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Welcome to Suriname -

Suriname is located in northern South America, a tiny smudge of land facing the Atlantic Ocean and bordered by French Guiana to the east, Guyana to the west, and Brazil to the south. It's the smallest nation on the continent and easy to overlook. But to dismiss this tiny country is to ignore a fascinating and little-explored haven for nature-lovers and free-spirited adventurers alike.

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Surinamese culture -

While influenced by Asian, African, and European cultures, traditional customs remain prevalent. The Surinamese population includes Hindustanis, Creoles, Javanese, Maroons, and Amerindians. The official language of Suriname is Dutch (Spanish is spoken sparingly), though Sranan Tongo, a Creole language, is the most popular choice for informal conversation.

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Surinamese cuisine -

You won't go hungry in Suriname! The country's cuisine is an appetizing blend of Asian, African, and European influences. Favorite dishes include pom (a Creole dish named for the ingredient pomtayer, a local root vegetable), bami (a Javanese noodle dish), and roti, seen here,(a dish of curried chicken, vegetables, and potato, wrapped in a flour pancake).

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Exploring Paramaribo -

Surinam's capital city is Paramaribo and it's here that most visitors begin their exploration of this diminutive but compelling country. The historic inner city of Paramaribo has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2002. Fort Zeelandia, built in the 17th century, houses the engaging Surinamese Museum and is a good place to commence sightseeing.

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Historic hub -

Paramaribo's bygone age is reflected in a collection of colonial buildings, the original architecture of which has largely remained intact since the 1600s.

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Fusion of architectural styles -

Paramaribo's beautifully designed, mostly wooden, buildings perfectly illustrate the fusion of Dutch and other European architectural influences with traditional local techniques and materials.

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Historic Waterkant -

The historical street plan extends to Waterkant, one of the city's finest streets and the location where ships used to arrive.

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Presidential Palace -

One of the most prolific and best maintained examples of Dutch colonial architecture in Suriname is the presidential palace. Completed in 1730, the building subsequently received several ornamental additions, including a west wing in 1920.

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Garden of Palms -

Set behind the presidential palace is the verdant Palmentuin, or Garden of Palms. This shady haven of lofty royal palms is home to a a variety of tropical birds and a troop of capuchin monkeys. The garden is a pleasure to walk through to escape the chaos of the city outside, and offers a modicum of respite from the hot summer heat.

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Cathedral-Basilica of Saint Peter and Paul -

The Cathedral-Basilica of Saint Peter and Paul is the largest wooden structure in the Western Hemisphere. A Gothic Revival gem, the building was designated a Minor Basilica by Pope Francis in 2014.

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Cedar wood splendor -

After lingering outside, it's certainly worth taking a peek inside for the masterful woodwork and carvings, a gorgeous veneer of  unpainted Surinamese cedar.

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Centrumkerk -

Another ecclesiastical wonder is the Centrumkerk. Completed in 1835, the church is celebrated for its ornate pipe organ, installed in 1846. Mass is held daily and tours in the English language are available on request.

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Mosque Keizerstraat -

The Muslim community of Paramaribo was established in 1929. The city's first mosque was inaugurated in 1932. The current building was completed in 1984 and is the biggest mosque in the Caribbean.

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Neveh Shalom Synagogue -

As if to illustrate Suriname's diversity, the Neveh Shalom Synagogue stands adjacent to the mosque. Consecrated in 1665, this is one of the oldest synagogues in the Americas.

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Nieuw Amsterdam -

Venturing out of Paramaribo brings you to Nieuw Amsterdam, a small coastal town situated at the confluence of the Suriname River and Commewijne River, just across from the capital. The main tourist attraction here is Fort Nieuw Amsterdam, one of the earliest surviving Dutch structures in Suriname, completed in 1747.

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Traditional design -

Nieuw Amsterdam also features several fine examples of Dutch colonial architecture, buildings and monuments that again exhibit high authenticity because of the use of traditional techniques and materials in their construction.

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World's oldest steel lightship -

And it's within the grounds of the fortress that you'll find what is believed to be the oldest steel lightship in the world, the Suriname-River. She was launched in 1734, but is now in sorry disrepair, a vessel of rust whose light dimmed long ago.

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Brokopondo Reservoir -

The Brokopondo Reservoir is the largest body of water in Suriname. The reservoir was created between 1961 and 1964 when the Afobaka Dam was completed and where once a forested valley was located. Today, the skeletal spines of trees rising up from the depths serve as the only sign that this area was was once covered by a deciduous emerald green blanket.

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A nation of rainforest -

But it's Suriname's natural wonders that are the reason most make the effort to reach this South American nation. Did you know that over 90% of its territory is covered by rainforests? That's the highest proportion of forest cover found anywhere in the world!

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Suriname's wildlife -

Suriname is a rarity among wildlife destinations, boasting an exceptional wealth of flora and fauna. Among its most iconic animals is the jaguar. This large, solitary, and mostly nocturnal big cat is classified as Near Threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and is on the organization's Red List.

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Emerald tree boa -

Among the 30 or so snake species slithering across Suriname is the emerald tree boa—one of South America's most distinctive serpents. Like all other boas, it is nonvenomous.

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Red-footed tortoise -

While Suriname is famous for its turtles, the humble red-footed tortoise is a standout among herpetofauna (the reptiles and amphibians of a particular region or habitat).

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Blue poison dart frog -

A native of the country, and one of its most toxic residents, the blue poison dart frog should be admired from a distance. Never handle one; it's skin is coated with poisonous alkaloids!

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Golden-handed tamarin -

The country's vast rainforest canopy is home to eight different species of primates, among them the golden-handed tamarin. An exceptional climber, this New World monkey is quick and agile, and very handsome.

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Capuchinbird -

Suriname is regarded as one of the most rewarding forest birding locations on the planet. Over 700 species have been recorded, including the capuchinbird, which is endemic to northeastern South America.

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Harpy eagle -

The sky above the forests is also the domain of some impressive raptors. Perhaps the most regal is the magnificent harpy eagle. But destruction of its natural habitat has placed this extraordinary bird on the IUCN Red List as Vulnerable.

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Bush dog -

Listed as Near Threatened by the IUCN, the secretive bush dog was believed to be extinct. It's still quite rare, and bush dog numbers continue to dwindle due mainly to habitat loss and human poaching.

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Central Suriname Nature Reserve -

Suriname's splendid national parks afford wildlife lovers the chance to explore some truly wonderful and unique ecosystems. Central Suriname Nature Reserve also falls under UNESCO World Heritage protection and comprises 1.6 million hectares of primary tropical forest in west-central Suriname.

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Brownsberg Nature Park -

Brownsberg National Park is just 80 miles (130 km) south of Paramaribo and is located near the aforementioned Brokopondo Reservoir. The park receives around 20,000 visitors each year, drawn to the hiking trails that meander past tumbling waterfalls and other water features.

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Galibi Nature Reserve -

The Galibi Nature Reserve, situated in the northeast corner of Suriname, at the mouth of the Marowijne River, is the one of the country's most famous sea turtle nesting areas. Look out for leatherback (pictured), olive ridley, green, and hawksbill turtles.  

Sources: (Lonely Planet) (Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network) (UNESCO) (Discover Suriname) (IUCN)

See also: The most beautiful national parks in the world

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