Suriname holidays
Suriname holidays at a glance
Our Suriname holidays take you to the smallest independent country in South America, and one of the most surprising on the continent. What it lacks in size it makes up for in ethnic diversity, a melting pot of Dutch and British colonial, Amerindian, Chinese, Indian, Javanese and Maroon communities living side by side. You’ll eat roti at a street stall, hear half a dozen languages in an afternoon and see a mosque, synagogue and church standing within metres of each other.
The country splits into two worlds. Most people live on the northern coast, around the capital, Paramaribo, an old Dutch colonial centre and UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2002. Its historic streets are lined with white wooden buildings, and the waterfront Waterkant is the place to absorb the relaxed, multicultural atmosphere. Beyond the coast lies the other Suriname, dense tropical rainforest and sparsely inhabited savannah, reached only by river, forest road or light aircraft.
It’s in this interior that you’ll find the country’s heart. Small communities of Amerindians and Maroons, descendants of African slaves who escaped into the jungle in the 17th and 18th centuries, live scattered along the riverbanks, keeping centuries-old traditions alive. Travelling here by motorised canoe, watching for the elusive jaguar and caiman along the way, is the off-the-beaten-track adventure few corners of the world still offer.
Why choose Journey Latin America for your holiday to Suriname
We’ve been planning trips to Central and South America for over 45 years, longer than any other UK specialist. Every holiday is built around you by a Travel Expert who has been to the places they recommend, with support from your first enquiry to the day you fly home.
The cultural mix in Paramaribo is unlike anything else in South America.
When to visit Suriname
Suriname has a tropical climate. The best time to visit is during the dry seasons, from February to April and August to November, though rain can fall at any time of year and it’s always hot and humid, with average daily temperatures between 22 and 32°C. Each season has its own character.
The shorter of the two rainy seasons, it is hot and very humid.
A short dry season begins but the temperature remains hot and humid and there is always a chance of a short downpour.
The second, longer rainy season starts from late April. Temperatures still high and it can be oppressively humid.
The long dry season starts from mid-August. September and October are the warmest but also the driest months meaning that it’s the best time to visit.
Top Things to do in Suriname
From exploring a UNESCO-listed colonial capital to navigating rainforest rivers by motorised canoe, Suriname’s experiences are as diverse as its population. Here’s what we recommend.
Accommodation in Suriname
Paramaribo offers the widest choice, from guesthouses to comfortable hotels near the historic centre. In the Upper Suriname River region, remote lodges reached by motorised canoe from Atjoni offer simple but comfortable accommodation deep in the rainforest, with wooden cabins, mosquito nets, river views from the veranda and full-board dining. Most itineraries split time between the cultural comforts of the capital and the wilderness of the interior lodges.
Danpaati River Lodge is a delightful property with wooden cabins set on the shores of a remote island on the Amazonian Suriname river.
Eco Torarica is a renovated colonial townhouse with modern rooms, pool and tropical garden close to the historic centre of Paramaribo.
A former Journey Latin America tour leader, Sally spent 7 years working, travelling and living throughout Latin America before returning to the UK to help people arrange their own adventures to this wonderful destination.
Holidays to Suriname
From expertly designed Private Journeys to trail-blazing Escorted Group Tours, browse our range of carefully crafted holidays to Suriname.
Group Suriname Tours
Our group tours follow expertly designed, well-planned routes with an experienced local guide throughout. Prefer to keep it to your own party? Book the same trips privately for four or more.
Coq of the Rock: Trailblazing the Guianas
Places visited: Rio de Janeiro
16 days from £5,917
Makonaima: Discover the Three Guianas
Places visited: Georgetown and Kaieteur Falls
13 days from £7,359
Tailor-Made Suriname Tours
Prefer to travel on your own terms? We’ll build a trip around your dates, your pace and the things you most want to see – whether that’s a first run at Machu Picchu, a family adventure mixing history and wildlife, or a food-focused journey through Lima and the Sacred Valley. Our Travel Experts can help shape it with you.
Cultural Suriname
Places visited:
6 days from £1,870
Discovering The Hidden Guianas
Places visited: Georgetown and Kaieteur Falls · The Interior
15 days from £8,140
FAQs about visiting Suriname
Suriname is one of the most popular destinations, and there’s plenty to think about before you go. Here, our specialists share their best advice.
- Do I need a yellow fever vaccination for Suriname?
The Ministry of Health in Suriname advises passengers travelling to Suriname to be vaccinated against Yellow Fever. This is also valid for travellers departing from Suriname towards countries in the Caribbean region. You will be required to present your ’International Certificate of Vaccination’ booklet, which will be checked before departure. You may be denied entree to any country if you fail to present this document. You should be vaccinated at least 10 days before departure.
For more detailed information visit our When To Go section.
- When is the best time to visit Suriname?
Suriname has a tropical humid climate. There is a short rainy season from Dec-Jan and Apr-Jul. The most pleasant times to visit are the dry seasons Feb-Apr and Aug-Nov. Throughout the year the average daily temperature varies between 21 and 32°C. Suriname lies outside the hurricane zone and the most extreme weather condition is the “sibibusi” (forest broom), a torrential rain shower which passes quickly.
- What is the official language of Suriname?
The official languages of Suriname are Dutch, English and Sranan Tongo, originally the language of the creoles.
- What is the official currency of Suriname?
The official currency of Suriname is the Suriname guilder. Currently, only one bank, the Royal Bank of Trinidad and Tobago (RBTT) has ATMs which accept foreign ATM Visa cards. You can exchange currency at banks, hotels, and official exchange houses; in no circumstances change money on the street. Only a few tourist-inclined establishments accept credit cards.
- What is the time difference between Suriname and the UK?
The time difference between the UK and Suriname is GMT-4 hours.
- Do I need a visa for Suriname?
Holders of a full British passport do not require a visa, although passports must be valid for at least 6 months after the trip begins. Anyone with a different nationality should enquire with us or check with the relevant consulate. If flying to the US, or via the US you will need to fill in your online ESTA application.
- What vaccinations do I need for Suriname?
Please check Travel Health Pro for information on health recommendations and vaccinations for the destinations you are visiting. Please note that many Latin American countries require proof of vaccination against Yellow Fever if you have recently travelled to another country where Yellow Fever is present.
- What other countries combine well with Suriname?
A visit to the two other Guianas, which sit alongside Suriname on the coast: Guyana, the former British Guiana and Guyane, still a French overseas département. It’s not easy to do independently: we recommend you join our annual small group guided tour, named Coq of the Rock.
- How long is the flight from the UK to Suriname?
Average flight time to Paramaribo is 12 hrs. There are no direct flights from the UK to Suriname; popular routes involve a change in Amsterdam.
- What are the festivals, cultural events in Suriname?
The religious festivals of all the main religions represented by the population are celebrated, Christian Christmas and Easter; Hindu Diwali; Muslim Eid al-Adha and Amerindian Mashramani.
Suriname Jazz Festival, Paramaribo; Oct.
Surifesta, Paramaribo; mid Dec-Jan. A festival of shows, street parties, parades and flower markets.
Ready to start planning?
Tell us where you want to go, and we’ll take it from there. No obligation, no sales pitch – just a conversation with someone who knows the region inside out.