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Suriname
Country Specific Information
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April 11, 2008
COUNTRY DESCRIPTION: 
The Republic of Suriname is a developing nation located on the northern coast of South America. Tourist facilities are
widely available in the capital city of Paramaribo; they are less developed and in some cases non-existent in the country's
rugged jungle interior. English is widely used, and most tourist arrangements can be made in English. Please read the Department
of State Background Notes on Suriname for additional information.
ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: A passport, valid visa, and, if traveling by air, return ticket are required for travel to Suriname. There is a processing fee for business and tourist visas, and visas must be obtained before arrival in Suriname. 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, normally included in the price of airfare. Travelers arriving from areas where yellow fever is endemic may be required to show proof of a yellow fever vaccination. For further information, travelers can contact the Embassy of the Republic of Suriname, 4301 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Suite 460, Washington, DC 20008, telephone (202) 244-7488, email: embsur@erols.com, or the Consulate of Suriname in Miami, 7235 NW 19th Street, Suite A, Miami, Fl 33126, telephone (305) 593-2697. Visit the Embassy ofSuriname web site at www.surinameembassy.org for the most current visa information.
Information about dual nationality or the prevention of international child abduction can be found on the State Department web site http://travel.state.gov. For further information about customs regulations, please read our Customs Information sheet.
SAFETY AND SECURITY: Demonstrations do occur, primarily in the capital or second cities, and are usually peaceful, but American citizens traveling to or residing in Suriname should take common-sense precautions and avoid large gatherings or other events where crowds have congregated to demonstrate or protest. Travelers proceeding to the interior may encounter difficulties due to limited government authority. Limited transportation and communications may hamper the ability of the U.S. Embassy to assist in an emergency.
For the latest security information, Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs web site at http://travel.state.gov, where the current Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts, as well as the Worldwide Caution, can be found.
Up-to-date information on safety and security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S. and Canada, or for callers outside the U.S. and Canada, a regular toll-line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
The Department of State urges American citizens to take responsibility for their own personal security while traveling overseas. For general information about appropriate measures travelers can take to protect themselves in an overseas environment, see A Safe Trip Abroad.
CRIME: Criminal activity throughout the country is on the rise and foreigners, including Americans, may be viewed as targets of
opportunity. Burglary, armed robbery, and violent crime occur with some frequency in Paramaribo and in outlying areas. Pick
pocketing and robbery are increasingly common in the major business and shopping districts of the capital. Visitors should
avoid wearing expensive or flashy jewelry or displaying large amounts of money in public.
There have been several reports of criminal incidents in the vicinity of the major tourist hotels and walking outside the
immediate vicinity of the hotels is not recommended after dark. Visitors should avoid the Palm Garden area (“Palmentuin” in
Dutch) after dark, as there is no police presence and it is commonly the site of criminal activity.
Theft from vehicles is infrequent, but it does occur, especially in areas near the business district. Drivers are cautioned
not to leave packages and other belongings in plain view in their vehicles. There have been reports of carjackings within
Paramaribo, particularly in residential areas. When driving, car windows should be closed and doors locked. The use of public
minibuses is discouraged, due to widespread unsafe driving and poor maintenance.
Travel to the interior is usually trouble-free, but there have been reports of tourists being robbed. Police presence outside
Paramaribo is minimal, and banditry and lawlessness are occasionally of concern in the cities of Albina and Moengo and the
district of Brokopondo, as well as along the East-West Highway between Paramaribo and Albina and the Afobakka Highway in the
district of Para. There have been reports of attempted and actual carjackings committed by gangs of men along the East-West
Highway. Travelers proceeding to the interior are advised to make use of well-established tour companies for a safer experience.
The emergency number 115 is used for police, fire, and rescue. Fire and rescue services provide a relatively timely response,
but police response, especially during nighttime hours, is a rarity for all but the most serious of crimes.
INFORMATION FOR VICTIMS OF CRIME: The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to the local police and the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. If you are the victim of a crime while overseas, in addition to reporting to local police, please contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate for assistance. The Embassy/Consulate staff can, for example, assist you to find appropriate medical care, contact family members or friends, and explain how funds could be transferred. Although the investigation and prosecution of the crime are solely the responsibility of local authorities, consular officers can help you to understand the local criminal justice process and to find an attorney if needed.
See our information on Victims of Crime .
MEDICAL FACILITIES AND HEALTH INFORMATION: Medical care, including emergency medical care, is limited and does not meet U.S. standards. There is one public emergency room in Paramaribo with only a small ambulance fleet providing emergency transport with limited first response capabilities. The emergency room has no neurosurgeon, and other medical specialists may not always be available. As a rule, hospital facilities are not air-conditioned, although private rooms with individual air-conditioning are available at extra cost and on a space-available basis. Emergency medical care outside Paramaribo is limited, and is virtually non-existent in the interior of the country.
Information on vaccinations and other health precautions, such as safe food and water precautions and insect bite protection, may be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) hotline for international travelers at 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1-877-394-8747) or via the CDC web site at http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/default.aspx. For information about outbreaks of infectious diseases abroad consult the World Health Organization (WHO) web site at http://www.who.int/en. Further health information for travelers is available at http://www.who.int/ith/en.
MEDICAL INSURANCE: The Department of State strongly urges Americans to consult with their medical insurance company prior to traveling abroad to confirm whether their policy applies overseas and whether it will cover emergency expenses such as a medical evacuation. Please see our information on medical insurance overseas .
TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS: While in a foreign country, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United
States. The information below concerningSuriname is provided for general reference only, and may not be totally accurate in
a particular location or circumstance.
Traffic moves on the left in Suriname; left-hand-drive cars are allowed on the road. Excessive speed, unpredictable habits
by drivers, motorcyclists, and bicyclists, unusual right of way patterns, poorly maintained roads, and a lack of basic safety
equipment on many vehicles are daily hazards on Surinamese roads. As of January 2007, seatbelts are required for all passengers
of automobiles, and drivers must use a hands-free device if using a mobile phone while driving. Visitors are encouraged to
use automobiles equipped with seat belts and to avoid the use of motorcycles or scooters. An international driver's license
is necessary to rent a car.
The major roads in Paramaribo are usually paved, but not always well-maintained. Large potholes are common on city streets,
especially during the rainy seasons, which last from approximately mid-November to January, and from April to July (rainy
seasons can differ from year to year by as much as six weeks). Roads are often not marked with traffic lines. Many main thoroughfares
do not have sidewalks, forcing pedestrians, motorcycles, and bicycle traffic to share the same space.
The East-West Highway, a paved road that stretches from Nieuw Nickerie in the west to Albina in the east, runs through extensive
agricultural areas; it is not uncommon to encounter slow-moving farm traffic or animals on the road. Travelers should exercise
caution when driving to and from Nieuw Nickerie at night due to poor lighting and sharp road turns without adequate warning
signs. There are few service stations along the road, and western style rest stops are non-existent. The road is not always
well-maintained, and during the rainy season, large, sometimes impassable, sink holes develop along the road. Police recommend
that travelers check with the police station in Albina for the latest safety information regarding travel between Paramaribo
and Albina.
Roads in the interior are sporadically maintained dirt roads that pass through rugged, sparsely populated rain forest. Some
roads are passable for sedans in the dry season, but they deteriorate rapidly during the rainy season. Interior roads are
not lit, nor are there service stations or emergency call boxes. Bridges in the interior are in various states of repair. Travelers
are advised to consult with local sources, including the Foundation for Nature Conservation in Suriname, or STINASU, at telephone
(597) 421-683 or 476-579, or with their hotels regarding interior road conditions before proceeding.
For specific information concerning Suriname driving permits, vehicle inspection, road tax, and mandatory insurance, please
contact the Embassy of Suriname in Washington, D.C., or the Consulate of Suriname in Miami.
Please refer to our Road Safety page for more information. Visit the website of the country’s national tourist office and national authority responsible
for road safety at http://www.suriname-tourism.org/cms/.
AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT: The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the Government ofSuriname’s Civil Aviation Authority as being in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards for oversight of Suriname’s air carrier operations. For more information, travelers may visit the FAA’s website at http://www.faa.gov/safety/programs_initiatives/oversight/iasa.
SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES: Credit cards are not widely accepted outside the major hotels and upscale restaurants. Travelers should contact their intended hotel or tour company to confirm that credit cards are accepted. Currently, only one bank, Royal Bank of Trinidad and Tobago (RBTT), has Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs) accepting foreign ATM cards. In order to withdraw money from the ATM machines of other banks, you must have a local Surinamese bank account and ATM card. Visitors can exchange currency at banks, hotels, and official exchange houses, which are called “cambios.” Exchanging money outside these locations is illegal and can be dangerous. Telephone service within Suriname can be problematic, especially during periods of heavy rains. Please see our Customs Information.
CRIMINAL PENALTIES: While in a foreign country, a U.S. citizen is subject to that country's laws and regulations, which sometimes differ significantly from those in the United States and may not afford the protections available to the individual under U.S. law. Penalties for breaking the law can be more severe than in the United States for similar offenses. Persons violating Surinamese laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Suriname are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines. Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime, prosecutable in the United States. Please see our information on Criminal Penalties.
CHILDREN'S ISSUES: For information see our Office of Children’s Issues web pages on intercountry adoption and international parental child abduction.
REGISTRATION / EMBASSY LOCATION: Americans residing or traveling in Suriname are encouraged to register with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate through
the State Department’s travel registration website so that they can obtain updated information on travel and security withinSuriname.
Americans withoutInternet access may register directly with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. By registering, American
citizens make it easier for the Embassy or Consulate to contact them in case of emergency. The U.S. Embassy is located at
Dr. Sophie Redmondstraat 129, telephone (011)(597) 472-900, web site http://paramaribo.usembassy.gov. The Consular Section hours of operation for routine American citizen services are Mondays and Wednesdays from 8:30 to 10:30
AM, or by appointment, except on American and Surinamese holidays. U.S. citizens requiring emergency assistance evenings,
weekends, and holidays may contact an Embassy duty officer by cell phone at (011) (597) 088-08302. The U.S. Embassy in Paramaribo
also provides consular services for French Guiana.
* * *
This replaces the Country Specific Information for Suriname dated August 27, 2007, to update sections on Entry/Exit Requirements,
Safety and Security, Crime, Traffic Safety and Road Conditions, and Registration/Embassy location.
