Travelling to Suriname: flights, visa, vaccinations and currency
A complete practical guide for your first trip to Suriname — when to book, which vaccinations are required, and the paperwork you really need.
Suriname isn’t a complicated destination, but it does take a bit more planning than a trip to Spain. This guide covers the four things you need to sort out before departure: flights, visa, vaccinations and currency.
Booking flights
There are two direct connections from Europe to Johan Adolf Pengel International Airport (PBM):
- KLM from Amsterdam — daily direct flight, flight time about 9 hours.
- Surinam Airways (SLM) from Amsterdam — similar route, sometimes cheaper, often via Curaçao.
Book 3 to 6 months ahead. High season (July–August and Christmas) easily pushes prices up 30–40%. February, May and October are the best months for both price and weather.
Visa and paperwork
Since 2025 Suriname uses an e-Visa or digital tourist card. For Dutch passports:
- Apply online via consulaatsuriname.nl
- Allow 5–10 working days for processing
- Tourist card: ~25 euros for 90 days
- Print the confirmation form — you’ll show it on both departure and arrival
You’ll also need: a passport valid for at least 6 months after your return, a return ticket, and an address for your first night (a hotel is fine).
Vaccinations
| Vaccination | Status | When to arrange |
|---|---|---|
| DTP | Recommended | 4 weeks before departure |
| Hepatitis A | Recommended | 2 weeks before departure |
| Yellow fever | Required when transiting an endemic country | At least 10 days before departure |
| Typhoid | Recommended for longer trips | 1 week before departure |
| Malaria prophylaxis | Only for interior trips | Start 1 week before departure |
Book your travel-clinic appointment at least 6 weeks before departure. Yellow fever is the bottleneck.
Currency
The currency is the Surinamese Dollar (SRD). The rate is volatile, so check it before you leave.
- ATM withdrawals: work in Paramaribo at the major banks (DSB, Hakrinbank). High transaction fees.
- Exchanging cash: USD gets the best rate. Change money at a Cambio in town, not at the airport.
- Credit card: only at hotels and larger restaurants.
What else to sort out
- Travel insurance with medical cover for Latin America
- Adapter: Suriname uses Type C and F (same as the Netherlands) — no adapter needed
- eSIM or local SIM: Telesur and Digicel, around SRD 100 for 5GB
What it costs (first trip, total)
| Item | Budget |
|---|---|
| Flight | €750–1,100 |
| Visa + insurance | €70–120 |
| Vaccinations (first time) | €150–250 |
| Accommodation, 14 nights | €600–1,400 |
| Food and local tours | €400–800 |
| Total | €2,000–3,700 |
Read more: Brownsberg in 3 days and the city walk through Paramaribo.
