Kaieteur Falls is the most important tourist attraction in Guyana. It is the world's largest single-drop cascade at 226 meters (741 ft) high, around five times the height of Niagara Falls, or twice the height of Victoria Falls. It is the most important single piece of Guyana's tourist industry, which is rapidly growing because of the tremendous unspoiled beauty of the country. Kaieteur Falls is well into the interior of Guyana, and while it can be accessed by plane, most travelers undertake the three day hike to get there, or canoe down the Potaro River.

The Falls lies on the Potaro River, a tributary of Guyana's largest river, the Essequibo. The Potaro is a large river, although short, extending only 255 kilometers or so (140 mi) before joining the Essequibo. The falls range from 75 meters wide during the dry season to 120 meters during the rainy season (250-400 ft). They fall from a sandstone escarpment in the Pakaraima Mountains into the gorgeous, verdant Kaieteur Gorge.

The Gorge, and the surrounding country, contribute to the tourist appeal of the falls. They are in a lush rainforest, unspoiled as yet, and hopefully it will remain that way. Rare tropical wildlife fills the forest, including several types of beautiful, rare birds, including toucans, macaws, and the elusive Guyana Cock-of-the-Rock, as well as the giant Harpy Eagle, largest of any species of eagle. Jaguar roam the jungle as well, and the rivers are home to Black Caiman.

The Kaieteur Gorge is especially notable for the aforementioned Cock-of-the-Rock, as well as a variety of unique orchids that grow in the lush, moist environment. Particularly remarkable are the Makonaima Birds, which nest behind the wall of water. The Gorge is bathed continuously in mist from the falls, which creates an everpresent rainbow. Kaieteur Falls is relatively inaccessible, requiring either a heavy trek or a plane flight, but the lack of development in the region has allowed it to retain a gorgeous, unspoiled natural beauty. They have an indescribable mythical quality; they have the magnificence of the fabled untouched tropical paradise.