Suriname — find the right stay, from deciding to booking
“World Heritage Dutch wooden architecture, Amazon rainforest, multicultural heritage, and deep rivers”
Suriname is the smallest country in South America but the most diverse — Paramaribo, the World Heritage Dutch wooden-architecture capital, multicultural (Dutch, Hindustani, Javanese, Creole, Maroon), with a mosque beside a synagogue on the Suriname River, vast Amazon rainforest preserved across nearly 90% of the land, the World Heritage Central Suriname Nature Reserve, and Maroon villages descended from African slaves who keep their traditional culture alive — a raw, authentic destination that adventure travelers are still discovering.
Suriname at a glance
Choose a city in Suriname
Each city has its own things-to-do and food guides plus in-depth ranked hotel reviews with real photos and price comparison — start with the city that fits your trip.
Decide — is Suriname right for you?
Why people love Suriname, how it compares to its neighbors, and which travel style suits you
World Heritage Paramaribo
A living old town of Dutch-colonial wooden architecture, UNESCO-listed since 2002.
Mosque beside synagogue
Neveh Shalom (synagogue) and the Keizerstraat Mosque stand side by side — a symbol of religious tolerance.
Rainforest over 90% of the land
The World Heritage Central Suriname Nature Reserve, with rare animals and ancient trees still intact.
Rivers and waterfalls
Cruise the Suriname and Commewijne rivers, the Raleighvallen falls, and traditional Maroon villages.
A multicultural mix
Dutch, Hindustani, Javanese, Creole, Maroon, and Chinese live together, with varied food, festivals, and temples-mosques-churches.
Biodiversity
Macaws, monkeys, turtles, and rare wildlife in a rainforest with almost no tourists.
Suriname vs its neighbors
| Suriname | Guyana | Brazil | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily budget (per person) | $43–91 | $51–100 | $57–129 |
| Visa for Thai citizens | e-visa / tourist card | Apply in advance | Apply in advance |
| Known for | World Heritage · multiculturalism | Rainforest · Kaieteur Falls | Amazon · beaches |
| Language | Dutch | English | Portuguese |
| Routes | Boat · minibus | Car · boat | Plane · car |
Figures are rough per-person, per-day estimates — your real budget depends on your travel style.
How do you travel?
Culture lover
Walk Paramaribo for 2–3 days — Dutch wooden buildings, the synagogue-mosque, the central market, and multicultural food.
See this plan → 🌿Adventure & forest
Boat deep into the forest, Maroon villages, waterfalls, and wildlife watching, for the raw-and-rugged.
See this plan → 🚣Nature & rivers
Cruise the Suriname River, the Commewijne district, cycle old plantations, and watch river dolphins.
See this plan →Plan — stay, eat, see
Start with where to stay (the heart of the trip), then add food and sights, and gauge your daily budget.
Find the stay you want
1 ranked reviews
No reviews match these filters — try removing some.
- 1🍚
Pom
A baked casserole of chicken and Creole taro (tayer), fragrant with citrus and well-rounded — Suriname's celebration dish.
📍 National dish - 2🥘
Roti
Roti flatbread wrapping potato-chicken or vegetarian curry, a Hindustani influence popular nationwide.
📍 Hindustani - 3🍜
Bami
Javanese-style stir-fried noodles with meat, shrimp, and vegetables, savory-sweet, a Javanese influence.
📍 Javanese - 4🥗
Pinda Soep
Peanut soup with vegetables and chicken, rich with peanut flavor, a beloved home dish across all ethnicities.
📍 Soup - 5🍢
Satay
Grilled meat skewers with peanut sauce, Javanese-Malay style, found at evening markets.
📍 Street food - 6🥤
Dawet
A cold drink of pandan jelly and coconut milk, Javanese style, refreshing in the equatorial heat.
📍 Drink
- 1🏛️
Historic Inner City of Paramaribo
White-and-yellow Dutch colonial wooden buildings, an architecture blending Europe and the tropics with great character.
📍 World Heritage - 2🕌
Mosque and Synagogue Keizerstraat
A symbol of religious tolerance, with a mosque and a synagogue standing on the same street.
📍 Paramaribo - 3🌿
Central Suriname Nature Reserve
1.6 million hectares of pristine rainforest, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with almost no roads.
📍 World Heritage - 4🚣
Raleighvallen
A waterfall amid the forest — boat to the camp and watch birds and rare animals in the park.
📍 Rainforest - 5🏘️
Maroon Villages
Communities descended from African slaves, preserving traditional art, music, and rituals.
📍 Culture - 6🌾
Commewijne District
Old banana and coconut plantations along the river — cycle and watch the pink river dolphins.
📍 Outskirts
🚆 Getting around Suriname
Johan Adolf Pengel International Airport
Johan Adolf Pengel (PBM) is 45 km from Paramaribo, with taxis or minibuses to the city.
River boats
The main way to reach the forest and rural villages — hire a boat with a driver or join an organized tour.
Minibus and buses
The main transport in Paramaribo and between cities, cheap but with no fixed schedule.
Car rental
Great for the Commewijne and coastal routes. Roads in town are okay, but the forest needs a 4WD.
Domestic flights
Gum Air / Blue Wing fly to provincial towns and forest areas that cars can't reach.
🛂 Etiquette & culture in Suriname
A living multiculturalism
Hindus, Muslims, Jews, Christians, and Maroons live together. The Hindu Holi and Eid al-Fitr festivals are celebrated across communities.
Respect religious spaces
Dress modestly when entering temples, mosques, and churches. Suriname has sacred sites of every faith.
A developing economy
ATMs aren't widespread in the provinces — carry cash and keep US dollars as a backup.
Malaria and yellow fever prevention
The yellow fever vaccine is required, and malaria medication is recommended for forest areas — prepare before traveling.
Respect nature and communities
Ask before photographing in villages, use a local guide on forest trails, and don't bring plastic into the forest.
💸 Daily budget — a rough guide
Budget
🛏️ Guesthouse / hostel $17–34
Eat at markets and local spots, take minibuses, and stroll the old town for free.
Comfort
🛏️ 3 star hotel $43–86
A day forest tour, good restaurants, and a river cruise.
Premium
🛏️ Boutique hotel / forest lodge $100+
A multi-day forest tour, a private guide, a riverside lodge, and domestic flights.
🗓️ When to visit Suriname
Long dry season
Aug - NovDry weather, good for hiking, with low rivers exposing sandbanks and clear water for boating.
Short dry season
Feb - MarThe second dry spell, good for travel, hot but with little rain.
Long rainy season
Apr - JulHeavy rain, high rivers, green forest, with good bird and wildlife watching (the forest may be hard to reach).
Short rainy season
Dec - JanBrief monsoon-like afternoon rains. You can travel, but bring a raincoat.
Book — hotels our team picked
If we had to pick just a few, we'd start with these three — compare prices across 3 sites.
Want to see every option in Suriname?
Browse all our ranked stay reviews — every budget and area, with real photos and price comparison.
View the top city guide →FAQ — visiting Suriname
How many days should I spend in Suriname?+
5–7 days recommended — Paramaribo 2 days, the Commewijne district 1 day, and a forest tour 2–3 days, to experience both city and nature.
Do Thai citizens need a visa?+
Get a visa/e-visa (tourist card) in advance + a yellow fever vaccination certificate. Check the latest requirements before traveling.
Is Suriname safe?+
Paramaribo is fairly safe by day. Avoid deserted alleys at night, and always have a local guide in the forest.
What currency is used?+
The Surinamese dollar (SRD) — some shops accept US dollars. There are ATMs in Paramaribo, but carry some cash for the provinces.
Tips before you go to Suriname
- The yellow fever vaccine is required — carry your certificate at all times.
- Carry backup US dollars in cash, as ATMs are scarce outside the city.
- Book forest tours through a local company in Paramaribo for a good, safe guide.
- Try the many ethnic cuisines — roti, pom, and bami are cheap at the markets.
- Bring insect repellent and malaria medication (for forest areas).
- Cycle the Commewijne district in the morning for the best chance to see river dolphins.