Suriname Travel Guide

General info about Suriname
If you want to experience a still untouched and hospitable country with an enormous diversity and unique culture, Suriname (meaning 'home of various cultures') is a marvelous place to spend your vacation. An often disregarded country, Suriname nonetheless boasts beautiful tropical wilderness, spectacular landscapes, rare colorful wildlife and a fascinating culture. It is one of the few spots in the world where the extensive Amazonian rainforests are still completely pristine. Bio diversity of this country is really rich making this country a nature lover's paradise. Suriname is best known for its mosque and synagogue, situated right next to each other. Holidays in Suriname are ideal choice if you seek warm weather, untouched nature with a diversity of exotic tropical flora and fauna, adventure, culture, frolic sandy beaches and delicious foods. Create your own dream holiday in this tropical paradise. Travel to Suriname and make your dream holiday come true! Just one visit to this country is not enough. Travelers will surely find themselves wanting to come back.

Geography & Location
The Republic of Suriname, formerly a Dutch colony, is a developing country located on the northern coast of South America, covering a land area of about 63,265 square kilometers. To the north it is limited by the Atlantic Ocean, to the south by Brazil, by French-Guiana to the east, and Guyana to the west. The northern part of the country is home to coastal lowlands covered by mangrove swamps. To the south, the land becomes rugged and mountainous, covered by lush tropical forest and cut by several meandering and seething rivers and streams. Suriname is considered the smallest independent country on the South American continent.

History and Culture
First explored by the Spanish in the 16th century and then inhabited by the British in the mid-17th century, Suriname was colonized by Dutch in 1667. In 1954, Suriname, with the Netherlands Antilles, became a self-governing region within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The years of colonialism in Suriname lasted till 1975 when Suriname granted independence from Netherlands. Today, it is a diverse, multicultural country inhabited by Maroon, Amerindian, African, Asian, French, Portuguese, Jewish-Dutch, Chinese and other ethnicities, all sharing their customs and traditions. In Suriname you feel as if you're visiting more than one country.

Climate
Suriname enjoys a tropical warm and humid climate with dry and rainy seasons. Steady warm temperatures are available throughout the year (average temperature is 25°C-27°C). In addition to hot temperatures, another thing typical of Suriname's weather is high amount of rainfall. April to August and November to February are considered the wettest seasons while August to November and February to April experience dry seasons.

Paramaribo (Capital City) Hotels
Paramaribo (also called a 'museum') - the 17th century capital and the largest city of Suriname, is a historic city with distinctive architecture and cultural diversity. It boasts Suriname's main pride and the best attraction- tropical rainforest, covering nearly 80 % of the country, where nature lovers will admire lush green scenery with far-reaching trees, high waterfalls, steep granite rocks, and meandering rivers. Rainforest is also home to a huge variety of wildlife, including various mammals, enchanting singing birds (such as flamingoes) and about 130 types of reptiles. In Paramaribo you will find a few sights, dating back to colonial times, a few nice markets and a small piece of nightlife.

You can find most of Paramaribo's hotels strikingly affordable. The Torarica Hotel & Casino is perhaps the best known and most stylish hotel in Paramaribo, situated in the central part of the city, just along the wide Suriname River. Home to 132 tastefully decorated luxurious rooms; the hotel offers all modern facilities and world-class service that fit the needs of both business travelers and tourists. Other facilities and amenities include casino (in the lobby), restaurant, 3 bars, tropical garden, pool terrace, tennis courts and children's playground. All guests can enjoy free breakfast, as well as free bus transportation from the hotel to the airport.

Hotel La Petit Maison is another elegantly furnished hideaway, conveniently located in the beautiful and historical area of Paramaribo, available for meetings, cocktail and birthday parties, as well as for weddings. The hotel is home to 12 non-smoking comfortable rooms with rich-décor offering the following amenities: air conditioning, cable TV, Private bathroom and easy access to the web. You can enjoy full English breakfast inside or outside the Abon restaurant and experience the warm hospitality and the top-notch service of the staff.

Food & Drink
Like the country, Suriname's cuisine is a blend of cultures, offering a wide variety of American, European, Indian, Indonesian, Chinese and Creole dishes. Among Indonesian dishes usually rice and several meat and vegetable dishes are recommended, while Creole dishes include chicken pie with numerous vegetables, as well as poultry. Suriname boasts lots of exotic fruits to make the most delicious juices.

Holidays in Suriname - Itmeans loads of fun and relaxation, majestic nature, unique culture and endless experiences and adventures waiting for you.