Suriname
Suriname is a rainforest country on South America's north coast, with a capital of timber Dutch-era buildings and river trips into the interior.
Suriname sits on the north coast of South America and is often grouped with the Caribbean. It is the continent's smallest independent state, bordered by Guyana, French Guiana, Brazil and the Atlantic Ocean. Paramaribo, the capital and largest city, holds more than half the population. The historic centre, UNESCO-listed since 2002, is lined with timber houses from the colonial era. Dutch is the only official language, but Sranan Tongo is the most common everyday language, and English is widely understood in the capital.
Around 93 percent of the country is tropical rainforest. Most people live on the northern coastal plain, while the southern interior is mostly forest and sparsely populated. The Central Suriname Nature Reserve is the largest and most visited protected area, and it has been on the UNESCO list since 2000. Brownsberg Nature Park overlooks the Brokopondo Reservoir. Many Maroon and Amerindian villages in the interior are open to visitors, often reached by boat. The dry seasons run from August to November and from February to April.
Five things to know before Suriname
- Pay the entry fee online before you travel
Visitors who need no visa, including UK and Canadian citizens, must still pay an entry fee online for a tourist card before they fly. The UK government lists it at US$54; check the amount when you apply. Visas and entry
- Fill in the immigration and customs form
All travelers complete an online immigration and customs form up to three days before arrival. Keep the confirmation ready at the airport.
- Bring US dollars or euros, not pounds
Pounds sterling cannot be exchanged in Suriname. Bring US dollars or euros to change at banks, and expect card acceptance mostly in Paramaribo. Money on the road
- Carry a yellow fever certificate if you need one
Proof of vaccination is required if you arrive from a country with yellow fever risk. The vaccine is also recommended for trips into the interior.
- Book interior trips with a lodge or operator
Most rainforest lodges are reached by boat up the Suriname River or by small plane. Packages usually include transport, meals and guides, as there are few roads.
Suriname travel guides
Practical guides from writers who live there.
The entry fee, the online form and yellow fever rules.
Read the guideTravel insuranceEvacuation cover for river and rainforest trips.
Read the guideMoney and costsWhich currencies to bring and where cards work.
Read the guideGetting aroundBoats, small planes and minibuses along the coast.
Read the guide
When to go
- Rainy days
- Days with storms
- Best
- JanuaryRain21 rainy daysHigh29°Low23°Short rainsJanuaryRain
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 163 mm
- Rainy days
- 21
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Short rains
- FebruaryRain18 rainy daysHigh29°Low23°Short dryFebruaryRain
Best
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 128 mm
- Rainy days
- 18
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Short dry
- MarchRain18 rainy daysHigh29°Low24°Short dryMarchRain
Best
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 122 mm
- Rainy days
- 18
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Short dry
- AprilRain24 rainy daysHigh29°Low24°Rains startAprilRain
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 283 mm
- Rainy days
- 24
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rains start
- MayRain30 rainy daysHigh29°Low24°Long rainsMayRain
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 425 mm
- Rainy days
- 30
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Long rains
- JuneRain30 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh29°Low24°Long rainsJuneRain
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 388 mm
- Rainy days
- 30
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Long rains
- JulyRain29 rainy daysHigh30°Low24°Rain easingJulyRain
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 310 mm
- Rainy days
- 29
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rain easing
- AugustRain23 rainy daysHigh31°Low24°Dry, hotAugustRain
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 179 mm
- Rainy days
- 23
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, hot
- SeptemberRain17 rainy daysHigh33°Low24°Dry, hotSeptemberRain
Best
- High
- 33°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 87 mm
- Rainy days
- 17
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, hot
- OctoberRain17 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh33°Low24°Dry, hotOctoberRain
Best
- High
- 33°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 105 mm
- Rainy days
- 17
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Dry, hot
- NovemberRain22 rainy daysHigh31°Low24°Mostly dryNovemberRain
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 164 mm
- Rainy days
- 22
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mostly dry
- DecemberRain26 rainy daysHigh29°Low24°Short rainsDecemberRain
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 233 mm
- Rainy days
- 26
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Short rains
Average daily high and low in Paramaribo, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Suriname
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
24
- Feels like
- 28°
- Humidity
- 91%
- Wind
- 4 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 49%
Paramaribo
04:52 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today34°25°49%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 34°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 49%.
- Wed35°24°20%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 35°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 20%.
- Thu36°24°14%Thursday: Rain. High 36°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 14%.
- Fri36°24°4%Friday: Clear. High 36°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 4%.
- Sat36°25°78%Saturday: Rain. High 36°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 78%.
- Sun34°25°77%Sunday: Drizzle. High 34°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 77%.
Updated 02:20 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 37.64 SRD
Rates from Nov 3, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Before you go to Suriname
Suriname FAQ
Do I need a visa for Suriname?
UK and Canadian citizens can visit without a visa for up to 90 days, but you must pay the entry fee online before travel and complete the immigration form. Check other passports on Suriname's official site.
What language is spoken in Suriname?
Dutch is the official language, and Sranan Tongo is widely spoken. English is understood in tourism and in much of Paramaribo.
How many days do I need in Suriname?
Two days covers Paramaribo's historic center and a trip to the old plantations on the Commewijne River. Add three or four nights for a rainforest lodge.
Can I travel overland from Suriname to Guyana or French Guiana?
Yes, by minibus and river ferry to Guyana in the west or across the Maroni River to French Guiana in the east. Get exit and entry stamps each time.
When is the best time to visit Suriname?
The long dry season from about August to November, or the short dry spell around February and March. The long rains fall from roughly April to July.