Suriname
Discover Suriname
Suriname (pronounced "surinam", or something like "SOOR-ee-nahm" for English speakers) is a small republic on the northeast coast of South America. It prides itself on its thoroughly multi-ethnic culture, a colourful blend of indigenous ("Amerindian") traditions, those of its former Dutch colonisers, and especially those of the African, Javanese, and South Asian ("Hindustani") workers they once invited or trafficked in. It's a country with a fabulous and largely untouched Amazon Rainforest inland, slowly discovering its chances as an ecotourism destination. International visitors are steadily following Dutch travellers who have long been drawn to this friendly, tropical country to explore its spectacular nature, captivating cultural heritage and meet its ever smiling people. Formerly called Dutch Guiana, Suriname is tucked in between French Guiana in the east and Guyana (formerly British Guiana) in the west. Like these countries, it has more cultural and economic ties to the Caribbean than to the rest of South America. In the south the country is bordered by Brazil (though there are no road connections across this border) and in the north by the Atlantic Ocean. At just under 165,000 km, Suriname is the smallest independent country in South America. It had 576,000 inhabitants in 2018, half of whom lived in the exuberant capital, Paramaribo.
Taste of Suriname...
Because of the ethnic diversity there is a variety of exotic food available. Indian (specially roti with chicken), Chinese, Javanese (Indonesian), Creole. Although Indonesian food might seem the appropriate name, the Indonesian people in Suriname are mostly if not all from the island of Java. And Java has its own cuisine, distinct from other styles of Indonesian food. Furthermore, the food has evolved to a more Surinamese culture and is thus very different from food you'd find in Java. Nevertheless it tastes great and you should try it. The most popular places where you would find such food is in 'warungs' in Lelydorp on your way from the airport to Paramaribo, or Blauwgrond in Paramaribo, and near the bridge in Commewijne. Bami (noodles) and nasi (fried rice) can be ordered in every warung. It is accompanied with spicy chicken or satay with peanut sauce. Vegetarian dishes are baka bana (fried banana) and petjil (vegetables with peanut sauce). Telo is fried cassava with salt fish. Popular among Javanese people is soato, a stock with strips of chicken, bean sprouts, egg and sliced peppers. Chinese food tastes great in Suriname. Good restaurants can be found in Paramaribo. Also, try visiting the Chinese market on Sunday and many of the dim sum restaurants. East Indian food is less spicy compared to original Indian food, but still a well appreciated meal. Very popular is roti, pancakes filled with chicken, potato and kouseband (long beans) prepared with masala.
Culture & Religion
Religion
Suriname is a religiously diverse country and is a hotspot for the world's three largest religions: Christianity, Hinduism, and Islam. Suriname has a tropical rainy climate, hot and humid. It has two rainy seasons per year. The long rainy season runs from late April to mid-August. The short rainy season runs from mid-December to mid-February. Usually it does not rain all day but there are heavy tropical showers mainly in the afternoon. The temperature is about 30°C but in the dry period from mid-August to mid-December it can rise to 35-40°C. Humidity is about 80% year-round and can exacerbate temperature extremes. It feels clammy and sticky. Mostly rolling hills, rising towards a maximum of around 1,000 m in the south; narrow coastal plain with mangrove swamps. Mostly tropical rain forest with a great diversity of flora and fauna that is in excellent condition, although increasingly threatened by new development, logging and gold mining. Suriname is crossed by numerous rivers.
A Rich Past
Explore the historical roots that shaped Suriname into what it is today.
Dutch from the province of Zeeland in the Netherlands colonized Suriname in the 17th century but periods of British administration did not finally cease until 1816. The colony was mainly used for sugar, coffee and cocoa plantations where many African slaves were worked to death. In 1863 slavery came to an end and contract workers were recruited from British India (until 1916) and Java (until 1936). Many stayed after their contract had ended. Independence from the Netherlands was granted in 1975, whereupon many Surinamese left for the Netherlands to retain their Dutch nationality. Five years later, the civilian government was replaced by a military regime that soon declared a socialist republic characterized by a high level of government corruption and the summary executions of political opponents. It continued to rule through a succession of nominally civilian administrations until 1987, when international pressure finally forced a democratic election. In 1989, the military overthrew the civilian government again, but a democratically-elected government returned to power in 1991. Suriname is among one of the most diverse countries in the world. In the 19th century, people from various parts of the world were brought to the country as indentured workers by the Dutch Empire. Suriname is known for its tolerance between different ethnic groups. Suriname is a religiously diverse country and is a hotspot for the world's three largest religions: Christianity, Hinduism, and Islam....
Festivals & Events
Experience the vibrant festivals and cultural celebrations of Suriname.
Accommodation and food is relatively cheap. Retail prices for clothing, gifts, etc, are similar to the US. The local currency is the Suriname dollar, denoted by the symbol "$". The notation SRD (which is also the ISO 4217 international currency code) is commonly used to distinguish it from the US dollar. The currency is freely convertible (but nearly impossible to get rid of outside of Suriname except for the neighbouring countries and one exchange bureau in Amsterdam airport). Coins in Suriname are issued in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 25, 100 (1 Surinamese dollar) and 250 cents (2⁄2 Surinamese dollars). Banknotes in Suriname are issued denominations of 1, 2⁄2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 Surinamese dollars. You can exchange currency at all banks and at most cambios. Automatic teller machines (ATM) are available in Paramaribo and in the most larger municipalities in the north. The ATMs of the RBTT bank accept most international bank cards.
Climate
Suriname has a tropical rainy climate, hot and humid. It has two rainy seasons per year. The long rainy season runs from late April to mid-August. The short rainy season runs from mid-December to mid-February. Usually it does not rain all day but there are heavy tropical showers mainly in the afternoon. The temperature is about 30°C but in the dry period from mid-August to mid-December it can rise to 35-40°C. Humidity is about 80% year-round and can exacerbate temperature extremes. It feels clammy and sticky. Mostly rolling hills, rising towards a maximum of around 1,000 m in the south; narrow coastal plain with mangrove swamps. Mostly tropical rain forest with a great diversity of flora and fauna that is in excellent condition, although increasingly threatened by new development, logging and gold mining. Suriname is crossed by numerous rivers.
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsIf you want to visit Suriname and you are not a citizen of one of the following countries, you have to ensure that your visa papers are in order. If you want to apply for a visa, contact a Suriname consulate. Citizens of the following countries do not need a visa to enter Suriname for up to 90 days unless otherwise noted: Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Aruba, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bonaire, Brazil, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Hong Kong, Israel, Jamaica, Japan, Malaysia (30 days), Montserrat, Philippines, Saba, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Sint Eustatius, Sint Maarten, South Korea (30 days and Trinidad and Tobago. Citizens of the following countries are granted a visa on arrival (tourist card) at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol for €35, or at Johan Adolf Pengel International Airport (cash payments in EUR or USD only) or any Surinamese representation abroad for US$40....
Regions
Explore AreasDutch from the province of Zeeland in the Netherlands colonized Suriname in the 17th century but periods of British administration did not finally cease until 1816. The colony was mainly used for suga…...
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
Since not many tourists visit Suriname yet and the inner-land is not within easy reach, the expenses of travel are higher than you might expect. Tourist attractions can be more expensive than in Europe or the United States. It is expected that this will change in the near future since there is an annual increase visible in foreign tourists, creating the necessity of working on better roads as well as other ways of cheaper transportation. Companies that provide long-distance bus services in Suriname: These companies mainly operate on routes connecting the capital city of Paramaribo with other towns and cities in the country, as well as to neighboring countries such as Guyana and French Guiana. However, it's important to note that in Suriname, minibuses and taxis are the most commonly used forms of transportation for both short and long distances. If you’re not intending to go deep inland, rent a car but on dirt roads, always rent a four-wheel drive vehicle.
Where to Stay
There are several good hostels and guest-houses available in Paramaribo and Nickerie. See the appropriate page for more information. When going into the rainforest it is best to buy a hammock in Paramaribo. Some guest houses in the forest provide hammocks, but these tend to be less hygienic, since washing machines are not that available in the forest. Bring mosquito repellent and sunblock when going into the forest. The Universiteit van Suriname: students wishing to obtain an education here must have a working knowledge of Dutch as classes are only instructed in Dutch. Although Suriname has a fairly high level of human development, the country isn't a major draw for expatriates ― Suriname has a high unemployment rate and opportunities for highly skilled workers are limited. The COVID-19 pandemic worsened many of the problems faced by Suriname's small and fragile economy; in 2020, the country experienced a deep economic downturn.
Money & Budget
The local currency is the Suriname dollar, denoted by the symbol "$". The notation SRD (which is also the ISO 4217 international currency code) is commonly used to distinguish it from the US dollar. The currency is freely convertible (but nearly impossible to get rid of outside of Suriname except for the neighbouring countries and one exchange bureau in Amsterdam airport). Coins in Suriname are issued in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 25, 100 (1 Surinamese dollar) and 250 cents (2⁄2 Surinamese dollars). Banknotes in Suriname are issued denominations of 1, 2⁄2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 Surinamese dollars. You can exchange currency at all banks and at most cambios. Automatic teller machines (ATM) are available in Paramaribo and in the most larger municipalities in the north.
Language & Talk
Sranang Tongo was suppressed by the Dutch for many years but is now the most widely used language in Suriname. It is used as a lingua franca between all the different ethnic groups and is the native language of most Surinamese people. It is sometimes referred to as Taki-Taki in French Guiana and used to be called nengre or negerengels (Dutch for "Negro English"). It is English-based because slaves were forbidden from speaking Dutch. Although there is very little written material in Sranang Tongo, it has had its own officially codified spelling since 1986. Other languages spoken in Suriname include Sarnami (a dialect of Hindi), Javanese, Chinese (Mandarin, Hakka and Cantonese), Spanish and Portuguese.
Safety Information
Safety Overview
If you are concerned about safety try to avoid venturing at night alone. Try using a bike when possible. When in Paramaribo at night, avoid the Palm Garden as this is a well known crime site where much drug trade is done. The police force is only so large and can only protect you to a certain extent. Therefore, stay where you know police protection is offered. So please, use common sense when venturing outside downtown, which in itself can have problems. Do not venture to the bush (binnenland) alone. To enter Suriname there's no need for any special kind of vaccination, though some are recommended (see below). If you plan a jungle-trip, which is highly recommended, it is possible that you may want to take precautions against malaria, depending on the area you are planning to visit (although since 2005 there have not been any cases of malaria reported in Suriname). Be sure to check with BOG, or your local pharmacist or health clinic what prophylactic you should take.
Glimpses of Suriname
driftwood on shore
brown monkey on brown tree branch during daytime
courant d'eau sur une rivière
three flying flamingos
Trees near Jodensavanne
Bloom
On our way to the bridge stuck in traffic
Graceful butterfly on flowers
brown crab on body of water
made in the garden
driftwood on shore
brown monkey on brown tree branch during daytime
courant d'eau sur une rivière