5open jobs
2organisations hiring
0violent events in 3 months
To prepare a mission or a new post: the essential context, region by region. This briefing does not replace your organisation's security briefing on arrival.
presidential republic
Demonstrations can become violent and lead to roadblocks and travel disruption. Be careful when travelling around the country and avoid large crowds. Monitor media and follow the advice of local authorities.
Hindustani (also known locally as "East Indians"; their ancestors emigrated from northern India in the latter part of the 19th century) 27.4%, Maroon (their African ancestors were brought to the country in the 17th and 18th centuries as slaves and escaped to the interior) 21.7%, Creole (mixed White and Black) 15.7%, Javanese 13.7%, mixed 13.4%, other 7.6%, unspecified 0.6% (2012 est.)
Dutch (official), English (widely spoken), Sranang Tongo (Surinamese, sometimes called Taki-Taki, is the native language of Creoles and much of the younger population), Caribbean Hindustani (a dialect of Hindi), Javanese
Protestant 23.6% (includes Evangelical 11.2%, Moravian 11.2%, Reformed 0.7%, Lutheran 0.5%), Hindu 22.3%, Roman Catholic 21.6%, Muslim 13.8%, other Christian 3.2%, Winti 1.8%, Jehovah's Witness 1.2%, other 1.7%, none 7.5%, unspecified 3.2% (2012 est.)
Country profiles: The World Factbook (CIA), public domain, last edition (2025-2026).
upper middle-income South American economy; new floating currency regime; key aluminum goods, gold, and hydrocarbon exporter; new IMF plan for economic recovery and fiscal sustainability; controversial hardwood industry
639,850Population2025
65.8 %Urban population2025
$7,070GDP per capita2025
1.8 %GDP growth2025
9.2 %Inflation2025
2.2 %Extreme poverty (international line)2022
7.8 %Unemployment2025
92.9 %Adult literacy2012
87.4 %Internet users2023
99 %Access to electricity2024
24refugees hosted2025
3,191asylum seekers2025
208refugees and asylum seekers from the country2025
Indicators: World Bank (CC BY 4.0); refugees and displaced people: UNHCR Refugee Data Finder. Latest available year for each figure.
Suriname National Army (Nationaal Leger or NL); Army (Landmacht), Navy (Marine); Air Force (Luchtmacht), Military Police (Korps Militaire Politie)Ministry of Justice and Police: Suriname Police Force (Korps Politie Suriname or KPS) (2026)
Informative list, to be complemented by your organisation's security analysis and NGO security forums.
UK government (FCDO) travel advice. Some guidance is aimed at British nationals; always follow your organisation's instructions.
No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to:
If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice.
Sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated.
Follow FCDO:
Organised violence events recorded by UCDP, July – September 2026.
No organised violence event recorded in the country over this period.
This guide also has safety advice for regions of Suriname.
There is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets. Stay aware of your surroundings at all times.
UK Counter Terrorism Policing has information and advice on staying safe and what to do in the event of a terrorist attack. Find out how to reduce your risk from terrorism while abroad.
Although there is no recent history of terrorism in Suriname, attacks cannot be ruled out.
Demonstrations can become violent and lead to roadblocks and travel disruption. Be careful when travelling around the country and avoid large crowds. Monitor media and follow the advice of local authorities.
There have been incidents of burglary, armed robbery and violent crime in the capital, Paramaribo, and surrounding areas.
Criminals could target you in quiet or secluded areas, including in the Palm Garden (‘Palmentuin’) and other parts of Paramaribo.
Pickpocketing and robbery are increasingly common in the major business and shopping areas.
Keep valuables such as your passport, travel documents, driving licence and credit cards secure and keep photocopies in a separate place.
To reduce your personal risk, avoid wearing expensive jewellery or displaying large amounts of money in public.
There have been reports of attacks against fishing boats in and around the waters of Suriname.
Tourists have been robbed when travelling in central Suriname, away from the coastal areas. Use a well-established tour company if you intend to travel to these parts of the country.
There are severe penalties for all drug offences. Pack all luggage yourself and do not carry anything through customs for anyone else.
Credit cards are not widely accepted outside major hotels. Check with your hotel whether it accepts credit cards. Some cash machines in Paramaribo will accept international credit and debit cards and dispense Surinamese dollars.
If you are planning to drive in Suriname, see information on driving abroad.
You’ll need to have both the correct version of the international driving permit (IDP) and your UK driving licence with you in the car. You cannot buy an IDP outside the UK, so get one before you travel.
Hire car companies often have stricter requirements for their customers, such as a year of driving experience, a higher minimum age and holding an IDP.
Some drivers may have poor road sense, and there may be frequent hazards, inadequate lighting and poor road conditions in some areas. When driving at night, take care to avoid cyclists, pedestrians and animals.
Only use licensed taxis or those on official hotel taxi ranks. Do not hail taxis from the roadside.
The UK Air Safety List (ASL) lists all known airlines in Suriname that do not meet international safety standards and are banned from operating commercial air services to, from, and within the UK. Check the UK Air Safety List when considering which airlines to fly with. The list is maintained by the Department for Transport, based on advice from the UK Civil Aviation Authority.
If you’re travelling with a tour operator, check whether they have concerns about airlines in Suriname.
Find out what you can do to prepare for and respond to extreme weather and natural hazards.
Suriname is prone to flooding, particularly in the north and centre of the country, during the rainy season in May to August.
Severe heat can cause problems, particularly with livestock, the young and elderly. Keep in the shade where possible and remain hydrated.
This section has safety advice for regions of Suriname. It only covers regions where the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has specific advice.
You should also read FCDO’s overall travel advice and safety and security advice.
The UN’s International Tribunal on the Law of the Sea in has ruled on the maritime border dispute between Suriname and Guyana. However, Suriname still claims an area of land (the New River Triangle) in south-east Guyana.
Take care when travelling to this area.
Suriname has a border dispute with French Guiana.
Take care when travelling to this area.
73.8yearsLife expectancy2024
15.8per 1,000 live birthsUnder-5 mortality2024
84per 100,000 live birthsMaternal mortality2023
0per 1,000 people at riskMalaria (new cases)2024
1.36per 1,000 peoplePhysicians2023
98 %Basic drinking water access2024
Before you travel check that:
This is particularly important if you have a health condition or are pregnant.
Call 113 or 115 and ask for an ambulance.
Contact your insurance company quickly if you’re referred to a medical facility for treatment.
At least 8 weeks before your trip:
See what health risks you’ll face in Suriname, including:
The legal status and regulation of some medicines prescribed or bought in the UK can be different in other countries.
Read best practice when travelling with medicines on TravelHealthPro.
FCDO has a list of medical providers in Suriname.
Medical facilities are severely limited in Suriname. Make sure you have adequate travel health insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment abroad and repatriation.
Not all medical facilities accept payment from insurance companies. You may need to pay in advance and claim the cost back from your travel insurance.
Read FCDO guidance on travel and mental health. There is also mental health guidance on TravelHealthPro.
Passport Index Data (passportindex.org), MIT licence. Indicative, for a tourist stay; always check with the embassy or consulate. (17 February 2026)
This information is for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK. It is based on the UK government’s understanding of Suriname’s current rules for the most common types of travel.
The authorities in Suriname set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the Surinamese Embassy in Paris, France.
To enter Suriname, your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 6 months after the date you arrive.
Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.
You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.
All travellers to and from Suriname are required to complete an Immigration and Customs Form [ICF] up to three days before arrival and departure.
When returning to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. See Dual citizenship.
You can visit Suriname without a visa for tourism for up to 90 days. You must pay an entry fee of 54 US dollars before you travel.
To stay longer (to work or study, for business travel or for other reasons), you must get a visa and meet the Suriname government’s entry requirements.
It’s illegal to overstay the entry period or to work without a work permit.
To enter Suriname, you must have a certificate to prove you’ve had a yellow fever vaccination if you’re coming from a country listed as a transmission risk.
For full details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s Suriname guide.
There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Suriname. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.
If you’re bringing currency with you, bring US dollars or euros. You cannot exchange British pounds.
Before you arrive, register with the coordination bodies: they share alerts, cluster meetings and useful contacts.
Clusters: health, nutrition, protection, WASH, food security, shelter, education, logistics, emergency telecommunications and CCCM. OCHA publishes their meetings and contacts in each country where they are activated.
Organisations hiring in the country, based on open jobs on the site:
Violence over the last 3 months, jobs and passages of official advice that mention the region.
No organised violence recorded over the period.
There have been incidents of burglary, armed robbery and violent crime in the capital, Paramaribo, and surrounding areas.
Criminals could target you in quiet or secluded areas, including in the Palm Garden (‘Palmentuin’) and other parts of Paramaribo.
No organised violence recorded over the period.
No organised violence recorded over the period.
No organised violence recorded over the period.
No organised violence recorded over the period.
No organised violence recorded over the period.
No organised violence recorded over the period.
No organised violence recorded over the period.
No organised violence recorded over the period.
No organised violence recorded over the period.
This briefing gathers public information to prepare a mission. It does not replace your organisation's security analysis, your security focal point's instructions or the country's authorities.