Linger Travel Balloon

Sabbatical & Experiential Travel to Suriname

Holidays & Sabbaticals to Suriname – In a Nutshell

Most people have never heard of Suriname, a former Dutch colony on the northeast coast of South America. It’s sandwiched between Guyana and French Guiana, and also borders Brazil. It’s best known for its dense jungle-clad interior, which covers 80% of the country. Much of it is virtually impenetrable, hiding indigenous tribes and rare wildlife. Travelling here is a real adventure, more off the beaten track than on. The capital, Paramaribo, is a UNESCO World Heritage site of Dutch-Creole architecture and a vibrant melting-pot of African, European, Asian, Amerindian and Caribbean cultures, reflecting all who’ve lived and live here. Though slavery was abolished in 1863, its history is ever-present; learn all about it at the plantations of Commewijne. Hop about by light aircraft or dugout canoe, visiting tiny towns, remote Maroon villages and virtually empty national parks and nature reserves. This is a totally unique, wild side of South America, that few tourists see. Come before the crowds do.

How to Get to Suriname

You can travel overland from neighbouring countries Guyana, Brazil and French Guiana. If you’re flying in, you’ll likely land in Paramaribo at either Zanderij or Zorg en Hoop, the country’s two international airports. There are very few roads in Suriname; riverboats and dugout canoes provide access to remote villages and light aircraft is the best way to cover long distances (to mini airports or remote airstrips) but there are no scheduled internal flights, everything is on a chartered basis.

When & Weather – Suriname

The climate here is tropical, with stable temperatures of around 26°C or more. The wet season runs from May to July and December to January; during these periods, road travel can be challenging. To catch the dry season, come February – April and August to November. Temperatures range between 22°C (72°F) and 33°C (91°F).

Who will Suriname Appeal To?

The country’s remote wilderness, fascinating history and buzzy capital are best suited to:

  • Adventure seekers
  • Active travellers
  • Wildlife enthusiasts
  • Solo travellers
  • Photographers
  • Culture Vultures

Accommodation

We work with eco lodges in the national parks, hotels in Paramaribo, and guesthouses or homestays in the more remote towns and villages.

Off The Beaten Path

  • Take a light aircraft to visit the remote Amerindian and Saramacca jungle villages and learn about their fascinating ways of life and voodoo traditions
  • Climb Voltzberg Mountain at sunrise which is breathtaking
  • The remote Wia-Wia nature reserve offers incredible bird watching, its mangrove forests and mudflats are home to thousands of migratory shorebirds

Wildlife

  • You’ll see spider monkeys and hear howler monkeys in all the national parks
  • Other easy-to-spot species include psychedelic macaws and giant armadillo
  • Rarer are the venomous species that lurk deep in the jungle, including the bushmaster snake, bright blue and yellow poison arrow frog and the bullet ant
  • And don’t trail your hand in the water as you travel around by dugout canoe: they teem with crocs and anaconda

Suriname Experiences you shouldn’t miss:

  • Admiring Dutch Colonial architecture in Paramaribo, and the giant wooden Saint Peter and Paul Basilica
  • Learning about the history of Frederiksdorp, a former coffee and cocoa plantation
  • Monkeying around in Brownsberg Nature Park
  • Cycling the canals trails in the Commewijne district
  • Boating along the Suriname River, hugged by jungle on both sides
  • Seeing turtles nest in Galibi Nature Reserve on the Atlantic Coast, including the rare Olive Ridley

Giving back

By staying at Danpaati River lodge in a remote little island on the Suriname River you are contributing to the preservation of local culture, traditions and livelihoods of the nearby Maroon communities who are the heart and soul of the lodge. Educational walks in the jungle, meetings with the ‘elders’, bird-watching, canoe trips to spot wildlife all form part of an authentic experience at Danpaati River Lodge.

Start Planning

Our experienced team will guide you through a number of ideas based on how you would like to experience Suriname.

Consider visiting Suriname in combination with its neighbouring countries Guyana, French Guiana and Brazil, as part of a wider South American itinerary.

Browse our gallery for inspiration and read the sample itinerary below to whet your appetite.

No matter how long you wish to travel, we’ll guide you through the planning process to ensure a trip is carefully pieced together to suit your interests, pace of travel and budget.

Contact us to start planning a holiday or sabbatical to Suriname.

Signature Sabbatical Itinerary – The Three Guianas & Caribbean

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