Country Name |
Republic of Suriname |
Continent |
South America |
Surface area |
163,270 km2 |
Capital |
Paramaribo |
Population |
439,117 |
Language |
Dutch, English |
Currency |
Suriname Dollar (SRD) |
Time zone |
-3hrs compared to Italy |
Area code for Italy |
001139 |
Area code from Italy |
00597 |
Yellow fever vaccination is mandatory for all travellers aged 1 year or over arriving from at-risk countries or people who have transited for more than 12 hours at airports in high-risk countries. Vaccination is recommended for all travellers over 9 months of age.
Hepatitis A is usually transmitted by contaminated food and water, or close physical contact with an infected person, whereas Hepatitis B is transmitted by exposure to infected body fluids and blood.
Infection typically occurs through contact with the saliva of an infected animal, usually caused by bites, scratches or licks near open wounds or mucous membranes (e.g. mouth, nose, eyes). The most common vectors are dogs and bats, but cases of infection in other domestic animals have also been reported.
Caused by toxins released by the bacterium Clostridium tetani, the risk of tetanus infection is present throughout the country.
Bacterial in origin, typhoid fever is transmitted through contaminated food and drink, especially in regions with inadequate sanitary conditions.
Tuberculosis is an airborne disease of bacterial origin. Vaccination is recommended for all travellers at risk of developing severe symptoms or coming into contact with infected individuals. It is also recommended for all travellers under the age of 16, who plan to stay in the country for more than 3 months.
Malaria is transmitted by the bites of infected mosquitos and is widespread throughout the country. As a vaccine is still not available, you must take careful precautions to avoid mosquito bites and in some cases it may be necessary to take antimalarial medication, after thorough evaluation by a qualified doctor.
These diseases are spread by the bites of infected mosquitos and there are no vaccines. Consequently, it is important to adopt careful behavioural and preventive measures.
Diseases such as Chikungunya, Leishmaniasis, American trypanosomiasis (Chagas Disease) and West Nile virus are present in South America. As these diseases are transmitted by insect bites and there are no vaccines, it is important to adopt careful behavioural and preventive measures.
The following vaccinations are strongly recommended as these diseases can be contracted anywhere in the world. Experts advise that you protect yourself and other travellers by making sure you are up-to-date with all of the recommended vaccinations. This will allow you to travel safely, while minimising the risk of exposure to infection.
Suriname is bordered by French Guiana to the east, Brazil to the south, and Guyana to the west. Its north coast overlooks the Atlantic Ocean.
The territory is divided into three areas that become increasingly elevated as you proceed south. A lowland coastal area that is marshy and crossed by a myriad of viable waterways and a central hilly area that rises inland meet the modest heights of the Wilhelmina Mountain range.
Suriname has a hot and humid equatorial with stable average temperatures throughout the year. The official rainy season runs from December to mid-August, but rainfall is so frequent that there is never really a dry season.