Away from the coast, Suriname's interior has almost no artificial light, and on clear nights the Milky Way stands out over the rivers and forest. Being close to the equator, you can see constellations of both the northern and southern sky, including the Southern Cross at certain times of year.
There are no dedicated stargazing tours. The best chance is a stay at a remote lodge, such as Apetina on the Tapanahony River, where clear-sky evenings and campfires are part of the programme, or a night in a hammock camp or on a river island during a multi-day trip.
Good to know
- Getting there
- The darkest skies are at interior lodges far from towns. Apetina and Kabalebo are reached by small plane from Paramaribo, Kabalebo in about 1 hour
- Best time to go
- The dry seasons, roughly February to April and mid-August to November, give the most clear nights; plan around the new moon for the darkest sky
- Entry and permits
- No separate fee; stargazing is part of a lodge stay or multi-day trip. Some lodges sell night walks as an optional extra
- Time needed
- Plan a stay of at least 3 nights, since clouds often clear for only part of the night
- Tips
- Bring a torch with a red-light setting, binoculars, insect repellent and a light long-sleeved layer for the evening
Operators that offer this
Tour operators listed on Explore Suriname, with a direct link to their own tour page.
Prices and dates change. Check with the operator before you book.
Where to stay nearby
Sipaliwini
Sipaliwini
Location
Map data © Google. Click the map to see locations, reviews & directions.