Commewijne: Nature, Culture and History

Commewijne brings together nature, waterways and a rich cultural history. The protected Peperpot Nature Park, historic plantation houses and Fort Nieuw Amsterdam represent different sides of the district. When planning your stay, you can first consider whether nature, historic sites or cultural encounters should be the focus.

Peperpot Nature Park and the Landscape

Peperpot Nature Park is a protected area of more than 800 hectares. It preserves cultural heritage and biodiversity and provides a habitat for birds and monkeys. In this way, the park combines ecological and cultural significance. In the wider destination of Suriname, the forest trails in Peperpot Nature Park are suitable for hiking and wildlife watching.

Getting There and Exploring

The Jules Albert Wijdenbosch Bridge connects central Paramaribo with Commewijne and is considered Suriname’s highest bridge. Taking a small boat is one way to cross the river on the way to Commewijne. A scenic bike ride offers a way to explore Commewijne more slowly and immersively. When planning, these options answer different questions: the bridge connects Paramaribo with Commewijne, the boat lets you cross the river on the way there, and the bike ride offers a slower way to explore the district.

Waterways and Plantation History

Commewijne’s historic waterways reflect centuries of Surinamese culture. The restored plantation houses also reflect this long cultural history. At the same time, the legacy of slavery is part of the history of the plantations, where visible remains, including buildings and machinery, have been preserved. The plantations are no longer in operation; their remains serve as museums for tourists.

Fort Nieuw Amsterdam

Fort Nieuw Amsterdam is a pentagonal fort that served as an important lookout point for approaching warships. It is an open-air museum. The former prison has been converted into an exhibition space. Visitors can learn more there about the fort’s role during the colonial period and its significance in World War II. If you are planning a visit, check the latest visitor information in advance.

Cultural Traditions

Commewijne is home to many descendants of Asian contract laborers, with whom the district’s diverse cultural traditions are associated. Traditions visitors may encounter in Commewijne include gamelan music and traditional dances. Jaran Kepang is a trance dance in which performers imitate powerful animals such as tigers.

Suriname in a Broader Context

In the wider destination of Suriname, the historic center of Paramaribo retains its original street plan. Its buildings illustrate Dutch architectural influences alongside traditional local techniques and materials. Also in Suriname is the Jodensavanne settlement, founded in the 1680s. Its remains include the ruins of a synagogue, considered possibly the earliest synagogue of architectural significance in the Americas, as well as cemeteries, foundations of brick buildings, boat landings and a military post. Cassipora Creek Cemetery is a remnant of an older settlement founded in the 1650s and abandoned about three decades later, when its residents moved two kilometers downstream to Jodensavanne.

Discover more destinations: Meerzorg, Sipaliwini, Wanica, Saramacca

View the broader travel overview: Suriname.