Country: French Guiana

For those looking for very off-the-beaten track adventurous eco-tourism experiences, and perhaps are hoping to go “off the grid” and disconnect from the modern world a bit, then French Guiana (also known as Guyane) is a great option. Visualize dense primitive rainforests with unspoiled wilderness, off the beaten track of most tourists, and with a vast diversity of wildlife, surrounding centuries-old indigenous villages, in a country bordering Brazil, Suriname, and the Atlantic Ocean.
Guiana has a fascinating colonial history and is French-speaking as they are under the French flag, although the region boasts an ethnic blend of Amerindian tribal descendants, ancestors of escaped African slaves and Asian indentured servants, and European colonists as well, with the destinations on the northern coast having a more Caribbean flavor and culture.
Start off your adventure with the French-Caribbean vibes of the capital city of Cayenne, enjoying a drink in one of the charming colonial outdoor bars. Cayenne is an interesting mixture of French, African, Asian, and Brazilian cultures which the city reflects. Carnival in Cayenne is a carnival celebration for those who are looking for a less-touristic carnival experience- it is a unique local cultural festival that is worth seeing, taking in the magical and spiritual ceremonies on the streets, with intricate and colorful local costumes and characters telling a story, and of course festive music to go along with it.

One of the best ways to explore this country and its wild jungles is on a guided cruise of its riverways in the local dugout canoe boats, the main transit between remote villages, and also to see wildlife including capybara, caiman, and monkeys, as well as to encounter Amerindians and learn about their culture. Canoeing trips can consist of calm waters as well as some exciting rapids for those looking for more action.
The other highlights of French Guiana are Devil’s Island, a former penal colony made famous by Papillon, wrongly convicted and who dared escape the brutal treatment by escaping after 12 years of enduring such harshness, and swimming across the Atlantic to Venezuela.
Another popular sight to see in this country is Hattes Beach, one of the largest leatherback turtle nesting colonies in the world. At certain times of the year you will have a chance to see them slowly inching their way up the beach to dig nests in the sand and lay their eggs, then a couple of months later during hatching season you will get to experience the baby hatchlings emerge from their underground refuge, clumsily flopping their way down to the water’s edge to begin their lives.
And one not-to-miss sight is the hidden secret not known to exist by much of the world, the Guiana Space Centre, also known as Europe’s Spaceport, used for satellite launchings, research programs such as weather studies, and for telecommunications, and is available for use by all friendly nations. The facility has guided tours (in French) of the space center and control center, as well as its six launch sites and space museum displaying the history of space exploration. The space center conducts up to nine launches annually, giving lucky tourists the chance to witness a space launch from the jungle.