Cayenne – Félix Eboué Airport

Aeroport International de Cayenne - Felix Eboue sits on the outskirts of Matoury, about 13 kilometres southwest of central Cayenne, the capital of French Guiana. Opened in 1949 and named after the Guianese-born colonial administrator Felix Eboue, it is the main air gateway for the French overseas department, handling roughly 500,000 passengers annually. The airport is not large by international standards — a single two-story terminal with a control tower visible from the approach road — but it connects this northern South American territory to Paris, Fort-de-France, Pointe-à-Pitre, Belém, and several regional destinations. For passengers arriving from Europe or the Caribbean, the transition from the plane to the heat and humidity of the Amazon basin is immediate and unmistakable.

Getting There

The airport is located in the commune of Matoury, roughly 20 minutes by road from central Cayenne depending on traffic. The most common way to reach the airport is by taxi. Taxis are available at stands in Cayenne, particularly near the Place des Palmistes and along Avenue du Général de Gaulle. The fare from central Cayenne to the airport is fixed at around 25–30 euros; it is wise to confirm the price before setting off. There is no regular public bus service directly to the terminal, though some local bus routes stop along the RN2 highway about a kilometre from the airport entrance. Renting a car is an option — several major agencies have desks inside the arrivals hall — and the drive from Cayenne follows a straightforward route along the D5 and then the RN2 south. Parking at the airport is available in a short-term lot directly in front of the terminal and a long-term lot a short walk away. Rates are reasonable by European standards, though the lots can fill during peak holiday periods, especially around July and December. For those staying in Matoury itself, the airport is a five-minute taxi ride or a brisk 20-minute walk from the town centre along the Avenue de l'Aéroport.

Inside the Terminal

The terminal consists of two levels. Departures are on the upper floor, arrivals on the ground floor. The building is functional and modern after renovations completed in the early 2010s. Upon entering departures, passengers find a row of check-in desks for Air France, Air Caraibes, and the regional carrier Air Guyane. Security screening is located just past the check-in area; it is generally quick but can become congested on Monday and Thursday afternoons, the busiest times as noted by the airport. After security, a small duty-free shop offers French wines, spirits, cosmetics, and local products such as rum and hot sauce. There are also a newsagent and a cafe serving sandwiches, pastries, and coffee. The departure lounge has seating for about 200 people, with power outlets near some seats. The airport provides a wheelchair-accessible entrance and car park, as well as wheelchair-accessible toilets and changing tables in both the arrivals and departures areas. Baggage storage is available near the information desk in the arrivals hall, a useful service for passengers with long layovers. The toilets are clean and well-maintained, with attendants present during operating hours. The terminal is not air-conditioned throughout; the departure lounge is cooled, but the arrivals area can be warm. Passengers should come prepared for the climate — light clothing and a bottle of water go a long way.

Aeroport International de Cayenne - Felix Eboue and Matoury

Matoury is a suburb of Cayenne with a population of about 30,000, making it one of the larger communes in French Guiana. It is primarily residential and commercial, but it holds several points of interest for travellers. The town is situated on the banks of the Cayenne River, and its landscape is dominated by low-rise buildings surrounded by tropical vegetation. For those with a layover or an extra day, the Crique Jacques nature trail offers a gentle walk through mangroves and flooded forest, with opportunities to spot howler monkeys and caymans. The trailhead is a 15-minute drive from the airport. Matoury is also home to the Fort Cépérou – Matoury, a small colonial-era fortification from the 18th century, though it is not always open to the public. More accessible is the Parc Naturel Régional de la Guyane, which begins just south of Matoury and extends into the interior; hiking, birdwatching, and guided tours are available from local operators.

The airport itself provides an unexpected window into Guiana's global connections. Cargo planes from France deliver goods that sustain the European Space Centre in Kourou, a 45-minute drive west of the airport. Many passengers passing through are connected to the space industry — engineers, technicians, and their families. Others are tourists heading to the Îles du Salut or the Maroni River. The airport's cafe often buzzes with a mix of French expatriates, Maroon communities from the interior, and Indigenous Wayana and Kali'na people in traditional dress. The region's cultural diversity is on display even before leaving the terminal. French Guiana remains an overseas department of France, so the euro is used, French is the official language, and the airport feels distinctly European in its signage and procedures. Yet the sights, sounds, and smells — the humidity, the call of parrots outside, the scent of grilled fish from a nearby food stall — leave no doubt that this is the Amazon.

Practical Information

The airport is open from 5:30 AM to 11:00 PM daily, though flight schedules can extend beyond these hours on certain days. Check the airport's website (https://www.guyane.aeroport.fr/) for real-time updates, especially during the rainy season from January to June when delays are more common. Phone: +594 594 29 97 00. The busiest times are Monday and Thursday at 4 PM, when afternoon flights to Paris and Fort-de-France depart. Arrive at least two hours before an international flight; one hour is sufficient for regional flights. Note that there is no direct public transport link from the airport to central Cayenne; pre-book a taxi or arrange a pickup. For those driving, the long-term car park is located 200 metres from the terminal; a free shuttle runs every 10 minutes. One final tip: bring mosquito repellent. The airport grounds are near marshy areas, and mosquitoes are active year-round. Having repellent on hand will make your arrival or departure much more comfortable.