Question 1

Are credit cards widely accepted in Suriname?

Accepted Answer

Cards work at major hotels and upscale restaurants in Paramaribo, but Suriname is still a very cash-heavy society. What is accepted: mostly Visa and Mastercard. Where: major hotels and upscale restaurants in Paramaribo. Everywhere else: always carry enough SRD, especially when traveling outside the capital. Our money guide covers cash, ATMs and cards in more detail.

Question 2

Do I need a visa to visit Suriname?

Accepted Answer

Most visitors can enter without a visa, as long as they pay the Entry Fee online before flying. Most tourists, including those from the USA, Canada, the UK and the EU, can stay up to 90 days for tourism or a family visit without a visa. Before you travel you need to: Pay the Entry Fee online through the VFS Global portal. Complete the online Immigration Customs Form (ICF). You do need a visa if you are from one of these 21 countries: Africa: Angola, Cameroon, Egypt, Eritrea, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Somalia, South Africa, Tunisia, Zambia Asia: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Syria Americas: Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Venezuela Everyone needs a visa for business trips, internships and other work-related visits, whatever their nationality. Not sure which one applies to you? Use our visa checker, then confirm on the VFS Global portal. The entry requirements guide covers the full process.

Question 3

Do I need a yellow fever vaccination for Suriname?

Accepted Answer

Yes, if you are arriving from a country with a risk of yellow fever transmission. In that case a vaccination certificate is mandatory. Arriving from a risk country: carry your yellow fever vaccination certificate. Visiting the interior: the vaccine is highly recommended whatever your origin. See our health and emergency guide for more on health requirements.

Question 4

Do they drive on the left or right in Suriname?

Accepted Answer

Suriname drives on the left, a holdover from Dutch colonial rule, and it is one of the only countries in mainland South America to do so. Cars sold and rented there are right-hand drive. If you are used to driving on the right, take extra care on your first day, especially at roundabouts and when turning at intersections, where instinct can pull you toward the wrong side. Renting a car: License: your home country driving license is the main document rental companies want to see. International Driving Permit (IDP): whether you need one depends on the company and on whether your license is printed in Latin characters. If it is not, an IDP or a notarized translation is generally required. Sort this out before you travel, not at the counter. Age: the minimum rental age is usually 21, and drivers under 25 can expect a young-driver surcharge at some companies. Deposit: a credit card is typically required. Road conditions: Paramaribo and around: mostly paved and manageable for a self-drive trip. The interior: unpaved roads, limited signage and river crossings are common. A 4x4 and local knowledge, or a hired driver, make more sense than a standard rental. Fuel: stations are reliable in the city but sparse outside it, so fill up before longer drives.

Question 5

How can I get a SIM card and internet in Suriname?

Accepted Answer

Buy a local SIM card from Telesur or Digicel. Both have kiosks at Zanderij Airport (PBM) and numerous stores in Paramaribo. To register: bring your passport. Data plans: generally affordable, with good coverage in urban areas.

Question 6

How do I get from the airport to Paramaribo?

Accepted Answer

Johan Adolf Pengel International Airport (Zanderij) is about an hour's drive from Paramaribo. Take a taxi, or ask your hotel or tour operator to arrange a pickup. Taxi: there is no official fare and taxis are not metered, so agree the price with the driver before you get in. Hotel or tour operator pickup: some can arrange an airport transfer or a shared shuttle in advance, so ask when you book.

Question 7

How do I pay the Suriname Entry Fee online?

Accepted Answer

Pay on the official VFS Global website, suriname.vfsevisa.com, at least 72 hours before your flight. The process takes three steps: Enter your passport details and upload a copy of your passport. Pay in US dollars or euros with a Mastercard, Visa or Maestro card. Receive an email with a reference number and a copy of your application. About the card: it does not have to be in your name, but it must support 3D Secure and international payments. Before you fly: airlines check for proof of payment at check-in. Keep the confirmation on your phone, and carry a printout as a backup. If a payment fails or you get no confirmation, check your bank statement before trying again so you do not pay twice. Our entry requirements guide explains what to do if something goes wrong.

Question 8

Is English spoken in Suriname?

Accepted Answer

Not officially, but you will manage fine in the places most visitors spend their time. Official language: Dutch. Everyday language: Sranantongo (Sranan Tongo), the lingua franca that connects the country's different communities. English: a practical third language wherever tourism happens. Where English works: in Paramaribo and the main tourist areas, hotel staff, tour guides, restaurant servers and taxi drivers typically speak functional English, enough for bookings, directions and menus. Many Surinamese also grow up with some English through school, media and the country's close ties to English-speaking Caribbean neighbors. Where it does not: coverage thins out deep in the interior and in smaller towns, where Dutch, Sranantongo or a local Maroon or Indigenous language is more useful. On a multi-day trip beyond Paramaribo, a translation app or a guide who speaks the local language is worth having. See our full answer on what languages are spoken in Suriname for the bigger picture.

Question 9

Is it okay to drink the tap water in Suriname?

Accepted Answer

In Paramaribo, yes. Tap water there is generally safe to drink and of high standard. Paramaribo: tap water is fine. The interior and smaller districts: stick to bottled or purified water to avoid stomach issues.

Question 10

Is Suriname a safe destination for tourists?

Accepted Answer

Suriname is generally safe, especially for those venturing into the interior with guided tours. Like any capital city, Paramaribo has areas to avoid at night. A few habits go a long way: Use common sense. Do not flash valuables. Stick to well-lit areas. Our honest guide to safety in Suriname goes into more detail.

Question 11

Is Suriname accessible for travelers with disabilities?

Accepted Answer

Infrastructure for travelers with disabilities is limited in Suriname. Sidewalks: many in Paramaribo are uneven. Historic buildings: they frequently lack ramps. Hotels and tours: newer hotels and major tour operators are increasingly working to accommodate all guests.

Question 12

What are the best things to do in Suriname?

Accepted Answer

Four experiences top most visitors' lists: Paramaribo's historic center: explore the UNESCO World Heritage city center. Pink dolphins: take a boat trip to see them. A rainforest lodge: stay at one in the interior. Leatherback turtles: watch them nest on the coast (seasonal). See our top experiences in Suriname for more.

Question 13

What country is Paramaribo in?

Accepted Answer

Paramaribo is the capital of Suriname, a small country on the northeast coast of South America. About the city: Location: on the west bank of the Suriname River, about an hour's drive north of Johan Adolf Pengel International Airport. Population: roughly 300,000 in the metro area, close to half the country's population. Heritage: its historic inner city, with colonial wooden architecture along the Waterkant and around Fort Zeelandia, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. For visitors: it is the starting point for the rest of the country, since almost every route into the interior begins in the capital. About the country: Borders: French Guiana to the east, Guyana to the west, Brazil to the south and the Atlantic Ocean to the north. Size: the smallest country in South America by both area and population. Language: the only one where Dutch is the official language, a legacy of nearly 300 years of Dutch colonial rule that ended with independence in 1975. See our Paramaribo travel guide for what to see and do, or the About Suriname page for the country-level overview.

Question 14

What currency is used in Suriname?

Accepted Answer

The official currency is the Surinamese Dollar (SRD). Prices: shops, restaurants and taxis quote in SRD. Some hotels, tour operators and car rental companies list rates in US dollars or euros, especially for advance bookings. Exchange rates: they move often, so we do not hardcode a number here. Check a live source close to your travel dates, or see our full money guide for the current rate and what it gets you locally. Exchanging cash: use banks or licensed exchange offices, locally called cambios. Bring clean, undamaged USD or EUR notes, since damaged bills are often refused. Cards: Visa and Mastercard work at major hotels, supermarkets and a growing number of restaurants in Paramaribo. Coverage thins out fast outside the capital. Outside Paramaribo: in smaller towns, local markets and anywhere in the interior, cash is often the only option, and ATMs become scarce or nonexistent. Withdraw enough SRD in Paramaribo before a multi-day trip. The simple plan: carry small SRD bills for everyday spending and a card as backup for bigger purchases in the city.

Question 15

What is Suriname known for?

Accepted Answer

Suriname is known for its rainforest, its cultural diversity, and, since 2025, for being malaria-free. Rainforest: more untouched rainforest, relative to its size, than almost anywhere else on Earth. Over 93% of the country is covered by primary tropical rainforest, the highest percentage in the world. The Central Suriname Nature Reserve alone protects 1.6 million hectares of it, roughly the size of Kuwait. Cultural diversity: unusual even by South American standards. Suriname has no single ethnic majority: Hindustani, Maroon, Creole, Javanese, Indigenous, Chinese and Lebanese communities all shaped the country. You can see it in a mosque and synagogue sharing a fence on Keizerstraat, and in a food scene that mixes Javanese, Indian, Chinese and Creole cooking within a few blocks in Paramaribo. Heritage: Paramaribo's historic inner city, with Dutch colonial wooden architecture along the Waterkant, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Wildlife: jaguars, giant river otters, harpy eagles, and sea turtles nesting at Galibi. Malaria-free: in June 2025, the World Health Organization certified Suriname malaria-free, the first country in the Amazon region to reach that status. That is a genuinely new reason to visit the interior with one less health precaution to plan around.

Question 16

What is the best time of year to visit Suriname?

Accepted Answer

The long dry season, from about mid-August to November, is the best time for most visitors. February and March are the second-best window. Suriname has two dry and two rainy seasons. The exact start and end dates shift from year to year and sources differ by a few weeks, so treat the months below as approximate. Long dry season: mid-August to November. September and October are the driest months, with about 85 to 90 mm of rain in Paramaribo. Short rainy season: December to about the end of January. Short dry season: February and March. Rain builds again in April. Long rainy season: late April to mid-August, and wettest in May and June, when Paramaribo gets around 300 mm a month. Why the dry seasons suit the interior: rivers are more manageable and trails are not waterlogged, which helps for trekking and visiting the interior. Rainfall figures are Paramaribo monthly averages from Climates to Travel (checked September 2026). See our full guide to the best time to visit Suriname for what each season means for hiking, turtles and festivals.

Question 17

What is the food like in Suriname?

Accepted Answer

Suriname's cuisine is a world-class fusion of its diverse cultures. Dishes you must try: Pom: Creole. Roti: Hindustani. Saoto soup: Javanese. Local Chinese dishes. The street food scene at 'Blauwgrond' is a legendary experience for any foodie. Our complete guide to what to eat in Suriname covers the dishes in more detail.

Question 18

What is the mandatory Immigration Customs Form (ICF)?

Accepted Answer

The ICF is a free online form that every passenger flying to or from Suriname must complete. You get a QR code to show at check-in and at immigration. It became mandatory on 15 January 2025 and replaced the old paper arrival and customs cards. How it works: Where: fill it in online at icf.sr. When: the form opens 7 days before your flight. You complete one form for arrival and a separate one for departure. What you need: your passport details, flight number and a short customs declaration, for example cash over the reporting limit or goods to declare. Afterward: screenshot or print the QR code so you can show it on request. Without a valid QR code, Surinam Airways states that you may be denied boarding or entry. The ICF is separate from the Entry Fee, and most nationalities need both. Do it during the week before your flight, so you are not filling it in on airport wifi with your boarding pass in hand.

Question 19

What is the Suriname Entry Fee?

Accepted Answer

The Entry Fee is an online payment most visitors make before flying to Suriname. It replaced the tourist visa on 1 July 2022. It covers tourism and family visits of up to 90 days, and it does not allow you to work. You will still see it called the "tourist card" on older pages. What it costs (checked September 2026): Single entry: USD 50 or EUR 50, plus a VFS Global service fee of USD 8 or EUR 8. That is about $58 or €58 in total, for one entry with no expiry date. Multiple entry: USD 75 or EUR 75, plus the same service fee. It allows up to five entries within three months. Who does not pay: children aged 0 to 2, CARICOM passport holders and a few other groups. Pay only on the official VFS Global portal, because agencies add their own fee. Our entry requirements guide covers the full list of exemptions, the 21 countries that need a visa instead, and how to apply.

Question 20

What language is spoken in Suriname?

Accepted Answer

Dutch is the main official language, but most people you meet will speak Sranantongo day to day, and English works in the main tourist areas. Dutch: used in government offices, schools, contracts and most official signage, a legacy of Dutch colonial rule that ended in 1975. Sranantongo (Sranan Tongo): an English-based creole that developed among Suriname's diverse population. It is the everyday lingua franca connecting people of Javanese, Hindustani, Maroon, Amerindian and Creole descent, and most Surinamese switch fluidly between Dutch and Sranantongo in the same conversation. Community languages: Sarnami Hindustani, Javanese, and Maroon languages like Ndyuka and Saramaccan, spoken within their own communities. They are part of what makes Suriname one of the most linguistically diverse countries per capita in South America. What it means for visitors: hotel staff, tour guides, restaurant servers and taxi drivers in Paramaribo and the main tourist areas typically speak functional English, enough to handle bookings, directions and menus without trouble. Coverage gets patchier deep in the interior or in smaller districts, where Dutch or a local creole is more useful. On multi-day interior trips, a translation app or a guide who speaks the local language is worth having.

Question 21

What snacks should I try in Suriname?

Accepted Answer

If you only have room for a few bites between meals, start with bakabana and broodje bakkeljauw. Bakabana: fried plantain in batter, served with spicy peanut sauce. It is the most popular snack in the country, sold from street corners and stalls for next to nothing, and nearly every visitor ends up trying it more than once. Broodje bakkeljauw: a sandwich packed with spiced salted cod and hot pepper, sold at small sandwich shops all over Paramaribo. Saoto soup: a chicken broth with bean sprouts and shredded chicken, found at a warung (small Javanese food stall). Locals often eat it for breakfast rather than lunch or dinner. Dawet: a sweet coconut drink, worth grabbing alongside any of these to cool down. These are meant to be eaten on the move, so they make an easy way to snack through a day of walking Paramaribo's inner city. For the full sit-down dishes, including Pom and roti, see our complete guide to what to eat in Suriname.

Question 22

What type of power plugs are used in Suriname?

Accepted Answer

Suriname uses a mix of American and European plugs. American: Type A and B plugs (110V). European: Type C and F plugs (220V). Hotels: most modern hotels in Paramaribo offer both. It is wise to bring a universal travel adapter.

Question 23

Where can I exchange money in Suriname?

Accepted Answer

Exchange money at a bank or at a licensed exchange office, known as a "cambio". Who may exchange: the Central Bank of Suriname states that only licensed exchange offices and foreign exchange banks are authorized to exchange money with the public. Avoid: unauthorized individuals on the street, for safety and legal reasons. Rates: compare a couple of providers before you exchange a large amount. See our money guide for a list of licensed cambios and more on cash and cards.

Frequently Asked Questions

Entry & Immigration

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Connectivity & Logistics

Getting Around

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Experience & Lifestyle

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