Top Paramaribo Cultural Tours

The Commewijne district is one of the oldest plantation areas in Suriname. As early as the second half of the 17th century, plantations were established on the Upper Commewijne and Cottica rivers, where mainly sugarcane, coffee, and cocoa were cultivated. During this tour, we drive from Paramaribo across the Jules Wijdenbosch Bridge. The first stop is at Peperpot, a former coffee and cocoa plantation where you will take a walk along the Peperpot Trail. After this, we continue our journey to the Open Air Museum in Nieuw-Amsterdam and the former sugarcane plantation Mariënburg. Between activities, we stop for a delicious lunch and drive past the old plantations Ellen and Leliëndaal. The guide tells you a lot about the special history of the plantations and the remains that are sometimes hidden in the forest.

This tour is to experience the evening atmosphere of Paramaribo. You will be picked up in the early evening and drive to the center of Paramaribo's nightlife and walk along the various establishments. A short stop for a drink and then continue the tour by car. The tour takes us to Blauwgrond, which is known for the many “warungs,” Javanese eateries, the Henck Aarronstraat with its historic buildings, the Waterkant, and then over the Jules Wijdenbosch Bridge while the guide talks about the area. On the way back, you will have a beautiful view of Paramaribo from the top of the Jules Wijdenbosch Bridge. One more stop at a food place for a final drink, and then you will be dropped off at your hotel.

From the office, we'll travel along Anton Drachtenweg towards Leonsberg. Along this road, you'll encounter several beautiful homes and it's known as one of Paramaribo's most expensive neighborhoods. We'll depart from Leonsberg by wooden tent boat for Fort Nieuw-Amsterdam, home to the historic open-air museum. Dutch colonists built the fort at this strategic location in 1734 to protect the underlying plantations from the English and French. After this stop, we'll continue to the former Rust and Werk plantation. Here, you'll find a fishing village and the old colonial coffee and sugar plantations. You can experience the simple way of life of the descendants of indentured laborers. The next stop is the beautiful old Frederiksdorp coffee plantation. The buildings have been beautifully restored and now serve as hotel rooms. On the way back, we'll stop at the Johan and Margaretha plantation, which is currently used by local farmers to grow various crops such as cassava, bananas, and peppers.

Discover Paramaribo's unique inner city during the City Tour. With your tour guide, you'll stroll past colonial highlights such as the wooden St. Peter and Paul Basilica and the Presidential Palace. Due to its unique and symmetrical architectural style, much of the city center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. One of the highlights is the Central Market, where you'll discover the diversity of Surinamese fruits, vegetables, and herbs. The guide will tell you about Surinamese cuisine, and you might even get the chance to sample some of the local produce. Afterwards, you'll visit Keizerstraat, where the Mosque and Synagogue stand side by side—a remarkable symbol of Suriname's multicultural society. A comprehensive and informative walk through Paramaribo.

Discover the vibrant heart of Paramaribo during an atmospheric market tour along three distinctive markets. At the Chinese Market, you’ll find a mix of Asian products, fresh vegetables, herbs, and household items. The Saoena Market is known for its authentic atmosphere, local snacks, and fresh fish, meat, and agricultural products from the districts. At the Flea Market, you can browse stalls selling clothing, souvenirs, household goods, and second-hand treasures. During the tour, you will get acquainted with Suriname’s multicultural food culture and gain a unique insight into the daily life of the city.

About 50 kilometers south of Paramaribo, on the right bank of the Suriname River, lies Jodensavanne, a former Jewish settlement. The site is named after Jews who fled the Inquisition around 1650 and settled in this savanna area. The location was favorable, with a hill overlooking plantations and access to two water sources, one believed to have medicinal qualities. For many years, Jodensavanne was the center of the Jewish community in Suriname. The settlers owned plantations where crops like sugarcane were cultivated, often named after Biblical places such as Hebron and Bersaba. In 1832, a major fire destroyed much of the settlement, after which the population moved to Paramaribo. Today, the ruins of the oldest Jewish synagogue in the Americas and the cemetery can still be seen. During the tour, a guide shares the rich history of this once-thriving community, followed by a traditional Surinamese lunch before returning to Paramaribo.

Peperpot is a former coffee and cocoa plantation located in Commewijne, across the Suriname River near Paramaribo. From Paramaribo, you cycle via the Plattebrug and cross the river by tent boat to Meerzorg. Along the way, we make a stop at local fruit and vegetable stalls, where you can experience the atmosphere of the district and view or purchase fresh produce. Lunch is also enjoyed during the tour. The plantation was established in the early 19th century and remained in operation until 1996. Several historic plantation buildings are still standing on the property, including the plantation houses, a coffee barn, and the former coffee and cocoa factory. Among the old coffee and cocoa trees, bromeliads and orchids now flourish. Peperpot is popular with birdwatchers, and with a bit of luck, you may also spot monkeys and sapakaras. After the guided tour, you go back to Paramaribo.

Take a beautiful historical tour through former plantations in Commewijne and meet the local residents, the descendants of the Javanese and Hindustani immigrants.

Located about 50 kilometers south of Paramaribo on the right bank of the Suriname River, Jodensavanna is a former Jewish settlement founded around 1650 by Jews who fled the Inquisition in Europe. Thanks to its strategic location and natural water sources, it became the center of Jewish life in Suriname for many years. The community owned several plantations, where sugarcane and other crops were cultivated. Many plantations were given biblical names, such as Hebron and Bersaba. A devastating fire in 1832 led to the decline of the settlement, and many residents moved to Paramaribo. Today, visitors can still explore the ruins of the oldest Jewish synagogue in the Americas and the historic cemetery. During this tour, we travel via the Afobaka Road to Jodensavanna. After exploring the site and learning about its fascinating history, we continue to Overbridge, where you will spend the night.

The journey takes you through the districts of Saramacca and Coronie. The first stop is at Weg naar Zee, where you visit a Hindu temple, an important pilgrimage site, and a nearby crematorium. In Saramacca, known for livestock farming and the cultivation of rice and vegetables, you explore Groningen, the main town. Here, you will see the smallest square with the highest number of monuments, reflecting Suriname’s rich multicultural history. The route continues to the Coppename River, which you cross before entering Coronie. Coronie, once thriving on coconut plantations, is now sparsely populated, with villages along the East-West connection. The area is known for its rice fields rich in fish, including the popular kwi-kwi, as well as beekeeping, pure honey, and its gently swaying coconut palms.