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Suriname Packing List

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Everyone has their preferences when it comes time to pack for a trip. But a few tips, suggestions, and guidelines may help enlighten the burden of packing. And if you’re heading to Suriname and don’t know what to pack, we’ve got a Suriname packing list prepared just for you.

Before we dive into the list, it’s crucial to know Suriname’s weather, the type of activities you’ll be doing when you’re there, and the duration of your trip.

Contents

Climate in Suriname

Hot and humid are two words that will sum up the weather you’ll be encountering when in Suriname. So when you pack, you want to pack clothing and shoes that are suitable for the scorching temperatures.

Sitting at 276.46 miles north of the equator, Suriname has a sweltering and wet tropical climate. The country enjoys high temperatures throughout the year, and the seasons are divided into wet and dry seasons. The wet seasons are December and January and April to August. The dry seasons are from February to March and from August to November. The wet seasons are a little cooler than the dry seasons. And November is the hottest month with temperatures way over 90 degrees Fahrenheit (around 32 degrees Celsius).

Essential Items to Pack for Suriname

These are the most essential items everyone should pack to Suriname regardless of the length of stay and type of activities:

Here’s why we listed the above as the most essential items when traveling to Suriname:

1. According to TravMed.com, Paramaribo, a narrow strip along the Atlantic coast and areas above 1,300 meters are considered malaria risk-free areas. You’ll still need mosquito repellent to ward off mosquitoes. Meanwhile, the interior, coastal savanna, eastern border, and gold mining areas are high-risk malaria areas throughout the year. If you’re going to the interiors, check with your doctor about the risk before leaving for your trip.

2. Sunscreen is imperative to prevent sunburn, and a hat and sunglasses provide extra protection and reduces heat exhaustion. Scorching hot and humid conditions usually put an extra strain on our bodies.

3. Pickpocketing and robbery are increasingly common in Paramaribo, according to gov.uk. Keep your passport, credit cards, cash, and driving license (if you’re bringing one) secure. We keep these important items in a money belt (or a FlipBelt) fastened around the waist, totally concealed from sight.

4. You can’t drink water from the tap. If you’re traveling in a group, have everyone bring their own individual water bottles. Purchase large bottled water bottles when you’re in Suriname and and refill each individual water bottle. It’s more economical and helps reduce waste.

5. Suriname’s standard voltage is 127/220 V. You need a European travel adapter to charge your phone, external batteries, and camera batteries. Remember, adapters won’t change the voltage.

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Fort-Zeelandia-Paramaribo-Suriname

A Note About Safety in Suriname

Gov.uk sums it well about safety in Suriname. Here’s a direct quote from the United Kingdom public sector information website:

Avoid remote and secluded areas, quiet streets and quiet parks. Avoid the Palm Garden (Palmentium) area in Paramaribo at night. Apart from the entertainment center around the Torarica Hotel, you should avoid walking at night anywhere in the city. Travel in the interior of the country is generally trouble-free, although there have been reports of tourists being robbed. Use a well-established tour company if you intend to travel to these parts of Suriname.

Gov.uk

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Luggage and Bags to Bring to Suriname

We’ve traveled only with carry-on bags to Suriname. It’s convenient, especially if you’re going to do outdoor activities like visiting the interior of Suriname in the forest area. These are carry-on bags we recommend for your trip to Suriname.

Tom Bihn Aeronaut 30

1. Tom Bihn Aeronaut 30

This is a carry-on friendly backpack that isn’t just a backpack. You can also convert it into a duffel or messenger bag.

Read More: Tom Bihn Aeronaut 30 Backpack Review

2. Patagonia Black Hole Duffel Bag 40L

Another carry-on sized duffel and backpack convertible bag, this bag from Patagonia is also eco friendly. It’s part of Patagonia’s Black Hole collection that is made with 100% recycled body fabric, lining and webbing. They also offer the bag in 55, 70 and 100 liters if you need a larger pack.

Read More: Eco Friendly Luggage for the Sustainable Traveler 

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Clothes for Women 

This is a guideline for clothes to pack for women for a week long trip in Suriname.

  • 1 scarf
  • 2 cotton dresses (like the one above)
  • 1 swimwear
  • 1 shorts
  • 1 tights
  • 1 lightweight and breathable pants
  • 3 lightweight t-shirts
  • 1 tank top
  • 1 lightweight shirt (for layering with the tank top)
  • 1 lightweight coat
  • 1 poncho/raincoat
  • 1 sleepwear
  • 5 underwear (7 if you don’t plan to wash when you’re traveling)
  • 3 bras (include 1 sports bra)
  • 4 pairs of socks
  • 1 pair of sandals
  • 1 pair of flip flops if you’re going to the beach and or staying in a hostel (comes in handy at the bathroom and the shower)
  • 1 hiking/walking shoes

Note: This list includes the clothes and shoes you wear from home to Suriname.

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Clothes for Men

This is a guideline for clothes to pack for men for a week long trip in Suriname.

  • 2 shorts
  • 2 long pants
  • 1 swimwear
  • 2 shirt
  • 5 lightweight t-shirts
  • 5 underwear (7 if you don’t intend to wash when you’re traveling)
  • 1 lightweight coat
  • 1 poncho/raincoat
  • 4 pairs of socks
  • 1 sleepwear
  • 1 pair of sandals
  • 1 pair of flip flops if you’re going to the beach and or staying in a hostel (comes in handy at the common bathroom and shower)
  • 1 hiking/walking shoes

Note: This list includes the clothes and shoes you wear from home to Suriname.

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Toiletries to Pack for Suriname 

Put together your own travel health kit with the following items and pack it all in a quart sized plastic bag or a small medicine organizer.

  • Diarrhea medication like Imodium
  • Pain and fever reducer
  • Antihistamine
  • Antiseptic wound cleanser
  • Anti-itch cream
  • Bandages
  • Gum/Altoids
  • Prescription medication (if you need them)

Other toiletries:

  • Toothpaste
  • Toothbrush
  • Face soap
  • Moisturizer
  • Comb
  • Makeup – for eyes, lips, concealer, foundation, powder, brushes
  • Shaver
  • Face soap
  • Shaving cream
  • Hair gel

Check out our Toiletries Packing List for a full printable checklist of toiletries you’ll need for any trip.

Read More: Toiletries Packing List 

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Other Essentials for Suriname

  • A personal bag that can hold your water bottle, phone, snacks, external batteries and other personal items 
  • iPad or iPhone loaded with eBooks
  • Journal
  • Reusable shopping bag
  • Travel insurance
    • We recommend getting travel insurance. We get ours from World Nomads.
Suriname Packing List

More Suriname Resources