Last updated: 24 Oct 2025
Suriname
About
| Suriname has multiple tourist attractions which will make your visit an unforgettable experience. The Brownsberg National Park is the northern outpost for several plant and animal species. Covered by neotropical rainforest consisting of hundreds of different species most of which are commercially valuable. The Galibi Nature Reserve is known for being the most important nesting beach for the Oliver Ridley turtle in the western Atlantic region. This is a bustling city lying on banks the Suriname River. Fabulous colonial buildings including the Presidential Palace remind visitors of its Dutch heritage. Behind the Palace is the Palmentium. Suriname, and Paramaribo in particular, is a great place to shop. Great value and plenty of interesting shopping opportunities, including gold and silver jewellery, electronics, clothing and gifts.word of warning - the traditional Cajamarca Carnival greeting is to be soaked with water. |
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| Capital: | Paramaribo (PBM) |
| Currency: | Suriname Dollar (SRD) |
| Language: | Dutch. English may be spoken in some hotels. Sranang Tongo, Sarnami Hindostani and Javanese are also widely spoken. |
| Dialling code from SA: | + 597 |
| Time Zones: | UTC/GMT -3 hours (5 hours behind South Africa) |
| Side of the Road: | Left. |
| Best time to go: | February to April (short dry season) and August to November (long dry season). Tropical weather with high temperatures during the dry season. |
| Best For: | Tropical Rainforest |
| Plugs: | 127 volts AC, 60Hz. European round two-pin plugs are in use. |
| Drinking Water: | Mains water in hotels and towns is safe to drink. Outside of the main towns, water may be contaminated. Milk is mostly unpasteurised. |
| Health: | Medical facilities are very limited. Comprehensive health insurance is recommended and it should include emergency air evacuation coverage. |
| Customs: | Women should dress conservatively. Beachwear should be confined to the beach or poolside. Avoid photographing military buildings and personnel, and other potentially sensitive subjects (religious sites, etc.). It is best to ask permission before taking photographs. |
| Duty Free: | The following items may be imported into Surinam without incurring customs duty: • 200 cigarettes or 200 cigarillos or 20 cigars or 500g of tobacco. • 1L of spirits, 4L of wine and 8L of beer. • 50g of perfume and 1L eau de toilette, lotions and eau de cologne. • Other goods for personal use up to the value of US$500. |
| Prohibited Imports: | Fruit (except a reasonable quantity from The Netherlands), vegetables, coffee, plants, roots, bulbs, cacao, rice, fish, meat and meat products (unless a valid health certificate is shown).Unlicensed firearms and narcotics. |
Issuing Authorities
Public Holidays 2025: Jan 1, 29; Mar 14, 31; Apr 18, 21; May 1; Jun 7; Jul 1; Aug 9; Oct 10, 20; Nov 25; Dec 25-26
Public Holidays 2026: Jan 1; Feb 17; Mar 3, 20; Apr 3, 6; May 1; Jul 1; Aug 9; Oct 10, 20; Nov 25; Dec 25-26
Visa Requirements
Visas are required for SA passport holders.
Visas can be applied for online via VFS: suriname.vfsevisa.com/
REQUIREMENTS:
If you are applying for E-Visa, depending on the category (Tourist, Business, Transit), the following documents will have to be uploaded:
- Passport bio page
- Itinerary (please note not a ticket)
- Accommodation Reservation - Hotel / apartment reservation (in case of accomodation at family residence, provide address and tel.no.)(required for Business Visa)
- Photograph size 3x4 cm
Business Visit Visa
Additional documents in case of Business visit:- Reference letter of the Business partner in Suriname
- Extract/Certificate of the Chamber of Commerce & Industry (not older than 6 months)
Visa Processing Time
The processing time of the E-Visa may take up to 72 hours.
Visa Cost
Entry Fee: US$ 33
Tourist Visa: US$ 60
VFS Service Fee: US$ 18
SA Representative
Representation accredited from Kingston, Jamaica
Travel Health
| Compulsory: | Yellow Fever |
| Recommended Travel Vaccines: | Hepatitis A & B, Rabies, Typhoid, Tetanus, Polio |
| Malaria Risk |
