Suriname Tours and Travel

YPT Tours to Suriname

YPT are pleased to announce our upcoming Suriname tours schedule. Suriname is the “middle” country in the Guyanas region, and one of the most overlooked countries in South America. It is the only country in the continent where Dutch is the official language, as a reminder of Dutch colonialism.

Join us on one of our Suriname Tours and experience its Dutch heritage mixed with the indigenous and African-descendant communities. Dive into the Amazonian jungle, navigate along the Suriname river and visit the former Dutch forts, all of it while getting to know its warm population.

Group Tours to Suriname

We do not offer specific French Guiana Tours, but the territory is part of our Three Guyanas Tour, which runs every October. It includes Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana. Known as the “land of many waters”, those three each have their diverse past, culture and not to forget some of the best distillers of rum in the world!

The Guyanas Tour – October 21st-28th – $2195

Our Guyanas tours are on fixed numbers and tend to fill up fast, so we recommend booking in advance.

The Guyanas Tour

Independent Tours to Suriname

Young Pioneer Tours has close connections to a network of local partners and guides. As such, we can arrange independent and bespoke Suriname tours, either as standalone, or as part of wider Guyanas and South America packages. Prices for our independent Suriname tours depend on the number of people and what level of accommodation you require, but YPT can arrange everything you need for a perfect independent tour to Suriname.

Example of a Suriname itinerary (3 days)

DAY 1

Arrival at your leisure and self-transfer to our centrally located hotel in Paramaribo.
Pre-tour meeting will be held at the lobby of our hotel at 6:00pm to discuss the tour itinerary and to meet your fellow travellers and YPT guide.
Dinner at a creole restaurant where you’ll have the chance to try its very local dish, which combines three central ingredients: chicken, citrus juice and pomtajer, a local root similar to potato.
Overnight in Georgetown.

DAY 2

Today we’ll be up early for a city tour around Paramaribo before making our way to Fort Zeelandia – which is an important site in Surinamese history and has the best views overlooking the Suriname River.
We will do a visit to the Paramaribo flea market where we can see the local people buying and selling a whole manner of things. This is a real look into the contemporary life of this developing country.
Along the journey, we’ll discover and learn about the religious diversity of the city. We’ll visit beautiful and impressive churches, mosques, synagogues and Hindu temples that all coexist in the city.
Lunch by the Suriname River.
We will take a boat to explore the riverside, passing the old New Amsterdam fort and visiting a plantation. There is a very good chance of seeing dolphins up close!
Dinner in Zus, a restaurant frequented by locals with live music.
You cannot truly know a place unless you have been to its main nightclub, so we visit Mystique Pool café for a night out drinking with the locals.
Overnight in Paramaribo.

DAY 3

Tour concludes, after breakfast, we drop you at the airport

Bespoke Tours

We can offer the following bespoke programmes and extensions. Should what you are looking for not be on this list, please get in touch to see what we can fix for you.

Central Suriname

Explore the interior of the country and discover the amazonian forest. There will be plenty of opportunities to witness the fauna of the jungle, with a wide range of hikes through its lush vegetation, see hidden waterfalls and dark granite domes.

Amerindian civilisations

Get to know the ancient culture of the country. Our local guides will take you to the village where the indigenous communities live and learn about their daily life and about their clothes, dances and crafts.

Wildlife watching

Suriname is home to an incredible variety of wildlife, including jaguars, dolphins, monkeys, and hundreds of species of birds. You can go on a boat trip through the rainforest to spot wildlife, or take a hike in the jungle to see monkeys and other animals in their natural habitat. Macaws, parrots, toucans and many endemic species are waiting for you.

Tours to Guyana and French Guiana

Suriname tours can be combined with both Guyana and French Guiana tours, using either our standard Guyanas tour, as well as by preparing a bespoke Guyanas Tour.

Filming in Suriname

With great ocean, seafront and jungle locations Suriname offers great potential for those looking for a great film location. Through our media arm Pioneer Media we can make arrangements for productions, journalists, or others to film within Suriname from big budget to guerrilla productions. We can also arrange meetings in country, as well as correct visas for journalist wishing to do projects within Suriname.

Frequently asked questions about travel to Suriname

Do I need a visa to travel to Suriname?

Most nationalities do not require a visa for tourism, however there is an entry fee of $25 or €25 which must be made prior to your border crossing. For more details: https://suriname.vfsevisa.com/ It is mandatory to present a Yellow Fever International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP), also referred to as the “yellow card”, on arrival in Suriname.

What is the best time to visit Suriname?

The best period is October to April, the dry season. During this period, the chances of rain are lower, and the temperature and humidity are lower for a more comfortable experience in the country.

Is Suriname safe for tourists?

Although you probably won’t notice anything nor feel threatened at any time, precautions should always be taken in Suriname. Like any other city, avoid displaying your passport, large sums of cash and valuables.

What currency is used in Suriname?

The official currency used is the Surinamese dollar (SRD), ATMs are available in Paramaribo – however not all will accept international bank cards. Credit and debit cards are only accepted in major hotels. USD and Euros can easily be exchanged – remember this region is mostly a cash based society.

Are there any health precautions I should take before travelling to Suriname?

It is mandatory to present a Yellow Fever International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP), also referred to as the “yellow card”, on arrival in Suriname. Travellers are advised to check with their healthcare provider for vaccinations and take precautions against mosquito-borne diseases. Common recommended vaccinations include hepatitis A and B, typhoid, and routine vaccinations.

What is the local etiquette and customs in Suriname?

You can wear anything you like in Suriname, but it’s recommended to wear long trousers and closed shoes in the city. Remember to bring stout shoes for the hikes in the Jungle and waterfalls.

Is it possible to use a SIM card for mobile communication in Suriname?

In Suriname, there is WiFi in most hotels, restaurants and cafes. Travellers can also purchase a SIM card in the airport or in Paramaribo, there are different packages and prices according to your necessities.

Note that there is no mobile data in most jungle areas.

Why travel to Suriname with Young Pioneer Tours?

YPT not only know some very cool places, but also how to save money and make the most of a trip to Suriname. By travelling with us, you’re sure to find YPT’s ethos of good times, jam-packed itineraries, great food discoveries and a healthy dose of partying.