Paramaribo has a hot and humid tropical climate. Rainfall is common all year round, with June being the wettest month. Temperatures are consistently high throughout the year; daytime temperatures rarely fall below 77°F (25°C), with highs averaging around 88°F (31°C), although continuous trade winds do bring some cooling relief. The best times to visit Suriname are between February and April and from August to November. Fortunately, Suriname lies outside the Atlantic Hurricane Zone, so it is not prone to these tropical storms.
Johan Adolf Pengel International Airport
Location: Paramaribo Airport is located in the town of Zanderij, 28 miles (45km) south of Paramaribo.
Time: Local time is GMT -3 hours.
Getting to the city:
Buses run from the airport into Paramaribo and take about an hour. Minibuses are also available but can be hot and crowded with luggage.
Car Rental:
Avis, Budget, Europcar, and Ross Rental Cars, among others, operate booths at the airport.
Airport Taxis:
Taxis can be found outside the terminal. The experience of hiring one can be a bit chaotic as the drivers compete for fares.
Facilities:
Facilities are limited at this airport but travellers will find a few shops and eateries, a bank, and tourist information services.
Parking
Limited undercover parking is available for hourly, daily, and monthly rates.
Money:
The official currency is the Surinamese Dollar (SRD). Money can be exchanged at banks; the best currencies to change are Euros, US Dollars, or Pounds Sterling. Major international credit cards are accepted at larger hotels and restaurants. ATMs are available in towns and cities throughout the country.
Language:
The official language is Dutch. The local creole language, Sranan Tongo, is also widely spoken.
Electricity:
Electrical current ranges between 110 volts and 230 volts, 60Hz. European-style two-pin plugs are standard.
Entry Requirements:
US nationals: US nationals require a passport valid for six months beyond intended travel. A visa is required. Canadian passport holders travelling as a tourist can obtain a single entry Tourist Card on arrival at Parimaribo International Airport (PBM), for a stay of up to 90 days. Passengers with a Persons of Surinamese Origin document are visa exempt.
UK nationals: UK nationals require a passport valid for six months beyond intended travel. Any holder of a British passport which reads British Citizen, British Overseas Territories Citizen or British National (Overseas) traveling as a tourist can obtain a single entry Tourist Card on arrival at Parimaribo International Airport (PBM), for a stay of up to 90 days. Passengers with a Persons of Surinamese Origin document are visa exempt.
CA nationals: Canadian nationals require a passport valid for six months beyond intended travel. A visa is required. Canadian passport holders travelling as a tourist can obtain a single entry Tourist Card on arrival at Parimaribo International Airport (PBM), for a stay of up to 90 days. Passengers with a Persons of Surinamese Origin document are visa exempt.
AU nationals: Australian nationals require a passport valid for six months beyond intended travel. A visa is required. Passengers can obtain a visa on arrival for a maximum stay of 2 months. They must have confirmation that the visa has been approved before they travel. Passengers with a Persons of Surinamese Origin document are visa exempt.
ZA nationals: South African nationals require a passport valid for six months beyond intended travel. A visa is required. Passengers with a Persons of Surinamese Origin document are visa exempt.
IR nationals: Irish nationals require a passport valid for six months beyond intended travel. A visa is required. They must have confirmation that a visa has been approved before they travel. Passengers with a Persons of Surinamese Origin document are visa exempt.
NZ nationals: New Zealand nationals require a passport valid for six months beyond intended travel. A visa is required. They must have confirmation that a visa has been approved before they travel. Passengers with a Persons of Surinamese Origin document are visa exempt.
Passport/Visa Note:Visa:
Passports must be valid at least six months after travel and passengers must have an onward ticket. Visitors requiring visas but arriving from a country without Suriname representation can also usually obtain a visa on arrival, provided they have pre-approval. It is highly recommended that passports have at least six months validity remaining after your intended date of departure from your travel destination. Immigration officials often apply different rules to those stated by travel agents and official sources.
Travel Health:
Malaria medication is recommended for those visiting the provinces of Brokopondo and Sipaliwini, while others planning to eat outside restaurants and hotels may want to consider a vaccination for typhoid. There is a risk of yellow fever in Suriname, with travellers arriving from infected areas requiring proof of a yellow fever vaccination. Tap water shouldn't be drunk unless it has first been boiled, filtered or chemically disinfected. Medical facilities are extremely limited in Suriname and travellers are advised to have comprehensive travel health insurance. All required medications should be taken along in their original packaging and accompanied by a signed and dated letter from a doctor detailing what they are and why they are needed.
Local Customs:
Local culture in Suriname is relaxed and friendly, but strictly patriarchal. Women are expected to dress conservatively. It is customary to greet a new acquaintance with a handshake and a good friend with a hug. It is polite to remove your shoes when entering someone's home. Ask permission before photographing government, military buildings or any landmark considered to be holy.
Communications:
The international dialling code for Suriname is +597. Mobile coverage is adequate in towns and cities, but is limited in more remote areas of the interior. Internet cafes are available in major towns.
Duty Free:
Visitors to Suriname may import the following goods duty-free: 200 cigarettes or 20 cigars or 500 grams of tobacco; 1 litre of spirits, 4 litres of wine and 8 liters of beer; perfume for personal use; and other goods up to the value of USD 500.
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Public transport in Paramaribo is not extensive. Buses and taxis are available, and car hire companies are present in the city. Most of the main attractions in Paramaribo can easily be explored on foot, while hiring a bicycle is a pleasant way of exploring the city.
Buses are privately operated and travel along set routes but don't have predetermined schedules; buses will often only leave the station once they are full. Taxis are reasonably priced but unmetered, so it's best to negotiate a fare before getting in. Water taxis also ply their trade across the Suriname River to the Commewijne District.
Driving in Suriname follows the British system, so cars drive on the left side of the road. There are a number of car hire companies at the airport and in the city. Rental cars are expensive and not always in the best condition. There are few good roads outside of Paramaribo so travelling outside of the city will most likely require a four-wheel drive vehicle.
