Suriname has one International Airport- the Johan Adolf Pengel Airport which is approximately 45 km from the city by road. The average travel time from the Airport to the city is approx. 50 min. It is recommended that you be alert within the airport and take special care to avoid robbery of your luggage, passport, and other valuables. Passing through immigration may take up to 30 min. Check your VISA requirements with your travel agency when booking flights to Suriname.

(SUBJECT TO CHANGE ANYTIME)

Requirements:

• Valid Passport must be submitted

• Passport must be signed and valid for 6 months from the date of intended travel

• Copy of itinerary and/or round trip ticket

• One completed Application form

• Business Letter for business visa

• One (1) recent passport photo

• For children below 18 years of age:

• The followings documents are required to support the visa application of a child to enter Suriname:

• Birth Certificate showing the names of both parents;

• Photocopy of legal documents pertaining to custody, where, when, if applicable;

• Legalized letter of consent:

• If child is traveling with one parent, the letter of consent authorizing travel must be legalized by the other parent;

• If child is traveling alone or without either parent, a notarized the letter of consent from both parents permitting travel;

• Death Certificate, in case one or both parents are deceased.

For more information and application forms please see the Embassy’s website: www.surinameembassy.org

For countries that do not require a visa fro entry into Suriname please go to: www.surinameembassy.org

Phone Calls

Suriname Wireless Access Number is 597.
The telephone service providers are:

• Telecommunicatiebedrijf Suriname (Telesur)
• Digicel Suriname
• Uniqa 
  

Telephone SIM cards can be purchased at several locations in town for about US$ 5.00

Changing Currency

The official Suriname currency is the Suriname Dollar (SRD). The official exchange rate is US$ 1 = SRD 2.75. The exchange rate might vary slightly. Exchange of currency is best done in authorized Money Exchange Offices (CAMBIOS) or Banks, which have offices around the city. Main banks are DSB Bank, RBTT and Hakrinbank. In many shops US dollars are accepted, but for small purchases you will need some local cash.

It is recommended not to use street - and free-lance exchange operating around the Immigration exit and in the city.

General Anti Crime Advice

The crime rates are increasing in the country with most activities occurring in highly populated neighborhoods in the City of Paramaribo. Do not walk dark streets on your own and be always on guard. Try to avoid the use of street taxis; use only or call company taxis or hotel taxis.

Climate

Suriname has a tropical humid climate with dry and rainy seasons. The short rainy season is from December and January and the long rainy season is from April to July.

In March the average daily temperature varies between 25 and 30 ºC
(77-86 ºF).

Suriname lies outside the hurricane zone and the most extreme weather condition is the “sibibusi” (which means forest broom), a heavy rain shower.

Take light clothing, rain coat or umbrella and clothing which cover arms and legs to prevent sunburn and mosquito bites.

Vaccinations

Visit a Travel Clinic to receive appropriate vaccinations. Vaccinations schedules will vary depending on where in the country you will be traveling.

Malaria, Dengue and Yellow Fever

Malaria is endemic in the interior of Suriname, but NOT in the coastal zone (including Paramaribo). If travel to malaria endemic areas is planned, please consult the Bureau of Public Health for advice. Prophylactics are available in Suriname. In addition to prophylactic, preventive measures like using mosquito repellents, wearing long sleeve shirts and sleeping under an impregnated mosquito net are recommended while staying overnight in the interior.

Dengue is endemic in the coastal zone and in Paramaribo. As there is neither prophylaxis nor treatment for Dengue, it is imperative to apply the preventive measures to avoid mosquito bites.

Yellow fever: Although there is NO Yellow fever in Suriname, some authorities (e.g. Brazil) require proof of Yellow fever vaccination when coming from Suriname. This is strictly enforced in Brazil and travelers without Yellow fever vaccine are returned at port of entry.

Cuisine

Suriname’s cuisine offers a wide variety of dishes. Apart from international dishes, there are exquisite Creole, Chinese, Indonesian and Hindustani dishes.

Language

Apart from Dutch, the official language, most Surinamese also speak Sranang Tongo and English. Most ethnic groups speak the language of their country of origin.