SURINAME
TRAVEL TIPS
A collection
of important information that can make your trip more enjoyable.
Suriname,
formerly Dutch Guiana, is located on the Caribbean coast of South America,
between Guyana and French Guyana. Suriname is covered by large areas of
biological diverse, tropical forest with some areas of savanna. This culturally
mixed nation is home to some of the most diverse people in the world.
Its differing backgrounds can be seen in dress, food, music and just in
the tempo of life. The interior of the country has not been inhabited
well, so the jungle is as much as it has been for centuries. Tourist facilities
are limited. The use of organized tours is recommended.
SURINAME
GENERAL INFORMATION
Area: 163,265 sq km (63,037 sq miles).
Population: 429,000 (UN estimate 2001).
Population
Density: 2.6 per sq km.
Capital: Paramaribo. Population: 214,000 (2000).
Language: The official language of Suriname is
Dutch. In the higher-end hotels English is widely spoken. The local
dialect is Sranang Tongo (Surinamese, sometimes called Taki-Taki)
is native language of Creoles and much of the younger population.
East-Indians communicate in Sarnami Hindostani (a dialect of Hindi)
and Indonesians speak Javanese. |
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Government: Republic since 1987. Gained independence from The Netherlands
in 1975. Head of State: President Runaldo Ronald Venetiaan since 2000.
Religion: Approximately 48 per cent Christian, 27 per cent Hindu and 20 per cent
Muslim.
Electricity: 127 volts AC, 60Hz. European round two-pin plugs and screw-type lamp fittings
are in use.
GEOGRAPHY: To the west of the country is Guyana, to the south is Brazil, to the east
is French Guiana and to the north is the Atlantic Ocean. The highest point
in the country is 4000 ft high Julianatop. The vast majority of the population
lives along the coast and along some roads which go inland.
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SURINAME ENTRY REQUIREMENTS &
DUTY FREE
A passport, visa and a return ticket for U.S. and Canadian air travelers
are required for travel to Suriname. There is a processing fee for business
and tourist visas. A business visa requires a letter from the sponsoring
company detailing the reason for the visit.
There is
an airport departure charge and a terminal fee. Travelers arriving from
Guyana, French Guiana and Brazil are required to show proof of a yellow
fever vaccination. for Visa Informations click here...
For
further information, travelers can contact the Embassy of the Republic
of Suriname
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
items: Fruit (except a reasonable quantity from The Netherlands), vegetables,
coffee, plants, roots, bulbs, cocoa, rice, fish, meat and meat products
(unless a valid health certificate is shown).
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GETTING AROUND SURINAME
The main road (locally known as the Kennedy Highway) from the airport
(Johan Adolf Pengel) to Paramaribo is paved and in generally good condition.
The road from Paramaribo to Nickerie is also paved but apparently susceptible
to flooding in the rainy season. Other roads are generally unpaved and
bauxite topped making them dusty in dry season and in places difficult
to negotiate.
Johan Adolf Pengel International Airport, often known as Zanderij, is
located approximately 1 hour south of Paramaribo. The terminal is modern
and has a limited selection of duty-free items available.
Air services to the interior usually operate on a charter basis. Medium-sized
buses on the coastal highway are frequent and exceptionally cheap, but
crowded; taxis, which are faster though more expensive, travel along the
same routes. To visit the interior and some coastal areas, river transport
is the least expensive (and often only) option.
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SURINAME DUTY FREE
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SURINAME COMMUNICATIONS
Telephone: IDD is available. Country code: 597. There
are no area codes. Outgoing international code: 00.
Mobile
telephone: GSM 900 network. Main operator is Telesur GSM. Coverage
is mainly limited to Paramaribo.
Fax: Faxes can be sent from the Telesur offices on Spanhoec Street,
Paramaribo, and some hotels.
Internet: ISPs include SRNet (website: www.sr.net).
Telegram: These can only be sent from offices of Telesur (Telecommunicatiebedrijf
Surinam) in both Paramaribo and the districts.
Post: Post office hours: 0700 to mid-afternoon. Airmail to and from
Europe usually takes about one week to arrive.
Press: Dutch-language dailies include De Ware Tijd and De West.
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SURINAME BUSINESS PROFILE
Economy: Agricultural products include rice, citrus fruits,
sugar and bananas, although this part of the economy is in poor financial
condition, compounded by low world prices (the state banana company closed
in 2002, although cause for optimism has been bolstered due to a smaller
restructured banana company resuming business in March 2004). Shrimp fishing
is both important and lucrative. The other main activities in this sector
are livestock breeding and, most controversially, logging in Surinam’s
vast jungle interior. The timber is being exploited under a contract awarded
to a Malaysian company, although the Government has come under pressure
from the international environmental lobby to restrict the quantity. For
the time being the most important industry is still mining, especially
bauxite and, more recently, gold. There are also thought to be substantial
reserves of iron ore, manganese, copper, nickel and platinum, as well
as moderate onshore oil deposits. Apart from processing ores and food
products, the industrial sector is largely devoted to the manufacture
of cigarettes, drinks and chemicals.
Foreign aid, especially from The Netherlands (the former colonial power),
has been essential to the economy but political disagreements between
The Hague and especially the Bouterse government have meant that it has
not always been forthcoming. Surinam became a full member of the Caribbean
trading bloc CARICOM in 1995. Economic policy has become more austere
since the accession of the Ventiaan administration which has sought to
tackle Surinam’s long-running fiscal and monetary difficulties under
the supervision of the IMF and World Bank. The country’s principal
trading partners are the USA, The Netherlands, Trinidad & Tobago and
Brazil.
Business: A suit is expected for business. All appointments should be honoured,
though punctuality may be difficult owing to unpredictable transport.
Office hours: Mon-Thurs 0700-1500, Fri 0700-1430.
Commercial
Information: The following organisation can offer advice: Surinam
Chamber of Commerce and Industry, PO Box 149, Dr J C de Mirandastraat
10, Paramaribo (tel: 474 536; fax: 474 779; e-mail: chamber@sr.net).
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SURINAME SOCIAL PROFILE
Food & Drink: The cuisine is as as varied as Suriname's
population. Rice (farmed extensively in the Nickerie region) is the country's
staple. Vegetables such as sweet potato, cassava, planatin and red peppers
are commonly used.
Excellent
Indonesian food can be found as can Hindustani dishes.
Don't miss the opportunity
to have fresh pinepapple available at the Central; market or at stalls
on the roadsides leading out of Paramaribo. Other fabuluos tropical fruits
include maripa and awarra.
Local rum
is tasty and good value. Black Cat is recommended. Stay away from the
very cheap rum. The local beer - Parbo- a pilsner type brew is also excellent;
a must for beer lovers.
Nightlife: There are several nightclubs in Paramaribo, often attached to
a hotel, with live music and dancing. There are also a number of discos
and several cinemas, including a drive-in. In general, it is best to stick
to the hotels unless accompanied by locals who know the reputations of
other nightspots, in particular those out of the town centre. The Local
Events Bulletin lists all current activities and is usually available
in hotels.
Special
Events: For further details, contact the Surinam Tourism Foundation
(see Contact Addresses section). The following is a selection of special
events occurring in Surinam in 2005:
Jan New Year’s Jam/End of Surifesta (top musicians welcome the New
Year). Feb Carnival. Mar Holi Phagwa Hindu Spring Festival. Apr Evening
March of Folkloric Groups, Paramaribo. Nov 1 Diwali Hindu Light Festival.
Nov-Jan Surifesta (end-of-year festival). Nov 4-6 End of Ramadan.
Social
Conventions: Informal dress is suitable for most occasions. Guayabera
or safari outfits are increasingly worn in place of jackets and ties.
Women should wear long trousers on trips to the interior. Beachwear should
be confined to the beach or poolside. Photography: It is inadvisable to
photograph public places, particularly of a political or military nature
(including police stations). There is a general sensitivity about the
taking of photographs – it is advisable to seek prior permission.
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SURINAME HEATLH
1: A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from all travellers
arriving within from infected areas.
2: Typhoid
may occur (vaccination is advised); poliomyelitis is not reported.
3: Malaria
risk, predominantly in the malignant falciparum form, exists throughout
the year in the three southern districts of the country. In Paramaribo
city and the seven coastal districts, transmission risk is low or negligible.
The falciparum strain is reported to be resistant to chloroquine, sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine
and some decline in sensitivity to quinine has been reported. Mefloquine
is therefore the recommended prophylaxis.
Food
& drink: Mains water is normally chlorinated and, whilst
relatively safe, may cause mild abdominal upsets. Bottled water is available
and is advised for the first few weeks of the stay. Drinking water outside
main cities and towns is likely to be contaminated and sterilisation is
considered essential. The Melk Centrale (Government Dairy Company) sells
pasteurised milk but otherwise milk is unpasteurised and should be boiled.
Powdered or tinned milk is available and is advised, but make sure that
it is reconstituted with pure water. Avoid dairy products which are likely
to have been made from unboiled milk. Only eat well-cooked meat and fish,
preferably served hot. Pork, salad and mayonnaise may carry increased
risk. Vegetables should be cooked and fruit peeled.
Other
risks: Bilharzia (schistosomiasis) is present. Avoid swimming
and paddling in fresh water; swimming pools which are well chlorinated
and maintained are safe. Hepatitis A occurs; hepatitis B is highly endemic.
Myiasis (botfly and screw worm) occurs in rural areas. Dengue fever is
increasing. There is a high prevalence of the HIV/AIDS virus.
Rabies is present. For those at high risk, vaccination before arrival
should be considered. If you are bitten, seek medical advice without delay.
For more information, consult the Health appendix.
Health
care: 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.
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SURINAME TRAVEL SAFETY
Travelers to Suriname’s interior must note that there is insufficient
police authority over much of the interior to offer assistance in an emergency.
Unaccompanied travel to the interior is still not common due to a previously
high incidence of robberies and assaults during the Interior War, 1987-92.
Isolated acts of violence, particularly in, but not limited to, the interior,
may occur. Travelers to remote areas of the interior of Suriname should
be aware that they might encounter difficulties because of the lack of
government authority throughout the interior and inadequate medical facilities
in some areas. The ability of the US Embassy to assist in an emergency
situation may be hampered by limited transportation and communications
in some areas.
The rate
of violent crime has increased although still lower than most other countries
in the region. Burglary and armed robbery are increasingly common in Paramaribo
as well as in the outlying areas. Banditry occurs along routes in the
interior where police protection is inadequate. Visitors may wish to exercise
caution when traveling to the interior without an organized tour group
and secure their belongings carefully while staying in Paramaribo.
Be sure to ask permission before taking photographs of local people. Do
not take photographs of any military facilities.
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SURINAME
CURRENCY/MONEY
Banking: Banking hours are from 7 am to 2 pm.
Currency:Surinam Dollar (SRD) = 100 cents. Notes are
in denominations of SRD100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations
of 250, 100, 25, 10, 5 and 1 cents.
Note: On 1 January 2004, the Surinam Dollar replaced the Surinam Guilder
as the new monetary system. The new currency will enable the Central Bank
to re-value the present gulden system to a ratio of 1000 guldens per 1
Surinam Dollar, and not have to differentiate between old and new guldens.
The existing gulden coins will not have to be re-issued but will maintain
their value and be incorporated into the new system. Surinam Dollars are
tied to US Dollars. Old Surinamese bank notes can only be exchanged at
the Central Bank.
Early indications show the following exchange rates for the Surinam Dollar
against Sterling and the US Dollar:
Money
Exchange: The bureaucracy for money exchanging can be extremely
time consuming. US$ are accepted by merchants so you may not need to change
much money at all.
Credit
cards: American Express and MasterCard are the most widely accepted
credit cards; Diners Club has limited acceptance. Check with your credit
or debit card company for merchant acceptability and other facilities
which may be available.
Travellers
cheques: Must
be changed at banks. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers
are advised to take travellers cheques in Pounds Sterling or US Dollars.
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SURINAME
SHOPPING
Stores are open at 8 am to 4 pm on weekdays and are closed by 1 pm on
Saturdays. Stores are closed on Sunday. Bargaining is a must in the markets
but in the main stores it will get you nowhere. Woodcarvings, particularly
from cedar, are works of art.
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SURINAME TIPPING
Tipping is not widely done in Suriname. Leaving loose change is sufficient.
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SURINAME PEOPLE
Suriname has a small population of about 400 000 people. The offical language
is Dutch, but many other languages are also spoken. Most Surinamese, about
85%, live in the coastal area, and almost all of them in Paramaribo. The
forest is occupied by Maroons and Amerindians who live scattered along
its major rivers. The northern coastal plain is farmed, mined and logged,
and the area along most rivers is heavily used for subsistence agriculture
in the interior.
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SURINAME CLIMATE & CLOTHING
Climate: Tropical and humid, cooled by the northeast trade winds. The
best time to visit is February to April (short dry season) and August
to October (long dry season). The rainy seasons last from November to
January and from May to July. Surinam lies outside the hurricane zone
and the most extreme weather condition is the sibibusi (forest broom),
a heavy rain shower.
Paramaribo and the coast are tropical all year. Lightweight clothing is
recommended.
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SURINAME SPORTS AND ACTIVITIES
Watersports: Beaches are not of the highest standard
and only a few are suitable for swimming (which is prohibited at some
classified beaches within nature reserves). An unusual but popular location
for swimming is Colakreek, a recreation area 50km (32 miles) south of
Paramaribo consisting of numerous creeks with brown water in the small
savannah belt behind the coastal plains. There are public pools in Paramaribo,
Niew-Nickerie, Moengo and Groningen and most hotels have private pools.
There are facilities for sailing at Jachthaven Ornamibo.
Ecotourism: Nearly 80 per cent of the country is covered with tropical rainforest,
which is protected by an efficient system of national parks and protected
areas. Guided trips to Raleighvallen/Voltzberg Nature Park or Natuurpark
Brownsberg (Brownsberg Nature Park) can be booked in Paramaribo. Some
offer accommodation in lodges. Visits to indigenous village communities
can also be organised and frequently involve river tours. One of the most
popular is the five-day river tour of Kumalu and the Awarra Dam region.
Wildlife enthusiasts can observe numerous mammals (including jaguars,
pumas and ocelots), birds (such as flamingos and eagles), rare flowers
(including orchids and ixora) as well as the black and blue morpho butterflies.
Giant Leatherback sea turtles can be watched laying their eggs in the
Galibi Nature Reserve (accessible by boat only). Bikes can be hired. Further
information can be obtained from the Foundation for Nature Preservation
in Surinam, Cornelis Jongbawstraat 14, PO Box 12252, Paramaribo (tel:
427 102/3 or 476 597; fax: 421 850; e-mail: webmaster@stinasu.sr; website:
www.stinasu.sr).
Golf: An 18-hole golf course is located 5km (3 miles) from Paramaribo on the
airport road.
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SURINAME TIME ZONE
Suriname is in Northern South America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean,
between French Guiana and Guyana. Suriname Standard Time is GMT -3. Two
hours later than Eastern Standard Time (EST) in North America. Suriname
does not operate Daylight-Saving Time
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