Captivating Commewijne River Cruise: A Scenic Journey into Plantation History

/ Tours & Trips / By Biowithwirjo

Plantation era · River journey

Commewijne Historical Boat Tour

Sail past fortifications, sugar and coffee plantations, and quiet canals where the plantation era still lingers on the water.

1 dayFull-day trip

09:00Departure

BoatLeonsbergsteiger

€80 ppFrom

The story

The history of Suriname's plantation era

Discover the rich history of the Commewijne district on a journey through a bygone era — past old sugar, cocoa and coffee plantations, and the impressive fortifications of Fort Nieuw Amsterdam. Along the way, silent canals and locks still bear witness to the past.

A highlight of the day is the restored Frederiksdorp plantation, where neglected workers' homes have been transformed into comfortable accommodations, and the former prison now serves as a charming restaurant. Beyond the history, the tour offers a look into everyday life in Commewijne today — fishing, livestock farming and small-scale agriculture remain essential to the district.

At a glance

1 day

09:00 – 15:00, departing Leonsbergsteiger by boat

17th c.

Fort Nieuw Amsterdam, an open-air museum on the river

€80

Per person, including lunch and a local guide

The programme

A full day on the Commewijne River

09:00

Departure — Leonsbergsteiger

Board the boat and set off up the Commewijne River, leaving Paramaribo behind.

09:45

Fort Nieuw Amsterdam

Explore the 17th-century fort, now an open-air museum with a rich colonial and military history.

11:00

Rust en Werk plantation

Sail into the plantation's creek — the route here depends on the tide, so the water always looks a little different.

12:15

Frederiksdorp plantation

Tour the restored plantation grounds, where former workers' homes are now guest accommodations and the old prison is a restaurant.

13:00

Lunch in Johanna-Margaretha

Enjoy a home-cooked lunch with a local plantation resident — a taste of everyday Commewijne hospitality.

15:00

Return journey

Head back toward Paramaribo, keeping an eye out for dolphins where the Commewijne meets the Suriname River.

Pack for the river

What to bring

☀

Sunscreen

🎒

Daypack

🦟

Insect repellent

👕

Light clothing

☂

Raincoat

💵

Surinamese money

TransportRiver boat

Duration09:00 – 15:00

Departs fromLeonsbergsteiger

Trip length1 day

Included

Day trip (multiple-day options available)
Entrance fees
Round-trip transportation from Paramaribo
Guided by a historical guide
Lunch with a local plantation resident

Not included

Alcohol and personal expenses
Payment by bank or cash on site

Trip option

Choose your trip length

Full day

1 day tour

€80 per person

09:00–15:00, departing daily from Leonsbergsteiger. Multiple-day itineraries available on request.

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      EXCELLENT  
   Based on 108 reviews 
    
 
 
 
   
 
 
       Posted on Google  
   
   olga zoria 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Easy communication and very accommodating.  Ricky created a tour to French Guiana and stopped on the way back to get a few Suriname’s delicacy. So it’s not only a French Guiana tour but also culinary tour ! He also managed to find pink dolphins, sloths and showed me  UNESCO sites in Paramaribo
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Tapiero Etman 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Wist veel te vertellen, is een gezellige gids, draait leuke muziek en veel gelachen. Zeker een aanrader!!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Michael Holden 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Had a great experience with Ricky who took a lot of time to help pull together a great trip for me. He also helped me with finding tourism in other countries I was visiting and was always available for everything I needed.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Gijs Willemse 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Ontzettende leuke wandeling naar watervallen. Heel veel verschillende dieren gezien, onder andere: veel vogels, apen (bearded saki), kikkers (poison dart frog), bosvarken en zelfs een schildpad. Ricky (de gids) had erg veel kennis van alle bomen en dieren, fantastische dag!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Stefan Udit 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Amazing tour guide with deep knowledge about Suriname's flora and fauna, amazing cook and extremely warm and fun personality.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   B Mac 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Well organized value for money and pleasant guide
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Ren Goeptar 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Ricky is a great guide. We went hiking with him at Brownsberg, he knows a lot about the forest and is very kind. It was a great experience.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Aarda van den Hardenberg 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We hebben een geweldige dag gehad met Ricky als gids. Hij heeft veel kennis van de natuur en vertelt hier enthousiast over. Daarnaast is hij erg persoonlijk en een goede chauffeur, die met humor over de hobbelige wegen rijdt. Het was een onvergetelijke dag die we iedereen kunnen aanraden. Ricky, nogmaals hartelijk bedankt! Lieve groet GertJan en Aarda, Harderwijk  Nederland
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Lubomir Botev 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Много ни хареса обиколката с Рики! Парамарибо, Йоденсаване и парка Броунсберг! Тръгваме си от Суринам със желанието да се върнем отново!
  
 
  
  
 
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