Explore Paramaribo's UNESCO-listed Dutch colonial old town
The only remaining concentration of well-preserved Dutch colonial wooden architecture in South America, centered on the historic Fort Zeelandia.
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South America
Things to do in Suriname
The most ethnically diverse country in South America packed into its smallest mainland nation, a preserved Dutch colonial capital found nowhere else on the continent, and rainforest interior larger in proportion than almost anywhere on Earth.
Explore Suriname on the map →Budget$$
Best for8-10 days
CapitalParamaribo
VisaE-visa or visa on arrival available for US, UK, EU, Canadian, and Australian passport holders, typically allowing stays up to 90 days.
CurrencySurinamese dollar (SRD)
LanguagesDutch (official); Sranan Tongo and multiple other languages widely spoken
InternetGood in Paramaribo, very limited in the rainforest interior
Typical lodging$30–$85/night
Driving sideLeft
Power & voltage127V / 60Hz (Type C/F plug)
Time zoneUTC-3
Emergency number115
Dialing code+597
★★★★★ Culture★★★★★ Wildlife★★★★★ Adventure
Visa rules and emergency numbers can change without notice. Confirm the specifics for your nationality and dates before you travel.
Travel smart
Bottled or filtered water recommended. 10% at restaurants is common.
Suriname is the smallest sovereign country in mainland South America, yet it holds one of the most ethnically and religiously diverse populations anywhere in the world, blending Javanese, Hindustani (Indian), Creole, Maroon, Indigenous, and Dutch heritage in a way found nowhere else on the continent. Its capital, Paramaribo, is a UNESCO World Heritage site for its remarkably well-preserved Dutch colonial wooden architecture, the only such concentration of its kind remaining in South America.
When to go
Short dry seasonFebruary–April
A brief dry window, workable for the interior rainforest, though rain can still occur.
Long wet seasonApril–August
The heaviest rains of the year, with rivers at their fullest for interior boat travel.
Long dry seasonAugust–November
The most reliable and popular window nationally, with lower rainfall across both the coast and interior.
Short wet seasonDecember–January
A second, shorter rainy stretch before the brief dry season returns.
20 things to do
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Culture & history
8Visit a Maroon village along the Suriname River$5–10
Descendants of escaped enslaved Africans, Maroon communities in the interior maintain distinct language, art, and governance traditions, visited respectfully through community-based tourism.
Visit Paramaribo's Central Market and diverse religious sites$5–10
Within a few blocks, visitors can see a mosque, synagogue, and Hindu temple standing near each other, a genuine reflection of Suriname's religious diversity.
Explore Fort Nieuw Amsterdam near Paramaribo
A star-shaped 18th-century Dutch fort at the confluence of two rivers, now housing an open-air museum on Suriname's colonial history.
Explore Paramaribo's Waterkant riverside promenade
A lively waterfront street along the Suriname River lined with colonial-era buildings, cafés, and river views.
Attend a traditional Winti spiritual ceremony (respectfully, where accessible)
An Afro-Surinamese spiritual tradition with roots in West African religion, occasionally viewable through respectful cultural tourism channels.
Visit the Jodensavanne historic Jewish settlement ruins
The ruins of one of the oldest Jewish settlements in the Americas, established by Sephardic Jewish refugees in the 17th century along the Suriname River.
Explore Paramaribo's wooden St. Peter and Paul Cathedral
One of the largest wooden buildings in the Western Hemisphere, a striking neo-Gothic Catholic cathedral built almost entirely from timber.
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Adventure & outdoors
1Boat up the Suriname River to interior rainforest lodges$5–10
A multi-hour river journey connecting Paramaribo to remote interior lodges, passing rainforest and riverside Maroon and Indigenous villages.
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Wildlife
5Explore the Central Suriname Nature Reserve$5–10
A UNESCO World Heritage rainforest reserve covering roughly 10% of the country's total land area, among the largest protected tropical forest areas on Earth.
Search for giant river otters and jaguars in the interior
Suriname's vast, low-population rainforest interior supports healthy populations of both species, though sightings require patience and remote lodge access.
Watch sea turtles nest at Galibi Nature Reserve$5–10
A remote coastal reserve near the French Guiana border supporting significant leatherback turtle nesting, among the largest such sites in the region.
Visit the Peperpot Nature Park near Paramaribo$5–10
A former coffee and cacao plantation turned nature reserve, offering accessible birdwatching and forest trails close to the capital.
Birdwatch across Suriname's coastal wetlands$5–10
Suriname's coastal mudflats and wetlands attract significant migratory shorebird populations, an increasingly recognized destination among serious birders.
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Food & drink
4Eat pom, Suriname's baked casserole dish$5–10
A baked casserole made from a native taro-like root and chicken, considered a genuine national comfort food reflecting Suriname's Creole culinary heritage.
Try Surinamese roti, reflecting the country's Indian heritage
A significant Hindustani (Indian) population has shaped Surinamese cuisine, with roti and curry reflecting a genuine, distinct culinary fusion found across the country.
Try Surinamese bami and nasi dishes, a Javanese legacy
Noodle and rice dishes reflecting Suriname's significant Javanese population, brought as indentured laborers during the Dutch colonial period.
Try Surinamese heri heri, a fish and vegetable dish
A traditional dish of salted fish served with boiled root vegetables and plantain, reflecting Suriname's Afro-Surinamese Creole food culture.
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Nature & scenery
2Visit the Brownsberg Nature Park$5–10
A rainforest reserve atop a plateau offering waterfalls, hiking trails, and views over the Brokopondo reservoir, one of the largest man-made lakes by volume in the world.
Explore the Brokopondo Reservoir by boat
A vast man-made lake formed by a hydroelectric dam, dotted with the remains of a flooded forest and accessible Maroon communities along its shores.
Common questions
▾Do I need a visa for Suriname?
US, UK, EU, Canadian, and Australian passport holders can get an e-visa or visa on arrival, typically allowing stays up to 90 days.
▾Why is Paramaribo's architecture so distinctive?
Its UNESCO-listed old town holds a remarkably well-preserved concentration of Dutch colonial wooden buildings, the only such collection of its kind remaining anywhere in South America.
▾What makes Suriname's population so diverse?
Successive waves of Dutch colonization, enslaved African labor, and later indentured workers from India, Java, and China created one of the most ethnically and religiously mixed populations anywhere in the world, still genuinely reflected in daily life today.
▾Is Suriname safe and easy to travel around?
Paramaribo and the main interior rainforest lodges see regular, safe tourism; the country's low visitor numbers mean booking through an established operator is strongly recommended for interior and Maroon village travel specifically.
▾How many days does Suriname need?
8-10 days lets you combine Paramaribo's old town with a rainforest lodge stay along the Suriname River, given the travel time required to reach the more remote interior.
▾How much does it cost to visit Central Suriname Nature Reserve?
Foreign visitor entry runs a modest $5-10 USD, though most travelers book a multi-day guided lodge stay to actually access the reserve, which is where the bulk of the cost sits. It's one of the least-visited UNESCO World Heritage sites in South America.
