Suriname

Travel tips for Suriname: safety advisories, currency and cash vs. card, tap water, plugs, local phrases, food, and advice from travelers.

Cash and cards

Carry some cash. While cards work at larger supermarkets, hotels, and upscale restaurants in Paramaribo, recent 2025-2026 traveler reports emphasize that Suriname remains a cash-first economy where you will need physical SRD, USD, or EUR for taxis, markets, and any trips into the interior.

Try the food

  • Pom: A savory baked casserole made from grated pomtayer root, citrus juices, and chicken.
  • Roti: A soft, flaky flatbread served alongside rich curried chicken, potatoes, and long beans.
  • Saoto Soup (Saotosoep): A fragrant Javanese-style chicken broth filled with bean sprouts, crispy fried potato sticks, and a boiled egg.
  • Moksi Alesi: A hearty mixed rice dish cooked with coconut milk, salted meat or fish, and black-eyed peas.

Say it in Dutch

  • Hello: Hallo
  • Thank you: Dank u
  • Please: Alstublieft
  • Excuse me: Pardon
  • How much is this?: Hoeveel kost dit?
  • The bill please: De rekening alstublieft
  • Yes / No: Ja / Nee
  • Goodbye: Tot ziens

Essentials

Voltage
127V/220V, 60Hz
Driving
Left side
SIM tip
Pick up a Digicel or Telesur prepaid SIM card at Johan Adolf Pengel International Airport or in Paramaribo for reliable nationwide coverage.

Etiquette

Tipping is not strictly expected, but leaving a 10 percent tip in restaurants for good service is customary and appreciated.

Airports in Suriname