Suriname travel guide
Suriname is South America's smallest independent country, a Dutch-speaking nation of rainforest, rivers and a wooden colonial capital where a mosque and a synagogue stand side by side. It suits travellers interested in nature, river journeys and an unusually diverse culture, and who are happy with limited tourism infrastructure outside Paramaribo.
Places worth the trip
Paramaribo historic inner city
A UNESCO-listed grid of white-painted wooden buildings along the Suriname River. See the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, one of the largest wooden buildings in the Americas, the Presidential Palace and the shaded Palm Garden behind it.
Fort Zeelandia
A star-shaped fort on the riverfront in Paramaribo, now home to the Suriname Museum. It is also a memorial site for the December murders of 1982, which are explained in the exhibits.
Commewijne plantations
Across the river from Paramaribo, former plantations such as Frederiksdorp and Peperpot can be explored by bicycle along a quiet loop. Look for capuchin monkeys in the trees, and the dolphins that are sometimes seen where the rivers meet.
Central Suriname Nature Reserve
A vast area of pristine rainforest listed by UNESCO, reached by small plane or long boat journeys. Raleighvallen's rapids and the granite dome of the Voltzberg, climbed for views over unbroken forest, are the usual destinations.
Brownsberg Nature Park
A plateau a few hours' drive south of Paramaribo with waterfalls, howler and spider monkeys, and views over the huge Brokopondo reservoir. It is one of the most accessible ways to see the interior.
Upper Suriname River
Boat trips upriver from Atjoni lead to Maroon villages founded by people who escaped slavery, where traditions of wood carving, music and village life continue. Lodges on the river offer guided visits.
Galibi turtle beaches
Near the mouth of the Marowijne River, leatherback and green turtles come ashore to nest, mainly between about February and August. Visits are arranged with guides from local Indigenous communities.
Interesting facts about Suriname
- Suriname is one of the most heavily forested countries in the world, with forest covering more than 90 percent of its land.
- In 1667 the Dutch and English agreed, in the Treaty of Breda, to keep the territories they had captured, so the Dutch held Suriname while the English held New Amsterdam, which became New York.
- On Keizerstraat in Paramaribo, the Neveh Shalom synagogue and a large mosque stand next to each other.
- Suriname became independent from the Netherlands in 1975 and is the only Dutch-speaking country in South America.
- Its population includes people of Hindustani, Maroon, Creole, Javanese, Chinese, Indigenous and European descent, and Sranan Tongo, an English-based creole, works as a common language across groups.
Best time to visit Suriname
Suriname is hot and humid all year. There are two drier periods, from roughly February to April and August to November, which are the best times to visit, especially for travel into the interior when rivers and trails are easier. The main rainy season runs from about late April to July, with a shorter one around December and January. Turtle nesting at Galibi peaks between February and August.
Getting around
Paramaribo's centre is walkable. Minibuses run on fixed routes to most coastal towns, and taxis should be agreed on price first or booked by phone. The coastal East-West Highway links Nieuw Nickerie near Guyana with Albina near French Guiana, and a hire car is fine for this road. The interior has very few roads, so travel there is mostly by river boat or small plane, usually arranged as a package with a tour operator. Bicycles are a good way to explore the Commewijne plantations.
Practical details
- Capital
- Paramaribo
- Currency
- Surinamese dollar (SRD)
- Languages
- Dutch (official), Sranan Tongo (widely spoken)
- Plug types
- C, F
- Voltage
- 127 V, 60 Hz
- Emergency
- 115
- Driving side
- left
- Tipping
- Around 10 percent in restaurants if service is not included; tips for guides and boatmen are appreciated.
Staying online in Suriname
Mobile coverage is good in Paramaribo and along the coastal belt, with 4G in the capital and larger towns. In the interior, including the nature reserves and along the upper rivers, coverage is very limited or absent, and lodges may rely on satellite Wi-Fi or have no connection at all. Most hotels and guesthouses in Paramaribo offer Wi-Fi. Download offline maps and tell people you may be out of contact. Install an eSIM before you fly and switch it on when you land.
Suriname eSIM plans
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Unlimited eSIM Data for 1 Day for Suriname
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1GB eSIM Data for 7 Days for Suriname
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2GB eSIM Data for 15 Days for Suriname
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Unlimited Plus eSIM Data for 1 Day for Suriname
Useful apps
- Google Maps: Getting around Paramaribo and the coast; download offline maps before heading inland.
- Google Translate: Dutch translation, although English is widely understood in the capital.
- WhatsApp: The usual way to contact guides, lodges, taxi drivers and tour operators.
- XE Currency: Converting between Surinamese dollars, US dollars and euros, all of which you may come across.
Suriname travel FAQs
Dutch is the official language, but many people also speak English, especially in Paramaribo and among younger people. Sranan Tongo is the everyday common language.
Yes, in Paramaribo and along the coast. In the interior you should expect no signal for days at a time. A travel eSIM is useful for maps and messaging in the capital and on the coast.
Most visitors book a trip with a tour operator in Paramaribo, which includes transport by boat or small plane, a lodge and a guide. Brownsberg can be visited as a day trip by road.
The mix of cultures shows on the plate: roti with curried chicken, Javanese bami and nasi, pom (a baked dish of chicken and root vegetable) and Chinese-Surinamese dishes, often eaten at simple warungs.