Suriname: Travel Box

Suriname is a small country, situated on the north-east coast of South America. To the west is Guyana and to the east is French Guiana. A former Dutch colony, Suriname holds many remnants of those days. Until 1499 the sole inhabitants were Amerindians. During the 16th century French, English and Dutch settlers moved in. In 1664 a large group of mainly Portuguese Jews came from Brazil and started their sugarcane plantations at Jodensavanne.  In 1667 the Dutch swapped New Amsterdam, nowadays known as New York for the English territory in Suriname. In 1863 slavery was abolished, and indentured laborers were shipped in from India and Indonesia. A few other smaller groups came in from other countries, which explains the cultural diversity of this South American country. Religion (a mosque next to a synagogue), cuisine, clothing, traditions, architecture and music: the visitor will never witness a more varied display of ethnic influences.

Nature is as diverse as culture. Most of the country is covered with dense rainforest. One also sees white savanna, meandering rivers, wild rapids and an untouched ocean beach. Suriname is well known for its enormously varied bird population. Amongst other small mammals there are many monkeys. And three species of sea turtles lay their eggs on the coast of Suriname. A splendor of flowers, beautiful orchids and majestic trees will be a feast to your eyes.

GENERAL INFORMATION
Population: App. 440,000
Area: App. 163,000 sq. km (63,500-sq. mi)
Location: 2 – 6 degrees latitude north, 54 –58 degrees longitude west
Capital: Paramaribo (app. 250,000)
People: 35 % East Indian, 32 % Afro-Surinamese (Creoles), 15 % Indonesian (Javanese), 10 % Bush Negroes (Maroons, descendants of runaway slaves), Amerindians, Chinese, Dutch and others
Language: Dutch. Most people understand and speak English. A wide variety of other languages and dialects are spoken. Sranan Tongo is the unofficial main language
Religion: 27 % Hindu, 25 % Protestant, 23 % Roman Catholic, 20 % Muslim. The Suriname Jewish Community consists of app. 200 members
Currency: The Surinamese Guilder. Credit cards: only American Express is accepted in a few places. Cash US $ is better, or Travelers Checks. Please don’t exchange your money in the street!
Power supply: With a few exceptions almost everywhere 110 V/60 Hz
Government: Republic. Suriname became independent on November 25th, 1975
Climate: Tropical, very humid. Temperature 28 °C (80  °F). Short dry season: early February – late April; short rainy season: May – mid-August; long dry season: mid-August – early December; long rainy season December – January

HOW TO GET THERE
Direct flights by air, by KLM and Surinam Airways (SLM). Tel.: (800) 327-6864, based in Miami, Florida:
Amsterdam, The Netherlands / Miami, United States of America / Belem, Brazil / Aruba / Barbados / Cayenne, French Guiana / Georgetown, Guyana / Port of Spain, Trinidad / Curaçao

One could travel via Cayenne, French Guiana (e.g. from Paris, France), since this may be a lot cheaper.

Overland by bus (or car):
Via Guyana (entering Suriname at Nieuw-Nickerie) and French Guiana (entering Suriname at Albina).

Visa (which are required for almost all nationalities) can be applied for at the nearest Surinamese Embassy or Consulate. Apply for a two-month, multiple-entry-traveler visa.

Surinamese Consulate Miami – 7235 NW 19th St. Suite A, Miami, Florida, U.S.A. / Tel.: (305) 593-2166. Fax: (305) 599-1034. E-mail: surcgmia@bellsouth.net.

Surinamese Embassy Washington – Van Ness Center, Suite 108, 4301 Connecticut Ave, NW Washington, DC 20008 USA. Tel. (202) 244-7488.

Surinamese Consulate Amsterdam – Tel.: 00-31-(0) 20-6426137 or 00-31-(0) 20-6426717. Fax: 00-31-(0) 20- 6465311. E-mail: cons-gen-vd-rep-suriname@wxs.nl.

WHAT TO BRING

Clothes suited for warm and humid weather, cotton will do fine

Something with long sleeves and long pants that will cover as much skin as possible: if mosquitoes attack. Don’t forget the socks!

Mosquito repellent. Whatever you do: don’t scratch, an infection is easily caught

Raingear

Sunglasses, sun block, cap. Especially on the water the sunburn can be nasty

Shoes that can be washed: the mud leaves stains and will surely end up on your shoes if you’re planning on visiting the historical sites

If you wear lenses or glasses: take an extra pair along

Film material for your photo camera, handy-cam - they might not sell your brand or type of film

Binoculars

THE JEWISH HISTORICAL SITES
In Paramaribo:
For getting there: Contact the Suriname Jewish Community. See IMPORTANT ADDRESSES. Any cab driver can take you to these sites too.  A lot of maintenance work and research is currently being done on the cemeteries.

The Portuguese Israelitic synagogue Sedek Ve Shalom (1735)

Gravenstraat 10, Paramaribo
The interior has been loaned to the Jewish Museum in Israel, where it will be on exhibition sometime next year. The building shell can be viewed from the street.

The High German synagogue Neve Shalom

Keizerstraat 82, Paramaribo
Most of the time a caretaker is on the site.

The old Ashkenazi cemetery

Kwattaweg (opposite no. 87), Paramaribo

The new Ashkenazi cemetery (still in use)

Kwattaweg (opposite v. Idsingastraat), Paramaribo

The Sephardic cemetery (still in use)

Kwattaweg (corner Charlesburgsweg), Paramaribo

Elsewhere:
For getting there: Contact the Foundation Jodensavanne, the Suriname Tourism Foundation, Wild Coast Expeditions. See IMPORTANT ADDRESSES. You can reach Jodensavanne (and Cassipora), located along the east bank of the Suriname River. App. 60 km from Paramaribo either by car or by boat. Take food and drinks along, and whatever else you need. There are no shops in the area, except for a small bar / shop in the Amerindian village Redi Doti, app. 1 km from Jodensavanne.
 

Jodensavanne: ruins of a Portuguese Sephardic synagogue Beracha Ve Shalom (1685)

Jodensavanne: Portuguese cemetery, 452 stones (in use until 1871)

Jodensavanne: Freeholder’s cemetery, also known as Creole cemetery

Jodensavanne: several ruins of buildings such as a mortuary. Most of the fundaments (from for example a bakery and several houses) are still overgrown and need to be cleared since they are not accessible in this condition

Jodensavanne: a spring with healthy water (and another in an area that has to be cleared)

Cassipora: Portuguese cemetery, 215 stones

ACCOMMODATION
In Paramaribo:
See: Suriname Tourism Foundation. See IMPORTANT ADDRESSES.

Eco Resort, middle-class

De Luifel, middle-class, with special rates if you rent a car too

Guesthouse Amice, quiet suburb

Krasnapolsky, middle-class, central

Guesthouse Flair, reasonable rates

Guesthouse Fanna, low budget

Outside Paramaribo:
See: Suriname Tourism Foundation or Foundation Jodensavanne. See IMPORTANT ADDRESSES.

Guesthouse Suralco, Paranam

In hammocks in the Info Center, Jodensavanne

Simple lodgings in Amerindian village Redi Doti

Le Jardin, Acaribo

ADDITIONAL TIPS

When making photographs with people in it: ask their permission first. Many people don’t like their picture taken, because of beliefs.

When using special medication, bring an extra supply of medicines: they may not be available.

For trips to the Jewish sites no special medical precaution has to be taken. For trips to the more southern parts of Suriname malaria-tablets are available in Suriname at the BOG, the Bureau for Public Health, Rode Kruislaan 15, Paramaribo. Tel.: 00-597-499494. If you are sure you’ll be going to the interior, other than the coastal area where the Jewish sites are located, it is recommended to take a yellow fever-injection.

Tap water is safe to drink.  If the water comes from another source (e.g. rain water): cook in advance, or use bottled water.

Wash your hands a lot. Wash the fruit and vegetables before eating. Take care eating outside, especially on the street. Due to the high temperatures bacteria multiply very fast.

Try not to scratch. Rather use Alcolade, a refreshing mentholated lotion.

International insurance is accepted in the major hospitals of Suriname.

When feeling sick in the weeks after having returned home, please tell your physician you have been to a tropical country.

Reconfirm your flight within three working days of your arrival.

On leaving: be at the Johan Adolf Pengel Airport at least two hours before departure. Information about delays: 00-597-(0) 32-5306.

When traveling: keep eyes on your luggage. No need to get paranoid, but better feel safe than sorry.

IMPORTANT ADDRESSES, INTERNET SITES AND READING MATERIAL
Suriname Tourism Foundation

Dr. J. F. Nassylaan 2, Paramaribo, Suriname, South-America
Tel.: 00-597-410357. Fax: 00-597-477786. E-mail stsur@sr.net . Web site: http://parbo.com/tourism/

P.O. Box 656, Paramaribo, Suriname, South-America
Tel.: 00-597-410357, 00-597-424878. Fax: 00-597-477786. E-mail: ro_ver@sr.net.

(tour operator specialized in Jodensavanne, also working as an intermediary for other companies. Working together with Hotel Torarica / Eco Resort offering all-inclusive 10- or 14-days packages)
Prinsessestraat 37, Paramaribo, Suriname, South-America
Tel. : 00-597-424522. Fax: 00-597-424522. E-mail: wildexp@sr.net. Web site: http://www.sr.net/users/wildexp

Go-See-Do Suriname 1999/2000 Edition.

The Waterfront Press, Paramaribo, 1999. A small guide with listings of accommodations, restaurants, dancing’s, tour operators, art galleries, etc. in Suriname.

Brasa Publishers, Amsterdam, 1999.  The English version of a very popular travel guide. A lot of practical information.