South America and South Atlantic Islands
Suriname
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Still current at: 12 October 2008
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Updated: 11 September 2008
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This advice has been reviewed and reissued with an amendment to the Entry Requirements (contact details for the Honorary Consul in the UK and departure tax) and Health sections (prevalence of HIV/AIDS in Suriname). The overall level of the advice has not changed.
(see travel advice legal disclaimer)
Travel advice for this country
See entire profile
Travel Summary
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There is no British Embassy in Suriname. For emergency consular assistance you should telephone the British Honorary Consul (+597 402 558 or +597 402 870). Alternatively, you can contact the
British High Commission in Georgetown, Guyana
. See the General section of this advice for more details.
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There is a low threat from terrorism. But you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate attacks which could be in public areas, including those frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
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Very few British tourists/nationals visit Suriname every year. Most visits are trouble-free. We are not aware of any British nationals who required consular assistance in Suriname in 2007 but burglary, armed robbery and violent crime occur with some frequency in Paramaribo and in outlying areas. See the Crime section of this advice for more details.
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Dengue Fever is endemic to Latin America and the Caribbean and can occur throughout the year. In 2007 there has been a marked increase in the number of reported cases of dengue across the region. See the Health section of this advice for more details.
- We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You should check any exclusions and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. See the General (Insurance) section of this advice and Travel Insurance for more details.
Safety and security
Terrorism
There is a low threat from terrorism. But you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate attacks which could be in public areas, including those frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers. For more general information see Terrorism Abroad.
There is a low threat from terrorism. But you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate attacks which could be in public areas, including those frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers. For more general information see Terrorism Abroad.
Crime
Burglary, armed robbery and violent crime occur with some frequency in Paramaribo and in outlying areas. Pickpocketing and robbery are increasingly common in the major business and shopping districts in the capital. You should avoid wearing expensive jewellery or displaying large amounts of money in public. Photocopies of valuables such as passport, tickets, driving licence and travellers cheques should be kept separately.
You should avoid the Palm Garden (Palmentium) area in Paramaribo, especially at night. Walking at night is not recommended anywhere in the city.
Travel in the interior is generally trouble-free, although there have been reports of tourists being robbed. If you intend to travel to the interior you are advised to use a well-established tour company.
For more general information see Victims of Crime Abroad.
Political Situation
Suriname Country Profile
Local Travel
Although the UN’s International Tribunal on the Law of the Sea recently ruled on the maritime border dispute between Suriname and Guyana, Suriname still claims an area of land (the New River Triangle) in the South East of Guyana. It also has a border dispute with French Guiana. If you are near the border areas, you should keep this in mind and exercise due caution.
Sea Travel
There have been reports of attacks against fishing boats in and around the waters of Suriname. Mariners are advised to be vigilant and take appropriate precautions. For more general information see River and Sea Safety.
Local laws and customs
Drug trafficking is a serious offence. Possession and trafficking in drugs leads to lengthy prison sentences and heavy fines. Pack all luggage yourself and do not carry any items that do not belong to you.
For more general information for different types of travellers see Travel Advice Relevant to You.
For more general information for different types of travellers see Travel Advice Relevant to You.
Entry requirements
Visas
British visitors require visas to enter Suriname. They must be obtained in advance. Visa information can be obtained from the Suriname Consulate in Amsterdam; (Tel: +11 31 206 426 137; Fax: +11 31 206 465 311; E-mail: cons-gen-vd-rep-suriname@wxs.nl).
You can also contact the Suriname Honorary Consul in the UK:
Dr.Amwed Jethu
33 Pier House
31 Cheyne Walk
London SW3 5HG
United Kingdom
tel (44) (0)7768-196 326
mailto:ajethu@honoraryconsul.info
You can also contact the Suriname Honorary Consul in the UK:
Dr.Amwed Jethu
33 Pier House
31 Cheyne Walk
London SW3 5HG
United Kingdom
tel (44) (0)7768-196 326
mailto:ajethu@honoraryconsul.info
Yellow Fever vaccination
If you are arriving from Guyana, French Guiana or Brazil you are required to show proof of a yellow fever vaccination.
Departure tax
All passengers leaving Suriname must pay a departure tax. The current fee is $46/€ 33. It cannot be paid in Surinamese dollars; only US dollars or Euros are accepted.
Health
Medical facilities are severely limited in Suriname. You are strongly advised to ensure that your insurance covers the cost of medical evacuation.
Malaria is common to certain areas outside Paramaribo. Dengue fever is common to Latin America and the Caribbean and can occur throughout the year. In 2007 there was a marked increase in the number of reported cases of dengue across the region
In the 2006 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic the UNAIDS/WHO Working Group estimated that around 10,000 adults aged 15 or over in Suriname were living with HIV; the prevalence rate was estimated at around 1.9% of the adult population. This compares to the prevalence rate in adults in the UK of around 0.2%. You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS. For more general information on how to do this see HIV and AIDS.
You should seek medical advice before travelling to Suriname and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up-to-date. For further information on vaccination requirements, health outbreaks and general disease protection and prevention you should visit the websites of the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) and NHS Scotland’s Fit for Travel or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.
For more general health information see Travel Health.
Malaria is common to certain areas outside Paramaribo. Dengue fever is common to Latin America and the Caribbean and can occur throughout the year. In 2007 there was a marked increase in the number of reported cases of dengue across the region
In the 2006 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic the UNAIDS/WHO Working Group estimated that around 10,000 adults aged 15 or over in Suriname were living with HIV; the prevalence rate was estimated at around 1.9% of the adult population. This compares to the prevalence rate in adults in the UK of around 0.2%. You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS. For more general information on how to do this see HIV and AIDS.
You should seek medical advice before travelling to Suriname and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up-to-date. For further information on vaccination requirements, health outbreaks and general disease protection and prevention you should visit the websites of the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) and NHS Scotland’s Fit for Travel or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.
For more general health information see Travel Health.
Natural Disasters
Much of the north and centre of Suriname is prone to flooding. In May 2006, large parts of the country, and an estimated 25,000 people, were affected by severe flooding.
Much of the north and centre of Suriname is prone to flooding. In May 2006, large parts of the country, and an estimated 25,000 people, were affected by severe flooding.
General
Insurance
We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. For more general information see Travel Insurance.
If things do go wrong when you are overseas then this is How We Can Help.
Registration
Register with our LOCATE service to tell us when and where you are travelling abroad or where you live abroad so our consular and crisis staff can provide better assistance to you in an emergency. More information about registering with LOCATE can be found here.
Registering with the British Honorary Consulate
Long term visitors to Suriname should register their presence with the British Honorary Consulate.
British Honorary Consul
c/o VSH United Buildings
Van’t Hogerhuysstraat 9-11
PO Box 1860
Paramaribo
Telephone: +597 402558/402870
Facsimile: +597 403515/403824
Email: britishconsulate@vshunited.com
Office hours: (GMT): Mon-Fri: 11:00-20:15
(Local): Mon-Fri: 08:00-16:15
Money
Credit cards are not widely accepted outside the major hotels in Suriname. You should check with your intended hotel to confirm that credit cards are accepted. You should bring sufficient currency to cover your anticipated expenditure. Please note that sterling cannot be exchanged; you should bring with you US dollars or Euros.
Also, ATM locations should be confirmed with your card provider before travel.
We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. For more general information see Travel Insurance.
If things do go wrong when you are overseas then this is How We Can Help.
Registration
Register with our LOCATE service to tell us when and where you are travelling abroad or where you live abroad so our consular and crisis staff can provide better assistance to you in an emergency. More information about registering with LOCATE can be found here.
Registering with the British Honorary Consulate
Long term visitors to Suriname should register their presence with the British Honorary Consulate.
British Honorary Consul
c/o VSH United Buildings
Van’t Hogerhuysstraat 9-11
PO Box 1860
Paramaribo
Telephone: +597 402558/402870
Facsimile: +597 403515/403824
Email: britishconsulate@vshunited.com
Office hours: (GMT): Mon-Fri: 11:00-20:15
(Local): Mon-Fri: 08:00-16:15
Money
Credit cards are not widely accepted outside the major hotels in Suriname. You should check with your intended hotel to confirm that credit cards are accepted. You should bring sufficient currency to cover your anticipated expenditure. Please note that sterling cannot be exchanged; you should bring with you US dollars or Euros.
Also, ATM locations should be confirmed with your card provider before travel.
Travel advice for this country
See entire profile
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contacts
Guyana, Georgetown, British High Commission
Address:
British High Commission
44 Main Street
(PO Box 10849)
Georgetown
Telephone:
(592) 226 5881
(592) 226 5882
Fax:
(592) 225 3555 Development/Commercial/Public Diplomacy/Management
(592) 225 0671 Consular/Immigration
(592) 223 7321 Chancery
Email: bhcguyana@networksgy.com
Office hours:
GMT:
Mon-Thu: 1130 1930; Fri: 1130-1730
Local Time:
Mon-Thu: 0730 1530; Fri: 0730-1330
Website: http://www.britishhighcommission.gov.uk/guyana