Dear Editor,
This is only the second time in my life that I am spending a night in jail. The first was in my early twenties, when I was attending university. On my way to class, I stopped by my mother’s apartment, which happened to be in a high-drug activity area, and was arrested for loitering, spending one night in jail.
As I write this, I am currently spending the night in jail in Suriname. I arrived with a group of tourists, some of whom did not have the required visa to enter the country. Even though I had all my documents in order, I was taken to jail along with them. Despite the fact that I could have been released, I chose to stay, as I could not leave the others behind.
The conditions here are deplorable. The jail is overcrowded, and I am currently trying to sleep on a wooden bench while battling relentless mosquitoes. It’s clear that the immigration officers acted unprofessionally. As a result, I would not recommend Suriname as a tourist destination, especially given their strict and, in this case, unreasonable immigration protocols.
That being said, I must commend the police officers and jail guards for treating us with respect and professionalism, despite the poor conditions. For future travelers, I would advise that if you aren’t from Guyana, ensure you have a visitor visa, entry card, U.S. dollars, and Suriname currency (SRD). Avoid bringing Guyanese money, as it won’t be accepted at the border.
In fact, I would recommend not visiting Suriname at all. This is my second trip here, and I won’t be returning, even though it means finding an alternative route to French Guiana. If you wish to avoid spending the night in jail, my advice is simple: steer clear of Suriname.
Sincerely,
Anthony Pantlitz
