Drive West Coast, Suriname

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The West Coast region of Suriname comprises the three coastal districts between Paramaribo and the western border with Guyana: Coronie, Nickerie and Saramacca. It's a region celebrated for its bird life and the Bigi Pan nature reserve can be an absolute highlight in any Suriname travels. There are a few towns and some choices as far as accommodation goes, but this is a place away from the crowds and often overlooked by visitors. Coronie Coronie is located between the districts Saramacca and Nickerie. With just 3000 people living on an area of 3900 km² it is the least populated district of Suriname. It is very fruitful and famous for its coconut palms. Most people live on a thin strip along the coast to which the largest freshwater swamp of Suriname borders. Angling is very popular. Traveling on the Oost-westverbinding you see people who have a line out anywhere. Nickerie Nickerie is located at the mouth of the Corentyne River that forms the border between Suriname and Guyana. The district covers 5,353 km² and has about 35,000 inhabitants. The county seat is Nieuw Nickerie, located on the River Nickerie. Another place of some importance is Wageningen. The main source of livelihood is rice cultivation and in addition fishing on the Corentyne River and Nickerie. Livestock is mainly cattle, but also sheep, goats, chickens and doksen (ducks) are cultivated. The population mainly exists of Hindus, but also Javanese, Chinese and Creoles live in the region. The area consists of polders constructed during the Dutch colonization. The polders are protected against flooding by a seawall at the mouth of the Corentyne River in the Atlantic (zeedijk). Saramacca This district is more or less located between the rivers Saramacca in the east and Coppename in the west. Traditionally it is an area with dozens of small family farms. Saramacca is known for its birds. Ornithologists and birdwatchers from all over the world come here to see and study toucans, parrots and rock roosters. The Northwest Suriname region is at the west of the coastal road (Oost-west verbinding) that crosses north Suriname. The 237km from Paramaribo to Nieuw Nickerie take about 4h. The road is an easy going road where slow trucks and agricultural vehicles are the biggest hurdles, ans therefore a suited route to drive yourself. Be aware of speed bumps which are signed as drempel. These can be very high to force reducing your speed to nearly null. Most bumps are constructed as twins at the entrance and exit of communities and junctions. The road is not marked with traffic lines. Gas may not be a problem as these days more and more gas stations are opened. Wageningen is about 50 km east of Nieuw Nickerie passing endless polders with paddies. This town is not on the Oost-west verbinding but is located 3km south.

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