Day Trip Ideas around Paramaribo
Four day trips are worth knowing about from Paramaribo. Two are by boat on the Commewijne side of the river, and two are by road to the south. The table gives a quick comparison, with costs per person from tour listings. Operators often quote in euros or US dollars.
| Trip | Getting there | About how long | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commewijne plantations and dolphins | Boat from Leonsberg | 6 to 8 hours | EUR 65 to 85 |
| Brownsberg Nature Park | 4x4 via Brownsweg | 2 to 4 hours each way | EUR 75 to 95 |
| Jodensavanne and Redi Doti | Road, Para District | about 50 km south | about EUR 70 to 90 |
| Warappa Kreek canal | Electric boat, eastern Commewijne | about 9 km by boat | about EUR 85 to 105 |
River plantations and dolphins
A covered wooden boat heads downriver from the Leonsberg jetty. Early on you pass through the estuary where Guiana dolphins live, although there is no promise of seeing them. The boat then calls at Fort Nieuw-Amsterdam, at the junction of the Suriname and Commewijne rivers. Further up the Commewijne are Rust en Werk, a working cattle and citrus farm, and the plantation estate at Frederiksdorp, with displays on the history of indentured workers. Some trips add Mariënburg, a former sugar factory tied to the labourers’ uprising of 1902. The plantation estates on this route grew out of enslaved labour, so visit them as heritage sites rather than as leisure stops. Package prices usually include the boat, guide, entry fees and lunch.
Brownsberg mountain
Brownsberg Nature Park, run by STINASU, sits on a plateau about 500 m high and covers 12,000 hectares. The paved road ends near Brownsweg, and a rough, steep 13 km track climbs the mountain. Only a high-clearance 4x4 can manage it. At the top, Mazaroni Top gives views over the Brokopondo Reservoir and its flooded tree trunks. Guides lead walks to Leo Falls and Irene Falls. Howler monkeys, spider monkeys, toucans and poison dart frogs are among the wildlife. The park fee has been listed at about USD 10, and day packages usually include it.
Jodensavanne and Redi Doti
This trip follows the Martin Luther Kingweg and Afobakaweg south, crossing the Carolina Bridge to the Amerindian village of Redi Doti. The main stop is the Jodensavanne site, where the brick ruins of a 1685 synagogue and an old Sephardic cemetery stand in the forest. It is a burial ground, so keep a respectful pace and tone.
Warappa Kreek
An electric boat carries visitors along a hand-dug canal of about 9 km, under arching mangroves, past old brick bridges and sugar locks. The route ends at the wild Atlantic mudflats. The tour includes a private museum.
Before you book
Choose an established operator. The UK government safety advice recommends one for trips into central Suriname. Floods are common between May and August, which can disrupt roads. Pack repellent containing DEET, sun cream and drinking water. Swimming in the Suriname River near Paramaribo is not safe.
Read more: Attraction Tours in Paramaribo has opening hours for individual sites.
Booking help
Compare ready-made day tours on GetYourGuide .