Suriname
5° 52′ 56″ N, 55° 10′ 11″ W
Capital
Paramaribo
Language
Dutch
Currency
Surinamese dollar
Flight time
+/- 9.5 hours
The country of Suriname
Suriname is a beautiful country that has a lot to offer. Think pristine rainforests, a rich cultural history, vibrant markets and a friendly population. The country is perfect for adventure travellers, nature lovers, culture seekers or for long internships! Whether you want to explore the colonial charm of Paramaribo or admire the impressive waterfalls in the interior, there is something for everyone here!
Read our blogs on Suriname and be well prepared to travel to this special country!
Travel advice for Suriname
Suriname is safe to travel in and through. However, crime is relatively high in the (larger) cities. It is therefore wise to be extra vigilant in the larger cities.
Want to read more about this? Check out the current travel advice from the Netherlands Worldwide.
Best travel time for Suriname
Suriname has a tropical climate, which can be divided into four seasons.
- Little rainy season: December to the end of January
- Little dry season: late January to late April
- Great rainy season: late April to mid-August
- Great dry season: mid-August to early December
The best travel time is of course the dry season in the months of February to April and from August to November. But... in the rainy season it is also very often dry & in the dry season there is occasional rain. If you would like to spot turtles then the rainy season is the best option.
Visa for Suriname
As a Dutch or Belgian you have no visa needed for Suriname. However, you can no longer apply for these on arrival in Suriname either. From 1 July 2022, the general visa requirement for tourist purposes has been abolished, but you will need to apply for an “Entry Fee Voucher” prior to your trip.
For more information, visit Netherlandsworldwide.co.uk and on the website of the Surinamese consulate in Amsterdam.
Vaccinations for Suriname
When planning your trip to Suriname, you should consider the following vaccinations:
- DTP (diphtheria, tetanus and polio)
- Hepatitis A (infectious jaundice)
- Yellow fever
These are not compulsory vaccinations, but are recommended. In addition, keep in mind Malaria and so bring DEET or other mosquito spray.
Always check the GGD website for the up-to-date vaccination information.
Daily budget for Suriname
Travelling through Suriname does not have to be very expensive but that depends entirely on your wishes. Despite not being the most expensive country in South America, it is also certainly not the cheapest country. The amounts below are therefore realistic to keep as a daily budget.
| Budget Traveller | €35 - €50 p.p. |
| Traveller | €50 - €75 p.p. |
| Traveller + | €75+ p.p |
Suriname blogs
Suriname
Suriname, the land of extremes. With an impressive palm garden in the city, ancient coffee plantations, the delicious smell of roti and lots of jungle makes this country a fantastic travel destination. Start your trip in the vibrant capital Paramaribo and explore the historic city centre, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Or take a boat trip on the wide rivers and discover breathtaking nature reserves such as Brownsberg and Central Suriname. Get inspired by our blogs and travel well prepared!
Local time in Suriname
Local time in Suriname differs from that in the Netherlands. This means that when travelling to Suriname, you not only visit a different country, but also switch to a different rhythm. Suriname falls within the time zone UTC-3 and knows no summertime. This means the clock stays the same all year round. In winter, the time difference with the Netherlands is five hours, while in summer it is four hours. Handy to know when you just want to FaceTime with the folks back home!
Flight time to Suriname
The journey to Suriname takes an average of 9 to 10 hours by plane. Because of the long flight and the time difference, you may suffer from jet lag! No problem of course, just plan a few quiet days in Paramaribo.
Planning a follow-up trip to a Caribbean island like Trinidad and Tobago? Good news! From Suriname, most flights to the Caribbean are short and direct, with a journey time of just 1.5 hours. So you can quickly relax on a tropical beach.
Best travel time and climate
We mentioned it briefly above, but some extra information is always nice. That way, you can make sure your travel period suits your way of travelling perfectly. Suriname has a tropical climate with both dry and wet seasons. The best months to visit the country are from February to April and from August to November. During these periods, temperatures are pleasant (25-30°C), and roads to the interior are more passable.
During the dry season, you can enjoy plenty of impressive nature. Think adventurous walks through the rainforest, canoe trips in Bigi Pan nature reserve or an exciting night safari to spot caimans and other wildlife.
Transport in Suriname
In Suriname, there are plenty of options to get from A to B. Each mode of transport has advantages and disadvantages and we have listed them for you. This allows you to choose the transport option that suits you best.
Bus: The most fun and challenging option is the bus. Finding the right bus at all is already a task and knowing when it leaves is impossible. Because the bus only leaves when it is full. If you are in a hurry, especially don't go by bus, because you know anyway: No spang!
Taxi: The easiest option is the taxi. You call a taxi, it gets there within 10 minutes and you pay a maximum of 5 euros for a ride to the other side of town. It's safe and basically I did everything by taxi. After a while, you also get to know taxi drivers and get their direct phone number and it all gets even cheaper.
Bike: The most Dutch option is by bike. You can rent a bike, these are usually not in the best condition and don't assume there is a bike path. You just have to cycle on the highway and only bakras (Dutch) do this, so Surinamese are sure to take you into account too.
Rental car: The last option is to rent a car. This ensures that you have super freedom. This makes a drive to a nice beach easy. After all, you have to drive quite a bit for this. With companies such as Sunny Cars you can easily book a reliable hire car and explore the many sights at your own pace. If you do opt for a taxi, they often charge for the whole day as he has to wait for you.
Surinamese lifestyle
As in many ‘hot’ countries, the day starts early, as it is still nice and cool! The morning is therefore the ideal time for a morning walk through Paramaribo or a visit to the Peperpot nature park. Get carried away by the relaxed rhythm the local and discover the country at your leisure. Stroll through lively markets or explore the historical sights in Paramaribo in the morning and enjoy the sun on the beach or in the pool in the afternoon.
Holidays and festivals
Suriname is brimming with festive traditions, thanks to its mix of cultures and religions. Special events are organised throughout the year. One of the most important holidays is Keti Koti, on 1 July, which commemorates the abolition of slavery. Impressive ceremonies take place in Paramaribo on this day, followed by colourful parades with music and dance. A unique experience you don't want to miss!
But of course there are other official holidays that are celebrated such as:
- New Year (1 January): The beginning of the new year.
- Day of the Revolutie (25 February): Commemoration of the 1980 coup that marked an important turn in Surinamese history.
- Labour Day (1 May): A day to celebrate the working class, with parades and events.
- Keti Koti, Freedom Day (1 July): commemorating the abolition of slavery.
- Indigenous People's Day (9 August): Celebration of indigenous people and their contribution to Suriname's culture and history.
- Day of the Maroons (10 October): Honouring the Maroons, descendants of fugitive slaves who play an important role in Suriname's history.
- Srefidensi, Independence Day (25 November): Bank holidays celebrating Suriname's independence in 1975.