Suriname holidays : introduction

Suriname (Dutch Guiana) is culturally interesting and low lying. The capital, Paramaribo, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has fine examples of historic Dutch colonial wooden architecture, as well as the impressive Neveh Shalom synagogue and Ahmadiyya Anjuman Isha’at Islam mosque which stand side by side. Other cultural influences include Hindustani, Javanese, Creole, Amerindian and Maroon, all reflected in the wide variety of food. The interior is sparsely populated, largely untouched and uninhabited but visits to some Amerindian reserves are possible.

Climate and when to go

The climate is tropical and moist with a cooling trade wind. The annual mean temperature is 27 degrees. The main dry season is February to April, and the rainy season is April to August, although when it does rain it is not usually prolonged. Turtles come ashore to nest during the rainy season; July is the best month to see eggs being laid or baby hatchlings making a dash for the sea at high tide.