There is only one bank in Lethem and that is Guyana Bank for trade and Industry Ltd GBTI or so cash is the better way to go. Besides the Guyanese dollar, some places might accept the US dollar. Brazilian currency is readily accepted.
Next to the Takutu Hotel is a small establishment that sells Amerindian crafts. It has some unique items but business hours are very random.
Cash exchange rates in Lethem do not always reflect true exchange rates, so with enough cash in your hands in the right currency you can make some money off scalpers cambistas in Portugese. In December 2010, 1 BRL can be traded for 100 GYD bought back at 110 GYD, and 1 USD can be traded for 195-200 GYD bought back at 210 GYD, yet 1 USD is traded at 1.83 BRL and bought back at 1.90 BRL. In Manaus or Boa Vista, buy USD to exchange for GYD in Lethem or Georgetown. If you are going to cross into Brazil from Guyana, make sure you have a lot of Guyanese dollars to buy Brazilian reais which can be exchanged in Bonfim at the same rate as in Lethem, though there is no shortage of Brazilian reais on the Brazilian side of the boarder.
