Suriname Travel Guide

Full Name

Republic of Suriname

Former Name

Netherlands Guiana, Dutch Guiana

Capital City

Paramaribo

Government Type

constitutional democracy

Area Size

163,270 sq km

Time Zone

UTC/GMT -3 hours

Climate

Lying near the equator, Suriname has a tropical climate, and temperatures do not vary a lot throughout the year. The year has two wet seasons, from December to early February and from late April to mid-August.

Geography

Smallest independent country on South American continent; mostly tropical rain forest; great diversity of flora and fauna that, for the most part, is increasingly threatened by new development; relatively small population, mostly along the coast. There are two main mountain ranges in Suriname: the Bakhuis Mountains and the Van Asch Van Wijck Mountains. Julianatop is the highest mountain in the country at 1,286 m above sea level. Other mountains include Tafelberg (1,026 m), Mount Kasikasima (718 m), Goliathberg (358 m) and Voltzberg (240 m).

Languages

Dutch (official), English (widely spoken), Sranang Tongo (Surinamese, sometimes called Taki-Taki, is native language of Creoles and much of the younger population and is lingua franca among others), Hindustani (a dialect of Hindi), Javanese

Culture

Surinamese culture is a rich mixture of European, western-African, Indian and Indonesian cultures. The development of a strong national arts scene has been hampered by the fact that many of the country's intelligentsia live abroad (mostly in the Netherlands), partly because of greater economic opportunities and partly because of military repression. However, gamelan offers an insight into the cultural life of the Indonesian community; sculpture and carvings express the values of the Amerindian and Maroon populations.

History

Independence from the Netherlands was granted in 1975. Five years later the civilian government was replaced by a military regime that soon declared a socialist republic. 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, but a democratically-elected government returned to power in 1991.

Travel Information

The national airline is Surinam Airways (PY). Johan Adolf Pengel (PBM) (Paramaribo) is 45km south of the city. A coach meets all arrivals. There are also buses or taxis to the city (journey time – 45 minutes). Facilities: Duty-free shop, bank, bar/restaurant and post office. Main port: Paramaribo. Surinam Shipping Line sails from Mexico and New Orleans monthly. There are coastal services between ports and services to Germany and The Netherlands. The Royal Netherlands Steamship Company provides a service from Amsterdam to Surinam with limited passenger accommodation. There are regular car ferry services across the Surinam River and Marowijne River from Albina to St Laurent de Maroni (French Guiana), from Southdrain (Surinam) to Moleson Creek (Guyana), and across the Corantijn River from Nieuw Nickerie to Springlands (Guyana). The coastal road from Paramaribo leads to the borders of French Guiana and Guyana.

Accommodation

Paramaribo has a number of modern hotels with air conditioning, but advance booking is essential owing to the limited number of beds. A 10% service charge is added. There are several small guest houses and pensions in the city and elsewhere, but it is advisable to check with the tourist office for further information. Hotels and restaurants are rare outside the capital, and travellers are advised to bring their own hammock and food.

Visa Requirements

Visas are required by all nationals of the EU, Australia, Canada and USA, except transit passengers continuing their journey by the same or first connecting aircraft within 24 hours, provided holding onward or return documentation and not leaving the airport. Nationals of countries not referred to above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements. After arrival in Surinam, visitors are required to report to the immigration service within eight days at Police Precinct Nieuwe Haven, Van't Hogerhuysstraat, Paramaribo. Apply to nearest embassy or consular section at embassy. Passport valid for at least six months after arrival required by all nationals of countries referred to above.

Getting Around

Domestic flights to towns in the interior are operated from Paramaribo (Zorg en Hoop airfield) by Surinam Airways (PY). The airline also provides services from Paramaribo to the Nieuw Nickerie district, and maintains a charter service. To visit the interior and some coastal areas, river transport is the least expensive and often most efficient option. Traffic drives on the left. There is a reasonable, largely paved, road network with some potholes. Drivers using their own cars should make sure they carry a full set of spares. There are bus services from the capital to most villages, with fixed routes at low prices. Buses tend to be very crowded and chaotic with loud music. Taxi are not metered, prices should be agreed before departure and tipping is not necessary. They can be hard to find after 2200 and on Sundays or holidays. Car rental is available at the airport and in Paramaribo through main hotels.

Health & Safety

Travellers are adviced to take special precautions for Hepatitis A, Tetanus and Yellow Fever. Depending on season precautions for Diphtheria, Malaria, Rabies and Typhoid may also be required. Mains water is normally chlorinated and, whilst relatively safe, may cause mild abdominal upsets. Bottled water is available. Drinking water outside main cities and towns is likely to be contaminated and sterilisation is considered essential. The Melk Centrale sells pasteurised milk but otherwise milk is unpasteurised and should be boiled. Powdered or tinned milk is available and is advised. Avoid dairy products which are likely to have been made from unboiled milk. Only eat well-cooked meat and fish, preferably served hot. Vegetables should be cooked and fruit peeled. Avoid swimming and paddling in fresh water; swimming pools which are well chlorinated and maintained are safe. There is a high prevalence of HIV/AIDS. Vaccinations against tuberculosis and hepatitis B are sometimes recommended. Health insurance is strongly recommended. Medical care is limited: there is only one emergency room in Paramaribo and there are few hospitals in outlying areas. Most visits to Surinam are trouble-free but you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate international terrorist attacks, which could be against civilian targets, including places frequented by foreigners. Burglary, armed robbery and violent crime occur with some frequency in Paramaribo and in outlying areas.

National Holidays

1 Jan - New Year’s Day. 3 Mar - Holi Phagwa. 6 Apr - Good Friday. 9 Apr - Easter Monday. 1 May - Labour Day. 1 Jul - Abolition of Slavery Day. 13 Oct - Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan). 25 Nov - Independence Day. 25-26 Dec - Christmas.

Currency

Suriname Dollars (SRD)

Electricity

127v AC, 60Hz

Working Hours

Office hours: Mon-Thurs 7.00am - 5.00pm, Fri 7.00am - 2.30pm.