Meet the Maroons
Experience a way of life little removed from West Africa in the Maroon communities descended from escaped slaves.
The Maroons are direct descendants of escaped African slaves who banded together to form their own independent villages. As a result they never assimilated into the culture of the colonisers and many retain languages, religions and lifestyles very close to those of the West African communities to which they can trace their roots.
Maroon settlements were once common across the former slaving areas of Latin America, but today few remain except in the remote forests of Guyana and Suriname where isolation has preserved their culture and way of life.
It’s possible to make a meaningful and culturally sensitive connection with these self-sufficient people when visiting Suriname’s deeper reaches. You can learn about their traditions and customs, and join in a village dinner complete with dancing and drumming.
Ready to start planning?
Tell us where you want to go, and we’ll take it from there. No obligation, no sales pitch – just a conversation with someone who knows the region inside out.
Why choose Journey Latin America for your holiday
We’ve been planning trips to Central and South America for over 45 years, longer than any other UK specialist. Every holiday is built around you by a Travel Expert who has been to the places they recommend, with support from your first enquiry to the day you fly home.
Rosie embarked on a year-long backpacking trip across Latin America. She is excited to share her knowledge and experiences with others.
Finn discovered his passion for travel on an extensive 18-month trip to Latin America, experiencing the vibrant Carnaval in Rio, the end-of-the-world city of Ushuaia, trekking the Andes and volunteering on the Galápagos Islands.
Maggie visited Latin America on her first backpacking trip when she was 19. Since then, she has taken every opportunity to travel, and has managed to explore a lot of the region in subsequent trips.
Gary discovered what he had been missing with his first foray into the wilds of Latin America. In his role as Product Manager, he combines this personal obsession with years of industry experience to help ensure that travellers will fall for the region every bit as much as he has.
