Suriname is increasingly on the bucket list as a holiday destination. The South American country has a lot to offer, especially for travelers looking for untouched nature and unique experiences. Suriname is one of the greenest countries in the world, about 80 percent of the area is covered with jungle. Deep in the jungle, Indian and Maroon tribes live with their age-old traditions. In order to preserve the primary forests and their inhabitants, those responsible have designated several protected areas, including the UNESCO World Heritage Central Suriname Nature Reserve. With about ten percent of the land area, it includes one of the world's largest tropical rainforests. The capital Paramaribo forms the contrast with the forest silence. Over the centuries, people of all backgrounds have settled here – from the Native Americans to the British, French and Dutch colonizers to African slaves and immigrants from China, India and Brazil. The country's accommodation is as varied as its culture.
The starting point for most travelers is Paramaribo. The capital of Suriname with its historic wooden architecture not only inspires culture lovers, but also offers a wide range of entertainment with theaters and nightclubs. Visitors can experience colonial flair up close not only when visiting the World Heritage-listed Old Town, but also at charming inns and luxury hotels such as Hotel Torarica. There, a historic mansion was integrated as a lobby into the associated eco-resort. The Toucan Bar is now located in the former living room, where you can drink and eat deliciously. It is cheaper to stay overnight in the Guesthouse Albergo Alberga. While the architecture of the house from the second half of the 19th century still bears witness to the prosperity of its former owner – a wealthy merchant – the furnishings are simple but comfortable. From both accommodations you can quickly reach the attractions, shops and entertainment venues of Paramaribo.
You can also stay in style outside of Paramaribo. To the north, on the eastern bank of the Suriname River, is the Frederiksdorp plantation. At the beginning of the new millennium, a small hotel complex was built in the colonial-era buildings that used to grow coffee plants and dry beans. In addition to the large mansion with four spacious bedrooms for groups with a shared shower/WC, living room and balcony, the guest house offers six apartments. These are each equipped with a separate living room and bedroom, an extra sleeping loft, shower/toilet, refrigerator, TV and balcony. You can relax in the lush green garden. A visit to the nearby village offers a change of scenery. In addition, the plantation is a good starting point for boat trips on the river. The most spectacular are the dolphin watching at dusk. Then you see the rare pink river dolphins plowing through the water in small groups.
Also on the riverbank south of the capital, the Bergendal eco-resort is located on the site of a former sugar plantation. Here you will stay in small bungalows equipped with everything to satisfy even the most demanding traveller. The hotel's restaurant overlooking the river offers tasty international dishes with a local twist. Many native animals can be seen in the vast area. Sports enthusiasts can take advantage of various offers in the associated activity center. The Suriname River invites you to kayak trips or boat trips. More adventurous guests can zipline down the river, swing from tree to tree like Tarzan on a rope system, or hike through the rainforest. Various excursions in the area are also offered, including to the traces of colonial heritage, to Brownsberg or Brokopondo Reservoir with its haunted forest of dead trees.
The special atmosphere is best experienced in one of the various resorts located in the middle of Lake Brokopondo – also called Lake Blommestein after the engineer who carried out the work. Even reaching the islands is a small adventure. When the huge reservoir, one of the largest in the world, was created in the 1960s, the trees were not cut and their tops now rise above the water's surface. The bare treetops require a lot of skill in navigating the boats. A few years ago, the potential of tropical timber was recognized and felling started at a depth of 35 meters. They are used in furniture and housing construction. For example, Matu Island Eco Resort is built from the trees of Brokopondo Lake. In addition to the main building, there are two small holiday homes on the island, which are more comfortably furnished than the simple rooms of the resort. In the wooden architecture a lot of attention has been paid to small details. Hammocks and seats invite you to linger and relax. The small island can be quickly discovered on foot. Kayak trips to the uninhabited neighboring islands, whose flat beaches are also suitable for swimming, offer variety.
Travelers in Suriname can hardly avoid contact with water, because outside Paramaribo the road network becomes thinner and it soon stops all the way south. Then it's time to transfer to the boat. Eight major rivers cross the country – becoming transportation routes to most inland destinations. Settlements of the Maroons, descendants of escaped slaves, are mainly found along the upper reaches of the Suriname River. Because they belonged to different tribes, a unique mix of African traditions already emerged during the colonial period. Although western achievements have made their way into their villages, the huts are still built in the traditional way. There is also traditional cultivation and Casave bread is still baked on an open fire.
Travelers stay in small lodges – from high standard to camping-like accommodation with hammocks – that are also based on African construction in their design. One of the best equipped is the Danpaati River Lodge. The simple but lovingly furnished cottages have a private bathroom and small verandas with hammocks. For a good start to the day, coffee or tea is made on the veranda early in the morning so that you can enjoy the first cup with a view of the river. This also invites a number of activities. The current forms a kind of natural whirlpool in which you can relax. There is also an on-site wellness center where you can get a massage or enjoy treatments using local ingredients. Excursions in the surrounding rainforest are also possible.
In addition to classic jungle expeditions to jaguars, tapirs, armadillos, howler monkeys, and countless exotic birds, tour operators also offer visits to Suriname's indigenous tribes, giving tourists an insight into their traditions. The Indians such as the Trio and the Wayanas live secluded in the inaccessible border area with Brazil. To reach this part of the country you can take off from the two regional airports in Paramaribo with small propeller planes to various runways in the south of Suriname. During the roughly two-hour flight, a green canopy stretches out, interrupted almost only by the rivers. At your destination, continue on foot or by boat through the rainforest, accompanied by expert guides. Sleeping is in simple camps in hammocks with mosquito nets. The menu is supplemented with freshly caught fish and everything the jungle has to offer.
Even without a flight, but by road and over the river you can get an impression of the Surinamese Indian culture. In the far northeast of the country, the village of Galibi welcomes visitors to Myrysji Lodge. The very basic hostel is the starting point for walks through the Indian community. The population provides insight into their customs and way of life with baking bread, drying fish, crafts and song and dance performances. The place also has a small museum. A special attraction for nature lovers are the breeding grounds for sea turtles at the mouth of the Marowijne River in the Atlantic Ocean. Between February and July, the gentle reptiles can be seen in the nature reserve.
Surinamese cuisine is already well established in the Netherlands. Roti, saoto soup, noodles, fried rice and brown beans with rice are especially known here. When you are on holiday in Suriname you can experience the authentic taste of Suriname together with an international cuisine. You can go to local restaurants with their Javanese, Indian, African Surinamese (Creole &Maroon), Chinese and Jewish influences. But you can also go on a culinary fusion journey. Pasta mixes with local spices and burgers with curry flavors in creative restaurants.
