A good pool of footballers
Having been known as Dutch Guiana until independence in 1975, Suriname has since struggled to retain its best players, who have often gone on to play for the Dutch national team (either by choice or because the federation has favored locals, selecting only players who play in the country). The Orange of the Netherlands have thus benefited from a number of great players from Suriname, such as Gerald Vanenburg, Ruud Gullit, Frank Rijkaard, Edgar Davids, Clarence Seedorf, Andwélé Slory, Ryan Babel, Aron Winter, Patrick Kluivert, Romeo Castelen and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink. To name but a few! As for Suriname, whose coach was Aron Winter in September 2023, they have never yet qualified for the World Cup finals.
Results in athletics
Suriname has also made a name for itself through other sports, such as athletics. Representatives of Surinamese athletics include Primraj Binda, an athlete who dominated the 10 km race for many years, triathlete Steven Vismale and 800-meter runner Tommy Asinga. But the most internationally recognized athlete is Letitia Vriesde, who won a silver medal at the 1995 World Athletics Championships, making her the first South American female athlete to win at a world championship. Swimmer Anthony Nesty is the first black swimmer to become an Olympic champion and Suriname's only Olympic title-holder (he also holds the only other medal, in bronze at Barcelona 1992). He won gold in the 100-meter butterfly at the 1988 Seoul Games, creating quite a stir in his homeland. To watch in the years to come is the prodigy Issam Asinga (18), son of Tommy Asinga, who in July 2023 broke the world junior 100 m record with a time of 9''89!
Beautiful hikes and treks
It's one of the most popular activities for visitors to Suriname. The Amazon rainforest is the country's main asset. The government is well aware of this, and seeks to preserve this fragile ecosystem on which much of its identity has been forged. A trip to the rainforest would be incomplete without a climb through the vegetation to the top of an inselberg, the characteristic hills overlooking a plain or plateau. Whether it's a climb to Mount Kasikasima for the more experienced, or Voltzberg in the Central Suriname Nature Reserve, adventure and a change of scenery are guaranteed. This nature reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is located right in the center of the country and covers 11% of the national territory, i.e. some 15 million hectares! The Brownsberg Nature Park, just 130 km from Paramaribo, is also one of the country's most popular. In any case, the beauty of the rainforest and the richness of the Amerindian culture can only be discovered by exploring the interior of Suriname.
Suriname by bike
Of course, the Dutch mode of transport par excellence has also been widely adopted in Suriname: Gazelle, Sparta or Batavus, its high, round handlebars are much more comfortable than our classic bicycles. Bicycles are easy to rent in the capital and are a great way to familiarize yourself with the city center, where everything is close at hand. It's an excellent and pleasant way to discover the capital and its surroundings, especially as Paramaribo's streets are usually deserted at weekends. Caution is advised, however, as driving is on the left-hand side of the road, and Surinamese drivers have little respect for the Highway Code. Visiting the Commewijne district and its many plantations is also very pleasant by bike: just cross the river in a small ferry to get back to the other bank. In some resorts and nature reserves (e.g. Peperpot Nature Park), it's also possible to visit by bike. You can find out more from the various tourist operators, who offer all kinds of outings on two wheels. Whether you're an experienced cyclist or not, this pleasant, environmentally-friendly means of transport will delight all visitors, especially those on a budget or with the family.
A birdwatching destination
Suriname is one of the most popular destinations for birdwatchers. The diversity of birds is impressive (some 700 species have been recorded), including toucan, black and white eagle, hocco, trumpeter agami, ibis, macaw, red coracine, spectacled owl, hummingbird, red-throated caracara... not to mention the famous and rare rock cock. All you have to do is listen or look up to appreciate this wealth of species, whether you're in the forest or near the towns. Don't miss the Bigi Pan site on the north-west coast, with its migratory birds and one of the world's largest colonies of red ibis. There's also the Cultuurtuin botanical garden, located 2 km from downtown Paramaribo, and the Peperpot Nature Park in the Commewijne district. In short, don't forget to pack your binoculars!
On your sticks!
A wilderness destination, Suriname is also a paradise for sport fishing enthusiasts, many of whom come ashore to try their hand at big game fishing. Numerous tour operators offer fishing tours, and lodges have also specialized in this activity. The rivers of the rainforest are teeming with exotic fish, including the mythical piraíba, a huge catfish, as well as pirararas, piramutaba, douradas, aymaras, corvinas and tarpon. No-kill" fishing is generally practised by all (catch-and-release is compulsory) as part of the preservation of aquatic fauna.
Koh Lanta atmosphere!
Finally, those looking for a thrill and an original activity can take a survival course. A number of Paramaribo agencies offer immersions in a hostile environment, generally accompanied by a guide, to learn how to survive in the rainforest.
