Suriname

Suriname is a small pocket of the Amazon basin where Dutch colonial townhouses, Hindu temples and mosques stand within blocks of each other in Paramaribo, a legacy of the plantation-era migrations that shaped it. Beyond the capital, dense rainforest takes over almost entirely, laced with rivers that lead to Maroon villages and jaguar territory. It's a destination for travelers drawn to genuine wilderness and a cultural mix rarely found anywhere else in South America.

Why go thereNature & landscapes Culture & heritage Wildlife Indigenous cultures Architecture & cities Adventure sports Food Rural traditions

Main destinations

Food & drink to try

Roti

Soft flatbread with curried chicken, potato and long bean, eaten with the hands.

Pom

Grated pomtajer root baked with chicken and citrus, the Creole party dish.

Moksi alesi

Mixed rice with salted meat, beans and coconut, cooked in one pot.

Food & drink to try

Roti

Soft flatbread with curried chicken, potato and long bean, eaten with the hands.

Pom

Grated pomtajer root baked with chicken and citrus, the Creole party dish.

Moksi alesi

Mixed rice with salted meat, beans and coconut, cooked in one pot.

Bami

Javanese fried noodles brought by contract workers and now sold everywhere.

Nasi

Fried rice in the Javanese-Surinamese style, with sambal and a fried egg.

Pindasoep

Peanut soup with chicken and tom tom dumplings, thick and salty.

Saoto soup

Clear chicken broth with bean sprouts, egg and fried potato, added at the table.

Bara

Fried split pea doughnuts eaten two at a time with hot sauce.

Telo

Fried cassava with salt fish, a street snack sold from evening stalls.

Heri heri

Cassava, plantain and sweet potato with salt fish and egg, eaten on Emancipation Day.

Dawet

Coconut milk with green rice-flour strands and palm sugar, over ice.

Borgoe

Locally distilled rum from Surinamese cane, drunk with cola or neat.

Practical info

Drives on the left

Entry & health

Set your passport

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Advisory only — AI + web search, may be out of date. Confirm official sources before you travel.

Tipping & local customs

Tipping is modest and not obligatory in Suriname; a 5-10% tip at sit-down restaurants is appreciated if service isn't already included, rounding up is common for taxis, and small change is fine for cafés or casual eateries.

Greet people with a handshake and use formal titles until invited to use first names; Surinamese society is very multicultural (Creole, Hindustani, Javanese, Maroon, Indigenous, Chinese), so respect for diverse religious and cultural customs is expected.
Dress modestly when visiting mosques, temples, or traditional villages, and remove shoes when entering homes or religious sites if asked.
Bargaining is uncommon in shops and markets; prices are usually fixed, though light negotiation may work with informal vendors.
Ask permission before photographing people, especially in Maroon and Indigenous communities in the interior, as some consider it intrusive.
Punctuality is relaxed in social settings ('Suriname time'), but be on time for business meetings and organized tours.
Public displays of affection and casual attire are fine in Paramaribo, but cover shoulders/knees when visiting rural or religious communities.

Advisory only — AI + web search, may be out of date. Confirm official sources before you travel.

Before you go

Stay connected

Get an eSIM for Suriname — mobile data the moment you land.

via Airalo

Travel insurance

Cover trip cancellation, medical care and delays.

via EKTA