Wayzata World Factbook 1995/World Factbook - 1995 Edition - Wayzata Technology (1995).iso/mac/text/Build/tvlmactxt/SURINAME.TVL

Text File | 1994-12-07 | 6KB | 101 lines

Suriname - Consular Information Sheet
October 18, 1994

Country Description:  Suriname is a developing nation.  Transportation,
communications and other infrastructure elements do not meet U.S. standards.
 Roads in the interior are poorly maintained and often unpassable.  Tourist
facilities vary, depending on price and area.  The government of Suriname
and private tourism companies have expanded tourism in the interior by
establishing several guest houses and tour packages.

Entry Requirements:  A passport and visa are required for travel to
Suriname.  A business visa requires a letter from the sponsoring company.
The Surinamese government has implemented a requirement that visitors
exchange a certain amount of money, currently the equivalent of 300 Dutch
Guilders (approximately     $180.00 U.S.).  The exchange may be made at the
office of the Central Bank or at commercial banks in Paramaribo.  Visitors
will receive a receipt for the exchange, which must be presented at the
airport or border when departing Suriname.  For further information
concerning entry requirements, including up to date information on the
exchange requirements, travelers can contact the Embassy of the Republic of
Suriname, 4301 Connecticut Avenue N.W., Suite 108, Washington, D.C. 20008,
Tel: [phone] or the Suriname Consulate in Miami.

Areas of Instability:  While the situation in the countryside is at present
stable, there is insufficient police authority over much of the interior of
Suriname to offer assistance in an emergency.  Unaccompanied travel to the
interior, particularly the East-West Highway between Paramaribo and Albina,
is considered risky due to the high incidence of robberies and assaults
along this route.  Isolated acts of violence, particularly in but not
limited to the interior, may occur.  Travelers to remote areas of the
interior of Suriname should be aware that they may encounter difficulties
because of the lack of government authority throughout the interior and
inadequate medical facilities in some areas.  The ability of the U.S.
Embassy to assist in an emergency situation may be hampered by limited
transportation and communications in some areas.

Medical Facilities:  Medical care is limited and does not meet U.S.
standards.  Malaria and other endemic tropical diseases occur more
frequently outside the capital.  The incidence of malaria is particularly
high along the eastern border between Suriname and French Guiana.  Doctors
and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services.  U.S.
medical insurance is not always valid outside the United States.  In some
cases, supplementary medical insurance with specific overseas coverage has
proved useful.  For additional health information, travelers can contact the
Centers for Disease Control's international travelers hotline at (404) 332-
4559.

Crime Information: The rate of violent crime has increased.  Burglary and
armed robbery are increasingly common in the capital city of Paramaribo, as
well as in the outlying areas.  Banditry occurs along routes in the interior
of the country where police protection is inadequate.  An increasing number
of tourists report being attacked and robbed.  Visitors may wish to exercise
caution when traveling to the interior without an organized tour group, and
secure their belongings carefully while staying in Paramaribo.  Visitors may
find it useful to carry photocopies of their passport, driver's license,
credit cards and other important papers and leave the originals in a safe
place.

The loss or theft of a passport overseas should be reported to the local
police and the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.  U.S. citizens should be
aware that birth certificates and/or driver's licenses generally cannot be
replaced outside of the United States.  U.S. citizens can refer to the
Department of State's pamphlet, "A Safe Trip Abroad," which provides useful
information on guarding valuables and protecting personal security while
traveling" abroad.  Both this pamphlet and "Tips for Travelers to Central
and South America are available from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S.
Government Printing Office, Washington D.C. 20402.

Other Information:  Travelers to Suriname may experience disruptions in
travel plans because of the unreliability of scheduled airline service to
and from that country.  Suriname Airways (SLM), operating in conjuction with
Antillean Airways, serves as the only direct air link between the United
States and Suriname.  Limited flight schedules and ongoing technical
problems commonly result in delays.  Additionally, transportation to the
interior is unreliable.  Interior flights are often delayed, sometimes for
days, because of mechanical difficulties, fuel shortages, and runway
conditions.  Dutch is the official language of Suriname; however, English is
widely used, and most tourist arrangements can be made in English.

Drug Penalities: U.S. citizens are subject to the laws of the country in
which they are traveling.  Criminal penalties for possession, use, and
dealing in illegal drugs are strict, and convicted offenders can expect
lengthy jail sentences and fines.

Embassy Location/Registration:  U.S. citizens may register in the Consular
Section of the U.S. Embassy in Suriname, located at Dr. Sophie Redmondstraat
129 in Paramaribo; telephone [597] 477-881.  At the U.S. Embassy, U.S.
citizens can obtain updated information on travel and security information
in Suriname.  This Embassy is also responsible for U.S. interests in French
Guiana.

No. 94-240

This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated May 27, 1993, to update
currency exchange information, add information on crime, and include French
Guiana in the U.S. Embassy's area of responsibility.