The rivers are the highways of Suriname. Beyond the city, the only way to get around is by local boat.
The context
Once you leave Paramaribo, the road simply stops, and the rivers, the Suriname, the Saramacca, the Marowijne, take over as the only way through. You will travel in long wooden boats called korjaals, the same boats that carry people, food, fuel, and building supplies to villages deep in the forest that no road will ever reach.
For visitors, the rivers are the best way to see the country. You can go on a short boat trip near the city to see old plantations and birds. If you have more time, you can go further south to reach remote Maroon villages. The river is where you will bathe, wash your clothes, and see how people have lived for hundreds of years.
The beaches in Suriname are not like the ones in the Caribbean. Because the rivers carry mud from the Amazon forest, the ocean water is usually brown, not blue. The beaches are wild and quiet. People go there to see sea turtles lay their eggs or to visit small fishing villages, not to stay at big resorts.
Where to go
Each river has its own story. Choose one based on whether you want a quick trip or a long journey.
The easiest trip from the city. You can take a ferry and then rent a bike to see old coffee and sugar plantations. It is a great place to see birds and catch the breeze.
The most famous river route. You take a boat from the town of Atjoni and travel deep into the forest to visit Maroon villages. You can stay in simple houses by the water.
The Marowijne river is the border with French Guiana. From the town of Albina, you take a boat to Galibi to see sea turtles. The water here can be a bit rough near the ocean.
A sandbank in the ocean where the water is actually clear and blue. You need to hire a private boat from the city to get there. It is completely empty with no buildings.
A quiet river where you have the best chance of seeing giant river otters. It is much less crowded than the other rivers.
There are several lodges on small islands in the middle of the river. You can relax in a hammock and listen to the water all day. Most includes meals and guided walks.
Logistics
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