If you’re thinking of taking a holiday to South America, one country that may not instantly come to mind is the northern country of Suriname. This country has an extensive coastline and offers a wide range of activities for travellers. If travelling here, the capital city as well as the largest city of Paramaribo should be a definite stop. Over half of the country’s citizens reside here. Paramaribo is located along the Suriname River and just nine miles inlands from the Atlantic which provides visitors with numerous sightseeing opportunities within this tropical rainforest climate.
Waterkant in Paramaribo (Photography by Benutzer)
Landmarks to Visit
One possible point of interest while in Paramaribo is Fort Zeelandia. The fort was built in the 1651 by British colonists around a former Dutch trading post. Later after obtaining independence, the Fort was used as a prison for holding and torturing political prisoners. The fort is noteworthy as it shows the colonial history of this nation. Another noteworthy site is the Saint Peter and Paul Cathedral located in the center of the city. This classic Gothic cathedral is made entirely of wood which makes it rather unique, probably the biggest wooden structure in the Western Hemisphere. The cathedral has been fully restored in recent years to show the beauty of the church.
Other notable places to visit are the Mosque Keizerstraat, the headquarters of the Lahore Ahmadiyya Movement for the Propagation of Islam; Neveh Shalom Synagogue, the only synagogue of the Ashkenazi community in Suriname; and Arya Dewaker Temple, known as the biggest Hindu temple found in Suriname.
Play
Another activity that can be found in Paramaribo is casino gambling. There are two casinos found within the city, The Suriname Palace Casino and the Suriname Torarica Hotel Casino. Of these two venues, the Suriname Palace is the larger casino. Here visitors can find 161 slot machine games, like Avalon II slots and 19 table games. Popular games played here include baccarat, blackjack, Caribbean stud poker and roulette. The Suriname Torarica offers about half the slot machine games and only four tables. This casino is better for those who mainly want to enjoy blackjack or roulette as these are the only casino games found here. Both casinos are conveniently located in downtown Paramaribo.
Markets & bazaars
Visit the frenzied central market for the meats, fish, fruits, vegetables and a bazaar-feeling clothing area. Don’t miss to visit the Maroon Market (known as the Witch’s Market) if you fancy to look (or buy) for herbs, bones, shells, and mysterious concoctions.