1 9 9 9 - The Year of Tourism ! 
 
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WHAT TO SEE, WHAT TO DO

click on thumbnails and links to view the full size photo's Suriname is the place to go, whether you are looking for an adventurous vacation or just a place to relax. But there are also many other interesting things to do and see in Suriname. You can take an adventurous jungle trip by dugout canoe to the Indigenous and Maroon communities in the interior and see some of the world's last really unspoiled flora and fauna. The Indigenous and Maroon communities have preserved their culture and way of life for centuries, and you can learn a lot from them. Here you can come to rest and forget all your cares. You can also take a sightseeing tour of our capital Paramaribo , with its unique historical wooden architecture, colorful market and shops, nightlife and varied restaurants. Or take a trip to Matapica or Galibi to watch sea turtles. Also famous are the recreational areas near the Johan Adolf Pengel International Airport at Zanderij. You can take a swim in the creeks with brown water, which resembles Coca Cola. You can also take trips to the coastal districts, such as Nickerie, which is famous for its rice industry. River cruises on our spectacular rivers also give you a chance to relax. Those interested in Suriname's history can visit the national museum at Fort Zeelandia or Jodensavanne, where a prosperous Jewish community used to be. Contact the tour operators listed in this site for more information on tours and trips.

WHAT TO BRING

Bring light clothing, such as shorts and T-shirts and your photo or video camera. We also recommend bringing suntan lotion and sunglasses, and we advice taking precautions against malaria if you plan on going to some areas in the interior.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

 
January 
1 New Year's Day 
Id-ul-Fitre: end of Muslim fast 		 February 
Carnaval 
14 Valentine's day		 March  
Holi Phagwa: Hindu spring festival
April 
Good Friday 
Easter 
Four-day evening march of folkloric groups through Paramaribo's streets		 May  
1 Labor Day		 June  
30 Miss Alida Beauty Pageant
July  
1 Emancipation Day 
Swim Marathon Domburg-Paramaribo 
Suripop contest and festival for composers (every two years)		 August  September 
October 
19 Diwali: Hindu light festival		 November 
25 Independence Day		 December 
25-26 Christmas 
Surifesta end of the year festivities
 

SURIFESTA

Suriname has always celebrated the end of the year in a very special way. The Surifesta Foundation was established to better organize, coordinate and expand these year-end celebration thus making them into a tourist attraction. This foundation organizes several activities in and around Paramaribo from mid-December to the first week of January. These activities include cultural shows and artistics performances, street parties and flower and art markets. This is also a change to taste some of Suriname's delicious dishes and drinks. Paramaribo and its outlaying areas will be transformed into a large, joyous, festive square. All activities culminate with a big street party at "Het Vat" on December 31. An added touch to the celebrations are the loud and colorful fireworks. But this is not all!! Surifesta is planning an all-out celebration in 1999-2000 and if you want to be part of it, book now, as it will certainly be one of the biggest spectacles in the Caribbean region.

THE SURINAME TOURISM FOUNDATION

The Suriname Tourism Foundation was established in 1996 at the initiative of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Tourism. The STF's goal is to structure and promote tourism in and to Suriname in a professional manner. It has become very clear that besides the traditional sources of revenue such as bauxite, wood, and rice, tourism can make an important contribution to our economy. With assistance from the European Union, the STF has drafted a Tourism Development Plan, which is the basis for future projects and activities. The STF is headed by a Director, and has three departments, namely Marketing & Promotion, Product Development, and Information & Education. The STF provides information about Suriname's tourism industry, organizes workshops and training courses for workers in the tourism industry, and is also actively promoting Suriname as a tourist destination. The STF has recently appointed a representative in the Netherlands, for a more effective marketing in Europe.

Suriname Tourism Foundation

Dr. J.F. Nassylaan 2 Paramaribo Suriname SOUTH AMERICA Phone (+597) 410357 Fax (+597) 477786 http://www.parbo.com/tourism E-mail: stsur@sr.net Marketing department: stsmktg@sr.net Representative in the Netherlands Ms. Susan van Egmond Sarphatistraat 107 1018 GB Amsterdam Nederland tel. +31-20-670-5211 fax +31-20-470-3690 e-mail tmc@euronet.nl . 
. Index
 
Introduction 
Location 
Climate 
Flora & fauna		 People & history 
Language 
Visa & customs 
Economy		 Cooking 
Paramaribo 
News  
Hotels 
Surifesta		 Touroperators 
Calendar of events 
What to bring 
What to see, what to do
 
Important addresses      The Suriname Tourism Foundation

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