The short answer. In Paramaribo, use taxis and taxi apps; minibuses are cheap but run without timetables. For the districts you can rent a car (driving on the left) or take a bus, and the interior is reached by boat or small plane, usually as part of a package.
Arrival
From the Airport
Johan Adolf Pengel airport is 45 km south of Paramaribo, a 45 to 60 minute drive. Airport taxis do not use meters, so agree the fare before you get in, or arrange a pickup through your hotel. A public bus runs from the main road near the terminal to the city centre; it is cheap but not practical with heavy luggage. Live arrivals and a pickup planner are on our flights page.
In Town
Taxis and Taxi Apps
Taxis have no meters, so always agree the price first, or ask your hotel to call a driver it trusts. Uber and Bolt do not operate in Suriname, but local apps do: Tourtonne Taxi 1690 shows the price before you confirm. Links to the app are in The Basics.
Public Transport
Buses and Minibuses
Buses are privately run minibuses with a line code on the front, such as PL for Lelydorp. City lines charge a fixed fare of SRD 14.50 (October 2026), paid to the driver in cash. There is no timetable: buses leave the terminal when they are full and stop on request.
The main city terminals are in the centre, around the Heiligenweg and the Waterkant. Long-distance buses run to Nickerie, Albina and Moengo, and converted trucks and buses leave in the morning for Brownsweg and Atjoni. Ask locally for the departure point, as it can change.
Driving
Renting a Car
- Rental companies usually require drivers aged 21 or over (some 25), a credit card for the deposit and, for longer stays, an International Driving Permit.
- Suriname drives on the left. Roads outside the city are unlit, so drive long routes in daylight.
- Fuel prices are capped by the government: in October 2026 petrol cost about SRD 48 and diesel about SRD 53 per litre.
- A 4x4 helps on unpaved roads such as the climb to Brownsberg, especially in the rainy season.
Road rules, speed limits and what to do after an accident are on our driving page.
On the Water
Boats and Ferries
Commewijne, across the Suriname River, is reached by road over the Jules Wijdenbosch bridge. Small boat taxis also cross from the waterfront in Paramaribo to Meerzorg, and from Leonsberg boats run on demand to Nieuw Amsterdam and the turtle beach at Braamspunt.
In the interior, rivers are the roads. Atjoni is the end of the road on the Suriname River; from there motorised dugout canoes (korjalen) take you to the villages and lodges upriver.
In the Air
Flights to the Interior
Small planes fly from Zorg en Hoop airport in Paramaribo to airstrips across the interior, such as Kabalebo, Palumeu, Kwamalasamutu, Raleighvallen and Tafelberg. Gum Air and Blue Wing Airlines run scheduled and charter flights; lodges usually book them for you as part of a package. Since June 2025 all airlines from Suriname are on the EU Air Safety List, which bans them from flying in EU airspace.
On Foot
Walking and Cycling
The historic centre of Paramaribo is compact and easy to explore on foot, ideally in the morning before the heat. Some hotels rent bicycles, and guided bike tours run in the city and in Commewijne. Traffic is busy and pavements are uneven, so take care, especially after dark.
Distances
How Far Is It?
| From Paramaribo to | Distance | By road |
|---|---|---|
| Johan Adolf Pengel airport (Zanderij) | 45 km | 45 to 60 minutes |
| Moengo | about 100 km | about 1 hour 40 minutes |
| Albina (border with French Guiana) | about 140 km | about 2.5 hours |
| Brownsberg Nature Park | about 130 km | about 2 to 2.5 hours |
| Atjoni (Upper Suriname River) | about 190 km | about 3 to 3.5 hours |
| Nieuw Nickerie | about 240 km | about 3.5 to 4 hours |
Times are typical for a car in daylight; buses take longer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there Uber in Suriname?
No. Uber and Bolt do not operate in Suriname. Use a taxi app such as Tourtonne Taxi 1690 in Paramaribo, a taxi your hotel calls, or agree the fare with a driver before you get in.
How much is a bus in Paramaribo?
City buses charge a fixed fare of SRD 14.50 (October 2026). There is no timetable: buses leave when they are full.
Can I drive in Suriname with my own licence?
For a short visit, yes: a Dutch licence is valid for 14 days. For longer stays you need an International Driving Permit as well. Suriname drives on the left.
How do I get to the interior?
By road to the end of the asphalt and then by boat, or by small plane from Zorg en Hoop airport in Paramaribo. Most visitors book a package with a lodge or tour operator that includes all transport.
Sources: Rio Times (bus fares and fuel, October 2026), ANWB, NederlandWereldwijd, Gum Air, EU Air Safety List and local operators. Checked 26 October 2026. Fares and fuel prices change; ask locally.