Sights in Suriname
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Fort Zeelandia
The well-restored Fort Zeelandia has stood watch over this bend in the Suriname River for more than 300 years. Originally built by the French, it was expanded by the British before being completed by the Dutch in 1667 - the finished product is a pentagonal shape with a bastion at each corner. Set in an evocative spot offering great views along the river, it's a must for history buffs.
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Roman Catholic Kathedraal
One of the largest wooden structures in the world, Paramaribo's Petrus and Paulus Cathedral was built in 1885 to replace an earlier church destroyed by fire. It is an impressive, if slightly rickety, structure with a beautifully ornate carved wooden interior. Restoration work is ongoing so expect some scaffolding. Check out the views from the spires if you can.
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Palumeu
On the banks of the Tapanahoni River, Palumeu is a tranquil Amerindian village that has begun to welcome visitors in the hope of creating a sustainable future outside of the logging and hunting industries. It provides a rare chance for travelers to stay in a comfortable rainforest lodge deep in the heart of Suriname and get about in a dugout canoe.
Those with the urge to do it the hard way may want to brave the eight- to 12-day river journey to Palumeu from Albina. The less gung-ho will enjoy the one-hour flight from Paramaribo, taking in views of Mt Kasikasima rising dramatically out of the forest. Accommodation is in basic but comfortable Amerindian-style huts that are …
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Raleighvallen Nature Reserve
Raleighvallen Nature Reserve (Raleigh Falls) is situated on the upper Coppename River and is known for its rich birdlife, many monkey species and, of course, spectacular waterfalls. Part of the Central Suriname Nature Reserve, lucky visitors may catch sight of the all-orange, all-dancing Cock-of-the-Rock strutting about.
In the heart of this remote forest is Voltzberg, a 240m (790ft) granite dome accessible by a 2.5-hour jungle trail and then a steep ascent of its face. Climb it at sunrise when the views of the forest canopy are unbelievable. Stinasu, Suriname's Foundation for Nature Conservation, run guided tours and provide tourist lodges on Foengoe Island. It's a five-…
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Galibi Nature Reserve
Galibi's turtle-nesting area hosts hordes of sea turtles, including the giant leatherback, during egg-laying season (April through August). The leatherback is a massive reptile, which can grow to over 2.5m (8.2ft) and weigh over 900kg (2000lbs), and watching the females drag themselves up the beach to nest is an unforgettable sight.
The reserve is a 13km (8mi) strip of beach which is also an important hatchery for green, hawksbill and olive ridley turtles.
You can get there from Albina with permission from Carib Indians and a hired canoe, or, more easily, from Paramaribo with Stinasu. Find them at Cornelis Jongbawstraat 14, Paramaribo.
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Central Market
Sprawling along the waterfront, the frenzied central market is just the place to get an earful, eyeful and gutful of all Parbo has to offer. It's really three markets in one. The nearly ominous Maroon market is full of bones, sticks, feathers, caged monkeys and various tonics and fruits for ceremonial and medicinal purposes.
The sprawling Asian and Indian market sells all the unnecessary plastic objects and beautiful foodstuffs you could ever hope to find. Closest to the river is the raucous, winding, outdoor fish market, where you can watch fishermen unload their boats.
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Nieuw Nickerie
Suriname's second city is a little sleepy and non-descript. At the heart of the country's rice production area, well-loved by mosquitoes, Nieuw Nickerie is a good stopover on your way to the beautifully named South Drain where the ferry to Guyana departs. Bird-watchers should hire a local fisherman to take them through the Bigi-Pan, a protected area.
This expanse of marshland and mangrove is home to a spectacular number of shorebirds, with red ibis and fish hawks among the highlights. The Residence Inn at Nieuw Nickerie should be able to organize a tour guide.
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Mt Kasikasima
To the south of the Amerindian village of Palumeu, in the far south of Suriname, is the 718m (2335ft) Mt Kasikasima. Reaching this remote and beautiful granite mountain involves a couple of days in a dugout canoe and a fairly vigorous climb to the summit. Intrepid travelers will be rewarded with stunning views and a true wilderness experience.
METS in Paramaribo runs seven-day tours to Mt Kasikasima that involve a stay at Palumeu, a couple of nights camping and plenty of time in a dugout canoe.
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Tafelberg Nature Reserve
The remote Tafelberg reserve, encompassing mountains, forest and savanna, has no surrounding human populations. The park forms part of the larger Central Suriname Nature Reserve. Journeys involve a flight and two solid days of hiking before ascending the flat-topped Tafelberg mountain, rising 1026m (3366ft) out of the forest. The views and birdlife are stunning.
Ara Cari (Kwattaweg 252, Paramaribo) runs three-to-four-day tours out to Tafelberg.
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Onafhankelijkheidsplein
A central square which features a statue of legendary former prime minister Pengel. In its surrounds are the stately 18th-century Presidential Palace, aging colonial government buildings and an ultramodern finance building. Behind the palace is the Palmentuin, a shady haven of tall royal palms, home to some tropical birds and a troop of capuchin monkeys.
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Numismatic Museum
Situated on a pretty Paramaribo street lined with colonial buildings, this museum is a must for coin and banknote afficionados. Its collection dates back to the early days of the Dutch colony with the prize piece being the copper Papegaaienmunt, or Parrot coin, of 1679.
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Dutch Israeli Synagogue
A few blocks away from the Roman Catholic Kathedraal are some of the continent's finest examples of other religious buildings - the biggest mosque in the Caribbean and the expansive Dutch Israeli synagogue - sitting harmoniously side by side on Keizerstraat.
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Maroon Market
Not for the fainthearted, the frenzied central market is divided into distinct areas: the nearly ominous Maroon market is full of bones, sticks, feathers, caged monkeys and various tonics and fruits for ceremonial and medicinal purposes.
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Stichting Surinaams Museum
Inside well-restored Fort Zeelandia, a pentagonal 17th-century fort built on the site where the first colonists alighted, is the Stichting Surinaams Museum, which features colonial-era relics, period rooms and temporary exhibitions.
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Presidential Palace
The stately 18th-century Presidential Palace is contrasted against aging colonial government buildings and an ultramodern finance building.
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Palmentuin
The Palmentuin is a shady haven of tall royal palms, home to some tropical birds and a troop of capuchin monkeys.
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