Suriname
Travel Guide > South America > Suriname
In this Article
- Introduction
- Brief History
- Geography
- Regions
- Cities
- Sights and Activities
- Events and Festivals
- Weather
- Getting There
- Getting Around
- Red Tape
- Money
- Work
- Study
- Language
- Eat
- Sleep
- Drink
- Health
- Safety
- Keep Connected
Quick Facts
[edit]
- Capital
- Paramaribo
- Population
- 435,000
- Government
- Constitutional Democracy
- Religions
- Christianity (Catholic, Protestant), Hinduism, Islam
- Languages
- Dutch, English, Sranang Tongo, Hindustani, Javanese
- Calling Code
- +597
- Nationality
- Surinamese
- Local name
- Suriname
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Introduction
Surinam is a fascinating blend of cultures. Dutch colonial times have left an indelible mark on the capital, Paramaribo, with Dutch architecture lining the streets. Surinamese cuisine blends the diverse flavours of the major ethnic groups which make up Surinam's demographic; take one part East Indian, one part Indian, sprinkle on a dash of Creole and stir in some Chinese and you kind of get the picture. The ethnic diversity also derives from Dutch colonial times. In order to man their plantations, the Dutch first used West African slaves and then, when slavery was outlawed, Indonesian, Indian and Chinese workers.
Surinam's national parks and unadulterated inland forests make it an ideal setting for a South American adventure. Its frontier-style lack of development establishes it as a perfect destination for the hardy traveller.
Brief History
Regions
- North - a lowland coastal area where most of the population lives.
- South - the other roughly 80% of the country consists of tropical rainforest and sparsely inhabited savanna.
Sights and Activities
Historic Paramaribo
The Historic Inner City of Paramaribo is on the Unesco World Heritage List. As a Dutch colonial town from the 17th and 18th centuries, nowadays there still are original and highly characteristic features including the street plan of the historic centre remains. Its buildings illustrate the gradual fusion of Dutch architectural influence with traditional local techniques and materials. Read more in the Paramaribo article.
The Central Suriname Nature Reserve
The Central Suriname Nature Reserve is located in the central parts of the country and consists of more than 1,6 million hectares of primary tropical forest and is therefore places on the Unesco list as well. It protects the upper watershed of the Coppename River and the headwaters of many other rivers. It has several different ecosystems and some hills, mountains and waterfalls to preserve. It also contains a high diversity of plant life with more than 5000 plant species. The animals that are living here are typical of the region and include the jaguar, giant armadillo, giant river otter, tapir, sloths, many species of primates and over 400 bird species have been recorded as well including endangered ones like the harpy eagle and scarlet macaw.
Far South Expeditions
When travelling all the way to the south, you sure are on an expedition. Getting here is only possible by a very rough and long trip by boat, but most people fly in first and than travel to many of the fascinating destinations towards the border with Brazil. Palumeu is one of the most southern villages to be reached by chartered plane and it is best to arrange everything in advance in Paramaribo. From here, you can visit some indigenous villages, walk trough pristine forests, travel the rivers or go even further south to climb the magical Kasikasim mountain range. At the top you are able to view across the border with Brazil, one green field of broccoli.
Other sights and activities
- Galibi - famous because of its giant leatherback turtles laying their eggs in the March to July period.
- Brokopondo Lake - the best inland destination reachable by car or minibus.
Events and Festivals
Weather
Suriname enjoys a hot and humid tropical climate, with temperatures around or above 30 degrees Celcius at night and 'cooling' of to 23 degrees on average at night. There are two rainy seasons, of which the April to August one is the longest and wettest. There is a shorter one from late November to January. Therefore, February - March and September - early November are the best times for a visit although the latter one sees the highest temperatures with 34 degrees on average making things even worse.
Getting There
Plane
Suriname Airways is the national airline of Suriname with its base at Johan Adolf Pengel International Airport (PBM) near the capital Paramaribo. International destinations include Amsterdam, Aruba,Curacao, Belém and Port of Spain in Trinidad and Tobago. KLM and Martinair have flights to Amsterdam as well and with prices of around €600 including taxes it's a relatively affordable way of getting from Europe to South America. Air France has flights to Cayenne in French Guiana, while LIAT (Leeward Islands Air Transport) flies to Georgetown.
Land
The only options of travelling overland to neighbouring countries are to cross the border rivers with Guyana (Corantijn River) and French Guiana (Marowijne River). It is not possible to travel overland to Brazil.
By Train
By Car
By Bus
By Boat
The only options of travelling overland to neighbouring countries are to cross the border rivers with Guyana (Corantijn River) and French Guiana (Marowijne River). It is not possible to travel overland to Brazil.
Red Tape
Money
Work
Study
Language
Eat
Sleep
Drink
Health
Safety
This is version 11. Last edited at 19:50 on May 17, 08 by Utrecht (+3328). 14 articles link to this page.
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