Welcome to Suriname!

Travel organizations are obliged to provide assistance to the traveler in need. Because Suriname does not have an S.O.S. Alarm center you are therefore obliged to take valid travel insurance and carry proof of this during the trip.

We also recommend that you take cancellation insurance!

Cancellation insurance is best done within 5-7 working days after booking.  If you do it later, an insurance company can exclude existing situations.

For good advice on travel insurance, we refer you to an insurance company or an intermediary. Make sure that in the travel insurance, accidents (an SOS emergency service), and medical costs are insured, health insurers often exclude all kinds of medical expenses abroad.

Make sure you check with your insurance the duration of your trip and the type of activities and whether this insurance is sufficiently in line with your other insurance policies. The liability of Pejego Tours Travel is excluded for all cases where the mandatory travel, medical expenses, and cancellation insurance policies provide cover.

Ask for Travel and booking conditions. In the event of a change or cancellation of flight tickets, the conditions of the relevant airline apply.

Before you visit Suriname, it is advisable to get one or more vaccinations, check this out with your Tropical doctor.

OBLIGATORY YELLOW FEVER VACCINATION CARD (also read Yellow Fever FAQs)

As of November 4, 2016, the control will be conducted by the Immigration officers at all border crossings, ports and international airports in Suriname. Travelers who are not vaccinated against yellow fever will be refused entry to the country.

A Yellow Fever vaccination certificate is required for travelers coming from – or transiting – a country with risk of Yellow Fever transmission. Vaccination must be undertaken at least 10 days prior to travel to Suriname. Suriname recognizes the Yellow Fever vaccination certificate is valid for life starting 10 days after vaccination. A vaccination certificate is required for children over 1 year of age. Travelers should carry their vaccination card with them at all times while traveling in Suriname.

In response to the yellow fever epidemic in Africa, the Ministry of Health in Suriname has announced that control of yellow fever vaccination will be increased for travelers from yellow fever risk regions:

AFRICA: Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, C6te d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Sudan, South Sudan, Togo, and Uganda.

SOUTH AMERICA: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela.

DENGUE

There is a risk of dengue in Suriname. Dengue is a viral infection transmitted by mosquitoes that predominantly feed between dawn and dusk.  It causes a flu-like illness, which can occasionally develop into a more serious life-threatening form of the disease. Severe dengue is rare in travelers. The mosquitoes that transmit dengue are most abundant in towns, cities, and surrounding areas.

Prevention

All travelers should avoid mosquito bites, particularly between dawn and dusk. There is currently no medication or vaccination available for travelers to prevent dengue.

ZIKA VIRUS

Suriname is considered to have a moderate risk of Zika virus transmission. Pregnant women should consider postponing non-essential travel until after the pregnancy. Zika virus (ZIKV) is a viral infection transmitted by mosquitoes that predominantly feed between dawn and dusk. A small number of cases of sexual transmission of ZIKV have also been reported. Most people infected with ZIKV have no symptoms. When symptoms do occur they are usually mild and short-lived. Serious complications and deaths are not common. However, there is now a scientific consensus that Zika virus is a cause of congenital Zika syndrome (microcephaly and other congenital anomalies) and Guillain-Barré syndrome.

Prevention

• All travelers should avoid mosquito bites, particularly between dawn and dusk.
• There is no vaccination or medication to prevent ZIKV infection.
• It is recommended that pregnant women planning to travel to areas with a moderate risk of ZIKV transmission should consider postponing non-essential travel until after pregnancy.
• Women should avoid becoming pregnant while traveling in, and for 8 weeks after leaving an area with active ZIKV transmission or 8 weeks after the last possible ZIKV exposure.
• Couples should follow guidance on the prevention of sexual transmission of Zika and avoid conception while traveling and for up to 6 months on return.
• If a woman develops symptoms compatible with ZIKV infection, it is recommended that she avoids becoming pregnant for a further 8 weeks following symptom onset.
• Pregnant women who visited this country while pregnant, or who become pregnant within 8 weeks of leaving this country, or within 8 weeks after the last possible ZIKV exposure, should contact their GP, obstetrician, or midwife for further advice, even if they have not been unwell.
• Further information about when to perform fetus ultrasound scanning, and, if necessary, referral to the local fetus medicine service is available.

DRUGS ARE ILLEGAL IN SURINAME!

If you are caught with drugs, you end up in prison. No difference is made between personal use and distribution. Never take a package for someone across the border! You can put small locks on your luggage or have your luggage sealed in plastic at the airport.

CRIME

In Suriname (violent) crime occurs. Often these are incidents and the violence is not specifically directed against tourists. Criminals often use firearms or cutting knives.

For your safety, take the following precautions:

• Avoid remote areas such as quiet streets and quiet parks;
• Do not just go out on the street at night. This is especially true outside the entertainment center in Paramaribo. The entertainment center is located near the Torarica hotel;
• do not wear striking jewelry;
• carry other valuables inconspicuously with you or leave them at your hotel or guest house;
• do not lose sight of your belongings.

More info: https://www.nederlandwereldwijd.nl/reizen/reisadviezen/suriname

ANIMALS IN SURINAME

Suriname is an adventurous destination. Imagine in advance that things won’t always go as you are used to in your own country. In the rainforest as well as in places like Paramaribo you bump into animals that you can only see in a terrarium or zoo in your hometown. Do not let this put you off, but know that in addition to cute animals such as sloths, turtles and flamingos also snakes, caimans, spiders, and other insects occur in Suriname. Use your common sense when you meet a tropical surprise. Because you often do not know whether it is a friendly or poisonous spider, you always have to be vigilant. The adventure, the jungle, and the wildlife, that is exactly why you go to Suriname. Some practical tips for when traveling through Suriname:

• Always listen to the guide. For example, he tells you where it is safe to swim (or not) and how you can safely walk through the jungle.
• Keep your flashlight on hand when it is dark. Always shine and look on the floor when you walk in the dark (and thus before you get out of your bed/hammock!).
• Check your walking shoes before putting your foot in it. Maybe somebody got in …

The national currency in Suriname is the Surinamese Dollar (SRD)

For everyday life on the street, it is important to have enough smaller denominations with you. Keep this in a separate wallet, so that you do not always show your full wallet. The price of the SRD fluctuates considerably. As of May 2020, € 1 is almost 15 SRD. For example, see http://www.valuta.nl for the most recent price.

Banks in Suriname

The cashier’s banks are open from Monday to Friday between 8:00-14:00. The banks are closed on weekends and national holidays.

Debit and credit card in Suriname

In the larger towns, there are enough banks that have an ATM (ATM). Make sure you take enough time in these places for a few days. Make sure your debit card is ‘active’ with your bank for use abroad! To prevent phishing, all banks have issued debit cards for use abroad.

A credit card is not often used in Suriname, except for larger hotels. Make sure you always have cash with you. You can use your credit card (take into account relatively high transaction costs and this does NOT work at every ATM) or if necessary withdraw money from a bank if there is no cash machine. It is wise to have a credit card with you, if only for emergencies. For a bank transaction with your world pass more than € 2 will be charged and with your credit card over € 4.(MAKE SURE THAT YOUR WORLD PASS IS ON)

In Suriname, you will find a lot of hotels and apartments.

The highest rank in stars are 4 stars hotels. We work together with different hotels and apartments such as:

• Q- Inn hotel Boutique Hotel
• Eco Torarica
• Torarica Resort
• Royal Torarica
• Oxygen Resort
• Holland Lodge Paramaribo
• Krasnapolsky Hotel
• Jacana Amazone Wellness Resort

The most centrally located hotel in Suriname is the Krasnapolsky hotel. The hotel with the best  Swimming Pool in Suriname is Jacana Amazon Wellness Resort. Great Amazon experience in Paramaribo with a waterfall, natural swimming pool, and amazing vegetation.

Krasnapolsky hotel has a European touch to it! This hotel is situated in the center of Paramaribo and has 84 spacious rooms that create a soothing atmosphere to relax after an active day. The elegant rooms are divided into 5 categories with complimentary breakfast. They also offer 5 conference rooms for up to 300 persons, restaurant & bar Cabana 39, Popeyes chicken & biscuits, Rumors lounge cafe, laundry & room service, hairdresser, complimentary wireless internet, and a swimming pool & gym.

Jacana Amazone Wellness Resort has the best swimming pool in Suriname! The idea of getting the jungle to the city has been quite successful. Great Amazon experience in Paramaribo with a waterfall, natural swimming pool, and amazing vegetation. A serene tropical setting so close to the center is a fulfillment of design and spectacular scenery.

Other hotels & apartments in Suriname:

• Residence Inn (District Nickerie)
• Berg en Dal resort (District Brokopondo)
• La Petit Maison 
• Courtyard by Marriott hotel
• Spanhoek Boutique hotel
• Albergo Alberga (guest house)
• Nickerie Apartments (District Nickerie)

Some hotel has breakfast included in the price. Please mail or call us for more information.

FREE HOLIDAYS IN SURINAME

Due to the large diversity of cultural backgrounds in Suriname, the country has a large number of national holidays. Banks and government agencies, schools, shops or closed on these national holidays. Hindu and Islamic holidays do not have a fixed date when they are celebrated. Before leaving, always check whether there are holidays planned during your travel period.

• New Year: January 1st
• Chinese New Year: February / March **
• Day of Liberation and Renewal: February 25
• Holi Phagwa: March**
• Good Friday: March / April**
• Eastern: March / April **
• Labor Day: May 1st
• Keti Koti Dey/end of slavery: July 1st
• Idul Fitr (end of Ramadan): June **
• Day of the Natives: August 09
• Idul Adha: August **
• Day of Maroons: October 10
• Divali: October 30
• Independence Day: November 25
• Christmas: December 25 & 26

* The dates changes every year