Nieuw Nickerie
A river town in western Suriname, Nieuw Nickerie suits travelers who want rice fields, wetlands and a slower pace off the main coastal route.
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Nieuw Nickerie is the main town of Nickerie District, in western Suriname, on the Nickerie River close to the Guyana border. The land around it is flat and largely given over to rice, crossed by canals and drainage channels. The nearby wetlands and the coast are the main reasons to stop here.
The town suits a slower trip through the west of the country, where the river, the fields and the wetlands matter more than a checklist of sights. Its population is mixed, so you will see religious buildings of more than one faith. Plan two nights if you want time to walk the town and visit the coast and wetlands. Visit in a dry season if you can, since rain can make rural roads hard going, and book a room in advance.
Nieuw Nickerie in five
- Carry Surinamese dollars for small spendingCarry Surinamese dollars (SRD) for small shops, local transport and meals, and change enough before you leave Paramaribo.Money and costs
- Set up a Telesur or Digicel SIMTelesur and Digicel are the main mobile networks in Suriname. Check which one has coverage in Nickerie before you buy a SIM or eSIM.Phones and eSIM
- Check your visa before you flyVisa rules depend on your passport. Check with the Surinamese embassy or consulate nearest you, and keep a copy of your passport with you.Visas and entry
- Book the road west from ParamariboNieuw Nickerie is a long road journey west of Paramaribo. Confirm your bus or driver the day before, and aim to arrive before dark.Getting around
- Cover remote travel with insuranceCheck that your policy covers medical evacuation, since specialist care is in Paramaribo and the west coast is a long way from it.Travel insurance
Things to do in Nieuw Nickerie
See all attractions in Nieuw NickerieNeed to know
- Currency
- Surinamese dollar (SRD)
- Entry
- Visa needed by many passports; check before you fly
- Emergency
- 115 police, 113 ambulance; confirm locally
- Tipping
- Check the bill for a service charge before adding a tip
- Time
- UTC-3, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryRainy season
- FebruaryShort dry spell
- MarchDry spell
- AprilRains begin
- MayRainy season
- JuneRainy season
- JulyRainy season
- AugustRains ease
- SeptemberDry season
- OctoberDry season
- NovemberRains return
- DecemberRainy season
Right now in Nieuw Nickerie
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
30
- Feels like
- 35°
- Humidity
- 74%
- Wind
- 19 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 53%
Nieuw Nickerie
05:44 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today33°26°53%Monday: Rain. High 33°, Low 26°. Chance of rain 53%.
- Tue33°27°49%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 33°, Low 27°. Chance of rain 49%.
- Wed33°27°24%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 33°, Low 27°. Chance of rain 24%.
- Thu33°27°16%Thursday: Drizzle. High 33°, Low 27°. Chance of rain 16%.
- Fri33°27°24%Friday: Thunderstorms. High 33°, Low 27°. Chance of rain 24%.
- Sat32°28°36%Saturday: Drizzle. High 32°, Low 28°. Chance of rain 36%.
- Sun32°27°64%Sunday: Drizzle. High 32°, Low 27°. Chance of rain 64%.
Updated 02:46 PM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 37.64 SRD
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Paramariboseveral hours by roadThe capital, with the historic center and the main transport links.Read the guide
- Corriverton, Guyanaa short river crossing; ask locallyThe Guyanese town across the Corantijn River; bring valid travel documents.
- Bigi Pana drive; ask locally for the routeA coastal wetland reserve where birds gather; go with a local guide.
Before you go to Nieuw Nickerie
Rules for Nieuw Nickerie, checked
- Check whether your passport needs a visa for Suriname before you book, using the Surinamese embassy or consulate in your country.
- Surinamese customs rules on cash and goods apply on arrival. Check the amount limits with customs before you travel.
- Keep a copy of your passport with you, since hotels and checkpoints may ask to see it.
- Crossing to Guyana, across the Corantijn River, needs its own entry paperwork. Check Guyana's entry rules separately.
Plan around Nieuw Nickerie
Road transfers from Paramaribo and getting around town.
Read the guideMoney and costsCash, cards and what to budget for a day in the west.
Read the guideVisas and entryEntry rules and documents to check for your passport.
Read the guideSuriname travel guideThe country page for Nieuw Nickerie and the rest of Suriname.
Read the guideSouth America destinationsOther places to plan alongside a Suriname trip.
Read the guideNieuw Nickerie FAQ
Is Nieuw Nickerie worth visiting?
Yes, if you want rice-growing country, the Corantijn River and a quieter part of Suriname. It is a weak choice for a short stop or for nightlife.
How do you get to Nieuw Nickerie?
The main route is a long road journey west from Paramaribo. Book or confirm your bus or driver in advance, and check the current options before you travel.
How many days do you need in Nieuw Nickerie?
One to two days is enough for the town and a nearby day trip. Add time only if you plan to cross into Guyana or explore the coast with a guide.
What language do people speak in Nieuw Nickerie?
Dutch is the official language. Sranan Tongo is widely spoken in everyday life, so a few words of it help in shops and at the market.
Can you visit Guyana from Nieuw Nickerie?
Guyana lies across the Corantijn River. Crossing needs valid travel documents and Guyana's own entry rules, so check both countries' requirements first.
Do you need cash in Nieuw Nickerie?
Yes. Carry Surinamese dollars for small shops and local transport, since cards may not be accepted there.