Although western customs and habits generally apply in Suriname, some things are still slightly different than you are used to.
Here are a number of do’s and don’ts when you are on holiday in Suriname.
Do’s
1. Bring an effective mosquito spray. Mosquitoes are everywhere in the
coastal region. They swarm around especially in the early evening and apart from the
mosquito bites, they can sometimes also transmit diseases.
2. If you are invited to eat with a Surinamese family, definitely accept.
A special culinary experience awaits you and you will personally experience how
people live at home. If there are children in the family, bring something sweet
for them.
3. When you go to Surinamese homes, take off your shoes, unless they explicitly say that you don’t have to.
4. In Suriname, people have become accustomed to the fact that Dutch tourists (mainly interns) like to cycle. Rent a bike from one of the bike rental companies
and make your way through Paramaribo. Be aware of the left-hand traffic
au Surinam.
5. Various bike tours are offered in Commewijne. This is a very
fun way to visit the old plantations that the district is rich in at your own pace.
6. Tours and trips to the interior are best booked with a tour operator.
Traveling to the interior on your own can be quite a challenge.
7. Surinamese peppers are not comparable to Spanish peppers that tourists already experience as hot. When eating a hot meal, ask for the sambal to be kept
separate from the food and first taste a tiny bit of it to determine the
‘hotness’.
8. If you want to take a picture of someone, ask the person if it is allowed.
Especially in the interior, taking a picture without permission can
make people feel uncomfortable. 9. In Suriname, cash is widely used. If you are going to use your debit card, do so in a group if possible. However, do not walk around with too much cash.
10. Have a beer at Waka Pasi; a pleasant promenade near the.
Center of Paramaribo where locals like to spend the afternoon and evening.
A ne pas faire
1. Just like everywhere else in the world, it is best to avoid dark.
Deserted alleys and neighborhoods in Suriname. Take a taxi in the evening and do not accept free rides offered by strangers.
Do not wear flashy jewelry either.
2. Suriname generally has no bicycle paths. Do not cycle in pairs; the streets are not wide enough and it is also dangerous.
3. Do not pet or cuddle wild animals. They are not used to it and you do not know how they may react. When viewing animals, ask the guide or supervisor if you can come closer. Do not touch colored frogs; they can be
poisonous.
4. Do not take closed packages from others on your return journey. Not even from people you met during your holiday. If someone wants to send a package, ask them not to close it. Check the contents and keep in mind that there may be hidden compartments in a package.
5. Topless sunbathing is not common in Suriname. Do not do this because it can be seen as vulgar.
6. Although many Surinamese drink tap water, it is not wise for foreign visitors to do so. Tap water can be used to make tea and coffee, to brush your teeth and to wash yourself with. Drinking water can be obtained from any local supermarket.
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