A South American country bordering Brazil, Guyana and French Guiana, Suriname’s coasts touch the Caribbean Sea and its capital, Paramaribo, was classified as a Unesco World Heritage Site due to its colonial style. It is not the most touristic country in South America, however, there are some amazing places to visit there. Not sure which one? Not to worry! In today’s article, we will talk about the must-sees in this lovely country. Enjoy the reading!

But first, before listing the must-see sites in Suriname, you should know a couple of things that may be unknown to you because it is a rather small nation. For instance, the typical food of Suriname has roots from several nations, among which Japan, Africa, France and Indonesia stand out. Likewise, it has a lot of religious variety and is ideal for ecotourism, since it has a very varied fauna.

Suriname is the least populated country in South America and, therefore, the ideal destination for those who wish to escape the crowds and the stressful and hectic movement of the big metropolises. Interested? Keep reading.

1.Paramaribo

Paramaribo, the capital, is one of the few places that offers you what Bangkok or Bali could have offered you ten years ago: dreamy beaches, an unparalleled fishing port, an ancestral culture and tons of cultural differences as exciting as colorful. In Paramaribo, Indians, Maroons, Caribs, Creoles, Europeans and Chinese live together. It is not without reason that this city preserves an architectural heritage including orthodox and Christian religious buildings, synagogues and mosques.

It is a city where Dutch, English, Portuguese, Chinese, French and Spanish are spoken, and where religions can be neighbors without any problem. Isn’t it nice and interesting to know different cultures, religions and languages in the same city? This is a good example of multiculturalism!

Want to know what to see in Paramaribo? First of all, the cathedral of Paramaribo, which dates from the 19th century. It is a Catholic church that was completed in 1901 and follows the Dutch aesthetic. It is built of wood, which is the main architectural building material in warm Paramaribo.

The colonial style is part of the Creole heritage in Suriname, so we echo the importance of knowing them. Stroll through its quiet streets and discover some of the most beautiful corners of Paramaribo as you stroll through the city.

2.Brownsberg Nature Park

Brownsberg Nature Park is very famous as it is home to many species of birds, monkeys, three-toed sloths, turnip-tailed geckos and countless other animals. It is also home to impressive waterfalls and mountain streams. This protected area of Suriname is located in the Brokopondo district.

On an area of about 12,000 hectares, you can get in touch with nature. Near the mountain there are several places to sleep, an information center and a restaurant. It’s not just about walking and admiring the flora and fauna! In this park you can take a good nap in a hammock, climb mountains, camp and even marvel at the roar of the animals.

3.Fort Zeelandia

The third place to see in Suriname is a fortress that was built around a trading post by English settlers in the early 17th century. This fort was used as the site of the December 1982 political assassinations and was used to imprison and torture prisoners who opposed the military government. It is one of the few stone buildings, since most are made of wood, and for that reason alone, it is one of the places not to be missed!

Its combination of red bricks and exotic vegetation on the riverbank is fascinating, giving a unique touch to the colonial center of Paramaribo. The exterior is surrounded by white wooden houses with large terraces from which you can have a full view.

In the cozy restaurant of Fort Zeelandia you can stop for a coffee, a sandwich or a salad if it is daytime, while at night it offers a menu that includes international dishes. On the other hand, the fort houses the Suriname Museum with exhibits that allow you to better connect with the history of this country.

You now know 3 places to visit in Suriname. Interested to learn more? Come back to check out the second part of this article.

More than any other, Tunisian cuisine has the taste of the Mediterranean. Its ingredients, its combinations, its fragrances, its flavors and then its colors. Over time, like all the cuisines of the world, it has changed and evolved, so much so that one can still find old and traditional dishes, like couscous, and others that have arrived over time such as chapati, a street food that is now widespread throughout Tunisia and whose oriental origins come from India and Iran. However, among the various exchanges and movements, there is one constant in Tunisian cuisine: the color red, which is why it is called red cuisine.

Today let’s do a culinary trip to Tunisia to discover more about the dishes there.

Why Is It Called “Red Cuisine”?

Tunisian cuisine, is called “red cuisine” because in the vast majority of dishes, three ingredients are almost never missing: tomato (often concentrated), red bell pepper (almost always in powder form) and harissa, which we will tell you about right away.

Other constants are eggs, tuna, olives and mechouia, a bell pepper salad we’ll tell you about soon. This does not mean that all dishes are always red, also because there are very common preparations, such as couscous with dried fruit, where other non-red spices are used or mloukhia, a very particular recipe of Jewish origin, based on Arabian mallow, not for all tastes, prepared only for certain special occasions.

Harissa

In Tunisia, there is perhaps no preparation more emblematic than harissa, which originated here, although over time it has spread throughout North Africa. It is a sauce based on red peppers, garlic, cumin, olive oil and salt, more or less spicy, but which tends to be strong. It is never missing on the tables: it is served as a starter, always with tuna and olives; it is often added to other preparations; and it is also found in various sandwiches such as chapati and other street food specialties, which we will describe in detail shortly. Be careful, because it is very easy to develop an addiction to harissa, but fortunately today it is found everywhere, in almost every store that sells products from Arab countries.

Pasta

The Italian influence in Tunisia is much stronger than we think, even in the kitchen. Tunisians, in fact, consume a lot of pasta, which can always be found in bulk on the markets, in almost any format. Among the most used condiments, there is obviously tomato, but they are often prepared also with harissa: a real delight, which brings together in the mouth our common Mediterranean origins.

Couscous

The well-known and common couscous, in Tunisia, unlike other Maghreb countries, always has a different touch that is just in the color: that is to say, a shade tending towards orange/light red, given by the presence of tomato paste. For the rest, the combinations are infinite, from meat to fish, to vegetables, but it will be difficult to find a couscous with a light color, which reflects the most common image that we usually have of this dish.

Borghol (Bulgur)

If it’s not pasta, it’s bulgur (very similar to Couscous), that is, sprouted whole wheat, which is processed in a special way: the wheat grains are steamed and dried, then ground and reduced to small pieces. It is often eaten seasoned with tomato sauce, as well as various ingredients to be chosen at the time (among which, of course, there is always tuna, olives and eggs). It is found in Tunisia, as well as in other Middle Eastern countries and in Turkey, where its name comes from the Turkish word bulgur, meaning boiled barley.

Ommok Houriyya

This typically Tunisian salad is often prepared with carrots, onions, garlic, salt, spices, harissa, olive oil and lemon juice. Once ready, it is then garnished with parsley, olives and chopped hard-boiled eggs. As you can see, the same ingredients are used again and again, but each time in a different way and in different preparations.

Here you go! You now know the most famous Tunisian dishes. And if you are ever visiting Tunisia, don’t forget to try them. Have you eaten any of those meals before? Share your experience with us in the comments below.