Tourist Places to Visit in Kourou, French Guiana, America
Kourou is a commune and department in French Guiana, South America is a main town and administrative district in the department with total area of 2,160 square kilometers (830 square miles) situated on the mouth of River Kourou surrounded by mountains. Economy of the city depends on the Centre Spatial Guyanais (Guiana Space Centre) and tourism industry. Kourou is located at the distance of 60 kilometers from Cayenne, capital of French Guiana and coordinates are 5.2372° N, 52.7606° W.
History of Kourou:
Kourou was settled by Kalina or Galibi populaces before the establishment of French during the 17th century. Society of Jesus was established in the region along the River Kourou in 1762 and in the year 1763, British captured the New France but later French decided to send about 10,000 to 12,000 people to establish settlement in Guiana but most of the peoples died due to diseases but few people survived. Later the region became home to main prisons in French Guiana, but in the year 1953, all the prisons were destroyed to build Hôtel des Roches. In the year 1965, Guiana Space Centre was established in the city.
Places to see in Kourou:
Devil’s Island:
Devil’s Island is situated at the distance of 16 kilometers from Kourou city has an area of 34.6 acres of land area is one of the best islands to visit in Kourou city which is surrounded by lush greenery and tourists can find the ruins of prisons in the island.
Guiana Space Centre:
Guiana Space Centre is a Europe and French space center in Kourou city was founded in the year 1965. Tourists can view the space centre with prior permission for the authority.
Musée de l’Espace:
Musée de l’Espace is a museum located in Kourou city showcase the space and space exploration is visited by number of tourists from all over the world.
Interesting Places to see in and around Kourou:
- Les Roches Gravées
- Montagne des Singes
- Kourou River
- Îles du Salut
- Roches Beach
Weather in Kourou:
Best time to visit Kourou is between July to November during these months it will receive less rainfall and climate will be pleasant.
Transportation to Kourou:
By Air:
Nearest airport to Kourou is Cayenne – Félix Eboué Airport situated in Cayenne at the distance of 67 kilometers caters with domestic and international flights to cities like Fort-de-France, Parise-Orly, Pointe-a-Pitre, Grand-Saint, Maripasoula, Saint-Laurent du Maroni, Belem-Val de Cans and Paramaribo.
By Sea:
Kourou has a small port which caters with the ferry services to Cayenne and Iles du Salut islands regularly.
By Road:
Kourou is connected through national highway from capital city Cayenne and buses will operate from Cayenne and cities frequently and it is the main transportation mode in the city.
Accommodation in Kourou:
Kourou is a historical town in French Guiana and hotels are flawlessly situated for both business and vacation guests to Kourou and swanks a suitable position with contemporary amenities in every guestroom and wonderful service. Hotels provides facilities like air conditioning, in house movies, hair dryer, in room safe, shower, kitchenette, satellite/cable TV in every room and facilities such as bar/pub, laundry service/dry cleaning, restaurant, disabled facilities, business center, pets allowed, car parking are also available. Some of the major hotels in Kourou are as follows:
- Hotel Ballahou
- Le Gros Bec
- Hotel des Roches
- Mercure Kourou Ariatel
- Relais Mercure Kourou Atlantis
- L’Amarante
- Hotel Iles du Salut
- Mercure Ariatel Kourou Hotel