Suriname

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==Immigration & Customs==
==Immigration & Customs==
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Surinamese authorities are friendly and quite relaxed so they don't expect you to rush off to see them immediately upon arrival. Arrange your paperwork the following day, or on Monday morning in case of a weekend arrival. Upon arrival, register with M.A.S. (Maritime Authority Suriname), VHF12.  
+
Surinamese authorities are friendly and quite relaxed so they don't expect you to rush off to see them immediately upon arrival. Arrange your paperwork the following day. Upon arrival, register with M.A.S. (Maritime Authority Suriname) on VHF12.  
-
In case you are a Caricom citizen, you don't need a visa and are allowed to stay for 6 months. If you are a Dutch citizen you need a Toeristenkaart/tourist card (€20 or US$ 25). In all other cases you'll need a visa (€40 or US$45).  
+
In case you are a Caricom citizen, you don't need a visa and are allowed to stay for 6 months. Dutch citizens need a Toeristenkaart/tourist card (€20 or US$ 25). In all other cases you'll need a visa (€40 or US$45).  
-
Obtain your Tourist card or visa at the Consular Division of the Ministry of External Affairs, Lim A Po straat 25 (at the corner of Watermolenstraat). Bring € 20 or USD 25 and 2 passport photo's, a crewlist and copies of your passport (personal page and last exit stamp). The office is open from 7.30AM to 2PM. If you get there early you can collect your tourist card or visa the same day. Next stop is Immigrations ("Vreemdelingenpolitie"), Jaggernath Lachmonstraat 167 for your entry stamp (local bus #8 in Steenbakkerijstraat). Bring 3 copies of your crewlist and your ship's papers and last clearance. Be sure you are in time as the office closes at 2PM. You are allowed to stay for 3 months, but you have to visit them every month to refresh your entry-stamp.  
+
Obtain your Tourist card or visa at the Consular Division of the Ministry of External Affairs, Lim A Po straat 25 (at the corner of Watermolenstraat). Bring € 20 or USD 25 and 2 passport photo's, a crewlist and copies of your passport (personal page and last exit stamp). The office is open from 7.30AM to 2PM. If you get there early you can collect your tourist card or visa the same day.  
-
 
+
Next stop is Immigrations ("Vreemdelingenpolitie"), Jaggernath Lachmonstraat 167 for your entry stamp (local bus #8 in Steenbakkerijstraat). Bring 3 copies of your crewlist and ship's papers plus last clearance. The office is open to public from 07.30 AM to 2PM, but if you want to avoid crowds of Chinese and Brazilians, it is sensible to clear with Immigration outside office hours. Crew of yachts are welcome 7 days a week (including weekends and public holidays) until 9PM; no fees are charged so also no overtime fees! You are allowed to stay for 3 months, but you have to visit Immigration every month to refresh your entry-stamp (office hours only).  
Yachts normally don't clear with Customs.
Yachts normally don't clear with Customs.

Revision as of 18:43, 14 February 2014

Suriname Cruising Guide

An online cruising guide for yachts sailing to Suriname.

Suriname
Suriname map.png
Suriname
Suriname flag.png
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
Small info.png Latest News
Content - news items, etc.
Colonial style houses
Click for larger views
Carib-indian pirogue skipper
Chief plays bone flute and turtle
School in the interior (deep south)
Marron home
Women wearing traditional dresses (Keti Koti)
Jungle creek

Cruising the region

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 Guiana 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, show courtesy 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

Suriname is situated well below the hurricane belt. The climate is tropical, but moderated by tradewinds. At 06 N you would expect a hot and humid climate, but the easterlies 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

Sources of weather forecast info

Charts

BA
517 Trinidad to Cayenne
99 Entrances to Rivers in Guyana and Suriname
NK
2017 Suriname: Cayenne tot Demerara
2014 Suriname: Corantijn tot Surinamerivier

Special Navigation Notes

Start your approach into the Suriname River at the outer marker at LW. The trip to Domburg is, calculated from the outer marker, approximately 35 miles. You can do this on 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 sound 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.
  • Suriname is a good place to stay over during the hurricane season and sailing there from the Caribbean is do-able. You have a current of 1 or 2 knots against you, and your apparent wind angle will generally be 50°. Most people reach Suriname (from Trinidad/Tobago) in 5 or 6 days.

Arrival/Departure procedures

Whenever you move your boat, inform M.A.S. on VHF12.

Immigration & Customs

Surinamese authorities are friendly and quite relaxed so they don't expect you to rush off to see them immediately upon arrival. Arrange your paperwork the following day. Upon arrival, register with M.A.S. (Maritime Authority Suriname) on VHF12. In case you are a Caricom citizen, you don't need a visa and are allowed to stay for 6 months. Dutch citizens need a Toeristenkaart/tourist card (€20 or US$ 25). In all other cases you'll need a visa (€40 or US$45). Obtain your Tourist card or visa at the Consular Division of the Ministry of External Affairs, Lim A Po straat 25 (at the corner of Watermolenstraat). Bring € 20 or USD 25 and 2 passport photo's, a crewlist and copies of your passport (personal page and last exit stamp). The office is open from 7.30AM to 2PM. If you get there early you can collect your tourist card or visa the same day. Next stop is Immigrations ("Vreemdelingenpolitie"), Jaggernath Lachmonstraat 167 for your entry stamp (local bus #8 in Steenbakkerijstraat). Bring 3 copies of your crewlist and ship's papers plus last clearance. The office is open to public from 07.30 AM to 2PM, but if you want to avoid crowds of Chinese and Brazilians, it is sensible to clear with Immigration outside office hours. Crew of yachts are welcome 7 days a week (including weekends and public holidays) until 9PM; no fees are charged so also no overtime fees! You are allowed to stay for 3 months, but you have to visit Immigration every month to refresh your entry-stamp (office hours only). Yachts normally don't clear with Customs.

Health & Security

Healthcare is fully available in Suriname, and good. There are at least three excellent hospitals in Paramaribo and in many villages are medical clinics. Medical specialists from The Netherlands, Cuba, Colombia and the U.S. 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 for the deep south it is sometimes advised to take precautions. Malaria prophylaxis is available if needed. Especially during the rainy season, there are cases of dengue. There is no vaccination nor treatment. Take precautions and use repellent (readily available). Vaccinations (not obligatory): hepatitis-A, typhus, yellow fever.

Suriname is very safe, probably the safest country in South-America. But the golden rule remains: don't invite criminality. Be sensible 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 (to port) where you can anchor to wait for the tide or just for fun. Nice place to explore and watch the fishermen sundry their shrimp and small fish

Marinas and Yacht Facilities

  • Most yachts anchor at Domburg or in front of the hotel "Torarica". The latter may may charge 25 US$ but in that case you are welcome to use facilities including swimming pool; and sometimes there is no charge. A matter of being lucky
  • At Domburg the Harbour Resort Domburg (aka "Huib's Harbour House") is under construction (2013-14). Huib is a Dutch business man who takes pleasure into communicating with yachties and helping them a bit. He offers a safe opportunity to leave a yacht on one of his 10 moorings (anchored with 2500 kg concrete blocks), including services such as fresh water and cooking gas. Rates for the period the facilities on land are under construction: first week € 5 per day, thereafter € 4. Once the clubhouse, toilets and showers are finished and the dinghy pontoon and laundromats are in place, rates per day will be as follows: first week € 8.50, second week € 7.50, thereafter € 6.50. Contact Huib on +597 8726198 or +597 7104642. Email
  • Small marina (2010) at "Waterland", from Paramaribo approximately 10 miles upriver. Depth 4 meters. This marina takes 12 yachts. Water and electricity available. Security 24/7. Wifi, restaurant, bar, laundromat, private beach, bike rental, bus & taxi's into Paramaribo. Rates: € 1.50 per meter, discount > 1 month. Website
  • At Ornamibo, the Sailing Club Suriname is starting a basic marina with 10 berths for yachts and daysailers on a jetty and on the hard (2014). For the moment this unfortunately means hardly any facilities for visiting yachts, but the SCS is ready to serve with information and help. Contact: Petra Versol (SCS secretary), Email, Website

In case of emergency, there is a travellift at Cevihas (up to 20 tons). From Paramaribo: past the bridge approximately 1 nm upriver on the starboard side. Arrange with the yard manager before you go there with your boat!!! (Difficult to tie up there.)

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)

Nature

There is a lot to explore in Suriname. Nature is abundant as at least 80% of the country is covered with tropical rainforest. The flora is inmensurable diverse with 9100 species in the three Guyana's. Suriname's wildlife is also interesting, but the number of animals is not so great - the Surinamese are born hunters! Best chances for sightings in the West part, where population is lowest. Jaguars, puma's, ocelots, monkeys, sloths, nosebears, giant ant-eaters, birds (harpy eagles!), reptiles such as caiman and boa constrictor, and much more. A type of hunting is fishing, very popular with the Surinamese. Anjoemara is sought-after, and so is piranha. But be careful, they will try to eat you rather than be eaten.

If you have time, don't miss the opportunity and take a tour inland. Paramaribo is crowded with touroperators and the destinations vary from primitive eco-resorts to quite luxurious places.

Cruiser's Friends

  • sy Witte Raaf, Petra & Jan Willem Versol, Email

References & Publications

Touristical guides, in Dutch:

  • Buitenkansjes (Parbode magazine)
  • Suriname (ANWB-Extra)

Links to Forum discussions

List links to discussion threads on partnering forums. (see link for requirements)

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). Currently (2013) we keep our boat on the hard in Trinidad during the hurricane season to sail in the Caribbean from December until May, but in November we'll sail her back to Suriname.

Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)

Date of member's visit to this Port/Stop & this page's details validated:


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SailorSmiley.gifContributors to this page

Names: Witteraaf


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