The capital
Paramaribo is where every trip begins: a UNESCO listed old town of white wooden houses, Fort Zeelandia on the river, a mosque beside a synagogue, busy markets and the best food in the country.
Plantation country
Commewijne lies just across the Suriname River, a flat green district of old sugar and coffee plantations, mangroves, river dolphins and quiet roads that are perfect for cycling.
The river and the Maroon villages
The Upper Suriname River is reached by road to Atjoni and then by dugout canoe. Saamaka Maroon villages, rapids and island lodges make it the classic two to four night trip.
Mountain rainforest and the lake
Brownsberg and Brokopondo pair a cool forested plateau full of monkeys and waterfalls with the huge Brokopondo reservoir below. It is the easiest real rainforest from the capital.
The deep interior
The Central Suriname Nature Reserve is a UNESCO World Heritage wilderness. Most visitors fly to Raleighvallen to climb the Voltzberg granite dome and look for cock of the rock birds.
The turtle coast
Galibi and Marowijne is the far east of the country, where Kaliña villages sit beside beaches used by leatherback and green turtles, and the Marowijne River forms the border with French Guiana.
Putting it together
A first week usually means three nights in Paramaribo with a Commewijne day trip, then three nights on the Upper Suriname River or at Brownsberg. With two weeks you can add Raleighvallen or the turtles. Interior trips are usually sold as packages that include transport, meals and guides, so book them before you arrive. Our free trip planner can help you fit the pieces together, and the places to visit list has warungs, markets and stays for each area.