💰 Quick Context: The Surinamese Dollar
Suriname uses the Surinamese Dollar (SRD). The rate has been volatile in recent years, hovering around SRD 30-36 per $1 USD (check the current rate before your trip). A rough shortcut: divide SRD prices by 30 for an approximate USD value. A SRD 100 meal is about $3 USD. Euros are widely accepted thanks to Suriname's Dutch colonial history, and often get slightly better cambio rates than USD. This is a cash-first country where card acceptance is limited to Paramaribo's hotels and a few upscale businesses.
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Suriname was a Dutch colony until 1975, and that connection still shapes daily finance. Euros are widely accepted at hotels like the Torarica, Royal Torarica, and Courtyard by Marriott. Tour operators running trips to the Upper Suriname River, Brownsberg Nature Park, and Raleighvallen quote prices in either EUR or USD. Many Paramaribo shops, especially along Domineestraat and Waterkant, accept euros alongside SRD.
USD is also accepted at major tourist businesses, though euros typically get a marginally better exchange rate at cambios. Daily life in Paramaribo runs on SRD. Warungs (Javanese-Surinamese food stalls), the Centrale Markt, local taxis, and neighborhood shops deal exclusively in Surinamese dollars. Bring euros or USD for big-ticket items, and exchange some to SRD for everyday spending.
Cash vs. Card: What to Expect in Suriname
Suriname is heavily cash-dependent. In Paramaribo, the Torarica Hotel, Courtyard by Marriott, Zus & Zo restaurant, and a handful of upscale spots along Waterkant accept Visa and Mastercard. Fernandes supermarkets and some shops on Domineestraat have card machines. But the vast majority of businesses are cash-only: warungs, roti shops, the Centrale Markt, Arya Dewaker temple area food stalls, minibuses, and taxis.
Outside Paramaribo, expect 100% cash. Nieuw Nickerie (near the Guyana border) has a few bank branches but almost no card-accepting merchants. Albina (near the French Guiana border), Commewijne district plantation tours, and all interior destinations (Upper Suriname River, Maroon villages, Amerindian communities, Brownsberg, Raleighvallen) are entirely cash economies. Withdraw or exchange everything you need in Paramaribo.
How to Get Surinamese Dollars for Your Suriname Trip
Suriname is one of the most cash-driven countries in South America, and the Surinamese dollar (SRD) has experienced significant devaluation in recent years. Cards work at a small handful of upscale Paramaribo spots: Courtyard by Marriott, Torarica Hotel, Zus & Zo, and Fernandes supermarkets. Everything else is cash: warungs, roti shops, Centrale Markt, minibuses, taxis, and 100% of the interior (Upper Suriname River, Maroon villages, Brownsberg, Raleighvallen). USD and EUR cash are widely accepted at Paramaribo licensed exchange offices and bank counters. The pragmatic path: bring USD or EUR cash and exchange in Paramaribo, plus pull a small amount of SRD from De Surinaamsche Bank or Republic Bank ATMs.
Bring USD or EUR cash to exchange in Suriname
Surinamese dollar is a closed currency: most US currency-exchange services and home banks (Bank of America, Chase, Wells Fargo, Citi do not stock SRD). A currency-exchange service like CEI Currency Exchange can ship USD or EUR to a US address with insured 2–5 day delivery. Most travelers handle Suriname by bringing crisp USD or EUR cash and exchanging at a Paramaribo bank or licensed cambio on landing — bank rates are typically within 1–3% of the interbank rate. Suriname does not have a Bank of America Global ATM Alliance partner. The cleanest setup for most Suriname trips: pack USD $400–600 (or EUR equivalent) in clean post-2009 bills for tour deposits and as exchange backup; exchange enough SRD on landing for the entire trip plus 30% buffer (interior travel has zero ATM access); and use a Wise card only at the few card-accepting Paramaribo hotels.
Withdraw from a Surinamese bank ATM
On the ground, the cheapest source of SRD is a major Surinamese bank ATM. De Surinaamsche Bank (DSB), Republic Bank Suriname, Hakrinbank, and Finabank all give the actual interbank rate with no markup. Most don't add their own operator fee for foreign cards but withdrawal limits are notably low (typically SRD 2,000–4,000 per transaction, roughly $50–100 USD). Bank ATMs cluster around Paramaribo's Domineestraat, the Waterkant, and Maretraite Mall, and at PBM (Johan Adolf Pengel International) airport arrivals. ATM coverage is essentially zero outside Paramaribo, so withdraw enough cash before any interior excursion. Decline DCC every time the screen offers "charge in USD". See the Best ATMs section below for the bank-by-bank lineup. Want to know what a DSB withdrawal will actually cost on your card? Drop it into our ATM fee calculator.
Airport counters & cambio booths
Three traps to walk past in Suriname. The currency-exchange counter in arrivals at PBM (Johan Adolf Pengel) advertises rates that look reasonable but routinely runs 5–10% off the interbank rate. The unlicensed touts near the Centrale Markt and around the Maroon-village tour-operator offices in Paramaribo use the "no commission" framing while burying the markup. Honest exception worth knowing: bank counters at DSB and Republic Bank exchange clean USD and EUR cash to SRD at competitive rates, often the cheapest route in country. Third, the standalone independent ATMs at smaller Paramaribo hotel arcades layer DCC pitches and operator fees. Stick to bank-branded ATMs at DSB, Republic Bank, Hakrinbank, or Finabank; decline DCC; and licensed Paramaribo bank counters are the one acceptable cash-to-cash route. Suriname does not yet have a city-specific guide on this site, but the Best ATMs section below covers the bank lineup.
For a side-by-side comparison of every method (bank wire, travel card, pre-order, ATM, exchange counter) including USD-to-SRD timing tips, see our complete Getting Currency guide →.
Best ATMs to Use in Suriname
ATMs are concentrated in Paramaribo, with limited machines in Nieuw Nickerie, Moengo, and Albina. They dispense SRD only. Foreign card withdrawal limits vary but typically cap at SRD 1,000-2,000 per transaction. Some ATMs charge a local fee of SRD 15-25 per withdrawal.
Hakrinbank
Suriname's largest private bank with the most reliable ATM network for foreign cards. Machines at their Dr. Sophie Redmondstraat headquarters, Hermitage Mall, and branches throughout Paramaribo accept Visa and Mastercard. English-language option available. Also has ATMs in Nieuw Nickerie and Paranam.
Top PickDe Surinaamsche Bank (DSB)
One of the oldest banks in Suriname with ATMs on Henck Arronstraat and at Hermitage Mall. Accepts international Visa cards reliably. Their Waterkant branch ATM is conveniently located for tourists staying in the historic center. Known for relatively smooth foreign card processing.
RecommendedFinabank
A growing bank with modern ATMs at their Grote Combweg headquarters and Hermitage Mall. Accepts Visa and Mastercard. Their machines tend to be newer and less prone to the paper jams and outages that affect older machines at other banks.
RecommendedRepublic Bank (Suriname)
Part of the Trinidad-based Republic Financial Holdings group. ATMs at Keizerstraat and a few other Paramaribo locations. International banking connections mean their systems handle foreign Visa and Mastercard smoothly. Limited locations compared to Hakrinbank but reliable when available.
Recommended⚠ Watch Out for Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC)
DCC is rare in Suriname since so few businesses accept cards. However, at the Torarica Hotel, Courtyard by Marriott, and a few international-standard businesses, the card terminal may offer to charge you in USD or EUR instead of SRD. Always choose SRD when prompted. The DCC conversion includes a 4-7% hidden markup. If the screen shows your home currency as the default, ask the cashier to reprocess the transaction in Surinamese dollars.
ATMs to Avoid in Suriname
Suriname's ATM network is small, so your choices are limited. Focus on bank-branch ATMs in central Paramaribo and avoid these problem spots.
Johan Adolf Pengel Airport ATM
The ATM at Suriname's international airport (PBM, located in Zanderij, about 45 km south of Paramaribo) is a single machine that frequently runs out of cash or goes offline. Exchange a small amount at the airport cambio desk for your taxi to Paramaribo (about SRD 600-800) and withdraw properly once you reach the city.
AvoidGas Station & Standalone ATMs
Freestanding ATMs at gas stations and smaller shopping areas outside central Paramaribo can have connectivity issues, run out of cash on weekends, and occasionally swallow cards during failed transactions. Use ATMs at bank branches where staff can help if something goes wrong.
AvoidPaying by Card in Suriname
Card Networks
Visa has the broadest acceptance at the limited number of businesses that take cards. Hakrinbank and DSB process Visa transactions for their merchant clients. Mastercard is accepted at most of the same locations. American Express and Discover are not accepted anywhere in Suriname. Do not bring them as your only payment method.
Contactless & Mobile Payments
Contactless payment is virtually nonexistent. Even the hotels that accept cards typically use chip-and-PIN terminals without NFC capability. Apple Pay and Google Pay are not recognized. There is no widely used mobile payment app for tourists. Cash is king across the board.
Where Cards May Not Work
The Centrale Markt is entirely cash-based. So are warungs, roti shops, local bakeries, minibuses, water taxis, and neighborhood stores. Commewijne district (popular for plantation tours and dolphin spotting) has no card acceptance. Nieuw Nickerie has one or two businesses that may take cards, but do not count on it. The entire interior (Upper Suriname, Brokopondo, Sipaliwini) is a cash-only zone.
Tipping in Suriname
Tipping Guide
At restaurants, 10% is appreciated but not mandatory. The Torarica and upscale Waterkant restaurants may add a service charge (check your bill). At warungs and casual eateries, round up or leave SRD 10-20. For interior jungle guides, SRD 100-200 per day ($3-7 USD) is appropriate, plus a tip for the boat captain on river transfers. At eco-lodges, a communal tip box is common. Leave $5-10 USD per day for the staff. Taxi drivers do not expect tips, but rounding up is appreciated. Tip in SRD for local services and USD or EUR at tourist-oriented operations that price in foreign currency.
Paramaribo & Beyond: Practical Money Tips
Things to Know
Paramaribo is your financial base. Do all ATM withdrawals and currency exchange here. The best cambios are on Domineestraat and Maagdenstraat, offering rates 2-5% better than the airport or hotels. They accept both EUR and USD. Bring clean, recent-series notes for the best rates. Euros often get a slightly better rate than dollars.
Interior trips (Upper Suriname River, Brownsberg, Raleighvallen, Awarradam) are almost always sold as all-inclusive packages booked and prepaid in Paramaribo. Still, bring SRD 200-500 plus small USD or EUR bills for tips, village handicrafts, and any extras. Commewijne district day trips (Fort Nieuw Amsterdam, plantation ruins, dolphin tours) cost SRD 300-600 per person including boat transfers.
Banking hours are typically Monday to Friday, 7:30 AM to 2:00 PM. A few branches open Saturday mornings until noon. ATMs can run dry over long weekends or holidays. Carry small SRD bills (5s, 10s, 20s). Market vendors and minibus drivers often cannot break a SRD 200 note. The SRD has been volatile, so check the current rate on the day you exchange rather than relying on rates from weeks ago.
Money Safety in Suriname
Staying Safe
Paramaribo is generally safe, but take normal precautions around the Centrale Markt, Palm Garden area after dark, and Latour. Use ATMs during daylight hours at bank branches on Domineestraat or at Hermitage Mall. Avoid counting large amounts of cash in public.
Store your cash securely. Use your hotel safe for reserves and carry only what you need for the day. In the interior, losing cash means you have no way to replace it. Keep emergency USD ($50-100) separate from your daily spending money.
Alert your bank before traveling. Suriname triggers fraud alerts at many international banks. Cell coverage is decent in Paramaribo (Telesur and Digicel) but drops to zero in the interior. If your card gets blocked and you cannot call your bank, you will be stuck with whatever cash you have. Bring two cards on different networks. Some Surinamese ATMs accept Visa but not Mastercard, or vice versa.
Frequently Asked Questions
What currency does Suriname use?
Suriname uses the Surinamese Dollar (SRD). The exchange rate fluctuates significantly. Euro is also widely accepted since Suriname has strong Dutch ties (it was a Dutch colony until 1975). USD is accepted at some tourist businesses and hotels. Always check the current SRD rate before your trip as it can shift quickly.
Can I use euros in Suriname?
Yes. Due to Suriname's Dutch colonial history, euros are widely accepted at hotels, tour operators, and many shops in Paramaribo. You will get change in SRD. The euro often gets a better exchange rate than USD at cambios. Bring clean euro notes for the best rates.
Are there ATMs in Suriname's interior?
No. ATMs exist only in Paramaribo, Nieuw Nickerie, and a few other coastal towns. The Upper Suriname River, Central Suriname Nature Reserve, Brownsberg, and Maroon and Amerindian villages have zero ATM access. Withdraw all cash in Paramaribo before heading inland.
Is Suriname expensive for tourists?
Paramaribo is moderately affordable. A local meal at a warung costs SRD 80-150 ($3-5 USD), a Parbo beer runs SRD 30-50 ($1-2 USD), and a decent guesthouse is $30-60 USD per night. Interior jungle lodge packages are the big expense, typically $100-300 USD per person per day including transport, meals, and guides.
What is the best way to exchange money in Suriname?
Licensed cambios on Domineestraat and Maagdenstraat in Paramaribo offer the best rates. They accept USD and EUR, with euros often getting marginally better rates. The airport cambio at Johan Adolf Pengel International is convenient but gives slightly worse rates. Avoid unofficial street changers.
Do I need to bring cash or can I use cards in Paramaribo?
Bring a good amount of cash. While the Torarica Hotel, Courtyard by Marriott, and some upscale restaurants accept Visa and Mastercard, most of Paramaribo is cash-based. The Centrale Markt, warungs, local restaurants, and taxis all require cash. Cards are essentially useless outside Paramaribo.
Skip the Foreign Transaction Fees
The Wise card converts your money at the real mid-market exchange rate. No markups, no surprises. Spend Surinamese dollars like a local.
Get the Wise Card →Quick Comparison
| Method | Cost | Convenience | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD cash at cambios | Best rate (Domineestraat cambios) | ★★★★☆ | All daily spending |
| Wise card (no-FX-fee) | Good (mid-market rate) | ★★★☆☆ | ATM withdrawals in Paramaribo |
| Bank ATMs | OK (bank rate + possible fees) | ★★★☆☆ | Getting SRD without carrying large cash amounts |
| Airport / hotel exchange | Poor (3-8% worse rates) | ★★☆☆☆ | Taxi fare to Paramaribo from airport |
Suriname Quick Facts
| Currency | Surinamese Dollar (SRD) |
| Approx. Rate | ~SRD 30-36 per $1 USD (volatile, check current rate) |
| EUR/USD Accepted? | Yes, at hotels and tourist businesses. Euros preferred. Daily life uses SRD |
| Best ATMs | Hakrinbank, De Surinaamsche Bank (DSB), Finabank, Republic Bank |
| ATM Locations | Paramaribo primarily. Limited in Nieuw Nickerie. None in interior |
| Card Acceptance | Very limited. Hotels and a few businesses in Paramaribo only |
| Tipping | 10% at restaurants. SRD 100-200/day for interior guides |
| Best Strategy | Bring clean EUR or USD, exchange at Paramaribo cambios, carry all cash for interior |