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This is a part of the world that still receives little tourism, so your options are limited.
We did this overland journey and this is the most affordable and direct way of crossing the border from Guyana to Suriname.
The ferry to get across the border only leaves once per day (scheduled for 10.00 am).
In order to get from Georgetown to the ferry in time for the crossing, it’s an early start from the capital, Georgetown.
Read More: 20 Most Popular Foods in Guyana
Arrange a pick-up with a local transport company called ‘Dugla’ at least 24 hours in advance. The phone number is +592 612 8047. Tell them you need to get from Georgetown to Paramaribo.
The pick-up will be around 04:00 am as the minivan will pick up passengers from around town and also from some residential addresses before heading for the border.
We checked out of our room at Rima Guesthouse and waited quietly in the living room. The minivan turned up at 04:15 am. It’s a new van with A/C and comfortable seats.
By the time we had picked up all passengers, we left Georgetown and crossed the bridge at around 06:15 am. Yes, Georgetown to Paramaribo is a big travel day.
We arrived at the ferry terminal at 09:00, and the ferry is scheduled to cross to Suriname at 10.00 am.
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The fare is 6000 GYD (Guyanese Dollars), which is nearly USD $28 each. UPDATE: We have been advised that the price increased to $50 in Feb 2023.
This price includes the transport in the minivan from Georgetown to the ferry and again from the border in Suriname to your accommodation in Paramaribo, Suriname.
Once you reach the ferry, pay the driver the total amount listed above. He gives you a ticket that you show to the guy on the other side with the transport to take you to Paramaribo. It’s all very well organised.
NOTE: The price does not include the ferry ride
Ferry price updated Feb 2023—The ferry will cost you an additional 650 SRD (USD $20 each), which you will pay directly to the ferry company to purchase your ticket. You can pay in GYD or USD. Make sure you have cash.
The crossing takes 30-45 minutes. It’s a small ferry loaded with foot passengers and vehicles.
Once you disembark the ferry, it’s a very short walk to line up at the customs building.
Most travellers do not require a visa to enter Suriname, but many nationalities require a tourist card. You can buy a tourist card on arrival. Whether you get it on arrival or beforehand from the embassy, the tourist card costs US $35 or EUR 30.
I’m travelling on an Australian passport, and we are one of the few nations requiring a visa to be issued in advance. My visa was issued the same day at the embassy in Georgetown, Guyana.
Read more about how to get a visa for Suriname in Georgetown.
I lodged this in the morning and picked it up in the afternoon. Marty also decided to get her tourist card from the embassy at the same time as I did (she is travelling on an EU passport), which was immediate for her.
UPDATE 2023 – Australian passport holders can now apply for an E-Visa for Suriname.
NOTE: Ensure your yellow fever certificate is available here; this will be checked.
Once you’ve cleared the small customs hall, walk past the taxi drivers and into the small parking area.
Just look around for another van that will take care of you on this side. We found our driver straight away.
If you have some Surinamese currency, a small food shack here has very well-packed lunches of nasi goreng (fried rice) and marinated chicken. The cost is about $3, and it’s so good.
The drive to Paramaribo is about 3.5 hours in a comfortable minivan, and they will take you directly to your address in Paramaribo.
NOTE: This company also does transport in reverse (from Georgetown to Paramaribo as well as Paramaribo to Georgetown)
Paramaribo is a great city that almost feels like one big country town. It has lots of Dutch colonial architecture and great places to eat.
Getting around is relatively easy if you use the small public bus network; however, a well-located hotel is best if you want to be close to the action. Here are the most affordable hotels I’d recommend.
Budget hotel: Guesthouse AlbergoAlberga – A reliable option. This hotel is a 10 minute walk from Paramaribo Central Market and rooms start at $20 per night.
Mid-range hotel: Royal Breeze Paramaribo – 200 metres from Paramaribo Central Market, Royal Breeze Paramaribo features accommodation with a fitness centre, free private parking, a shared lounge and a restaurant.
Top-rated hotel: Courtyard by Marriott. It has all the amenities you need for a very comfortable stay in Paramaribo. It is only a 10-minute’ walk from Palm Gardens.
That’s all for our post about how to get from Georgetown to Paramaribo. Have you recently travelled this route? If so, please comment with any information other travellers might need.
If you plan to travel to Guyana independently, like we did, we have some helpful tips!
We recommend you visit Kaieteur Falls in Guyana; read more about why this place is unmissable. You may need our complete guide for how to visit Kaietiur Falls, as it’s not as straightforward as most may assume.
And don’t miss trying as much Guyanese cuisine as possible – check out the 20 most popular foods from Guyana.
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27 Comments. Leave new
Thanks for this lovely and informative review. It helps a lot
Hey! Is the visa just a card or is it a sticker that takes up a full page in your passport? I don’t have many pages left in my passport ????
Hey, Rach’s visa was a full-page sticker in her Australian passport. Marty’s tourist visa was a large stamp in her EU passport, taking up about half of the page. Have fun in Suriname 😉
Great blog.
I am planning to travel through the Caribbean Islands next year. Do I need to show an onward airline ticket when I enter any of these countries which makes it a bit inflexible or can I book the my onward flights after I enter the country. Thank you.
Unfortunately, many of the countries do request to see your departure flight before granting you entry. Once you start making initial plans to travel through the Caribbean, you’ll notice that flight costs keep rising the closer you get to the travel dates you want…so you will save a lot of money by reserving your flights ahead. It’s certainly not an affordable part of the world to travel.
Thank you Rach, that is a very helpful tip.
Hey, just a note that you now need to apply online for the Suriname eVisa (Australia), you cannot apply at the embassy.
Cheers, good post!
Thanks, I’m glad you enjoyed it. And that’s great news about the E-Visa, it makes things much easier.
Very extensive information. I’m a Guyanese that haven’t returned to Guyana since 1979. Quite impressed by your blog.
Thank you 🙂
Very interesting travel account. Can you tell me where to go from Suriname? Return to Guyana or to any other country? which will be better?
It’s up to you where you should go from Suriname. In our case, we took a flight from Suriname to the Caribbean as we wanted to travel around that part of the world.
Hello,
Do you know if Rima Guesthouse in Georgetown has gone out of business? Your link goes to booking.com, but they do not appear???
Thanks in advance,
Bill
Hi Bill,
Since Covid, it seems that many properties were removed from booking.com – and this one has been one of them. You can try and contact them via their website to make a reservation, here’s the link https://www.rimaguesthouse.com.
Hi again,
The cost of the trip has risen to $50 per person. Just took it from Paramaribo to Georgetown yesterday. The ferry is stil about $15 US.
The van in the Suriname side was quite comfortable, however the one from the border to Georgetown was not nearly as comfortable. I used the same company as you. Thanks again for your website and info. Bill
Hi Bill, Thank you so much for the info – all updates. Happy travels, Marty
Hello Rachel,
I am travelling around South America and Caribbean region since ten days. Now I am in Guyana (Georgetown).
I did see your footprints in this region.
Yesterday (08 Feb. 2023) I did take a ferry from South Drain (Surinam) to Moleson Creek (Guyana). I paid 650 SRD (=20 USD) for it. I have attached my ferry ticket below.
I hope you can share this fresh information in your blog. So that It can help other traveller friends.
Best regards,
Recep Sanal
Hi Recep,
Thank you very much for the update – we’ve updated our post just now to keep other travellers to this region informed.
Hello Rachel. Very helpful and straight forward info on trip from Guyana to Suriname..Dugla’s phone number was very helpful….just spoke with him….I am going to Suriname for the first time on Thursday and looking forward for the adventure. Thank you and hope you are enjoying your travels around the globe
Hi May, We’re happy to hear that our blog was helpful to you. We wish you a great time!
Wow, super helpful – thank you! What country do I need yellow fever vax for? I don’t have it… 🙁
It’s probably best to check the most up-to-date information online regarding which countries in Africa require Yellow Fever Certificate, as it changes regularly. It’d be worth checking if you require Covid Vacc Cert at the same time. For example, as an Australian citizen – I’d check this website https://www.smartraveller.gov.au for the latest health information for different countries.
Hi, wonderful guide and helps a lot. Do you have any information from Paramaribo, Suriname to French Guiana?
Thank you, we’re happy to hear that this blog helps you. No, we don’t have any information to offer for getting to French Guiana. Happy Travels 🙂
Did you have to pay departure tax when leaving Guyana? I’m reading some info online that there is a departure tax fee, but cant see it on your or other guides/blogs.
best wishes
No, we didn’t pay a departure tax when leaving Guyana.
Theres always the hitch-hike method like I did. Get bus from Stabroek (Robb street, bus 44) and go to Mahaica for 300gyd. From there start hitching and when you get to ferry port they have a seating area you can camp in 😁