The Guianas - The Rough Guide to South America on a Budget - page 658

THE GUIANAS SURINAME
MONEY AND BANKS
The unit of currency is the Suriname
dollar (SRD), which comes in 1, 2.50, 5,
10, 20, 50 and 100 notes and 1, 5, 10,
25, 100 and 250 cent coins. Prices are
often given in euros, which are readily
accepted (as are US$), and cambios
(money exchanges) offer better exchange
rates than banks. Major credit cards
are accepted by most tour operators
and in some restaurants and hotels in
Paramaribo. Some ATMs in Paramaribo
accept foreign bankcards; elsewhere
ATMs are sparse, so carry extra cash .
At the time of writing, €1=SRD4.30,
US$1=SRD3.27 and £1=SRD5.29.

attractive eighteenth- and nineteenth-
century colonial Dutch, British, Spanish
and French wooden buildings, you can
take refuge from the heat in the beautiful
palm tree grove that is Palmentuin
(Palm Garden), and the riverfront near
the historical Fort Zeelandia is a romantic
spot at sunset. The town's houses of
worship reflect the melange of cultures
that make up Suriname - from the
wooden churches and whitewashed
synagogue to the characteristic domes of
the mosque and the swastikas in their
original meaning decorating the Hindu
temples. You can eat well in Parbo, as this
mix of cultures is also reflected in the
capital's diverse cuisine.
The Waterkant (waterfront), the bus
station and the markets seem just as
colourful and chaotic as their equivalents
in the two neighbouring countries, but
Paramaribo is generally safe . Steer clear of
the unlit Palmentuin after dark, as well as
the residential area east of Van Sommels-
dijekstrant Straat and its intersection with
Kleine Dwarsstraat. Taxis are the best way
to get around town in the evening.

7

OPENING HOURS AND HOLIDAYS
Government institutions open Mon-Fri
7am-2.30pm. Shops and other businesses
open Mon-Fri 9am-4.30pm and Sat
9am-1pm; Chinese corner shops tend to
be open daily. Banks are open Mon-Fri
9am-2pm.

PARAMARIBO
PARAMARIBO (“Parbo” to the locals) is
by far the most pleasant of the three
Guyanese capitals. Originally a Dutch
trading post, Parbo's historic inner city
became a UNESCO World Heritage
Site in 2002. Its streets are lined with

WHAT TO SEE AND DO
Paramaribo's principal charm lies in the
unhurried exploration of its Old Town.
It's easy to organize cycling tours of nearby
plantations, as well as river dolphin-
spotting on the Commewijne River.

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
January 1 New Year's Day
March Holi Phagwa (Hindu festival;
date varies)
March/April (varies) Good Friday
March/April (varies) Easter Monday
May 1 Labour Day
July 1 Keti Koti (Emancipation Day)
August 8 Emancipation of the Javanese

August 9 Day of the Indigenous People
September Eid Ul Fitr (Muslim festival;
date varies)
November 25 Srefidensi. Independence
Day
December 25 Christmas Day
December 26 Second Christmas Day

FESTIVALS AND CELEBRATIONS
In addition to national holidays, many important events are celebrated among the resident
ethnic communities. These include Chinese New Year (Feb); Jewish New Year (Sept); Loweman
Dei, celebrating all things Maroon (Oct); and Diwali (Nov). Other festivities include the Brazilian
carnival (Feb); French Music Festival (June); Back to School Festival (Sept); Salsuri Music and
Suriname Jazz Festivals (Oct); and Surifesta, the end of year festival (Dec). On New Year's Eve
(Owru Jari) there is a spectacular fireworks display in the capital. In 2013 it was Suriname's turn
to host the all-Caribbean culture and music extravaganza that is CariFesta , check the website
for future host countries ( W carifesta.net).