MAROWIJNE

Suriname does not have beaches with milk-white sand and crystal-clear blue seas. Our beaches have a soft brown color, where sea turtles have been securing their offspring for centuries. This mainly happens in the district of Marowijne.

In the far northeastern corner of the country, near the Indigenous village of Galibi, lies the Babusanti nature reserve, where between February and August, sea turtles come to dig their nests and lay their eggs.

The baby sea turtles that hatch rush across the sand into the water, later returning as adults to the same beaches. The beaches are not accessible by road, and Galibi can be reached by boat from the eastern border town of Albina in about an hour and a half. About five kilometers north of Albina lies Erowarte, a small Indigenous village with a beach that evokes the tranquility of an uninhabited island.

This beach, unlike that of Galibi, is accessible by car and is a favorite spot for campers and adventurers who wish to camp under the stars or sunbathe undisturbed throughout the day. One of the most well-known places in the district of Marowijne is Moengo. The landscape of Moengo is quite hilly, which stands out when driving along the Main Road.

From the landing spot at the market, trips are organized to various Maroon villages along the Cottica River, such as Petondro and Tamalin. It is also possible to learn how the Maroons traditionally cook, as well as about their clothing and rituals.

Moengo, like the rest of Suriname, is a melting pot of ethnicities, so in addition to Indigenous people and Maroons, there is also a large group of Javanese.

The main town of the Marowijne district is the lively and previously mentioned Albina. You could describe the place as a town with the dynamics of a small port city. Marowijne is located on the proverbial opposite side of Europe, as French Guiana, a French overseas region, lies on the other side of the river. Boats traveling to or returning from French Guiana are docked in Albina.

There is a lot of boat traffic between the two countries because Suriname generally follows Caribbean living standards, while French Guiana predominantly adheres to European ones. This makes both banks highly attractive to each other.

The great thing about Marowijne is that most people speak some French, especially in Albina. It should not surprise you if, in Albina, you hear so many different languages that you can’t make sense of them all. The good thing is that the locals always make an effort to understand you as a tourist.