Dutch (official), English (widely spoken), Sranang Tongo (Surinamese, sometimes called Taki-Taki, is native language of Creoles and much of the younger population and is lingua franca among others), Caribbean Hindustani (a dialect of Hindi), Javanese.

Hindu 27.4%, Protestant 25.2% (predominantly Moravian), Roman Catholic 22.8%, Muslim 19.6%, indigenous beliefs 5%

The economy is dominated by the mining industry, with exports of alumina, gold, and oil accounting for about 85% of exports and 25% of government revenues, making the economy highly vulnerable to mineral price volatility.

National Army (Nationaal Leger, NL; includes Naval Wing, Air Wing).

A passport, valid visa and, if traveling by air, return ticket are required for travel to Suriname.  Visas must be obtained prior to arrival in Suriname. A business visa requires a letter from the sponsoring company detailing the reason for the visit. A n airport departure charge and a terminal fee are normally included in the price of airfare. Travelers arriving from Guyana, French Guiana and Brazil are required to show proof of a yellow fever vaccination. For further information, travelers can contact the Embassy of the Republic of Suriname, 4301 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Suite 460, Washington, DC 20008, telephone (202) 244-7488/7592, or the Consulate of Suriname in Miami, 6303 Blue Lagoon Drive, Suite 325, Miami, Fl 33126, telephone (305) 265-4655/4918. Visit the Embassy ofSuriname web site for the most current visa information.

Important information for foreigners who have the intention of staying longer than three months:
As of October 1, 2008, persons who intend to stay longer than three months must apply for an Authorization for Temporary Stay (MVK) before traveling to Suriname. The above implies that foreigners (with the exception of foreigners of Surinamese origin) who have traveled to Suriname on a tourist or business visa will not be able to apply for residence during their stay in Suriname.

HIV/AIDS restrictions. The U.S. Department of State is unaware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors to or foreign residents of Suriname. For further information, please visit the Embassy of Suriname website for the most current information.

Information about dual nationality or the prevention of international child abduction can be found on our website.  For further information about customs regulations, please read our Customs Information page.

Airports:  50, Airports w/paved runways:  5

Paramaribo- Johan Adolf Pengel International Airport (PBM/SMJP)
Paramaribo Airport, Surinam, PO Box 1870, Wayambosteet M 5, 20km en Hoop, Paramaribo, SURINAM
Tel: +597 325114, +597 325140, +597 325252, +597 401348, +597 325221
Fax: +597 325373
Email: zanair@sr.net
Customs Tel: +597 325455
Customs Hours:24 hours

Demonstrations do occur, primarily in the capital or second cities, and are usually peaceful, but American citizens traveling to or residing in Suriname should take common-sense precautions and avoid large gatherings or other events where crowds have congregated to demonstrate or protest. Travelers proceeding to the interior may encounter difficulties due to limited government authority. Limited transportation and communications may hamper the ability of the U.S. Embassy to assist in an emergency.

CRIME: Criminal activity throughout the country is on the rise and foreigners, including Americans, may be viewed as targets of opportunity. Burglary, armed robbery, and violent crime occur with some frequency in Paramaribo and in outlying areas. Pick pocketing and robbery are increasingly common in the major business and shopping districts of the capital. Visitors should avoid wearing expensive or flashy jewelry or displaying large amounts of money in public.
There have been several reports of criminal incidents in the vicinity of the major tourist hotels and walking outside the immediate vicinity of the hotels is not recommended after dark. Visitors should avoid the Palm Garden area (“Palmentuin” in Dutch) after dark, as there is no police presence and it is commonly the site of criminal activity.
The emergency number 115 is used for police, fire, and rescue. Fire and rescue services provide a relatively timely response, but police response, especially during nighttime hours, is a rarity for all but the most serious of crimes.

Infant MR total:  19.45 deaths/1,000 live births

Life expectancy at birth:  TOTAL 73.48 years   (male 70.76/female 76.39)

raffic moves on the left in Suriname; left-hand-drive cars are allowed on the road.

Infant MR total:  19.45 deaths/1,000 live births

Life expectancy at birth:  TOTAL 73.48 years   (male 70.76/female 76.39)

Required: None usually, but Yellow Fever is required if traveling from an endemnic area

Recommended: Yellow Fever, Hep A & B, Malaria, Typhoid, Rabies

Boosters: MMR, DPT, Polio

degree of risk: high

Dengue, filariasis, leishmaniasis, onchocerciasis, and American trypanosomiasis (Chagas disease) are other diseases carried by insects that also occur in this region. Protecting yourself against insect bites (see below) will help to prevent these diseases.

Schistosomiasis, a parasitic infection that can be contracted in fresh water in South America, is found in Brazil, Suriname, and north-central Venezuela. Do not swim in fresh water (except in well-chlorinated swimming pools) in these countries. (For more information, please see Swimming and Recreational Water Safety.)

Medical care, including emergency medical care, is limited and does not meet U.S. standards. There is one public emergency room in Paramaribo with only a small ambulance fleet providing emergency transport with limited first response capabilities. The emergency room has no neurosurgeon, and other medical specialists may not always be available. As a rule, hospital facilities are not air-conditioned, although private rooms with individual air-conditioning are available at extra cost and on a space-available basis. Emergency medical care outside Paramaribo is limited, and is virtually non-existent in the interior of the country

Epidemics of viral encephalitis and dengue fever occur in some countries in this area.

Country Code:  597
Internet Code: .sr