Suriname
Travel Destination – Suriname
Suriname is a small country on South America’s northeastern coast, bordered by Guyana, Brazil and French Guiana. Its Dutch colonial history and diverse cultural heritage are reflected in its food, architecture, languages and traditions.
Paramaribo, the capital, is known for its UNESCO-listed historic centre, colourful wooden colonial buildings, lively markets and waterfront. Beyond the capital, Brownsberg Nature Park offers rainforest hiking and views over the Brokopondo Reservoir, while Galibi Nature Reserve is an important nesting site for sea turtles. Much of the country remains covered by Amazonian rainforest, with Maroon villages and remote jungle lodges offering access to its natural landscapes.
Healthcare is limited outside the capital. Comprehensive travel insurance with medical evacuation cover is important, particularly for travellers venturing to remote areas.
Health Risks
Pre-travel preparation
A travel medicine appointment before visiting Suriname is worthwhile for all Australian travellers, and booking this four to six weeks before departure allows time for any outstanding vaccinations to be completed and personalised advice to be given. A trip confined to Paramaribo involves different health considerations from an interior rainforest itinerary, and a travel doctor will tailor recommendations based on exactly where you are going and what you plan to do.
All prescription medications should be sourced from Australia before departure. Healthcare in Suriname is limited outside Paramaribo, and travel insurance that covers emergency medical evacuation is particularly important for travel beyond the capital.
Insect avoidance
Suriname was certified malaria-free by the WHO in June 2025, following the interruption of local malaria transmission. Antimalarial medication is therefore no longer routinely required for travel within Suriname, although imported malaria remains a potential concern. Other mosquito-borne diseases in Suriname include dengue, chikungunya and Zika, which are spread mainly by daytime-biting Aedes mosquitoes. Leishmaniasis, transmitted by sandflies, can occur in forested and rural areas.
Mosquito protection remains important throughout travel in Suriname. Apply insect repellent containing DEET or picaridin to exposed skin and reapply as directed, particularly after swimming or sweating. Wear long sleeves, long trousers and covered footwear when practical, especially in forested and rural areas. Choose accommodation with screened windows or air conditioning where possible, and consider a permethrin-treated bed net where reliable insect protection is not available. Treating outer clothing and gear with permethrin before travel can provide additional protection during extended stays in forested areas.
Food and water hygiene
Suriname’s cuisine reflects its Javanese, Hindustani, Creole, Chinese and Jewish influences, with dishes such as satay, roti and curry, pom and noodle soups. Eating local food safely relies on good food and water hygiene to prevent gastroenteritis and other gastrointestinal illnesses.
Tap water quality varies, so use bottled water from sealed containers for drinking and teeth brushing and avoid ice from uncertain sources. Reputable lodges in the interior generally provide purified water, but confirm this before drinking. Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water before eating and after using the toilet, or use alcohol-based hand sanitiser when soap and water are unavailable. Choose freshly cooked food served hot, and avoid raw or cold pre-prepared foods where hygiene or refrigeration is uncertain. Peel fruit yourself immediately before eating, and avoid cut or peeled fruit that has been sitting out or handled by others.
Rabies prevention
Rabies is present in Suriname and can be transmitted by infected dogs, bats and other mammals. Rabies is almost always fatal once symptoms develop, and access to post-exposure treatment can be limited outside Paramaribo. Avoid contact with unfamiliar animals, and never approach or handle bats, whether in Suriname’s forests or urban areas.
Pre-exposure rabies vaccination may be recommended for travellers spending extended periods in Suriname, travelling to remote areas, working with animals, or undertaking activities such as hiking, camping or caving that increase the chance of animal or bat exposure.
After any animal bite, scratch or contact between saliva and broken skin, immediately wash the area thoroughly with soap and running water and seek prompt medical assessment. This is necessary even if you have received rabies vaccination.
Our Travel Doctors
Our fully qualified doctors have an interest in travel medicine and immunisations. And they know travel. Their expert advice will be tailored for you, your travel companions and your trip.
Which shots do I need for Suriname?
Yellow Fever
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Yellow fever occurs in Suriname, with vaccination recommended for travellers aged nine months and over. A valid yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for travellers arriving from countries where yellow fever transmission occurs, including certain transit routes, and airlines may request proof of vaccination.
The vaccine is given as a single dose at a registered yellow fever vaccination centre and should be administered at least 10 days before arrival to meet international certificate requirements. One dose provides lifelong protection for most people. Speak with a doctor before vaccination to confirm that it is appropriate for you.
Hepatitis A
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Hepatitis A is a viral liver infection acquired through contaminated food or water, causing fatigue, nausea, and jaundice. Vaccination is recommended for all previously unvaccinated travellers to Suriname, as the risk of exposure applies across a range of eating settings both in Paramaribo and in the interior. Two doses provide lasting protection, and a pre-travel consultation is the appropriate time to confirm whether the course is complete.
Typhoid
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Typhoid fever is caused by Salmonella Typhi bacteria, usually spread through contaminated food or water. It causes sustained fever, headache and abdominal discomfort and can progress to serious complications without antibiotic treatment. Typhoid vaccination is recommended for most travellers to Suriname, particularly those eating outside well-managed hotels, spending time in smaller communities, visiting friends or relatives, or undertaking extended stays. Food and water hygiene remains important throughout the trip, even after vaccination.
Rabies
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Rabies is present in Suriname and can be transmitted by infected dogs, bats and other mammals. Rabies is almost always fatal once symptoms develop, and access to post-exposure treatment can be limited outside Paramaribo. Avoid contact with unfamiliar animals, and never approach or handle bats, whether in Suriname’s forests or urban areas.
Pre-exposure rabies vaccination may be recommended for travellers spending extended periods in Suriname, travelling to remote areas, working with animals, or undertaking activities such as hiking, camping or caving that increase the chance of animal or bat exposure.
After any animal bite, scratch or contact between saliva and broken skin, immediately wash the area thoroughly with soap and running water and seek prompt medical assessment. This is necessary even if you have received rabies vaccination.
Mpox
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Mpox is a viral infection that can occur in Suriname and is spread mainly through close physical contact. Contact with an infected person's rash, skin lesions, bodily fluids or contaminated materials can transmit the virus. Sexual contact is an important route of transmission, although mpox can also spread through other prolonged close contact.
Symptoms commonly include a rash or sores, fever, swollen lymph nodes, headache, muscle aches and fatigue. Most people recover within a few weeks, but more severe illness can occur, particularly in people with weakened immune systems.
Mpox vaccination is not routinely recommended for all travellers to Suriname. Travellers with increased exposure risk should discuss vaccination with a travel doctor before departure, particularly where travel may involve close physical or sexual contact with others.
Measles
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The measles virus causes a highly contagious infection that spreads through the air and can cause serious complications, including pneumonia and inflammation of the brain. Measles continues to circulate internationally, with cases and outbreaks occurring in many countries. All Australian travellers born in 1966 or later should have two documented doses of a measles-containing vaccine before travelling to Suriname.
Hepatitis B
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The hepatitis B virus causes an infection of the liver that spreads through infected blood and other bodily fluids. Transmission can occur through unprotected sexual contact, tattooing or piercing with contaminated instruments, and medical or dental procedures involving non-sterile equipment. Hepatitis B vaccination is recommended for many unvaccinated travellers to Suriname, particularly those whose planned activities, extended stay or potential need for medical care may increase their exposure risk. Many Australians received hepatitis B vaccination through childhood or adolescent programs, but some adults remain unvaccinated or have incomplete records. Check your Australian Immunisation Register before travelling.
Routine vaccinations
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Routine vaccinations provide protection against infections that can be encountered during international travel, including through airports, flights, crowded accommodation and contact with local communities. Before travelling to Suriname, ensure standard immunisations are up to date, including measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, and hepatitis B. Polio and chickenpox vaccination should also be confirmed where appropriate.
A tetanus booster is worthwhile if more than ten years have passed since the previous dose, particularly for travellers planning rainforest trekking, river travel, camping or interior lodge stays where cuts and other minor injuries may be more difficult to manage. Annual influenza vaccination is recommended for all travellers aged six months and over, as influenza can circulate year-round and exposure can occur during international travel.
COVID-19 vaccination should be kept current in line with Australian public health guidance, including recommended booster doses for people aged 65 and over or with relevant underlying health conditions.
Check your Australian Immunisation Register before departure and discuss any missing or overdue vaccinations with a travel doctor. Some vaccines require multiple doses or time to provide protection, so seek travel health advice several weeks before departure where possible.
Suriname
Other health risks in Suriname
Gastroenteritis
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Gastroenteritis is one of the most common health problems affecting travellers to Suriname. Bacteria, viruses and parasites can spread through contaminated food or water, causing diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal cramps, usually within one to three days of exposure. Most cases improve with adequate fluids and oral rehydration, but seek medical care for severe or persistent diarrhoea, bloody stools, fever, significant abdominal pain or dehydration.
Dengue and chikungunya
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Dengue and chikungunya are mosquito-borne viral infections present in Suriname and spread mainly by daytime-biting Aedes mosquitoes. Dengue commonly causes sudden fever, headache and muscle and joint pain, while chikungunya can cause severe joint pain that may persist for weeks or months. There is no specific antiviral treatment for either infection. Consistent insect-bite protection during the day is important.
Zika virus
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Zika virus occurs in Suriname and is transmitted mainly by daytime-biting Aedes mosquitoes. Infection is often mild or causes no symptoms, but Zika can cause serious complications during pregnancy, including congenital abnormalities. Zika can also be sexually transmitted, including by people who have had no symptoms. Pregnant travellers and those planning pregnancy should discuss travel to Suriname with a doctor before departure and follow current Australian guidance on preventing sexual transmission after travel.
Leishmaniasis
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Leishmaniasis is a parasitic infection transmitted by infected sandflies, which are found mainly in forested and rural areas of Suriname. Cutaneous leishmaniasis is the form most relevant to travellers and causes persistent skin ulcers or sores. There is no vaccine or preventive medication for travellers, so insect-bite protection is important, particularly in forest environments. Any persistent or slow-healing skin lesion developing during or after travel should be assessed by a doctor and accompanied by a travel history.
Schistosomiasis
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Schistosomiasis is a parasitic infection acquired when microscopic larvae in contaminated freshwater penetrate the skin. Freshwater rivers, streams and lakes in parts of Suriname can pose a risk, particularly during swimming, wading or bathing. Avoid swimming or bathing in potentially contaminated freshwater; seawater and properly chlorinated swimming pools are safer alternatives. Travellers with significant freshwater exposure should discuss post-travel testing with their doctor.
Chagas disease
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Chagas disease is a parasitic infection caused by Trypanosoma cruzi and transmitted mainly by infected triatomine bugs. Risk is primarily associated with rural and forested areas and prolonged exposure to basic accommodation where the insects may be present. Infection can cause an acute febrile illness and, years later, heart or digestive complications. Travellers should discuss testing with a doctor after significant exposure or if compatible symptoms develop following travel.
Tuberculosis
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Tuberculosis (TB) is a bacterial infection that usually affects the lungs and spreads through the air during prolonged or close contact with someone with active TB. Symptoms can include persistent cough, fever, night sweats, fatigue and unexplained weight loss. Most short-stay tourists have limited exposure risk, but travellers spending extended periods in Suriname, working in healthcare or community settings, or having sustained close contact with local populations should discuss TB screening before and after travel. A persistent cough after returning should be assessed by a GP with your travel history provided.
Non-infectious conditions
Crime and unrest
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Petty crime can occur in Suriname, including pickpocketing and theft. Keep valuables secure and out of sight, particularly around markets and transport hubs.
Take extra care after dark, particularly in less-frequented areas of Paramaribo, and avoid walking alone at night. Use registered taxis arranged through accommodation rather than informal vehicles. Demonstrations can become volatile without warning and should be avoided. Travellers should check up-to-date safety information and current advice.
Safety on the roads and elsewhere
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Road safety standards vary, with poor road conditions and aggressive driving making rural travel more hazardous. Avoid driving outside Paramaribo after dark and take care with minibuses, which are involved in a disproportionate number of accidents. Reputable taxis are preferable for travel within the capital.
Travel to remote rainforest areas may involve roads, river boats or small aircraft. Use licensed operators and experienced local guides, particularly for river travel where rapids and changing water levels can create hazards.
Deep vein thrombosis
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Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) can occur during long-haul travel from Australia to Suriname, particularly when flights involve prolonged periods of sitting. Staying still for many hours can slow blood flow in the deep veins of the legs and increase the risk of a blood clot.
Move around regularly during long journeys, perform seated exercises such as ankle rotations and calf raises, and maintain adequate fluid intake. Travellers with risk factors such as previous blood clots, recent surgery, pregnancy, hormonal contraceptive use or significant overweight should discuss their individual risk and whether compression stockings are appropriate with a travel doctor before travelling to Suriname.