Call Now! Over 950 Travel Consultants ready to assist you!

Destination Search.

Flight Centre: Your Specialist in Hotels

Flight Centre: Your Specialists for Vacations

Flight Centre: Your Specialists for Cruises

Flight Centre: Your Specialist for Tours

Destination:
Suriname

Info & Travel Options

Overview

Boasting some impressive natural attractions, Suriname's sparse savannah is interrupted by verdant rainforests teeming with exotic wildlife, while at least five mountain ranges tower above this mysterious land. Yet, it remains a commonly overlooked destination and most who come here are armed with mosquito repellent, a Dutch dictionary and a sense of adventure.

The Central Suriname Nature Reserve in the upper Coppename River divide is not only a UNESCO World Heritage Site, but is also one of the most popular reserves in the country, along with the Brownsberg Nature Park. Suriname is popular with eco-tourists who come to marvel at the biodiversity of the pristine Amazonian rainforests along the Brazilian border.

The historic inner city of Paramaribo, the capital of Suriname, is also a UNESCO World Heritage site. Paramaribo contains beautiful colonial architecture and is a great place for any travellers to start exploring. Take a walk in the Maagdenstraat and buy some handcrafted jewellery, head to the Sunday flea market to pick up some souvenirs, and enjoy a picture-perfect sunset with an ice-cold beer at the Waterkant (waterfront).

Known for its torrid political history, Suriname has been ruled by a democratically-elected government since 1991. The crime level is relatively low, but the usual rules apply to those visiting foreign countries with regards to exercising a bit of caution and common sense. Malaria and Dengue fever are common throughout most of the country, and visitors should make sure they have comprehensive medical insurance and are up to date with their vaccinations.

It may be off the beaten track, but the memory of Suriname is one that will be relived for years to come by those who visit here.

Basics

Customs
Local culture in Suriname is relaxed and friendly, however strongly patriarchal. Women are expected to dress conservatively. It is customary to greet a new acquaintance with a handshake, and a good friend with a hug. It is polite to remove your shoes when entering someone's home. Ask permission before photographing government or military buildings, or any landmark considered to be holy.

Duty Free
Visitors to Suriname may import the following goods duty-free: 200 cigarettes/20 cigars/200 cigarillos/500 grammes of tobacco, one litre of spirits, four litres of wine and eight litres of beer, 50 grams perfume and one litre eau de toilette/lotions/eau-de-Cologne, other goods for personal to a value of US$500.

Currency

Note: These currency exchange rates are not updated daily and should be used as a guideline only.

Health

Health Overview

Visa

Americans

UK nationals

Canadians

Australians

South Africans

Irish nationals

New Zealanders

Passport/Visa Note
Passports must be valid 6 months after arrival and passengers must have an onward ticket. Visitors arriving from a country without Suriname representation can obtain a visa on arrival for a maximum stay of 2 months, provided holding pre-arranged approval, for a fee of between USD 45 and USD 65. It is highly recommended that passports have at least six months validity remaining after your intended date of departure from your travel destination. Immigration officials often apply different rules to those stated by travel agents and official sources.

Note: Passport and visa requirements are liable to change at short notice. Travellers are advised to check their entry requirements with their embassy or consulate.

Contacts

Suriname Tourism

Foreign Embassies in Suriname

Suriname Embassies

Regions and Cities

Paramaribo

Suriname's quiet, unassuming capital of Paramaribo is one of South America and the Caribbean's true hidden gems. A vibrant city with an interesting Dutch heritage, modern-day Paramaribo is a proudly multi-cultural place, with its 250,000-strong population being comprised of citizens of Indian, African, Javanese, Chinese and Dutch descent; and with cathedrals, synagogues, temples and mosques existing side by side in perfect harmony. The great attraction of Parbo (as it's known) is its historic inner city, an area home to a wealth of beautiful and iconic Dutch-colonial buildings, that have earned Paramaribo the nickname of 'the wooden city of the Caribbean'. Along with these incredibly photogenic buildings, visitors to Paramaribo can admire austere Dutch forts (such as Fort Zeelandia) and the St Peter and Paul Cathedral, the tallest wooden building in the western hemisphere. Parbo is also home to a bustling Central Market, where souvenirs and delicious local treats can be bought, and a lovely Waterkant (waterfront) area, the perfect place to grab a fresh-fruit cocktail and watch the sun sink over the Suriname River.

Narrow your search

Travel Guide powered by www.wordtravels.com, copyright © Globe Media Ltd. All rights reserved. By its very nature much of the information in this guide is subject to change at short notice and travellers are urged to verify information on which they're relying with the relevant authorities. Globe Media does not accept any responsibility for any loss or inconvenience to any person as a result of information contained above.