Suriname, a small nation on South America’s Northeastern coast, has a unique history. It was founded by Dutch settlers and did not gain independence until 1975. Two decades of unrest followed, and it wasn’t until 1991 that stability came to the nation.

Despite a small population, Suriname is a very diverse land. It was a port of call for Javanese, Indian, and Chinese merchants and explorers. Some of these people stayed in Suriname. There is also a large population of African descent. Because of its history with the Netherlands, many people speak Dutch, although English is widely spoken as well.

Suriname is a great place to eat. The ethnic diversity makes for plenty of culinary choices. There is a glut of Chinese restaurants in Paramaribo (often shortened to Par-bo by locals), the capital city of Suriname. Indian cuisine is best represented by chicken roti and a variety of curries. Spicy Creole dishes are also easy to find, as are (*sigh*) imports like KFC, Pizza Hut, and Popeye’s Chicken.

The tropical fruits in Suriname are excellent. Though the country can sometimes be expensive, especially if you rely on a tourist company for your itinerary, the fruit is reasonably priced and the freshest the jungles have to offer. Tropical favorites abound and are often used to make shakes and deserts.

Most of the people of Suriname live along the coastline. There are some sites of interest along the coast. The Galibi Nature Reserve is famous for the sea turtles that come ashore to lay their eggs in the spring and summer.

The interior of the nation boasts some of the most pristine and untouched jungles on earth. Central Suriname Nature Reserve covers a vast stretch of land. There are rivers, primary rainforests, and grasslands. In the future, Suriname’s government hopes to explore the land for uses other than logging and farming. For now, it is an eco-tourists delight.

Suriname is not on the tourist track yet, but if you are looking for someplace unique, you can’t go wrong.