cayenne
Accor listings (Cayenne region) - Use regional listings for available hotels
Luxury
Cayenne (20-30 min) - €120-250+/night
There are almost no true luxury hotels inside Matoury; for upscale rooms and services look to Cayenne, a short drive away.
Higher-end Cayenne hotels - Small number of higher-standard hotels in Cayenne
Private villas & apartments (Cayenne) - Occasional premium private rentals nearby
Where to Eat in Matoury
Creole & Guianese Flavors
Matoury’s food scene emphasizes Creole and Guianese dishes - grilled fish, spicy sauces and market stalls using Amazonian ingredients.
- Matoury local eateries - Creole specialties and grilled fish
- Local markets (Matoury) - Produce, spices and street snacks
- Street food stalls - Quick, spicy Guianese bites
French-Caribbean Fusion
Expect French-Caribbean fusion: boulangeries and cafés alongside Creole home cooking, influenced by French, African and Indigenous ingredients.
- Nearby French-Guiana restaurants - French techniques with local produce
- Local boulangeries - Fresh bread and pastries daily
- Small cafés - Coffee, sandwiches and créole snacks
Breakdown of cuisine types found across Matoury’s restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.