Suriname is one of the most beautiful countries of the world, known for its breathtaking locations with ultimate natural splendor. Lying on the northern coast of South America, Suriname is strategically located with French Guiana to the east, Guyana to the West, Brazil to the south, and the Atlantic Ocean to the north.
Dutch is the official language in Suriname and the European country’s influence still can be noticed, in particular in the capital city, Paramaribo, where the majority of the population (roughly half a million) lives. Suriname’s villages are a true reverence for the nation’s fascinating past with names like Nieuw Amsterdam (New Amsterdam), Utrecht, Waterloo, Calcutta, Manchester and Glasgow.
Divided into 10 districts, Suriname is one of the last countries in the world with largely virgin rainforests and savannas, a fact which makes it one of the most sought-after destinations for researchers, nature-lovers, cruises and adventurous tourists. In fact, approximately 30% of Suriname’s total land area has been declared as a protected area or as a nature reserve, an ode to the breathtaking and unspoilt beauty that the country has to offer.
Creating a contrast to the country’s lush, dense greenery are the pristine beaches located in Galibi or Albina, where firsthand glimpses of the mating process of leatherback sea turtles are possible. Alternatively, visitors can look out for river dolphins or take in the mangrove forests that are plentifully located at the edge of the ocean, all the while enjoying the renowned laidback charming nature of the Surinamese people.
To help tourism flourish and encourage the promising economic growth this sector can yield for the nation, the administration has introduced a new tourist card aimed at easing travel in and out of the country. Tourists can now buy a tourist card when they check in for a flight to Suriname; they only need to present a passport that is valid for at least six months and a return ticket. The new card means that travelers don’t need to wait for a visa. Also, there are no forms to fill out and happily the cards are cheaper than visas.
According to Suriname’s Consul General Roy Lieuw A. Sie: “The tourist card means people can now travel more easily to Suriname, so we expect traffic to increase. People are enthused; they react positively to the new measure.”
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