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Suriname
Suriname
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Customs and Culture
Customs and Culture
Cultural Attributes
Suriname is a culturally diverse country located on the northeastern coast of South America. Its population is composed of various ethnic groups, resulting in a rich and unique cultural tapestry.
Land of Rainforest and Wooden Dreams
Greetings, Gestures & Visiting
In Suriname, greetings vary depending on the cultural background of the individuals involved. The country is known for its diverse population, consisting of various ethnic groups, including Creole, Hindustani, Javanese, Maroons, Chinese, and Indigenous peoples. As a result, different greetings and customs are practiced among these communities.
Diet
Rice is a staple food along with cassava, sweet potatoes, plantains, chicken and seafood. Favorite meals include Moksie alesie (a creole rice dish with chicken, white beans, tomatoes, peppers and spices), bami (a noodle dish mixed with a dark sauce, fried chicken and a hot pepper mixture), saoto ( chicken soup) and poffertjes (tiny dutch pancakes) Pom or Pomtajer is a root of the cassava family.
Family
For some groups, child care is handled by one parent at a time. Children spend the first five to six years with their mother and then they can be given to their father or another relative for child-rearing.
Dating Customs
In Suriname, dating rituals can vary depending on cultural backgrounds, personal preferences, and individual circumstances.
Recreation
In Suriname, there are various recreational activities enjoyed by its residents.
Holidays
Independence Day
11/25Independence Day
Dates of Interest
- October/November
Suriname's Javanese community celebrates various cultural events, including Javanese New Year (Suro) and Javanese Independence Day (Hari Kemerdekaan). These celebrations often involve traditional music, dance, and rituals.
How do people greet each other in Suriname?
Greetings vary by ethnic background, but a firm handshake with direct eye contact is common and widely accepted, especially in formal or business settings. Verbal greetings like 'hello' or 'good morning' with a smile are used across all communities.
Do
- Offer a firm handshake with direct eye contact in formal settings
- Use 'Namaste' (palms together, slight bow) with people of Hindustani culture
- Offer a slight bow or nod when greeting people from Chinese or Javanese communities
- Reserve cheek-to-cheek kisses for close friends and family
Good to know
- Cheek kisses among close friends may range from one to three on alternating cheeks
- Follow greetings by asking about someone's well-being
What is the food like and how do people eat in Suriname?
Surinamese cuisine is a fusion of many cultures, built around staples like rice, cassava, sweet potatoes, plantains, chicken and seafood. Popular dishes include roti, bami, saoto soup, moksie alesie, and pom.
Good to know
- Pom (or pomtajer) is a baked cassava-family casserole with chicken, popular at special occasions
- Dining out and sharing meals with friends and family is an integral social activity
- Try local favorites like roti, bami, saoto, and poffertjes (tiny Dutch pancakes)
What social etiquette should I know for visiting people in Suriname?
Hospitality carries strong social obligations, and politeness and respect are central to interactions.
Do
- When visiting a friend, also visit everyone you know in the same neighborhood to avoid seeming rude
- Treat others with courtesy and observe local behavior when unsure
What should I wear in Suriname?
In urban areas and everyday life, people wear modern Western-style clothing such as t-shirts, jeans, dresses, and suits. Traditional ethnic attire like the Creole koto, Hindustani saree, and Javanese kebaya is worn on special occasions and cultural festivals.
Good to know
- Choose lightweight, breathable fabrics due to the warm climate
Which gestures should I avoid in Suriname?
Several gestures are considered rude or offensive, so use hand gestures with care and observe how locals behave.
Do
- Use an open hand or your whole hand to indicate a person or direction
Don’t
- Don't point directly at someone with your index finger
- Don't show the sole of your foot toward someone or prop feet on furniture
- Don't touch someone's head, even in a friendly way
- Don't make the 'OK' sign, as it can be seen as offensive or vulgar
Good to know
- If unsure about a gesture, politely ask or observe others
What are family and child-rearing customs like in Suriname?
For some groups, childcare is handled by one parent at a time: children spend their first five to six years with their mother, then may be given to their father or another relative for further child-rearing.
What do people do for fun in Suriname?
Residents enjoy the country's natural beauty through hiking, boating, and beach activities, while football is the most popular sport. Cultural festivals, music, dining out, and community gatherings are central to leisure.
Good to know
- Explore nature at the Central Suriname Nature Reserve, Brownsberg Nature Park, or Galibi Nature Reserve
- Try water activities like fishing, kayaking, and canoeing on the Suriname and Marowijne Rivers
- Enjoy festivals such as Holi Phagwa, Keti Koti, and the Suriname Jazz Festival
- Watch or join football, basketball, volleyball, or cricket
Last updated: 2026-07-12 · Sources: CountryReports
Photos of Suriname
Photos of Suriname
Travel and Tourism
Travel and Tourism
- Travel Alert Status
- Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions
- Currency
- Surinamese Dollar (SRD)
- Time Difference
- UTC-3 (2 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
- Climate
- Suriname's climate is tropical, hot and humid year-round. Daytime temperatures in Paramaribo average 75°F to 90°F. Temperatures in the interior, not moderated by the steady coastal breezes, are generally higher. Seasons are distinguished mainly by more or less rain, with annual rainfall averaging 87 inches. Indeed, locals will tell you that the four seasons of Suriname are: 1) Little Rainy Season (December to February); 2) Little Dry Season (March to April); 3) Big Rainy Season (May to August); and Big Dry Season (September to November). The hottest months of the year are September and October when temperatures average 90 �F (32 �C). Suriname lies outside hurricane and earthquake zones. Parts of Paramaribo experience heavy flooding. Isolated flooding occurs on some city streets and in low-lying areas of Paramaribo for up to 24 hours at a time.
- Airports
- 46
Read the full travel guide — health, safety, vaccinations, disease risk, sanitation, and transit details.
View full travel guideRecipes
Recipes
History
History
Historical Eras
Indigenous & Early Contact
3000 BCE – 1651
Arawak and Carib peoples inhabited the Suriname region for millennia before European contact. Christopher Columbus sighted the coast in 1498, and Spain formally claimed the territory in 1593, but neither power invested significantly in colonization. The region remained primarily under indigenous control until sustained European settlement began in the early seventeenth century.
Colonial Plantation Era
1651 – 1863
The first permanent European settlement was established in 1651, and the colony passed definitively to the Dutch in 1667 following the Treaty of Breda. Sugar, coffee, and cocoa plantations were built on the labor of enslaved Africans, who endured extreme brutality; many escaped into the interior, founding the Bush Negro (Maroon) communities that persist today. Britain briefly administered the colony twice (1799–1802 and 1804–1816) before the Dutch resumed control, and slavery was finally abolished in 1863.
Late Colonial & Bauxite Age
1863 – 1954
Following emancipation, plantation agriculture declined as labor costs rose, and rice, bananas, and citrus gradually replaced traditional export crops. The economy was fundamentally transformed after World War I when the American firm ALCOA began exploiting vast bauxite deposits, with Suriname supplying over 75% of U.S. bauxite imports during World War II. The colony gained increasing administrative autonomy through the mid-twentieth century.
Autonomy & Independence
1954 – 1980
Suriname became an autonomous constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands on December 15, 1954, and achieved full independence on November 25, 1975, with Henk Arron serving as the country's first Prime Minister. Political parties formed largely along ethnic lines, representing Creole, Hindustani, and Javanese constituencies, while leftist factions pressed for deeper structural reform. The new parliamentary democracy functioned for only five years before its institutions were dismantled.
Military Rule
1980 – 1991
On February 25, 1980, sixteen noncommissioned officers led by Desi Bouterse overthrew the elected government, suspended the constitution, and dissolved the legislature. In December 1982, fifteen prominent opposition figures — including journalists, lawyers, and union leaders — were arrested and executed, prompting the Netherlands and the United States to suspend aid and triggering severe economic contraction. After years of nominally civilian cabinets and mounting internal and international pressure, a democratic election was held in 1987, though the military briefly seized power again in 1989.
Democratic Modern Era
1991 – present
A democratically elected government was restored in 1991, inaugurating a period of gradual political stabilization despite recurring economic challenges and the lingering influence of Bouterse, who was later convicted of drug trafficking by a Dutch court yet returned to the presidency in 2010. The Surinamese dollar replaced the guilder in 2004, reflecting ongoing efforts to modernize the economy, which remains anchored by bauxite, gold, and oil revenues. Suriname continues to navigate ethnic pluralism, environmental pressures, and questions of accountability for the abuses of the military era.
Overview
Arawak and Carib tribes lived in the region before Columbus sighted the coast in 1498. Spain officially claimed the area in 1593, but Portuguese and Spanish explorers of the time gave the area little attention. Dutch settlement began in 1616 at the mouths of several rivers between present-day Georgetown, Guyana, and Cayenne, French Guiana.
Timeline of Key Events
1498
Christopher Columbus sights the coast of Suriname.
Christopher Columbus sights the coast of Suriname.
1593
Spanish explorers visit the area and name it Suriname.
Spanish explorers visit the area and name it Suriname, after the country’s earliest inhabitants, the Surinen.
1651
First permanent European settlement in Suriname.
First permanent European settlement in Suriname, established by the British at Paramaribo by Lord Francis Willoughby.
1667
British cede their part of Suriname to the Netherlands .
British cede their part of Suriname to the Netherlands in exchange for New Amsterdam (later called New York City).
1682
Coffee and sugar cane plantations established and worked by African slaves.
Coffee and sugar cane plantations established and worked by African slaves.
1799 – 1802
British rule reimposed.
British rule reimposed.
1804 – 1816
British rule reimposed.
British rule reimposed.
Read the full history profile — narrative overview, defining eras, and the complete timeline in one place.
View expanded historyInteresting Facts
Interesting Facts
Eighty percent of Suriname is covered with tropical rainforest.
African slaves were brought to Suriname to work on the coffee and sugar plantations
See every fact — trivia, oddities, and curious tidbits gathered from across the country.
View all interesting factsGeography and Environment
Geography and Environment
- Terrain
- mostly rolling hills; narrow coastal plain with swamps
- Climate
- Suriname's climate is tropical, hot and humid year-round. Daytime temperatures in Paramaribo average 75°F to 90°F. Temperatures in the interior, not moderated by the steady coastal breezes, are generally higher. Seasons are distinguished mainly by more or less rain, with annual rainfall averaging 87 inches. Indeed, locals will tell you that the four seasons of Suriname are: 1) Little Rainy Season (December to February); 2) Little Dry Season (March to April); 3) Big Rainy Season (May to August); and Big Dry Season (September to November). The hottest months of the year are September and October when temperatures average 90 °F (32 °C). Suriname lies outside hurricane and earthquake zones. Parts of Paramaribo experience heavy flooding. Isolated flooding occurs on some city streets and in low-lying areas of Paramaribo for up to 24 hours at a time.
- Natural Hazards
- NA
- Current Environmental Issues
- deforestation as timber is cut for export; pollution of inland waterways by small-scale mining activities
Read the full geography and environment profile — terrain, climate, natural resources, hazards, land use, and international agreements.
View full geographyPeople & Demographics
People & Demographics
Religion
Languages Spoken
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), Hindustani (a dialect of Hindi), Javanese
- Dutch
Population
- Population
- 486,618
- Population in Major Urban Areas
- PARAMARIBO (capital) 278,000
- Nationality Noun
- Surinamer(s)
- Ethnic Groups
- Hindustani (also known locally as ""East Indians""; their ancestors emigrated from northern India in the latter part of the 19th century) 37%, Creole (mixed white and black) 31%, Javanese 15%, ""Maroons"" (their African ancestors were brought to the count
Education
- Literacy Definition
- age 15 and over can read and write
Health Information
- Major Infectious Diseases — degree of risk
- very high
Read the full people and society profile — demographics, health, education, religion, languages, and notable people.
View full people and societyGovernment & Politics
Government & Politics
Country Identity
- Country Name
- Suriname
- Full Country Name
- Republic of Suriname
- Local - Long
- Republiek Suriname
- Local - Short
- Suriname
- Former Name
- Netherlands Guiana, Dutch Guiana
Government Structure
- Government Type
- constitutional democracy
- Legal System
- based on Dutch legal system incorporating French penal theory
- Executive Branch
- chief of state: President Chan Santokhi (since 16 July 2020); Vice President Ronnie Brunswijk (since 16 July 2020); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Chan Santokhi (since 16 July 2020); Vice President Ronnie Brunswijk (since 16 July 2020); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president elections: president and vice president elected by the National Assembly or, if no presidential or vice presidential candidate receives a two-thirds constitutional majority in the National Assembly after two votes, by a simple majority in the larger United People's Assembly (893 representatives from the national, local, and regional councils), for five-year terms; election last held on 25 May 2020 (next to be held in 2025) election results: Chan Santokhi elected president unopposed by the National Assembly on 13 July 2020; Santokhi's Progressive Reform Party had won a majority in the May 2020 parliamentary elections, allowing the National Assembly to elect him directly without requiring a vote in the United People's Assembly
- Legislative Branch
- unicameral National Assembly or Nationale Assemblee (51 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 25 May 2020 (next to be held in 2025) election results: percent of vote by party - VHP 27.45%, NDP 22.35%, ABOP 17.65%, NPS 12.55%, PL 9.80%, other 10.20%; seats by party - VHP 20, NDP 16, ABOP 9, NPS 3, PL 2, other 1
- Judicial Branch
- Cantonal Courts and a Court of Justice as an appellate court (justices are nominated for life)
- Suffrage
- 18 years of age; universal
- Constitution
- ratified 30 September 1987
- Independence
- 25 November 1975 (from Netherlands)
- National Holiday
- Independence Day, 25 November (1975)
Capital City
- Capital Name
- Paramaribo
- Capital - geographic coordinate
- 5 50 N, 55 10 W
- Capital Time Difference
- UTC-3 (2 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
the name may be the corruption of a Carib (Kalina) village or tribe named Parmirbo
Military
Branches: Suriname Armed Forces: Ground Forces, Naval Forces, Air Forces
Embassy / Diplomatic Mission
U.S. Embassy Paramaribo
Drs. Sophie Redmondstraat 129, Paramaribo, Suriname
Telephone: (597)-472900
Emergency after-hours telephone: (597)-0710-1112
Facsimile: (597)-425788
Read the full government profile — flag symbolism, national anthem, and other national symbols.
View full government detailsEconomy
Economy
Suriname's economy has historically been dominated by the mining sector, with bauxite, gold, and oil traditionally accounting for the bulk of export earnings and a significant share of GDP. However, the closure of the Suralco alumina refinery in 2017 ended nearly a century of bauxite production in the country, and gold and crude oil now serve as the main export commodities. Gold mining, led by operations from Newmont and Zijin Mining (formerly IAMGOLD's Rosebel), contributes the largest share of foreign exchange earnings, while state oil company Staatsolie continues to play a central role in the economy.
The country has faced severe macroeconomic challenges in recent years, including high public debt, currency depreciation, and double-digit inflation. In 2021, Suriname defaulted on its sovereign debt and entered into a debt restructuring process, securing an Extended Fund Facility arrangement with the International Monetary Fund to support fiscal consolidation, monetary tightening, and structural reforms. The government of President Chan Santokhi has implemented austerity measures, reduced fuel and electricity subsidies, and moved toward a market-determined exchange rate.
Medium-term prospects have been transformed by major offshore oil discoveries in Block 58, where TotalEnergies and APA Corporation reached a final investment decision in 2024 on the GranMorgu project, with first oil expected around 2028. These developments are projected to deliver substantial revenues and reshape the economy, though success will depend on prudent fiscal management, transparent governance of resource wealth, and continued progress on reducing inflation and stabilizing the Surinamese dollar.
Snapshot
- Currency Name and Code
- Suriname Guilder (SRG)
- GDP — official exchange rate
- $1,130,000,000 (USD)
- GDP Real Growth Rate
- 2%
Banknotes
Budget & Public Finance
- Fiscal Year
- calendar year
- Annual Budget
- $425,900,000 (USD)
- External Debt
- $504,300,000 (USD)
- Economic Aid
- $37,000,000 (USD)
Labor, Industry & Trade
- Industries
- bauxite and gold mining, alumina production, oil, lumbering, food processing, fishing
- Agriculture Products
- paddy rice, bananas, palm kernels, coconuts, plantains, peanuts; beef, chickens; forest products; shrimp
- Export Commodities
- alumina, crude oil, lumber, shrimp and fish, rice, bananas
- Export Partners
- US 25.7%, Norway 20.4%, France 8.3%, Trinidad and Tobago 6.5%, Canada 6.1%, Iceland 6.1%, Netherlands 5.7%
- Import Commodities
- capital equipment, petroleum, foodstuffs, cotton, consumer goods
- Import Partners
- US 22.7%, Netherlands 16.1%, China 12.3%, Trinidad and Tobago 11.4%, France 7.6%, Japan 6%, Netherlands Antilles 4.5%
Energy
- Oil Production
- 12,000 bbl/day
- Oil Consumption
- 14,000 bbl/day
- Oil Reserves
- 150,000,000 bbl/day
- Natural Gas Production
- 0 cu m
- Natural Gas Consumption
- 0 cu m
- Natural Gas Imports
- 0 cu m
- Natural Gas Exports
- 0 cu m
- Natural Gas Reserves
- 0 cu m
Communications
- Telephone System
- general assessment: international facilities are good domestic: combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity 185 telephones per 100 persons; microwave radio relay network international: country code - 597; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
- Internet Country Code
- .sr
News & Weather
News & Weather
Current Weather
Latest News
News - South Dakota National Guard concludes historic “Operation Rumble in the Jungle” in Suriname - DVIDS
DVIDS · 18d ago
From Suriname to Space: Rohit Goeptar Shares His Journey to NASA - NASA (.gov)
NASA (.gov) · 35d ago
STS Joint Venture and TotalEnergies partner with Beyond the Sea to Evaluate Wind-Assisted Towing for Suriname’s GranMorgu FPSO - SBM Offshore
SBM Offshore · 8d ago
Suriname will not be saved by soybeans (commentary) - news - Mongabay
news - Mongabay · 34d ago
Suriname’s Window of Opportunity: Turning Resource Wealth into Inclusive Growth - Inter-American Development Bank
Inter-American Development Bank · 35d ago
Launch Strategic Road Safety Plan for Suriname 2026 - 2030 - Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)
Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) · 10d ago
TotalEnergies to begin new drilling in Suriname next year, executive says - Reuters
Reuters · 29d ago
Halliburton Wins Contract for TotalEnergies' Offshore Suriname Project - Yahoo Finance
Yahoo Finance · 9d ago
News via Google News
Climate Overview
Suriname's climate is tropical, hot and humid year-round. Daytime temperatures in Paramaribo average 75°F to 90°F. Temperatures in the interior, not moderated by the steady coastal breezes, are generally higher.
Seasons are distinguished mainly by more or less rain, with annual rainfall averaging 87 inches. Indeed, locals will tell you that the four seasons of Suriname are: 1) Little Rainy Season (December to February); 2) Little Dry Season (March to April); 3) Big Rainy Season (May to August); and Big Dry Season (September to November). The hottest months of the year are September and October when temperatures average 90 �F (32 �C). Suriname lies outside hurricane and earthquake zones. Parts of Paramaribo experience heavy flooding. Isolated flooding occurs on some city streets and in low-lying areas of Paramaribo for up to 24 hours at a time.
Videos
Videos
2 curated YouTube videos.
Source: YouTube
Source: YouTube
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Suriname?
How do people greet each other in Suriname?
What is the food like and how do people eat in Suriname?
What social etiquette should I know for visiting people in Suriname?
What should I wear in Suriname?
Which gestures should I avoid in Suriname?
What are family and child-rearing customs like in Suriname?
What do people do for fun in Suriname?
What is the capital of Suriname?
Where is Suriname located?
What countries border Suriname?
What are the major religions practiced in Suriname?
What is the currency of Suriname?
What languages are spoken in Suriname?
What is the geography of Suriname like?
What is Suriname known for?
Last reviewed 2026