Why Suriname Is Different Than People Expect
Bas and Mascha Share Their Story
Suriname was not a destination they would normally recommend to others. After their visit, however, they completely changed their minds and now believe that everyone should experience this country at least once.
^ Son (Jesse) ^ Bas ^ Mascha ^ (Daughter) Loïs
For this family, the journey to Suriname actually began because of their son. He was doing an internship here and regularly sent photos of the nature, rivers, and excursions he experienced. Before their trip, they mainly thought of Suriname as a tropical and green country where part of the population lives in poverty. They had also read about poor infrastructure and safety concerns. They were curious, but had no idea how much the country would surprise them.
More to Experience Than Expected
What immediately stood out to them upon arrival was just how much there is to see and do. During various excursions, they discovered some of the most beautiful places in Suriname. They traveled along rivers deep into the jungle, saw impressive wildlife up close, and learned a great deal from enthusiastic guides along the way.
“The guides are absolutely fantastic!” they said enthusiastically.
The atmosphere of the country also left a lasting impression. The friendly people, the relaxed pace of life, and the way different cultures live together peacefully all stood out to them. Their perception of safety and infrastructure changed as well. In the end, their actual experience was very different from what they had expected beforehand.
Nature in Suriname
The natural beauty of Suriname exceeded all their expectations. They knew in advance that the country would be green and beautiful, but they did not expect nature to feel quite so impressive and untouched.
During their trip, they saw dolphins jumping alongside the boat, caimans during a nighttime river excursion, sea turtles laying eggs, and scarlet ibises flying overhead. On an evening tour, they also encountered sloths, snakes, and even tarantulas.
The longer they stayed in Suriname, the more they realized there was far more wildlife to discover than they had ever imagined.
A Moment They Will Never Forget
One experience in particular has stayed with them: witnessing a sea turtle come ashore to lay her eggs. As darkness slowly fell, they watched the turtle emerge from the ocean and make her way across the beach. It was an extraordinary moment, especially because sightings like this depend partly on luck.
The boat trips along the Suriname River also made a deep impression. From the water, they watched the jungle and mangrove forests pass by while birds, flying fish, and even dolphins with their distinctive pink bellies appeared alongside the boat.
A Different View of Suriname
According to them, a vacation in Suriname has everything: relaxation, warm weather, delicious food, stunning nature, remarkable wildlife, and memorable excursions led by experienced and knowledgeable guides. Above all, however, it offers an experience that is completely different from what most people expect beforehand.
What started as a trip to visit their son ultimately changed their entire perception of Suriname.
Their conclusion? Everyone should experience Suriname for themselves!
