Top 12 Attractions in Suriname

Suriname is a country of mixture of cultures and peoples. It is located in a picturesque part of South America, has a warm climate and rich nature. The tourist service here is not very well developed, but this does not stop those who want to see the beauty of this country.

Suriname has several nature reserves and a national park. All of them are different and have their main attractions. One of the reserves has become home to several thousand turtles, and in the bowels of another there is a beautiful waterfall and a clear river.

In Paramaribo, you can see Dutch buildings that are several centuries old. The historical center is of particular interest. On its territory there are very interesting architectural structures, churches, mosques. The popular church of St. Peter and Paul, Thalia Theatre, Presidential Palace. There is also a zoo in the city. During its existence, Suriname has experienced a lot. This is evidenced by its fortresses, which in our time have become museums. The most beautiful waterfalls in Suriname are the Marie Blanche Falls and the Governor's Fire Falls. The country has very beautiful cliffs and mountain rainforests.

What to see in Suriname?

The most interesting and beautiful places, photos and a brief description.

Paramaribo city (historical center)

Paramaribo is the capital and largest city of Suriname. Its historical center was formed five centuries. In 2002, it was included in the UNESCO heritage list. Almost all buildings in the area are wooden. Mostly they are built in the Dutch colonial style. There are many beautiful mosques and churches in the historical center, there is a synagogue.

government building

It is the seat of the President and Government of Suriname. It was built in the 17th century and acquired its present form in 1730. This is the most striking example of Dutch colonial architecture in Suriname. The residence is located on Independence Square, along with other government institutions. The government building is included in the UNESCO heritage list.

Fort Nieuw-Amsterdam

On the banks of the Suriname River, 11 kilometers from the capital, is Nieuw-Amsterdam. It is a small town famous for its fort. This is a pentagonal fortress built in the 18th century. During the Second World War, the Americans fortified it and installed cannons, which are still standing here today. Tours are conducted in the fortress, it is an open-air museum.

Brokopondo Reservoir

In Suriname, near the town of Brokopondo, one of the largest reservoirs in the world is located. Its area is 1560 km². The construction of the dam began in 1961 and ended in 1964. Its height is 54 meters. The filling of the dam once led to the flooding of several villages and the displacement of 5,000 inhabitants. Today, it supplies energy to many factories and the capital of the country.

Fort Zeeland

This is a fortress-museum in Paramaribo, which was built at the beginning of the 17th century. She was supposed to protect the trading settlement of Paramaribo. During the existence of the fortress, it was captured many times. But after the construction of the Nieuw-Amsterdam fort, the relevance of the fortress disappeared. Three of its bastions were dismantled, a barracks was made from the fort, and then a prison. Today it is a museum.

Suriname Central Reserve

The central reserve of Suriname is very popular with tourists. Its area is 16 thousand km². It is included in the UNESCO heritage list. On the territory of the reserve you can see a giant armadillo, tapir, jaguar. More than 400 species of birds also live there. Some of them are very rare.

Brownsburg National Park

This is the first national park in Suriname. It is located near Paramaribo. Its territory is covered by a mountain tropical forest, which is one of the largest in size in the world. The main attraction of the park is its picturesque waterfalls. Visitors can also swim in the river that flows through the forest. The park is home to over 650 species of birds, animals and plants that are endemic.

Galibi Reserve

The reserve is located along the Marowijne River. Its area is 4 thousand hectares. The reserve consists of swamps, lagoons, forests. They are home to many birds and animals. The most famous inhabitants are turtles. Thousands of animals live in the reserve. Among them are even rare Byss turtles. You can watch them in their natural environment, and the reserve itself is very important for the conservation of the population of some turtles.

Keizerstraat Mosque

The wooden Keizerstraat Mosque was built in 1932. Only in 1984 it was replaced by a stone one. The mosque serves as the seat of the Muslim movement "Lahore Ahmadiyya" and belongs to the Islamic Society of Suriname. The appearance of the mosque is refined and concise. Therefore, it attracts tourists and is one of the favorite places for residents of the city.

Temple of Arya Dewaker

This is the largest Hindu temple in Suriname. The official opening took place on February 11, 2001. The building has an octagonal shape, which gives the impression that it is round. It refers to the round shape of the sun, moon and earth. The three towers symbolize the quantities that make up the universe: God, man and nature. Near the temple there is a school and an orphanage.

Mountain peaks and tepui

The easternmost tepui are located in Suriname - impressive mountain plateaus with steep, often vertical slopes. Here they are huge granite domes, rounded rocks towering high above the jungle. Tepui is very interesting to scientists from a geological and biological point of view.

Waterfall Marie Blanche (Blanche Marie Falls)

The waterfall is located on the Nickeri River, about 300 km from Paramaribo. This area is known for its wonderful flora and fauna. During the trip, you can meet a large number of monkeys and birds. This part of the jungle is home to 8 different species of primates and up to 200 species of birds. Marie Blanche Falls is a real treasure and pride of Suriname.