Suriname is a country located in the north-east of South America. It is a country full of curiosities for tourists, not void of exoticism and extremes. It is a former Dutch colony, which can be sensed by the Dutch-style design of buildings and architecture, as well as the speech of the local people, as the official language in Suriname is Dutch.

Entry rules

A visa is required to visit Suriname, except for citizens of certain countries listed below. The registration procedure takes approximately 14-30 days. The visa can be obtained at the Surinamese embassy or in the country itself upon arrival. The following documents are required for application:

• passport (validity must be at least six months for a short tourist visa and at least one and a half years for longer stays at the time of entry);
• printed return tickets;
• visa application;
• 3x4 colour photograph;
• detailed itinerary, including hotel reservations;
• invitation from the company if it is a business trip;
• in the case of children: a copy of the birth certificate, a copy of the notarised power of attorney for the child's departure from the parents if the child is traveling with one of the parents or accompanied by third parties.

All documents must be drawn up or translated into English or Dutch.

Also when crossing the border, there are some crossing points where a yellow fever vaccination certificate may be required.

List of countries whose residents do not need a visa to enter Suriname:

Argentina, Aruba, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Brazil, Caribbean Netherlands, Curacao, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Hong Kong, Israel, Jamaica, Japan, Malaysia, Montserrat, Philippines, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia and the Grenadines, Singapore, Sint Maarten, South Korea, Trinidad, and Tobago.

Transport

Daily flights to Suriname operate from the USA and Amsterdam. Access by bus or car from neighboring Guyana and French Guiana. There is also a river ferry service between Suriname and Guyana.

When crossing the border, please note that weapons, sharp and cutting objects, flammable substances, etc. are prohibited in carry-on luggage.

If you are traveling with a pet, ensure that a veterinary check, the presence of a chip, and an international health certificate are present.

Money

The national currency is Surinamese dollars, but most shops and service outlets freely accept US dollars and other major world currencies, sometimes for an additional fee. Money in Suriname is fairly easy to convert, but it will be difficult to get hold of outside its borders, except in neighbouring countries. Credit card payments in shops are rare; ATMs are available in major cities.

Moving in the country

The most popular forms of public transport in Suriname are buses and planes. Tourists can also rent a car or get around on their own, or hire a boat with a guide.

If you intend to use a car, you must carry an international driving license. People under the age of 20 are not allowed to drive. It is worth considering the peculiarities of this country, such as the left-hand traffic, the large number of dirt roads, and, in some places, the lack of lanes.

Tips for tourists

• There are many customs and precepts in Suriname that tourists, due to ignorance, may violate and thus offend or annoy local residents or cause trouble. Here are some rules to help you not get into that kind of situation.
• Suriname is not the safest country. Therefore, we do not recommend carrying valuables and large sums of money.
• It is not customary to wear revealing clothes and show off romantic relationships. Shoulders and knees should be covered.
• Do not photograph local people without their permission. Before taking pictures of beautiful places and monuments, find out if this is allowed.
• In Suriname, tourists are not allowed to call strangers, let alone elderly people by name, even if you hear another person doing it.