Airports and Baggage

Two aircraft companies fly in and out of Suriname: SLM and ALM. Suriname Airlines (SLM) is the usual carrier. They fly a couple of flights per week from Miami to Paramaribo. These flights usually make a stop on the island of Curacao, off of the coast of Venezuela, before continuing to Suriname.

You will be allowed to carry two bags weighing 70 lbs. each along with one carry-on piece. Carry any essential items like prescription medications and toiletries in your carry-on. Suriname Airlines is known for leaving passenger's luggage for another flight. That flight will be several days later, so you want to have your important items with you in your carry-on luggage.

Confirm your flight with Suriname Air at least a month prior to your flight. It is also wise to reconfirm your flight a week and then several days before your departure date. SLM is notorious for changing their flight schedule.

Phone numbers: Suriname Air (SLM) is (305) 262-9792 or (305) 262-9922 or (305) 262-9796.

Exit Tax

Ask your travel agent to include payment of the exit tax as a part of your airline ticket. Check to make sure that it was included. Otherwise, you will have to pay the tax at the airport before you can leave Suriname.

Customs and Porters

As the plane approaches Suriname, customs papers will be passed out to all passengers. Someone on board will gladly help you fill out this Dutch form. After you have departed the plane you will stand in line and wait for a customs official to check your passport and customs papers. Then you will be allowed to enter the baggage claim room. Here you will see a swirl of confusing activity. Porters will ask you if you want them to carry your luggage. They will speak several languages to you and then say just enough English words for you to understand them. (Most Surinamers and porters speak English quite well.) The porters expect you to tip them for carrying your bags a couple of yards to the customs desk. Do not pay them! Tell them that the people just outside the window will tip them. Americans are known to grossly over tip the porters, and they will lean on you pretty hard. Let your Surinamer brothers and sisters in Christ pay the tip. The customs official may want to see inside your luggage. After he is satisfied, you will be allowed to exit the baggage room. (The porters will still be asking for money. They will act like they don't understand you when they do.) We will be waiting just outside the glass doors. And we will pay the porters.

(Of course, you can carry your own bags to the customs table if you prefer.)