A city built of wood with a synagogue and a mosque side by side. Suriname has one of the most interesting histories in South America.
What to expect
Ask five people in central Paramaribo what their background is and you might get five different answers, and all five will show up to the same Independence Day parade. Suriname is a small country, but it has people from many different backgrounds. You will see Hindustani, Creole, Javanese, Maroon, Chinese, and Indigenous communities living together. Because of this, the country celebrates many different holidays like Holi, Eid, and Christmas, and it's normal to see people from every community join in, not just their own.
One of the best examples of this is on Keizerstraat in the center of Paramaribo. There is a Jewish synagogue right next to a large mosque. They have been neighbors for a long time and represent how different religions get along in Suriname. It is a famous spot that almost every visitor goes to see.
The center of the city is special because most of the old buildings are made of wood. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site. You can walk to the Presidential Palace, the massive wooden cathedral, and an old Dutch fort called Fort Zeelandia. The history isn't just in museums - it is the city you walk through every day. For the festivals and living traditions that grew out of this mix, see our Cultural Experiences guide.
How the country began
Many different groups like the Arawak and Carib lived here for thousands of years. Their communities still live in the jungle today.
The Dutch took control of Suriname from the English. They grew crops like sugar and coffee on large farms called plantations.
Enslaved people escaped the plantations and moved deep into the jungle. They built their own villages and kept their African traditions alive.
Slavery was ended. Every year on July 1, the country celebrates Keti Koti, which means 'the chains are broken'.
Workers were brought from India and Indonesia to work in Suriname. They are the ancestors of the Hindustani and Javanese people living here now.
Suriname stopped being a colony and became its own country. It is the only country in South America where the main language is Dutch.
Landmarks
The whole center of the city is protected because the wooden buildings are so unique. Most of them were built hundreds of years ago in a Dutch style.
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A giant church built entirely of wood. It is one of the largest wooden buildings in the Western Hemisphere. You can go inside for free.
Church
This fort was built by the Dutch to protect the city. Now it is a museum where you can learn about the country's past.
History
One of the oldest synagogues in the Americas. It has a floor made of sand, which is a very old tradition. It sits right next to a mosque.
Religion
Villages deep in the jungle where people still live like their ancestors did 300 years ago. You will need a boat and a guide to get there.
CulturePractical tips
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