10 Unforgettable Places to Visit in Suriname in 2024

Stay connected while exploring the breathtaking landscapes and vibrant culture of Suriname with Airtel’s International Roaming plans, ensuring you can share every unforgettable moment from your travels in 2024.

 

Suriname. The name alone sounds exotic, conjuring images of untamed jungles and vibrant culture. This small South American country packs a serious travel punch. 90% rainforest, peppered with Dutch colonial architecture, Suriname delivers an intoxicating blend of nature and history. Here are the best places to visit in Suriname in 2024:

 

1. Paramaribo: Where Cultures Collide

Paramaribo is Suriname’s pulsing heart. The capital city’s historic inner city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a living museum of Dutch colonial buildings alongside mosques, synagogues and Hindu temples.

 

What to See & Do

• Stroll the palm-lined Waterkant, Paramaribo’s waterfront boulevard

• Visit Fort Zeelandia, a 17th-century fortress now housing the Surinaams Museum

• Marvel at the immense Saint Peter and Paul Cathedral, one of the Western Hemisphere’s largest wooden structures

• Shop for spices, fruits and souvenirs at the lively Central Market

 

2. Central Suriname Nature Reserve: A Pristine Wilderness

The Central Suriname Nature Reserve is a must-visit tourist place in Suriname. This UNESCO World Heritage Site covers 1.6 million hectares of primary tropical forest. It’s a haven for biodiversity, home to jaguars, giant armadillos, and over 400 bird species.

 

Top Activities

• Hike jungle trails to spot wildlife like the bright Guianan cock-of-the-rock

• Take a multi-day trek to the Raleighvallen, a series of cascades and granite domes

• Canoe the winding Coppename River through dense rainforest

• Visit Indigenous Trio and Wayana villages to learn about traditional lifestyles

 

3. Brownsberg Nature Park: Natural Wonders

Brownsberg Nature Park is one of the most beautiful places in Suriname. Located 130 km south of Paramaribo, this former bauxite mining site is now a lush nature reserve.

Attraction	Highlights
Mazaroni Plateau	Panoramic views over the Brokopondo Reservoir
Witti Kreek Falls	Refreshing waterfalls and swimming holes
Jungle Trails	Hiking paths through pristine rainforest
Wildlife Spotting	Monkeys, sloths, and over 200 bird species

 

4. Galibi Nature Reserve: Turtle Territory

The Galibi Nature Reserve, in northeastern Suriname, is a crucial nesting site for sea turtles. From February to August, green, leatherback, olive ridley and hawksbill turtles come ashore to lay their eggs.

 

Tips for Visiting

• Join a guided night tour to witness nesting turtles (April-August)

• Visit the Carib and Arawak villages to learn about Indigenous culture

• Spot scarlet ibises, flamingos and other waterbirds in the coastal wetlands

• Stay in a rustic guesthouse or camp on the beach under the stars

 

5. Commewijne: Colonial Plantations

Just across the river from Paramaribo lies Commewijne, a district dotted with former colonial plantations. Many have been transformed into beautiful resorts and museums.

 

Where to Go

• Peperpot Nature Park: Hike forest trails in this former coffee plantation

• Marienburg: Visit the ruins of this 18th-century sugar estate

• Frederiksdorp: Stay in this charming riverside resort, a former citrus plantation

• Rust en Werk: Tour this cacao plantation producing fine Surinamese chocolate

 

6. Bigi Pan: Birder’s Paradise

The Bigi Pan is a vast wetland in northwest Suriname, near the town of Nieuw Nickerie. It’s one of the country’s top birdwatching spots, with over 100 recorded species.

 

What You’ll See

• Herons, ibises, storks and spoonbills wading in the shallows

• Snail kites and limpkins hunting for apple snails

• Skimmers gliding over the water at dusk

• Flocks of scarlet ibises painting the sky red at sunset

 

7. Jodensavanne: Echoes of History

Jodensavanne, 50 km south of Paramaribo, was one of the Western Hemisphere’s earliest Jewish settlements. Though little remains today, it’s a poignant reminder of Suriname’s diverse history.

 

What to Explore

• Ruins of the Beracha ve Shalom synagogue built in 1685

• Old Jewish cemetery with ornate tombstones

• Remnants of the former settlement, destroyed by fire in 1832

• Adjacent nature reserve with hiking trails along the Suriname River

 

8. Raleighvallen: Rapids and Granite

The Raleighvallen (Raleigh Falls) are a series of rapids and granite outcrops in the Central Suriname Nature Reserve. Named after Sir Walter Raleigh, who searched for the mythical city of El Dorado here, they’re one of Suriname’s most famous places.

 

How to Visit

• Take a scenic flight from Paramaribo to Raleighvallen Airstrip

• Join a guided boat trip upriver to the falls

• Hike the Voltzberg trail for panoramic jungle views

• Cool off with a swim in natural jacuzzi pools formed in the granite

 

9. Warappa Kreek: Maroon Culture

The Maroons are descendants of Africans who escaped slavery to form free communities in Suriname’s interior. Several Maroon villages along the Warappa Kreek welcome visitors to experience their unique culture.

 

Cultural Experiences

• Watch a traditional Awasa dance performance

• Taste Maroon cuisine like tonton (smoked meat) and moksi alesi (mixed rice)

• Learn about Maroon history at Santigron’s Saamaka Museum

• Sleep in a Maroon hut and wake to the sound of the jungle

 

10. Tafelberg: Suriname’s Table Mountain

Tafelberg (Table Mountain) is a 1026-meter sandstone plateau in central Suriname. Part of the Tafelberg Nature Reserve, it offers challenging hikes rewarded by breathtaking views.

 

Hiking Tafelberg

• Join a guided 3-4 day trek from Rudi Kappel airstrip

• Climb steep jungle trails to reach the plateau summit

• Marvel at 360-degree views over pristine rainforest

• Camp on the plateau and stargaze far from city lights

 

Practical Tips for Visiting Suriname

 

When to Go

• Dry season (August to November): Best time for hiking and wildlife viewing

• February to August: Turtle nesting season at Galibi Nature Reserve

• January to April: Chance of heavy rains in the interior

 

Getting Around

• Fly to Johan Adolf Pengel International Airport in Paramaribo

• Rent a car or hire a driver to explore coastal areas

• Take domestic flights or join guided tours to visit interior locations

• Use boats to travel along rivers and reach remote villages

 

Staying Connected with Airtel’s International Roaming Plans

 

Staying connected is essential whether you’re navigating Paramaribo’s streets or trekking through the jungle. With Airtel’s Postpaid International Roaming plans, you can enjoy seamless connectivity across Suriname. Choose from data packs ranging from 1 day to 365 days so you can share photos, check maps, and stay in touch with loved ones as you explore this enchanting country.

 

Discover the Wonders of Suriname

From Paramaribo’s cultural melting pot to the untouched forests of the interior, Suriname offers a South American adventure like no other. Whether you’re floating down jungle rivers, watching turtles nest on wild beaches, or exploring colonial history, you’ll find wonder at every turn in this best place to visit. Start planning your 2024 Suriname getaway today, and get ready to immerse yourself in a world of nature, culture and unforgettable experiences.