Suriname
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'''Suriname''', formerly the colony of Netherlands Guyana or Dutch Guyana, is a country in Northern [[South America]]. It has a [[North Atlantic|North Atlantic Ocean]] coastline in the north and is surrounded by [[French Guyana]] to the east, [[Brazil]] to the south and [[Guyana]] to the west. It is the smallest independent country on South American continent. The relatively small population lives mostly along the coast. Suriname has appr. 500.000 inhabitants of whom 10% are Carib-indians (the indigenous), 20% Javanese, 30% Creole, 50% Indians and the rest are Chinese, Libanese, Ghanese, Haitians, Guyanese... and some Dutch. | '''Suriname''', formerly the colony of Netherlands Guyana or Dutch Guyana, is a country in Northern [[South America]]. It has a [[North Atlantic|North Atlantic Ocean]] coastline in the north and is surrounded by [[French Guyana]] to the east, [[Brazil]] to the south and [[Guyana]] to the west. It is the smallest independent country on South American continent. The relatively small population lives mostly along the coast. Suriname has appr. 500.000 inhabitants of whom 10% are Carib-indians (the indigenous), 20% Javanese, 30% Creole, 50% Indians and the rest are Chinese, Libanese, Ghanese, Haitians, Guyanese... and some Dutch. | ||
| - | All these ethnic groups live peacefully together | + | All these ethnic groups live peacefully together and the impressive mosque in Paramaribo is located next to the synagogue. Every ethnic group has its own religious festive days, but they are shared by everyone. It is a matter of understanding and respect. |
| - | Respect is | + | Respect is important in Surinam. People are educated to be very polite, among each other and perhaps even more to guests. So act like a good guest, be polite too and dress accordingly. Don't wear swimwear (bikinitops etc.) into town and dress up when you go somewhere. Remember that many people are religious so don't use bold language. The Surinamese will appreciate you showing respect. |
===Climate & Weather=== | ===Climate & Weather=== | ||
Revision as of 18:49, 9 July 2010
Suriname Cruising Guide
An online cruising guide for yachts sailing to Suriname.
| Suriname | |
 Suriname | |
 Flag | |
| Capital: | Paramaribo |
|---|---|
| Language: | Dutch, Sranan Tongo, Hindi, English, Sarnami, Javanese, Marathi, Bhojpuri, Hakka, Cantonese, Boni, Saramaccan, and others |
| Currency: | Surinamese dollar |
| More notes about the country | |
Background & People
Suriname, formerly the colony of Netherlands Guyana or Dutch Guyana, is a country in Northern South America. It has a North Atlantic Ocean coastline in the north and is surrounded by French Guyana to the east, Brazil to the south and Guyana to the west. It is the smallest independent country on South American continent. The relatively small population lives mostly along the coast. Suriname has appr. 500.000 inhabitants of whom 10% are Carib-indians (the indigenous), 20% Javanese, 30% Creole, 50% Indians and the rest are Chinese, Libanese, Ghanese, Haitians, Guyanese... and some Dutch.
All these ethnic groups live peacefully together and the impressive mosque in Paramaribo is located next to the synagogue. Every ethnic group has its own religious festive days, but they are shared by everyone. It is a matter of understanding and respect.
Respect is important in Surinam. People are educated to be very polite, among each other and perhaps even more to guests. So act like a good guest, be polite too and dress accordingly. Don't wear swimwear (bikinitops etc.) into town and dress up when you go somewhere. Remember that many people are religious so don't use bold language. The Surinamese will appreciate you showing respect.
Climate & Weather
Tropical, but moderated by trade winds. At 06 N you would expect a hot and humid climate, but the eastern tradewinds keep Suriname relatively cool. Temperatures on average: 31°C. Wind (on land, in general) E 5-10 kts
Suriname has two rainy seasons and two dry seasons, but in the dry seasons you can still expect some rain. Very welcome for most yachties!
- Short rainy season: December and January
- Short dry season: February until mid April
- Long rainy season: mid April until mid-July
- Long dry season: mid July until November
Charts
- BA 517 Trinidad to Cayenne
- NK 2017 Suriname: Cayenne tot Demerara
- NK 2014 Suriname: Corantijn tot Surinamerivier
- BA 99 Entrances to Rivers in Guyana and Suriname
Start your approach into the Surinam River at the outer marker at LW. The trip to Domburg is, calculated from the outer marker, approximately 35 miles. You can do this in one tide if you start at LW. At that time the water level seems quite low, even in the buoyed channel, but you will never see less than 1.5 m below the keel (assuming a draft of 2 m). The channel is well buoyed and buoys are regularly moved if necessary. Even at night the approach is a piece of cake because they are all lit and... the lights are working! Keep red to starboard (IALA-B).
- Notify M.A.S. (Maritime Authority Suriname) on VHF12.
Arrival/Departure procedures
Whenever you move your boat, call M.A.S. on VHF12.
Immigration
Obtain your visa at the Ministry of External Affairs, Consular Division, Henck Arronstraat opposite of "De Surinaamse Bank". Bring tree copies of each: passport, passport photo's, crewlist (made by yourself), last departure form. Arrive before 10 am, complete the form and if you are lucky you can collect your visa the same day after lunch. Then you go on to "Vreemdelingenpolitie" (Immigrations), Jaggernath Lachmonstraat 167 for an entry stamp (bus #8 in Steenbakkerijstraat). It is here were they need your crewlist. Very friendly people. Be sure you are in time as the office closes early in the afternoon (2 PM).
Customs
Yachts normally don't check in or clear with Customs.
Health
Healthcare is fully available in Suriname, and good. There are at least three good hospitals in Paramaribo and in many villages are medical clinics. Medical specialists from The Netherlands visit regularly to educate and assist in medical treatments in the various hospitals. Many well-stocked pharmacies.
There is no malaria in the coastal region. Only in the deep south it is sometimes advised to take precautions. Malaria pills are available if needed.
Vaccinations: hepatitis-A, typhus, yellow fever.
Security
Suriname is very safe, probably the safest country in South-America. But the golden rule remains: don't invite criminality. Act responsible and don't overdo things, like wearing conspicuous golden necklaces or your Breitling with Epirb. As everywhere, lock your dinghy and outboard.
Ports & Popular Stops
- Domburg - click to go to page
- Paramaribo (Port of entry) - click to go to page
- Braamspunt A beach at the entrance of the Surinam river where you can anchor to wait for the tide or just for fun. Nice place to explore and watch the fishermen drying their shrimp and small fish.
Marinas and Yacht Facilities
There are currently (2010) no marinas in Suriname, although there are some plans.
In case of emergency, there is a small travellift at Cevihas. Past the bridge approximately 1 nm upriver. Arrange with the yard manager before you go there with your boat!!!
Public Holidays & Events
The Surinamese love to party. Every ethnic group has its own festive days, shared by all the other ethnic groups so don't be surprised to see for example a Javanese lady all dressed up in a traditional Creole dress.
- Keti Koti (Emancipation Day), 1 July
- Independence Day, 25 November (1975)
Cruiser's Friends
- sy Witte Raaf, Petra & Jan Willem Versol, Email
References & Publications
Touristical guides, in Dutch:
- 50 Buitenkansjes (Parbode magazine)
- Suriname (ANWB-Extra)
Links to Forum discussions
Links to forum discussions
External Links
Personal Notes
- Petra & Jan Willem Versol (sy Witte Raaf): We arrived in Suriname in February 2006 and liked the country and especially its people so much that we bought ourselves a home here. We sailed twice to the Caribbean and back to Suriname (5 or 6 days against wind and current) and recently keep our boat on the hard in Trinidad during the hurricane season and sail in the Caribbean from December until May.
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