An Island on a Continent: Why No Roads Lead into Suriname

Imagine embarking on an epic road trip across South America, a continent famed for its sprawling highways and adventurous routes. You cruise through Brazil, navigate the coastline, and head towards the Guianas. But as you approach the border of Suriname, you hit an unexpected obstacle: the road simply ends. There is no bridge, no border crossing for your car, only the vast expanse of a river. This isn't a temporary closure; it's the permanent reality. Suriname is a continental island, a nation disconnected by road from all its neighbors.

The Coastal Lifeline

Suriname's primary road network is concentrated along its populated coastal plain. The main artery is the Oost-Westverbinding, or the East-West Link. This road does exactly what its name implies: it connects the eastern border with French Guiana to the western border with Guyana. It runs from Albina on the Marowijne River (bordering French Guiana) to Nieuw Nickerie, near the Corantijn River (bordering Guyana). While this highway is crucial for connecting the country's own major towns, its termini are not gateways to international roads, but to ferry terminals.

The Ferry Frontier

For any traveler hoping to enter or exit Suriname by car, a short sea voyage is mandatory. Your only options are:

• The Western Border: The Canawaima ferry service connects South Drain in Suriname with Moleson Creek in Guyana, traversing the wide Corantijn River.
• The Eastern Border: A ferry at the town of Albina links Suriname to Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni in French Guiana across the Marowijne River.

These ferry crossings are the only way to get a vehicle into the country, transforming any overland journey into a multi-modal adventure. The experience highlights a geographical and infrastructural reality that sets Suriname apart from nearly every other nation on the continent.

The Green Wall and Great Rivers

So, why this isolation? The answer lies in Suriname's formidable geography. Over 80% of the country is covered by the dense, pristine Amazon rainforest. This 'green wall' makes the prospect of building and maintaining a road south to Brazil an immense and costly challenge, not to mention the significant environmental impact such a project would entail. The southern interior is sparsely populated, with most transport happening by small plane or boat, making a major highway economically unfeasible.

The eastern and western borders are not defined by lines on a map, but by massive, powerful rivers. The Corantijn and Marowijne are not easily bridged. Historically, colonial powers prioritized extracting resources via these riverways rather than investing in expensive infrastructure to connect their territories with neighboring colonies.

A Bridge to the Future?

The status quo may be on the verge of change. For years, plans have been in motion for a bridge connecting Suriname and Guyana over the Corantijn River. Recent developments suggest the project is moving forward, with contracts being awarded. If completed, it would mark the first-ever physical road link between Suriname and a neighboring country, fundamentally changing regional travel and trade.

A connection with French Guiana presents a different, more peculiar challenge. Suriname and its neighbor Guyana drive on the left, a remnant of British and Dutch colonial history. French Guiana, as an overseas department of France, drives on the right. This creates a logistical puzzle for any potential bridge. As one online commentator noted about such a crossing:

You would need a flyover or some sort of pretzel interchange at the end of the bridge to switch traffic from the left to the right side of the road. It adds a whole other layer of complexity and cost.

For now, Suriname remains a unique destination for the overland traveler. It’s a country where the road ends at the water's edge, reminding us that even in our interconnected world, some places still stand beautifully, and stubbornly, alone.

Sources

• Wikipedia - Roads in Suriname
• CIA World Factbook - Suriname
• AP News - Guyana and Suriname sign contract with Chinese company to build a long-awaited bridge connecting them