Commewijne & the plantations
Where the plantations meet the water
Commewijne begins on the other side of the Suriname River, a fifteen-minute boat ride from Paramaribo. The district takes its name from the river running through it and was filled with plantations in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries: coffee, cocoa, sugar and later bananas. Their remains still stand along the banks — Frederiksdorp, Peperpot, Alliance, Rust en Werk, Kroonenburg.
Today it is one of the most accessible parts of Suriname. Fort Nieuw-Amsterdam guards the confluence of the Commewijne and the Suriname River as an open-air museum, the villages are home to the Javanese and Hindustani communities who came to work here after slavery, and wild dolphins surface at the river mouth. You explore it by boat, by bicycle along the old plantation paths, or on foot.
Our tours through Commewijne
Your journey, just the way you want it
Whether you dream of a private snorkeling tour, a surprise trip for a special occasion or just want to be completely unburdened, we will arrange it! Together, we’ll put together a unique experience that perfectly suits your needs. Personalized, flexible and organized to perfection.
Veelgestelde vragen
How do you get to Commewijne from Paramaribo?
From the Waterkant in Paramaribo it is a fifteen-minute boat ride; by road you go around via the Wijdenbosch Bridge. Almost all tours pick you up in Paramaribo and arrange transport both ways.
Which plantations can you visit?
Frederiksdorp, Peperpot, Plantation Alliance, Bakkie, Rust en Werk, Johan & Margaretha and Kroonenburg are all open to visitors — some as a museum or nature park, others by bicycle or from the water.
Can you see Commewijne in one day?
Yes. Most tours here are day trips: a bus tour along the plantations, a river cruise or a bike ride over the old plantation paths. If you want more time, you can stay overnight at Frederiksdorp.
Do you really see dolphins here?
Wild Guyana dolphins live at the mouth of the Suriname River and can be spotted from the boat. Swimming with them is not possible — these are wild animals in open water — but they sometimes come close to the boat of their own accord.
Is Commewijne suitable for children?
Yes, this is one of the calmest and most accessible parts of Suriname: short boat trips, flat cycling routes and plenty to see along the way. Let us know the ages of the children when booking, so the bike sizes can be matched.
What is the best time to visit?
All year round. In the dry season (February to April and August to November) the plantation paths are at their most passable; in the rainy season everything is greener and there are fewer visitors.
Read more about Commewijne
Day trips in Suriname: culture and nature in one day
Which day trips from Paramaribo are worth it, with the plantations of Commewijne leading the way.
Day trips in Suriname
An overview of the most popular day trips, from Peperpot and Nieuw Amsterdam to the river cruise.
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