CaribbeanTravel.com Directory - (Page 215) SURINAME nature in a HEARTBEAT S uriname calls itself “the Beating Heart of the Amazon,” and with 80 percent of the land covered with thick Amazon rainforest, it lives up to that billing. The rainforest includes the 3.95 million-acre Central Suriname Nature Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that — along with 10 other nature reserves, a nature park and four multi-use management areas — constitutes an impressive conservation system. The northeast portion of the country is home to one of the largest reservoir lakes in the world. Howler monkeys and more than 700 species of indigenous birds make their homes in this tropical setting. With extensive mudflats and mangrove swamps on the coast, as well as savannah and rainforest, Suriname provides an amazing diversity of habitats. Bird watchers can catch sight of colorful forest fowl, a variety of waders and water birds, and South American raptors. A HAVEN FOR TURTLES Galibi Nature Reserve in northeastern Suriname is home for thousands of nesting sea turtles. Four kinds of endangered sea turtles nest here, including the colossal 1,300-pound, six-foot-plus-long Leatherback, the Green Turtle, the Olive Ridley and occasionally the Hawksbill. In 2003, more than 45,000 nests were recorded. January through September are the best months to see these beautiful and protected creatures. Much of the interior is virtually unchanged since the first Europeans arrived in Suriname in 1499. Most expeditions to the interior include some traveling in korjalen (dugout canoes), but in the coastal districts and on the major rivers there are more comfortable cruise boats available. Even the most intrepid guest should be encouraged to hire an established guide. Outfitters usually begin trips in the capital, Paramaibo (also known as Parbo), and take travelers into the wilderness for thee to 10 days. Eco-lodges have become popular, and tents and improvised shelters are also available. Jungle treks yield breathtaking sites, such as thundering waterfalls and occasional spotting of jaguars and yellow-bottomed caciques. CAPITAL SIGHTSEEING In the capital, visitors can find shade under palm trees while touring the colonial brick buildings and wooden houses lining mangrove riverbanks. The graceful Victorian- SURINAME GEOGRAPHY: Suriname is located on the South American continent, bordered by Guyana to the West, French Guiana to the East, and Brazil to the South. LANGUAGE: Dutch, English, and Sranan, a Creole language, are spoken. POPULATION: Approximately 470,000. CLIMATE: Tropical, with an annual average temperature of 81°F, cooled by ocean breezes for most of the year. Suriname is outside of the hurricane belt and characterised by two dry seasons and two rainy seasons: short dry season February-April; long rainy season May-Mid August; long dry season Mid AugustNovember, and short rainy season December-January. TIME: EST +2. GMT-3. 215
For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.