Family trip Suriname & Curaçao

20 days - from € 4.440 per person

family journey - Amazon - ancient civilizations - beach

This beautiful trip takes you to beautiful places in Suriname. You will visit the Surinamese capital Paramaribo and the nature reserve Bigi Pan. You will get a guided tour on the oldest coffee and cacao plantation along the Suriname river and you will visit Frederiksdorp. You will get acquainted with the Marron culture and finally you will visit Kabalebo, in the heart of the Amazon. You will end your trip at the Caribbean coast on the island of Curaçao.

Travel itinerary

Day 1: Amsterdam – Paramaribo

Your special trip through Suriname starts today. You will depart by intercontinental flight from Amsterdam to Paramaribo. Upon arrival you will be welcomed by our local employees and brought to your hotel.
Overnight stay: Royal Torarica | bed & breakfast

Day 2: Paramaribo

Paramaribo is one of the few real cities in Suriname. Suriname is a melting pot of cultures and that is also noticeable in the capital. A stay in Paramaribo is like a journey back in time: the traces of the Dutch colonial past are still clearly visible and everywhere you go, you will feel the history. Almost all the buildings you will find here are made of wood. On the Waterkant (waterfront) you will find many nice restaurants and bars. Together with a guide you will make a walk through Paramaribo, where you will get to know the city better. You will pass several monuments and historic buildings. Your guide will tell you more about the stories behind the buildings and will also show you pictures from the past. After the city walk you will be brought back to your hotel, where you can relax for a while. 

At the end of the afternoon you will join a boat trip around the mouth of the Atlantic Ocean, where the Suriname River meets the Commewijne River. From Leonsberg you will board a boat, and while enjoying tasty snacks and a drink you will go in search of the Surinamese dolphins. This is the 'Guiana River Dolphin', also called the Profosoe dolphin. The Profosoe is small, has a pink belly and pointed snout and therefore looks a bit different from the 'regular' dolphin. Afterwards you sail on to the cosy village of Johan & Margaretha where you can enjoy the local snacks on a wooden terrace at the Commewijne river. During the trip back to Paramaribo, you can enjoy the sunset. 
Overnight stay: Hotel Royal Torarica | bed & breakfast

Day 3: Paramaribo – Bigi Pan

Today you will be picked up at your hotel and travel to the Bigi Pan nature reserve, near Nickerie. The nature reserve is known for its exceptional flora and fauna. On the way you will make a short stop in Groningen. At the end of 1845 the first Dutch farmers settled here, the farmers were from the province of Groningen. In 1945 a monument was made to commemorate the farmers. You will also make a stop at a sloth shelter and visit the fishing village of Boskamp, where you will take a short walk. Once you have arrived in Nickerie, you will board the boat which will take you to the nature reserve. Bigi Pan is located on the Nickerie river and can only be reached by boat. Along the way you can spot many different birds and maybe you will see caimans. 
Overnight stay: Akira Overwater Resort | full board

Day 4: Bigi Pan

Bigi Pan is a beautiful swamp area, which stretches along the coast of Coronie and Nickerie. The area is home to about 122 species of shorebirds, 72 of which occur year round. You will find, among others, the flamingo and the red ibis. Bigi Pan is also called the breeding ground, because many birds breed here. From your resort you can make various boat trips to spot birds or to spot caimans in the evening. During clear nights, the starry sky here is beautiful to see. 
Overnight stay: Akira Overwater Resort | full board

 

Day 5: Bigi Pan – Peperpot 

After breakfast you will travel by boat back to Nickerie and together with your guide you will visit the market and seawall. After lunch you will travel via Wageningen and Coronie to your next destination. Coronie is known for its many coconuts and parwah honey. Today you will stay in boutique hotel Peperpot, located on the oldest coffee and cocoa plantations along the Suriname river. The rooms of the hotel have a combination of colonial and modern style. On the terrace by the swimming pool you can relax and in the surroundings you can make beautiful walks. Also pay a visit to the Pepre Patu eatery, where you can enjoy delicious local and international dishes during the day. In the evening you can dine on the terrace of the restaurant Commewijne, where you have a view over the Suriname river and enjoy the night sounds. 
Overnight stay: Boutique Hotel Peperpot | bed & breakfast

Day 6: Peperpot

Your hotel is adjacent to the forest edge of the Peperpot Nature Park. Today a guide will pick you up and take you for a walk through the natural park. During the walk you will have the chance to spot monkeys, snakes and birds! The route will take you to the old coffee factory where a local Peperpot guide will be waiting for you to tell you more about this old coffee factory. Then you will visit a Javanese horticulturist, who enthusiastically tells you about the fruits, herbs and vegetables that are grown on the spot.
Overnight stay: Boutique Hotel Peperpot | bed & breakfast

Day 7: Peperpot – Fredriksdorp 

From the pier Mariënberg you take a boat that drops you off at Frederiksdorp. Frederiksdorp is situated on the banks of the Commewijne river and can only be reached by boat. You will stay at the Plantation Resort, which has recently been restored. Among other things, it has a swimming pool and river terrace. Originally it was a plantation for coffee and cocoa. In Frederiksdorp you will also find cozy restaurants, terraces and bars. In the afternoon you will be picked up at your accommodation and taken for a walk to Plantage Johanna Margaretha, where you get on the boat for a fungus tour (= swamp terraces). On the way you can enjoy the special nature, which has more than 80 bird species!
Overnight stay: Plantage Resort Fredriksdorp | half board

Day 8: Frederiksdorp

After breakfast your guide will pick you up for a bike tour through Mariënbosch and Kroonburg. The first stop is Kronenburg, where you will cycle past various old plantations, locks and canals. Your guide will tell you about the history and different cultures in the district. After Kronenburg you will visit the Plantation House Mariënbosch. Afterwards, you will cycle back to Frederiksdorp, where you will drop-off your bicycles. 
Overnight stay: Plantage Resort Fredriksdorp | half board

Day 9: Frederiksdorp – Knini Paati  

From Fredriksdorp you will be brought this morning to Knini Paati. First by car and at the harbour Atjoni you will change to a dugout canoe for a boat trip of about an hour to Knini Paati, an island in the middle of the Ferulasi Sula. During the boat trip you will have breathtaking views of nature and the Maroon villages. The boat also passes the Jaw Jaw rapids.  
Overnight stay: Jungle & River Resort Knini Paati | full board

Day 10: Knini Paati

During your stay at Knini Paati River Resort you can undertake various activities. For example a walk to a nearby Maroon village, where you will get to know the locals and learn about their unique way of life and their traditional customs and habits. But also a walk through the jungle, during which you will be explained about the local medicinal use of the plants by a guide. In the evening you can spot caimans or relax on the terrace and in the hammock. You can swim in the pool or in the nearby rapids. 
Overnight stay: Jungle & River Resort Knini Paati | full board

Day 11: Knini Paati – Paramaribo

After a last activity and a closing lunch, you get back in the dugout canoe to Atjoni and from here you travel over land back to Paramaribo. Upon arrival in Paramaribo you will be brought to your hotel. Enjoy your free evening here. Take a walk in the Palmentuin (garden of palms) and make a stop at the Waterkant (waterside) where you will find many nice restaurants and bars. What should certainly not be missed during a stay in Paramaribo is a visit to the Central Market, which is the largest indoor market in the Caribbean. On this colorful market you will find, among other things, clothing, fruit and vegetables. On the Independence Square you will find the most important buildings of the city. A lot to experience!
Overnight stay: Royal Torarica hotel | bed & breakfast

Day 12: Paramaribo – Kabalebo

After an overnight stay in the city you will travel today to another nature reserve, the Amazon. From the Zorg & Hoop airport you will board your domestic flight to the Kabalebo Resort. With the nearest village about 240 km away and only accessible by flight, Kabalebo is an oasis of tranquility, far away from civilization. Because of this remote location this is one of the best places in Suriname to spot a lot of wildlife. Surrounded by a large and unique variety of flora and fauna, various activities are offered. 
Overnight stay: Kabalebo Nature Resort | full board

Day 13 and 14: Kabalebo 

These days you will stay at the Kabalebo Nature Resort. Around the resort you will find many bird species, rare butterflies, dozens of fish species and impressive felines. During your stay you can participate in various activities. The activities offered by Kabalebo vary from forest walks to boat trips, mountain climbing and wildlife spotting. You will also have plenty of time to relax and you can use the swimming pool.
Overnight stay: Kabalebo Nature Resort | full board

Day 15: Kabalebo – Paramaribo

After lunch you will be picked up at your accommodation and taken to the airport. Here you will board your domestic flight back to Paramaribo. Once you arrive here you will be brought to your hotel. 
Overnight stay: Royal Torarica | bed & breakfast

Day 16: Paramaribo – Curaçao

Today you will fly from Paramaribo to Curaçao to end your trip on the Caribbean coast. Upon arrival in Curaçao, a local employee will be waiting for you to take you to your hotel. Curaçao is a paradise for sun, sea and beach lovers. The island has a wonderful warm climate, beautiful idyllic beaches, and clear blue sea with a beautiful underwater world. In Curaçao you can still find many historic buildings from the trading period of the Kingdom of The Netherlands. A good example is the trading quay of Willemstad, the capital of Curaçao. 
Overnight stay: Santa Barbara Beach & Golf Resort | bed & breakfast

Day 17 & 18: Curaçao

These days you will stay in Curaçao. Here you can relax and enjoy the beautiful weather, but you can also undertake various activities. For example, pay a visit to the Hato Caves. Hundreds of years ago Indians lived in these caves. Many wall drawings of them can still be seen here today. During a visit to these caves a guide will tell you the stories and myths of these caves. Curaçao also has National Parks; Christopher, Den Dunki and Shete Boka. Christopher National Park is the largest national park. Here you will find an enormous variety of flora and fauna. Den Dunki National Park, shows how countless locations on Curaçao were used for other purposes in other times. It is assumed that this location was a slave camp for Africans in the late 17th century, established by Dutch slave traders. A later function of the location was a swan park, built by the wealthy Gorsira family, owners of Landhuis Zuurzak. The park was adorned with numerous decorated fountains and an imposing entrance bridge was built. Shete Boka National Park is an area with more than 10 beautiful 'bokas' (coastal inlets), where three species of turtles breed. The park starts at the 'Boka Tabla', a place where large, unpredictable waves crash against an underground cave. Very impressive! Furthermore, a walk on the high limestone terrace gives a great view of the north coast of Curacao. Klein Curaçao, is a small uninhabited island about 10 kilometers southeast of the coast of Curaçao. The sea around Klein Curaçao offers good diving and snorkeling opportunities. 
Overnight stay: Santa Barbara Beach & Golf Resort | bed & breakfast


 

Day 17: Curaçao – Amsterdam 

Unfortunately, your unique journey through Suriname and Curaçao comes to an end. You will be picked up at your hotel and taken to Curaçao airport, where you will board your intercontinental flight to Amsterdam. You will arrive here the next day.

Day 18: Amsterdam

You arrive in Amsterdam today.

Price

From € 4.440 per person

  • Based on 4 persons traveling together
  • Depending on time of booking, availability of the flights and the period of travel

Included:

  • domestic and local flights, economy class
  • 9 hotel overnights, meals as mentioned
  • 2 overnight stays in Akira Overwater Resort based on full board, including offered excursions accompanied by professional guides
  • 2 overnight stays in Plantage Resort on a half board basis, including offered excursions accompanied by professional guides
  • 2 overnight stays in Knini Paati River Resort with full board, including offered excursions accompanied by professional guides
  • 3 overnight stays in Kabalebo Nature Resort based on full board,including offered excursions accompanied by professional guides
  • all transfers and excursions as stated
  • our backup 24/7; locally and in the Netherlands
  • extensive travel documents package with small attention

Not included:

  • international flights, if you wish, we reserve these for you
  • early check-in / late check-out, based on availability, this is sometimes provided by the hotel. If you want to be sure that you have this, ask us about the additional cost
  • tourist E-Visa Suriname, approx. USD $ 40 p.p. + USD $ 14 p.p. service fee. Tourist card must be requested online via the following link
  • (Dutch) public contribution Calamity fund; € 2.50,- per booking
  • SGR contribution of € 5,- per person per booking
  • travel and cancellation insurance

Request travel proposal

Would you like to make this journey yourself? We can arrange the itinerary for you, but we are also happy to put together a programme based on your wishes and ideas. Do not hesitate to contact us. Send an e-mail to info@sapapanatravel.nl, call us on +31 73 610 62 04 or ask us to plan your trip. We are happy to help. 

Request travel proposal

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