How to get to Suriname: airports, flights and border crossings

Fly into Johan Adolf Pengel International Airport (PBM), the country's only airport with regular international flights, roughly 45 km south of Paramaribo. Most travellers connect through Amsterdam, Miami, Panama City or Curaçao. There are no nonstop flights from the UK, Canada, Australia or New Zealand, so plan on at least one connection and a long travel day.

If you are already in northern Brazil, Guyana or French Guiana, overland and river routes exist but are slow, weather-dependent and not always open — confirm locally before setting out.

Johan Adolf Pengel International Airport (PBM) handles essentially all international arrivals. It is a small airport with a single terminal; immigration and baggage are usually quick outside peak arrival banks. Zorg en Hoop (ORG) in Paramaribo serves domestic and light aircraft flights to the interior, not international routes.

Amsterdam is the main long-haul gateway, with the only reliable nonstop service from Europe. From North America, the practical routes are through Miami, Panama City or Curaçao; from the Caribbean, Curaçao, Aruba and Port of Spain are common connection points. Schedules change often, so treat the table below as a starting point and verify with the airline or a flight search before booking.

The airport sits about 45 km south of Paramaribo, on the road toward Zanderij. There is no regular public bus aimed at arriving passengers, so most travellers take a taxi or a pre-booked transfer. Agree the fare before you get in, or arrange a transfer through your hotel or lodge — many interior packages include an airport pickup.

Allow 45–60 minutes for the drive in normal traffic, longer if you land during a busy period or in heavy rain. If you are heading straight to an interior lodge, operators usually collect you at the airport or in Paramaribo the next morning; confirm the meeting point in advance.

Suriname borders Brazil to the south, Guyana to the west and French Guiana to the east. Overland routes are limited and conditions change: roads can be impassable in the wet season, and some crossings are not open to regular tourist traffic. Do not assume a border is open — confirm with your embassy, a local operator or the relevant authority before travelling to a crossing.

The eastern crossing toward French Guiana involves a river ferry across the Marowijne between Albina and Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni; check the current timetable and whether your nationality needs a French Guiana visa. The western route toward Guyana and the southern route toward Brazil are long, rough and best arranged with a local operator. If your trip depends on a land or river crossing, build in a buffer day.

Check entry requirements early. Suriname uses an online entry fee for many nationalities, and you should pay it before you fly — see the visa and entry requirements page for the current rules. Confirm your passport validity, any yellow-fever certificate requirement if you are arriving from a risk country, and your onward or return ticket.

Book interior lodges and tours as a package before arrival; they often include airport pickup, transport and meals, which removes a lot of on-the-ground planning. For the rest of your trip, see the pages below on getting around, where to stay, costs and the best time to visit.

Flight schedules to Paramaribo change more often than on major routes, so verify times and routings close to departure. Fares and transfer costs are 2026 estimates and vary by season and how early you book. Land and river crossings are the least predictable part of getting to Suriname: treat any overland plan as provisional until confirmed locally.