My credit card keeps declining in Suriname and I have enough money on there and all international transactions are activated - what do I do?
If your card keeps declining, don’t panic - it’s super common in Suriname. Try multiple ATMs, but Republic Bank and DSB are your best bets. Always carry USD or euros; you can change them easily at cambios along Domineestraat in Paramaribo. Hotels and some tour operators often prefer USD payments anyway. Use your credit card mostly for booking online; on the ground, cash is king.
Honestly, card acceptance in Suriname is poor. My Wise Visa and N26 Mastercard both declined at Hakrinbank and Republic Bank ATMs, even though my bank confirmed no issues. Staff at my hostel in Paramaribo told me it happens all the time and advised me to use cash. I had to exchange euros at a cambio office downtown. It was frustrating - don’t assume international cards will work here, bring USD or euros.
I had issues with my Monzo Mastercard declining everywhere until I found a Republic Bank ATM near the Torarica Hotel in Paramaribo. It accepted my card with no problem, withdrawal limit around SRD 3000. My Revolut Visa also worked at DSB near the Palmentuin area. Once I switched to Visa, things were smooth. Hotels like Royal Torarica and guesthouses in Blauwgrond happily take USD too, so that kept me going until I sorted my cash.
In Suriname, most ATMs are run by Republic Bank, DSB (De Surinaamsche Bank), and Hakrinbank. Many of them don’t accept foreign credit cards reliably, even if international transactions are enabled. Visa tends to work more often than Mastercard. You should try Republic Bank ATMs in central Paramaribo - they’re the most consistent. If that fails, withdraw cash inside a branch with your passport. US dollars are widely accepted, especially for hotels and larger restaurants, so it’s smart to carry backup USD.