The capital of Suriname and the country’s lone true city, Paramaribo is listed as a UNESCO world heritage site for its colonial wooden architecture, most notably the striking Saint Peter and Paul Cathedral, which holds the record for the tallest wooden building in the Americas.

Most tourists visiting Paramaribo start their journey at Fort Zeelandia, the four centuries old fortress that changed hands multiple times throughout its history. It is notoriously known for being the scene where political dissidents were tortured and mass-executed during the country’s military rule in the 1980’s.

The Surinamese capital epitomizes the nation’s diverse population, which is evident throughout the city. Nowhere is this coexistence of ethnicities and religions more apparent than on Keizer Street, where the Neve Shalom Synagogue and Keizerstraat Mosque stand side by side, peacefully sharing the same piece of land—a sight rarely seen elsewhere in the world.

Suriname holds the title of the most forested nation on earth, with a rainforest larger than the entire country of Nepal. This extensive jungle hosts thousands of animal species, some of which are unique to Suriname and found nowhere else in the world.

Though this rainforest might seem uniform to the untrained eye, this couldn’t be further from the truth as one can find here a series of remote villages inhabited by the only African tribe outside of Africa, as well as quirky geological formations. Chief among them is the eye-catching Mt. Voltzberg, well ensconced in the Raleighvallen Nature Reserve.

The sugarloaf shaped mountain is accessible solely by a four hour hike from Fungo Island, where tourists visiting the reserve often camp. Its peak stands at 150 meters above sea level, offering sweeping panorams of the surrounding rainforest, accompanied by a boisterous symphony of exotic animals, particularly the spider monkey.

No aspect of Surinamese culture better reflects the country’s diverse ethnic backgrounds than its cuisine. It incorporates a wide array of influences from Indian, Javanese, African, Dutch, and even Amerindian cuisines, while each of which also stands out on its own in the national culinary landscape.

What makes the Surinamese cuisine truly exceptional though are the local versions of traditional dishes from around the world, typically prepared with local ingredients. A prime example is Nasi goreng, an originally Indonesian dish made with local herbs and vegetables from Suriname.

The local cuisine also features some original signature eats, including Moksi-alesi, a parboiled rice with fish or salted meat complemented by tomatoes, black eyed peas and coconut milk. Another popular dish is the Pom, a casserole made of layers of sautéed chicken and grated potatoes mixed with lemon juice, tomatoes, nutmeg and other local spices.

Perhaps the single quirkiest part of Suriname’s gastronomy, though, is a wine crafted from exotic plants and fruits, including orange wine, ginger wine and even eggplant wine. These unusual flavors can trace their origins to the Second World War, when wine imports were halted, prompting the then Dutch colony to adapt and create an alternative based on the equatorial climate, which is unsuitable for traditional vineyards.

Since the industrial revolution, many nations across the world have experienced an exponential economic growth, often entailing a massive environmental degradation like water pollution and deforestation. Suriname on the other hand, hasn’t yet undergone such hyper-modernization process, leaving most of its virgin rainforest intact.

Eco-tourism in Suriname is divided into two sub-categories, adventurous expeditions to the country’s remote parts and nature reserves, and laid back vacations in eco-resorts, located mostly around a large river.

What sets eco-resorts apart from standard ones is their secluded location, accessible only via unpaved roads or canoe trips, ensuring minimal disruption to the delicate rainforest ecosystem, something which also provides total isolation from modern civilization

Most resorts offer a variety of activities, focusing on the nearby natural abundance, like kayaking and deep-forest hiking. Accommodation is ranging from a low cost hammock to a private bungalow endowed with a river view for more deep-pocketed travelers.

Located in the northeastern corner of the country, where the Marowijne River meets the Atlantic Ocean, Galibi Nature Reserve is one of a kind. Founded as an international joint effort to protect endangered marine animals, this place serves as the nestling ground for four rare species of sea-turtles, including the leatherback turtle.

The best time to visit the reserve is from April to August, when female turtles swarm the beaches to lay their eggs. These eggs usually hatch after a two-month incubation period in the deep sand.

While during their first days, the vulnerable leatherback hatchlings can easily fit inside a small mug, a full grown turtle can weigh as much as 700 kg, making it a true beast.

Galibi Reserve is part of a region inhabited by the indigenous Amerindian tribes known as the Kalina people. Intrepid visitors can explore some of the neighboring villages, offering an authentic glimpse of Kalina cultural heritage as well as a change to purchase various handicraft items.

Both Galibi Reserve and the Amerindian communities can be reached only by a 1-2 hour boat trip along the Marowijne River from the town of Albina.

In the absence of road infrastructure, only few nature parks in Suriname are easily accessible by vehicle from Paramaribo. Among the select-few which are relatively easy to reach is Brownsberg Nature Park. It is roughly 100 kilometers from the capital, making it a favorable option for a short excursion or even a day trip.

The Park is renowned for its rich bio-diversity, home to copious animal species, including about 400 different types of birds and endangered mammals like black spider monkeys and red howlers. The latter can be easily spotted during rainforest hikes. Another highlight is Irenevallen waterfall, cascading gently through dense foliage into a serene pool, where visitors can wade and swim.

Much of the land now designated as the park was once a draw for gold miners. Interestingly, the park itself is named after John Brown, an American gold miner who was among the first prospectors attracted to the area by this precious metal.

Due to a government dam construction, a significant portion of the adjacent rainforest was flooded, resulting in the creation of the Brokopondo Reservoir. This manmade lake now provides a scenic backdrop for the park and serves as a resting place for thousands of trees, many of which are still partially visible due to the shallow water, with their canopies poking above the surface.

Marking the border between Suriname and French Guyana, the Marowijne River both separates and connects the two nations, acting as both a barrier to crossing and a vital artery for transporting goods and people between the two nations.

Along its banks on the Surinamese side sits Albina, a town that acts as a gateway to French Guiana and the Galibi Nature Reserve. A frequent ferry service links Albina with Saint Laurent du Maroni in French Guiana, located directly across the Marowijne River on its eastern bank.

With significant population centers on both sides of the river, a bustling border economy has emerged along the town’s riverside. Here, dozens of small boats are moored, and local fishermen sell fresh and dried fish.

Unfortunately, much of Albina was ravaged during riots and political turmoil in the 1980’s and 1990’s. Therefore, don’t expect to find here lavish colonial buildings like in Paramaribo. However, the town still retains its charm despite the lack of tourist attractions, and offers as a pleasant stopover on the route to Galibi Reserve or French Guiana.