Find deals on data with local SIM cards in South America.
The smallest country in South America, Suriname is also one of the most diverse in the world: a wide blend of ethnicities, religions and languages. Tourists flock to Suriname for its Amazonian rain forests. If you’re headed to Suriname, consider lowering your trip expenses by purchasing a local SIM card to cut down on roaming charges. You can purchase a prepaid SIM Card with 2.56GB of data valid for 7 days for SRD60 (US$8.06). Finder.com offers the following guide to Suriname’s mobile network operators. SimCorner's prepaid SIM cards let you enjoy local call, text and data rates in dozens of countries around the world.
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Mobile network operators in Suriname
There are two mobile network operators in Suriname: Telesur (also known as TeleG) and Digicel. Neither has 4G coverage but they advertise their 3G coverage as 4G. Once you get outside of the populated areas, coverage is a roll of the dice, with most of the remote areas having little to no reception.
Telesur (TeleG)
Telesur is the name of the state-owned company and TeleG is the GSM network. Telesur outlets are the place to get your SIM cards, which cost SRD20. The balance is valid for 180 days, but if your balance reaches zero, you must top up within 60 days or your account will be closed. Top-up vouchers come in two currencies in a range from SRD5-SRD100 and US$5-US$50. They are available at Telesur stores along with gas stations and grocery stores. To check your available balance, dial *132#.
Telesur has three types of data bundles available: for smartphones, for social media and data-only packages.
Telesur smartphone bundles
These packs can be combined with social media packs. To activate, text the code below to 4040. If you need to check your volume, text NET INFO to 4040.
| Price | Data Volume | Validity | Activation Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| SRD8 | 700MB | 1 day | NET 1D |
| SRD16 | 1.28GB | 3 days | NET 3D |
| SRD40 | 2.56GB | 7 days | NET 7D |
| SRD70 | 3.584GB | 14 days | NET 14D |
| SRD120 | 7.168GB | 30 days | NET 30D |
Telesur social bundles
These bundles will function only on smartphones running iOS or Android OS. Activate them by texting code to 4040. The websites/apps that will work on these bundles are: WhatsApp, Facebook, Google Hangouts, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter. To check your balance, text “NETSO INFO” to 4040.
| Price | Data Volume | Validity | Activation Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| SRD12 | 512MB | 3 days | NETSO 3D |
| SRD24 | 1.024GB | 7 days | NETSO 7D |
| SRD53 | 3.072GB | 30 days | NETSO 30D |
Data-only bundles
These can be activated by texting the code below to 4040. Packages will auto-renew after 30 days or when the data is depleted.
| Price | Data Volume | Validity | Activation Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| SRD12 | 2.048GB | 1 day | DATA 1D |
| SRD60 | 4.096GB | 7 days | DATA 7D |
| SRD170 | 10.24GB | 30 days | DATA 30D |
APN for smartphone packages: win.teleg.sr
APN for data-only packages: data.teleg.sr
Website (Dutch only): http://www.telesur.sr/mobiel/prepaid
Digicel
Digicel started in Suriname in 2007. It claims to have a 4G network, but it’s really a 3G-based HSPA+network. Its prepaid plan is called Digicel Flex. The starter card costs SRD20 and is available at Digicel outlets. Top-up cards, also own as Flex Cards, are easily accessible at convenience stores, gas stations and supermarkets. Top-ups are available in denominations from SRD2.50-SRD100. To check your balance or validity period, dial *120*3#. Digicel also has a universal top-up site online.
| Price | Data Volume | Validity |
|---|---|---|
| SRD11.14 | 600MB | 1 day |
| SRD21.11 | 1.024GB | 3 days |
| SRD31.78 | 500MB | 7 days |
| SRD55.12 | 2.048GB | 7 days |
| SRD63.56 | 3.584GB | 7 days |
| SRD63.56 | 500MB | 30 days |
| SRD123.13 | 1.537GB | 30 days |
| SRD152.54 | 6.144GB | 30 days |
Digicel social media packages
The following plans are dedicated to social media websites including: Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, WhatsApp, Gmail, Hotmail, and Yahoo!Mail. Note that these plans only work on Android devices. You can order any of them by dialing *100# and accessing the menu.
| Cost | Validity |
|---|---|
| SRD11.14 | 2 days |
| SRD21.11 | 5 days |
| SRD39.87 | 10 days |
APN: web.digicelsr.com
Website (Dutch only): https://www.digicelgroup.com/sr/du/mobile.html
Pros and cons of Suriname’s top SIM card operators
Suriname has two SIM card providers. Here are some of the positives and negatives about these companies.
Pros
- TeleG top-ups are available in both SRD and US$ denominations.
- Social media packages offer unlimited data to select sites.
- Digicel has a top-up website that accepts most international credit cards.
Cons
- Both companies falsely advertise that they have 4G networks.
- Coverage ranges from bad to non-existent outside the major cities.
An additional question about SIM cards in Suriname
Q: What is the status of Suriname network operator Uniqa?
A: Uniqa no longer operates in Suriname. This Curacao-based company had a sale pending to Digicel in 2015 that fell through. The company ceased operations in 2016. Its existing SIM cards no longer function.