Top 10 Things to Do in Suriname
Suriname is small on the map and enormous on experience. Most travelers skip it entirely, which is exactly their loss and my gain. Across my time there I built a mental list of the moments that truly defined the country, the ones I would tell anyone to chase. Here are the ten things to do in Suriname that made my trip, in the order they shaped me.
1. Wander Historic Paramaribo
The capital is a UNESCO World Heritage site and the reason many people book a flight. I spent days walking its streets of wooden colonial architecture, painted in soft yellows, greens, and pinks, and I never ran out of wonder. The famous St. Peter and Paul Cathedral, a towering wooden church, was my favorite stop. Just wander, get lost a little, and let the old city work its charm.
2. Browsing the Central Market
Right by the water, the Central Market bursts with color, sound, and smell. I loved pushing through the stalls of fruit, fish, fabric, and spices, and the Javanese food stalls nearby gave me some of the best meals of my trip. It is chaotic in the best way, and a perfect window into daily life.
3. Taking a River Cruise Up the Commewijne
Not far from the capital, the Commewijne River offered a gentle day of calm water, old plantation houses, and village life. I hired a boat with a couple of other travelers, drifted past mangroves, and watched herons and kingfishers along the banks. It was relaxed, beautiful, and surprisingly affordable.
4. Exploring Fort Zeelandia
This historic fort on the Suriname River was the site of the capital’s beginnings, and also a memorial to a painful chapter in its past. I walked its brick walls, peered at the river, and spent a sobering, important time in the museum that tells the story of slavery here. History runs deep in Suriname, and this is where it is most present.
5. Visiting the Brownsberg Nature Reserve
For my first taste of the rainforest, Brownsberg was perfect. A plateau rising above the jungle with viewpoints over the Brokopondo Reservoir, it gave me stunning green panoramas, waterfalls, and the chance to spot monkeys among the trees. The hiking was warm but hugely rewarding, and the views were some of the best in the country.
6. Soaking in the Raleighvallen Hot Springs
Way out in the Suriname River’s wilderness reserve, I found this magical surprise, warm, spring-fed pools where you can relax while the dense forest towers above you. After days of river travel it was bliss. It felt completely off grid, the kind of place that makes you feel you have discovered a secret.
7. Staying in a River Community
One of the most meaningful parts of my trip was spending time in a community on the upper river, where I was welcomed into village life. I shared food, listened to stories, and gained a respect for the people who have lived with this great river for generations. It is not a tourist show, it is a real, generous welcome, and I am grateful for it.
8. Wildlife Watching on the Upper Rivers
Beyond the villages, the rivers teem with life. I spotted caimans slipping into the water, colorful macaws flashing overhead, and an incredible array of birds and butterflies along the banks. The best sightings came in the quiet hours around dusk, when the rainforest truly comes alive. Bring binoculars and patience, and you will be rewarded.
9. Tasting Suriname’s Many Flavors
Food in Suriname is a delicious lesson in its history. I ate Indonesian noodles, Javanese snacks, Chinese-Surinamese dishes, Creole stews, and roti that rivaled anything I had ever tried. The markets and small eateries made it easy to eat my way through cultures in a single afternoon. It is affordable, generous, and unforgettable.
10. Watching the Sunset on the Waterfront
Every evening, the Paramaribo waterfront near the old town fills with people enjoying the cooling air and the wide sky over the Suriname River. I joined them, watching the sun sink in blazing color behind the river traffic. It was the perfect, simple close to some of the richest travel days of my life.
Suriname packs an entire continent’s worth of soul into a small country. These ten experiences gave me memories that will last decades, and I hope they pave your path to the same joy
Why Suriname Stays With You
Looking back, I am amazed at how much a small country can hold. Suriname gave me quiet river mornings, wild rainforest afternoons, and warm city evenings all within days of each other. It is a place that rewards the traveler who slows down, and everything on this list rewarded me tenfold. If you give Suriname the time it deserves, I promise it will stay with you long after you fly home.
