The official language is Dutch. English is widely spoken. The Sranan Tongo Creole dialect is used as the colloquial language. Much of the population speaks Hindi and Javanese.
Public Holidays
01/01/2022 New Year
03/18/2022 Phagwah (Holi)
04/15/2022 Good Friday
04/18/2022 easter monday
05/01/2022 Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan)
05/01/2022 Labor Day
07/01/2022 International Day for the Abolition of Slavery
(a) Chinese, Jewish and Hindu businesses are also closed on their own public holidays.
(b) The dates given for Islamic holidays are calculated according to the lunar calendar and therefore shift from year to year.
During the fasting month of Ramadan, which precedes Eid al-Fitr, Muslims are forbidden to eat, drink or smoke from sunrise to sunset, which causes disruptions or deviations in the normal course of business (including reduced opening hours of shops and authorities) and therefore there may be restrictions for travelers.
Many restaurants outside the hotels are closed during the day, and the consumption of alcohol and cigarettes is restricted or e.g. T. even strictly forbidden, even for non-Muslim vacationers. In hotel complexes it must be taken into account that meals and drinks during Ramadan may only be taken in the hotel restaurant or in the room.
Travelers should expect increased sensitivity in religious matters as well as in respect of Islamic traditions.
Some interruptions may also occur during Eid al-Fitr. This festival, like Eid al-Adha, is indefinite and can last from 2-10 days depending on the region.
(c) Hindu holidays are based on local astrological observations and can therefore only be given as approximate dates.
Duty free shopping
Overview
The following items can be brought into Suriname duty-free: 400 cigarettes or 100 cigars or 200 cigarillos or 500 g of tobacco; 2 liters of spirits; 4 liters of wine; 50 grams of perfume; 1 liter of toilet water; other goods and gifts up to a value of S$40.
Prohibited Imports
The import of vegetables, meat and meat products, coffee, plants, tubers, onions, roots, fish, rice, cocoa, pineapples, bananas, citrus fruits and coconuts is prohibited. More information is available from Countryaah.com.
Contact addresses
Embassy of the Republic of Suriname
(Also responsible for Germany, Austria and Switzerland.)
Alexander Gogelweg 2
Den Haag
Netherlands
+31 (0)70 365 08 44.
http://www.gov.sr
http://www.gov.sr Consulate General of the Republic of Suriname
(with visa)
(Also responsible for Germany, Austria and Switzerland.)
Suit or costume is expected. Business hours: Mon-Fri 07.00-15.00 and Sat 07.00-14.30.
Business contacts
Latin American Chamber of Commerce in Switzerlandc/o DPS Communications, Gessnerallee 28, CH-8001 Zurich Tel: (044) 699 54 47.Internet: www.latcam.chSuriname Chamber of Commerce and Industry, PO Box 149, Dr JC de Mirandastraat 10, ParamariboTel: 47 45 36.
Communication
Phone
Autodial Long Distance Service.
Mobile phone
GSM 900/1800 mobile network operated by NV ICMS (Internet: www.icms.parbo.net) and Telesur.GSM. Reception/transmission range is limited to Paramaribo and the surrounding area. Roaming contracts exist with a mobile phone company in Switzerland, among others.
Internet
Main providers: SRNet (Internet: www.sr.net) and NV ICMS (Internet: www.icms.parbo.net).
Post office
According to Abbreviationfinder.org, airmail to Europe takes up to a month, to the Netherlands about a week.
Radio
Since the use of shortwave frequencies changes several times over the course of a year, it is advisable to contact Deutsche Welle customer service directly for the current frequencies (Tel: (+49) (0228) 429 32 08. Internet: www.dw-world.de) to request.
