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SIM Cards in Suriname: The Best Prepaid Plans | 2024 Guide

Suriname – known for being the smallest country in South America, one of the two South American nations where they drive on the left & for having only one cinema.

Anguilla can learn from Suriname – those in Anguilla have to go to Sint Maarten if they wish to go to a cinema.

Back to Suriname – it is a popular travel destination for the Dutch due to historical links.

But why do the Dutch, and other travelers, go to Suriname?

First, the temperature is always pleasant – especially for those from the Northern Hemisphere having to endure a cold winter.

But the country also has a lot of attractions.

As the majority of the country consists of rainforests, the nature in Suriname is stunning.

You also have plenty of hiking trails to explore.

The historic inner city of Paramaribo is exciting to see compared to modern Paramaribo.

If you like to see sea turtles, head to Braamspunt or Marapica Beach.

See, there is no reason to be bored in Suriname.

While Suriname is comparatively an inexpensive travel destination, it is always a good idea to find ways to keep your travel expenses even lower.

That is why you should get a local SIM card to enjoy local rates – much cheaper than international roaming.

Fortunately, SIM cards are cheap in Suriname

You can get a Surinamese SIM card for 110 SRD (2.90 USD) from Telesur and Digicel in their stores and from select resellers, including electronic shops and grocery stores. SIM cards are also available at Paramaribo-Zanderij/Johan Adolf Pengel International Airport (PBM).

Would it surprise you that Suriname has the fastest mobile download speeds in South America?

Yes, not Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, nor Peru – the smallest nation in South America has the fastest median speeds in the region.

Quite impressive, I would say.

In this guide, I will tell you everything you need to know about buying a SIM card in Suriname. Let's get started.

Buying a SIM Card in Suriname Guide (logos of Telesur & Digicel)

Original publication: 28th of December 2019. Last updated: 2nd of March 2024.


Table of Contents

What is the Best SIM Card in Suriname?

If you want to buy the best SIM card in Suriname, I recommend going with Telesur. It has the best coverage and the fastest speeds (more than double Digicel's). It currently offers 5G NR to prepaid customers too.

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So, who are all these mobile operators and what options are available for you?

Suriname has two mobile operators offering prepaid services that are easily accessible to travelers:

  • Telesur
  • Digicel Suriname
Cellular Connectivity Illustration by Phone Travel Wiz

Anyone living in or visiting Suriname can buy a Surinamese SIM card without restrictions.

  • Find out which countries have SIM card registration regulations and what is required from you (lookup tool)
SIM Card Registration Worldwide Tool by Phone Travel Wiz

Where Can You Buy a Surinamese SIM Card (+Prices)?

You can get a Surinamese SIM card in the official stores of Telesur and Digicel or from third-parties, like grocery stores and electronic shops. Some Surinamese airports sell (tourist) SIM cards (at inflated prices).

You can expect to pay the following for Surinamese SIM cards:

  • Telesur: 110 SRD
  • Digicel Suriname: 110 SRD

Note that Surinamese SIM cards can be more expensive than those listed above when purchased at an airport.

Use the Wise Currency Converter tool (free) for up-to-date SRD (Surinamese Dollar) to your currency (let's say USD – US Dollar) exchange rates.

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© Wise

For your convenience, below are some exchange rates between SRD and USD (US Dollars):

  • 1 SRD = 0.025 USD
  • 10 SRD = 0.25 USD
  • 100 SRD = 2.60 USD

But for any other currency, the Wise Currency Converter tool.

(Travel) eSIMs for Suriname

In recent years, (travel) eSIMs have become extremely popular.

Especially after Apple made iPhones (14- & 15 series) sold in the United States eSIM-only, forcing its users to use eSIMs – even when abroad.

As a result, the adoption of eSIM technology by mobile operators worldwide rose impressively quickly.

Currently, no Surinamese mobile operator offers eSIMs to prepaid customers.

In my Suriname eSIM buying guide, I analyze various eSIM options of eSIM providers I have tested extensively worldwide.

Buying an eSIM for Suriname Guide (logos of Pondocom and Airalo)

Surprisingly, travel eSIMs can be cheaper than a Surinamese SIM card or eSIM in specific scenarios.

Moreover, Latin (Central- and South) America-wide and global eSIM options are also available at competitive prices (without having to deal with expensive international roaming rates).

In this Suriname SIM card buying guide (the one you are reading), I will stick to the local SIM cards and eSIM, but you can read my Suriname eSIM buying guide for more information about travel eSIMs covering the country.

But here is a quick overview already + applicable discount codes if you are interested in purchasing a travel eSIM for Suriname:

  • Airalo: Pondocom (Suriname only)
  • Nomad: Global (109 or 139 countries, depending on the variant)

Here are some discount codes to sweeten the deal:

  • Airalo: MAR15 for 15% off (if you have never bought an Airalo eSIM before). Otherwise, MAR10 for 10% off (for existing users) – only the first 3000 users can redeem either discount code)
  • Nomad: ADU123 for 3 USD off (on your first-ever Nomad order only)

Once again, check out my Suriname eSIM buying guide to learn more about these eSIM options.

Buying an eSIM for Suriname Guide (logos of Pondocom and Airalo)

The eSIM guide is as comprehensive as this SIM card buying guide, but it solely focuses on travel eSIMs (while the guide you are reading focuses on local SIM cards and eSIMs for prepaid users (where applicable).

Surinamese Prepaid SIM Cards Explored

Below, I will guide you through Telesur & Digicel Suriname, and go through:

  • Background information
  • Mobile coverage
  • SIM card types, prices & availability
  • Recharge/top-up information
  • Combo plans, data plans & special packs (such as social media packs)

With that said, let's see what Suriname offers us.


Telesur

Telesur Suriname Logo
© Telesur

Telesur is the largest mobile operator in Suriname.

It also has the best network performance and the fastest speeds.

In 2019, it had almost triple the average download speed compared to Digicel Suriname.

It is unknown whether this is still the case (hopefully not for Digicel Suriname), but Telesur still has a faster network.

It has also rolled out 5G NR, improving speeds, bandwidth & latency even more.

Telesur uses the following frequencies:

  • 2G: 900 MHz
  • 3G: 900 MHz & 2100 MHz
  • 4G/LTE: 700 MHz (Band 28), 1800 MHZ (Band 3) & 2100 MHz (Band 1)
  • 5G NR: 3500 MHz (n78)

This is what you will learn about Telesur:

* Coverage
* How to Get a Telesur SIM Card & SIM Card Price
* Topping Up Options & Methods
* Plans & Packages
* APN/Internet Settings

Coverage – Telesur

Telesur has the best coverage in Suriname.

You should not expect any coverage in the dense rainforests – like neighboring French Guiana (Guyane) and Guyana.

Even then, 4G/LTE reception is still limited – 5G NR is even rarer.

Below is Telesur's coverage map produced by Speedtest:

SIM Card Price – Telesur

You can get a Telesur SIM card for 110 SRD with 10 on-net or local minutes in Telesur stores (1/2). They are also sold at Paramaribo-Zanderij/Johan Adolf Pengel International Airport (PBM).

  • Find out how much SIM cards cost in every country, including data-only SIM cards and tourist SIM cards, offered by each mobile operator + information about starter benefits (lookup tool)
SIM Card Prices Worldwide Tool by Phone Travel Wiz

Telesur has no eSIMs.

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Top-Up, Recharge & Balance Check – Telesur

Telesur top-up vouchers are sold in Telesur stores (1/2), kiosks, gas stations & grocery stores.

To top up your Telesur SIM card, dial *131*VoucherCode#.

For example, if your voucher code is 123456, you would dial *131*123456#.

You can also tell the salesperson how much credit you want, your phone number, pay, and they will top up your SIM card with the POS system.

Dial *132# to check your Telesur balance.

Packages, Plans, Bundles & Offers – Telesur

Telesur has two data-featured prepaid plans: Mobile Internet (data) & Data Only.

I will list all the prices in SRD (Surinamese Dollar).

To convert SRD to your currency (let's say USD) with up-to-date exchange rates, use the Wise Currency Converter tool.

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Mobile Internet Plans – Telesur Suriname

The Mobile Internet plans are data bundles (without 5G NR access except for the 92 0160 MB plan).

The following Mobile Internet are available, which you can activate by texting the Activation Code to 4040:

PriceDataValidityActivation Code
25 SRD150 MB12 hoursNET 12
49 SRD2560 MB1 dayNET 1D
97 SRD4608 MB3 daysNET 3D
243 SRD10 752 MB7 daysNET 7D
731 SRD25 600 MB30 daysNET 30D
2914 SRD92 160 MB 130 days50GB

1 for 5G NR access

Telesur Suriname Prepaid Mobiel Internet
Data Only Plans – Telesur Suriname

The Data Only plans are, as the name implies, data bundles (without 5G NR access).

The following Data Only are available, which you can activate by texting the Activation Code to 4040:

PriceDataValidityActivation Code
434 SRD7168 MB30 daysgo 4
677 SRD16 384 MB30 daysgo 10
919 SRD29 184 MB30 daysgo 15
Telesur Suriname Data Only

APN/Internet Settings – Telesur

  • Name: Telesur
  • APN: win.teleg.sr

Note: leave anything not mentioned above untouched.

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Digicel Suriname

Digicel Logo
© Digicel

Digicel Suriname, just Digicel, is the smaller mobile operator in Suriname.

Digicel, as a company, is active in many Caribbean nations, Central America & Oceania.

Digicel uses the following frequencies:

  • 2G: 900 MHz & 1800 MHz
  • 3G: 850 MHz
  • 4G/LTE: 700 MHz (Band 28) & 1800 MHz (Band 3)

This is what you will learn about Digicel:

* Coverage
* How to Get a Digicel SIM Card & SIM Card Price
* Topping Up Options & Methods
* Plans & Packages
* APN/Internet Settings

Coverage – Digicel Suriname

Digicel has decent coverage in populated areas throughout Suriname.

You should not expect any coverage in the dense rainforests – like neighboring French Guiana (Guyane) and Guyana.

Even then, 4G/LTE reception is still limited.

Below is Digicel's coverage map produced by Speedtest:

SIM Card Price – Digicel Suriname

You can get a Digicel SIM card for 110 SRD with 65 SRD of calling credit in Digicel stores and from resellers. They are also sold at Paramaribo-Zanderij/Johan Adolf Pengel International Airport (PBM).

Digicel Suriname SIM Card
© Digicel Suriname

You may have to dial *122# to activate your Digicel SIM card if your SIM card does not work upon purchase.

Dial *100# to access the Digicel menu.

Dial *129# to see your Digicel phone number.

  • Find out how much SIM cards cost in every country, including data-only SIM cards and tourist SIM cards, offered by each mobile operator + information about starter benefits (lookup tool)
SIM Card Prices Worldwide Tool by Phone Travel Wiz

Digicel has no eSIMs.

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Top-Up, Recharge & Balance Check – Digicel Suriname

Digicel top-up vouchers are sold in Digicel stores, kiosks, gas stations & grocery stores.

To top up your Digicel SIM card, dial *121*VoucherCode# or dial *121# and follow the instructions.

For example, if your voucher code is 123456, you would dial *121*123456#.

You can also tell the salesperson how much credit you want, your phone number, pay, and they will top up your SIM card with the POS system.

You can also recharge online with (international) debit and credit cards.

Dial *120# to check your Digicel balance.

You can also top up and check your balance on the Digicel app (Android/iOS).

Digicel App
© Digicel

Packages, Plans, Bundles & Offers – Digicel Suriname

Digicel has only one data-featured prepaid plan: Prepaid Kies Een Bundel/Choose a Bundle (data).

It includes data (without 5G NR access).

I will list all the prices in SRD (Surinamese Dollar).

To convert SRD to your currency (let's say USD) with up-to-date exchange rates, use the Wise Currency Converter tool.

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© Wise

The following Digicel Prime Bundle are available, which can be activated by dialing *100#:

PricePlanDataSocial Data 1Validity
60 SRD1 Day Digicel Prime Bundle2.5 GB1 GB/app1 day
115 SRD3 Day Digicel Prime Bundle4.5 GB3 GB/app3 days
294 SRD7 Day Digicel Prime Bundle10.5 GB7 GB/app7 days
855 SRD30 Day Digicel Prime Bundle 25 GB30/app30 days

1 for BiP, GoLoud, HBO Max, SportsMax & Spotify

Digicel Suriname Kies Een Bundel

APN/Internet Settings – Digicel Suriname

  • Name: Digicel
  • APN: web.digicelsr.com

Note: leave anything not mentioned above untouched.

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The Preferred Way to Stay Connected When Traveling in Suriname

Getting a SIM card from Telesur would do you well when considering a Surinamese SIM card.

Going to other places around the world? You should also check out my SIM card buying guides for other destinations worldwide.