The Beating Heart of the Amazon, that’s how locals refer to Suriname. It sounds so incredibly exotic doesn’t it? And you will certainly receive a mostly heartfelt welcome from Suriname locals. Well, most of them anyway.
Suriname in the far north of South America promises spectacular jungle experiences and an intriguing mix of local cultures as well as Dutch and British colonial influences. From looking for freshwater dolphins on the river to visiting old plantations; a Suriname vacation offers the chance to get well of the beaten track and see different side of South America.
- Commewijne River – fresh water dolphins spotting – Opposite Paramaribo, the banks of the Commewijne River are lined with old plantation properties divided by canals and strewn with the remains of coffee, cacao and sugar cane–processing facilities. The best way to explore is by renting a bike to spend a full day touring the well-defined routes past the plantations. This makes for a fascinating day trip and an impressive contrast to the chaos of the capital. The most popular route crosses the Suriname and Commewijne rivers using water taxis to reach Frederiksdorp, a plantation complex that has been lovingly restored and turned into a hotel and restaurant.
- Peperpot Nature Park – birds, monkeys, sloths – Visitors can walk or cycle through the nature park along a 3.2 km path. Here one has the chance to see Capuchin monkeys and Squirrel monkeys. Other animals that are sometimes seen along the path are the giant anteater, the Gold Tegu and the Arrowhead Piculet Woodpecker.
- Galibi Nature Reserve – sea turtles – There are four sea turtle species nesting on it’s beaches between February and July: the leatherback, the green turtle, the olive ridley (this is the smallest sea turtle nesting in Suriname) it has a length of 27 inches and weight between 77-110 lbs. The hawksbill, nests only sporadically in Suriname with rarely more than twenty-five nests a year. The nesting period takes place typically during May until July.
- Warappa Kreek – birdwatching & history – overlooks the mud flat at the ocean, offering the chance of a marvelous view of thousands of North American shorebirds, egrets, Black Skimmers Rynchops niger and night herons. Spectacular birds like Scarlet Ibis Eudocimus ruber, Roseate Spoonbill Platalea ajaja and Wood Stork Mycteria Americana are frequently encountered. And sometimes a Jabiru Jabiru mycteria is present. The last four birds may also forage on the coastal mudflats.
- Brownsberg Nature Park – rainforest – Brownsberg is characterized by its high accessibility to a vast wooded area that is usually found only in remote and hard to reach places. The Brownsberg Nature Park is the only nature park in Suriname. It is situated in the central north of Surinam, about 80 miles south of Paramaribo, with an area of approximately 19000 acres. It includes more than half of the Brownsberg Nature Reserve. Brownsberg is the closest location from the city where you can find a primary rainforest with an abundance of native flora and fauna species. For visitors, there are very cozy bungalows on the plateau that offer a spectacular overview on the artificial landscaped Van Blommenstein Lake.
- Neotropical Butterfly Park – butterfly park & farm – In a serene nature rich environment, a multitude of colorful butterfly species surround you while you enjoy a variety of attractions and learn all there is to know about their fascinating process of metamorphosis. During your visit to Neotropical Butterfly Park you will also explore our insect museum, a hand painted 360⁰ panoramic view of typical Surinamese landscapes and a guided tour through the breeding facilities of Neotropical Insects. You will be delighted to see that aside from butterflies, the farm also breeds local land turtles and snakes.
- Paramaribo, the capital of Suriname – is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with beautiful architecture, interesting markets and historical buildings. a former Dutch colonial town from the 17th and 18th centuries planted on the northern coast of tropical South America. The original and highly characteristic street plan of the historic centre remains intact. Its buildings illustrate the gradual fusion of Dutch architectural influence with traditional local techniques and materials.
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