Full Description
This thoroughly updated third edition of Bradt's Suriname remains the most detailed English-language guidebook - and the only standalone guide from a major travel publisher - to this exciting and emerging ecotourism destination. With an unrivalled nine-tenths of the thinly populated country comprising unspoilt rainforest, Suriname has much to offer wildlife enthusiasts, adventurous travellers and anyone who delights in non-mainstream destinations.
A true one-off, Suriname is geographically part of South America, but politically looks mainly towards the Caribbean and is inexorably tied, linguistically and historically, to the Netherlands, its former coloniser. Peaceful and stable, the country celebrated the 50th anniversary of its independence in 2025. Its forested interior is swathed by pristine Amazonian rainforest, rich in wildlife - from monkeys to macaws, tapirs to sloths - and accessible only by air or by motorised dugout along the tropical waterways that incise it. On the coast, the capital Paramaribo is a lively, culinarily rewarding, ethnically diverse city whose historic old quarter, lined with Dutch-Creole architectural gems, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Nearby beaches offer some of the world's finest turtle-viewing sites, as well as superb aquatic and marine birdwatching, plus several impressive forest reserves.
The longer you stay, the deeper you can delve. Explore various sites, including Peperpot Nature Park, along the Commewijne Plantation Loop. Marvel at 350 elaborate petroglyphs engraved into the walls of the Werehpai Caves, undiscovered by outsiders until 2004. Or visit the ruins of Jodensavanne ('Jewish Savannah'), Suriname's second-most important settlement until the early 19th century, and now its most important and intriguing historical site.
Written by prolific guidebook author Philip Briggs, Bradt's Suriname offers detailed coverage of all accessible parks and reserves, gearing advice to visitors joining organised tours as well as those who prefer independent travel. It is also the first guidebook to provide a comprehensive section on the Upper Suriname River, an exciting and remote area serviced by around 20 small lodges. Despite such riches, however, tourism to this safe and friendly country remains in its infancy, making it a fabulously rewarding travel destination for those who relish the truly wild and offbeat.
Contents
Introduction
PART ONE GENERAL INFORMATION
Chapter 1 Background Information
Geography and location, Climate, History,
Government and politics, Economy,
People, Language, Religion and beliefs,
Culture
Chapter 2 Natural History
Flora, Mammals, Reptiles and
amphibians, Birds, Invertebrates,
Marine life
Chapter 3 Practical Information
When to visit, Itineraries and highlights
, Tour operators, Red tape, Getting
there and away, Health, Safety,
LGBTQIA+ travellers, Women travellers,
Travelling with a disability, What to take,
Money and budgeting, Getting around,
Accommodation, Eating and drinking, Public
holidays and festivals, Shopping, Media and
communications, Cultural etiquette, Travelling
positively
PART TWO PARAMARIBO AND THE COASTAL BELT
Paramaribo and the coastal belt: an overview,
Highlights
Chapter 4 Paramaribo
History, Getting there and away, Getting
around, Tourist information, Tour
operators, Safety, Where to stay, Where
to eat and drink, Entertainment and nightlife,
Shopping, Sports and activities, Other
practicalities, What to see and do
Chapter 5 Commewijne
Commewijne Plantation Loop, Matapica
Beach, Bakkie Plantation and Warappa Creek,
Stolkertsijver
Chapter 6 Marowijne
Moengo, Albina, Saint-Laurent-du-
Maroni, Galibi Nature Reserve
Chapter 7 Saramacca, Coronie and Nickerie
Groningen, Lower Coppename River,
Coronie, Wageningen, Nieuw Nickerie,
Bigi Pan
Chapter 8 Wanica and Para
Lelydorp, Santigron, Domburg,
Onverwacht, Paranam and around, Jodensavanne
and the east bank, Zanderij and around
PART THREE THE INTERIOR
The interior: an overview, Highlights
Chapter 9 Brokopondo
Northern Brokopondo, Brownsweg and
Ston Eiland, Brownsberg Nature Park,
Brokopondo town and the Afobaka Dam
Chapter 10 Upper Suriname
Getting there and away, Other practicalities,
Atjoni (Pokigron), Downriver from Atjoni,
Jaw Jaw and New Aurora, Pikin Slee, Botopassie
and around, Towards Djumu, Kajana and the
Gran Rio
Chapter 11 The Deep Interior
Boven Coesewijne Nature Reserve, Fredberg,
Central Suriname Nature Reserve (CSNR), Blanche
Marie Falls, Apoera, Avanavero Falls,
Kabalebo Nature Reserve, Amatopo,
Kwamalasamutu, Palumeu and Mount
Kasikasima, Upper Marowijne
Appendix Language
Appendix Further Information
Index
