Expat Life

Moving to a different country can be exciting. But it can also bring on feelings of homesickness, culture shock, and loneliness. When is the right time to start thinking about going home? Here are some tips to help you decide when it’s time to pack up and repatriate. Knowing when it’s time to go home can be difficult but understanding yourself, your values, and your needs will help make the decision easier.

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Table of Content

Financial struggles

This may sound banal but probably it’s the most important point of our list. While the psychological aspect is essential for your well being, financial struggles should be the ringing bell that your mission is about to end.

Of course it is normal to struggle in the beginning, especially if you are looking for a job. That’s why before moving your should establish a financial plan.

• How much do you have saved?
• How long can you live on it (including renting, food, and other basic needs)?
• Which is the budget you need to move back home? After the pandemic the price of plane tickets skyrocketed!

It’s important to make sure you have enough money to keep living in your foreign home for as long as you want. If financial struggles are starting to pile up, and your savings account is getting lower and lower, it might be time to start looking at alternatives.

Before packing your bags, think about the stability of going back home and the role money plays in making your decision.

Feeling lonely and isolated

One of the most common horror stories shared by expats is loneliness and struggles to make friends. You may have moved abroad with a host of expectations, but if you find yourself feeling lonely, unnoticed, or isolated in your new home, it might be time to start making plans to move back.

Ask yourself whether these feelings are temporary or chronic and consider how going back home may help you in the long run. Making friends in a new city, country can be challenging but should be fun!

Remember that you have endless possibilities of things to try and do that could potentially let you meet new people. Socializing isn’t that hard! If you are looking for some ideas to socializing in a new city check out our 12 EASY ways for making friends in a new city.

Cultural burnout & homesickness

Being an expat can take its toll on any individual – adapting to a new place and culture can be a process of both exploration and rejection. It’s expected that you’ll have moments where the language, customs, and routines of your adopted home will begin to wear on you.

Homesickness for friends, family, and the familiar is also normal. If your feelings toward the culture of your adopted home aren’t improving over time, and you aren’t able to overcome homesickness, you should take this as another sign to consider leaving.

Difficulty adjusting to a new lifestyle

Adjusting to a new lifestyle as an expat can be a difficult journey. If you’re still struggling to accept and adapt to a new lifestyle, it might be time to consider leaving and returning home.

This can be paired with the point above. It could mean that you’re having difficulty accepting the food, customs, language, or overall culture of your adopted country and that these struggles are impacting your emotional well being.

Don’t ignore the signs of discontentment. If you are unable to get out of your unpleasant routine it might be time for you to find another place where you feel more comfortable living.

Negative changes in health or mental well being

If you’ve been an expat for several years, it’s normal to feel homesick or lonely at times. But adjustments to a new lifestyle should improve over time.

If the opposite is true, and you find yourself feeling increasingly depressed and anxious, despite having established connections in your newly adopted country, consider it’s time for you to leave.

Most important: a decline in physical and mental health should not be ignored. Returning home to your supporting family and friends, can help you improving your health and well being.

One last word about when is it time to go home for expats

Ultimately, the decision to go home is deeply personal and unique to each expatriate’s circumstances. It’s crucial to regularly reassess your situation, listen to your intuition, and consult with trusted confidants. Remember, there’s no shame in acknowledging that a particular expat experience has run its course, and going home can open up new avenues for growth, fulfillment, and happiness in the next chapter of your life.

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Life in French Guiana can be very exciting. The lifestyle is amazing. There is no traffic or pollution. Nature is everywhere offering astounding landscapes and possibilities for excursions. And there is no need for warm clothes, given that the lowest temperature goes around 20°, on VERY rare occasions. Even so, it isn’t all peaches and dandelions. In fact, the cost of living in French Guiana can be very high compared to other countries in South America. But exactly how expensive? In today’s blog post I’m going to break down the budget for living in French Guiana in 2025.

The Cost of living in French Guiana (2025 rates)

It is a common thought that life in South America is cheaper than in other regions of the world. Although that may be true, there is one exception to this rule: French Guiana.

But how is it possible for a small country of 300.000 inhabitants to be so expensive?

Firstly, French Guiana is not an independent country, but a region of France. That partly explains it, as the majority of products come mainly from Metropole (Mainland France). Dock dues, taxes, and transportation add to the bill increasing the prices. Secondly, since 1964, the construction of the Guiana Space Centre (that I absolutely recommend visiting) increased the economic growth until the 2000s, directly and indirectly by an average of 20%.

Accommodation, monthly average cost 750€ to 1500€

The prices differ from city to city, and of course, it depends also on the number of rooms the house/apartment will have. Let’s see more in detail.

Rent in Cayenne

Cayenne is the capital of French Guiana. Apartments are ideally situated in the historical center, nearby Place des Palmistes or in the newest area between Montabo and Zephir. The average monthly rent for apartments is:

Average Monthly Rent for an apartment

• 1 room about 50 m², 750€
• 2 rooms about 65 m², 900€

Average Monthly Rent for a house

• 4 rooms about 100 m², 1500€

Rent in Kourou

Due to the proximity to the Guiana Space Centre, rent in Kourou can be quite expensive, even more than Cayenne. The apartments, situated essentially in the central area, are called CV collectifs verticaux, vertical collective habitations. This type of apartment is really standard a surface between 70 and 80 m², one or two rooms max, although there are a few exceptions with 3 rooms. While you can find houses to rent all around the city, with the best (and most expensive) areas being quartier des Roches or quartier de Saint-Exupéry.

Average Monthly Rent for an apartment

• 1 room about 75 m², 800€
• 2 rooms about 80 m², 950€

Average Monthly Rent for a house

• 4 rooms about 120 m², 1800€

Transportation

In French Guiana the public transport system doesn’t exist, except for very few buses in Cayenne. That means you will be obliged to buy or rent (lease) a car. Or why not, a bike? Even though you should be aware of the random torrential rains during the rainy season.

Good to know: in French Guiana, the oil prices are fixed by the prefecture. The price you will find in every gas station, is the same in all the region.

Cost of gasoline/diesel :

• Gasoline cost/liter 2,05€
• Diesel cost/liter 1,98€

Cost for a second-hand car:

• Peugeot 206 (year of production 1998 to 2012) – 3.000€
• Clio IV (year of production 2012 to 2019) – 7.000€

Cost of a new car:

• Peugeot 2008 – 30.000€
• Clio V – 18.000€

Mobile & Internet

When it comes to the internet there aren’t a thousand options in French Guiana. In fact, the choice is reduced to two: Orange or SFR, with Orange being the most popular. I have to say that compared to Europe, internet speed is quite high, unfortunately, the price is high.

Monthly Internet fee:

• Orange basic offer, 30€

Monthly Internet + Mobile fee:

• Orange basic offe 30€
• SFR basic offer, 40€

Food and Groceries

Food from supermarkets (like Super U and Carrefour) is coming from France, the dock dues apply and prices skyrocket fast. On the other hand, local products like fish and meat can be very cheap compared to European markets.

Food prices from the supermarkets

Item	Average cost
Water 1,5 l	1,20 €
Milk 1l	1,00 €
Bread, 1 baguette	0,80 €
Rice 1kg	2,25 €
Apples 1kg	3,50 €
Cigarettes for 1 pack	6,00 €

Food prices from the local markets

Item	Average cost
Eggs x6	2,20 €
Lemon 1kg	2,50 €
Banana 1kg	3,00 €
Pitaya 1kg	6,00 €
Salad 1kg	8,00 €
Tomatoes 1kg	6,00 €
Local fish 1kg	8,00 €
Local meat beef 1kg	20,00 €

Gas, electricity, and water

Despite the fact French Guiana is the 3rd country in the world in terms of freshwater availability, the price for tap water is 2,00 l/m3. To explain, that’s about the same price for tap water in Paris or Barcelona.

In addition, water is the main producer of electricity. Petit Saut‘s dam produces two-thirds of French Guiana’s needs. The price for 15 kVa is 188€ per year.

To conclude our list I have to mention gas. Unlike other countries that have a distribution system, gas is bottled and sold at gas stations. Just like oil these prices are established by the prefecture. Price for charging a bottle of 12,5 kg is 25€. To give you an idea of how that translates to your use: we cook almost 6/7 days at home 2 lunches per day + breakfast (tea and coffee), and our bottle last between 8 and 9 months.

Entertainment (sports and restaurants)

One of the best things about living in this region is the wide variety of sports and activities it offers. There are many choices, all quite budget-friendly. Doing sport is good for your health both physical and mental, and allows you to connect with more people around you. Don’t deprive yourself of it!

Cost of sports:

• Fitness membership 30€/month
• Volley club subscription 50€/year
• Water aerobics 380€/year

The variety of restaurants in French Guiana is large, from Brazilian churrascarias to Vietnamese restaurants, without forgetting the excellent local food. The prices are quite high compared to other cities in France and also for the type of restaurant.

Cost of restaurants (main course + dessert + soft drinks):

• Budget restaurants average cost 20€
• Mid-range restaurants average cost 40-50€

Childcare

Obviously, I have to mention this as a mom. If it doesn’t interest you skip to the next headline where I sum up the budget 😉

When kids are 3 years old they start preschool which is free in France, but until then childcare can be very expensive. You have different options to choose from:

• Kindergarten is a great solution for your kids as it allows them to socialize with many other babies. Although there is less flexibility in terms of time and schedules.
• Shared nannies are also known as family kindergarten. These specialized nannies can keep up to 4 babies at the same time. There is more flexibility and kids can still socialize.
• A private nanny is the most expensive solution but it has a completely customizable schedule, you have more control over your baby’s diet and you can sometimes negotiate some extras, like ironing clothes or preparing lunch for everyone.

Kindergarten average monthly cost: 650€

Shared nanny average monthly cost: 700€

Private nanny average monthly cost: 900 to 1.000€

Note: France refund part of these costs depending of you income as a family. For more info and eligibility head on Caf.fr. The website is in French only.

To sum up the cost of living in French Guiana in 2025

To conclude this post on the total expenses, I’ve made this table which resumes it all. These numbers are based on our experience as a couple and family, as well as that of our friends and colleagues.

	Average Monthly Cost
Accommodation for 1-2 persons	750 to 800 €
Accommodation for a family of 3-4	1300 to 1800€
Internet basic offer	30€
Food based on a family of 2	500€
Food based on a family of 4	800€
Utility bill	80€
Sport membership x1	30€
Childcare (babies and toddlers under 3)	700€
Total for 1-2 persons	1390€
Total for a family of 3-4	2940€

If you have any questions feel free to leave me a comment or write me on Instagram. I have already helped several people to move to French Guiana through individual interviews, don’t hesitate to write me!

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Today’s article isn’t my usual travel blog post. Creating a Maluwana is an experience of ancient traditions. We can travel around the world and count countries, but in the end, what I love the most about travel is learning and understanding other cultures. For this reason, I really hope you’ll enjoy the read and please let me know in the comments if you would like to read more posts like this.

Disclosure: anitabeyondthesea.com is reader-supported. When you make a reservation through links on my site, I may earn an affiliate commission, at no extra cost for you. That will help me keep the blog up and running. Thank you!

In This Article

The History of Maluwana

Coming from the traditions of the Indigenous Wayana, the Maluwana, in English that can be translated as roof circle, is a circular section of wood. It’s situated under the roof, in the central pole of Tukusipan which is a community hut.

The symbolism behind its decoration represented originally the mythical monsters that the Wayana people killed during their genesis, the crested caterpillars. Gradually the animals of the forest were added as elements of the decoration.

The legend says that a man who was hunting got lost in the forest. After wandering for a while, he heard music coming from deeper into the forest. The notes led him to a village inhabited by spirits. Those spirits taught him the art of Maluwana and how to build the Tukusipan so that he could share his knowledge with his village and protect his people from evil spirits.

Although we don’t know the exact moment Wayana started crafting Maluwanas, the historians affirm that their genesis goes back to when the Amerindians started working with metal tools such as chisels, etc… That was around the 19th century. Also, the first testimonies date back to that period.

At first, artisans used natural pigments to craft their works. But gradually, in the mid-20th century, industrial painting became more popular. Today smaller versions of the Maluwana have become very popular as decoration objects.

The workshop: create your Maluwana

Ti’Wan Couchili is the first Teko woman sculptor working on wood. Her workshop will teach you the ancient techniques of crafting Malwana, and you will get to leave with your amazing creation!

Let’s see step by step the creation of Maluwana.

What you will need: ruler, cutter (or a chisel may be best), compass, pencil, and rubber.

Starting from the circular section

The wood section comes from Kapok trees. Once the whole piece is cut, they paint it with a black protective layer, and its borders are covered with clay. From that step on the creation of the Maluwana is fully in your hands.

First, you start by creating the external patterns. Those decorations are often triangular shapes that recall a boa constrictor’s tail. Once you draw them with your pencil, Ti’Wan will guide you to choose the animals.

Choosing the animals for your Maluwana

When it comes to choosing the animals, you have only an “obligation”, to draw the two giant crested caterpillars that protect from evil spirits. The choice of the other animals and the number you want to represent is very personal.

I chose the river spirit, the jaguar, a turtle, the toucan, and an anteater.

Once you chose your animals you can start to draw them. Ti’Wan created carton-shaped figurines that will help draw the borders. Then you will create smaller sections inside your animals so that you can paint them in different colors.

The last step before coloring is carving, with the cutter or chisel, you must carve all the lines. As a result, the colors that are liquid won’t pour onto other sections. This is probably the most tiring part of the workshop and be prepared, your hands will be in pain after carving all the lines!

Coloring your work of art

Now you are ready for the next and final step: the coloring. What I love the most about this workshop is being able to paint by using the ancient technique.

Ti’Wan prepares many different jars containing all the colors that she obtains by picking the natural pigments from the riverside or the forest. Once they are diluted with some water, you can use them like watercolors in the different sections of the Maluwana.

If you are a perfectionist this part may be veeery long, as it happened to me.

In conclusion

The workshop duration is two full days.

For the price (200€) you will get to create a customized Maluwana and launch is included also, Ti’Wan is an excellent cook. Note that the price for an original creation of the same size and made with natural pigments starts from 250-280€.

Unfortunately, the workshop has not reopened since 2020. In case you are interested in buying an original Maluwana, you can visit the GADEPAM, French Guiana’s crafters shop in Cayenne.

Do you want to know more about French Guiana? Find more inspiration on the Amazonian adventures-related posts.

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