Where the Commewijne River flows into the Suriname River, a short way below Paramaribo, the Dutch built a large five-pointed fortress between 1734 and 1747. Its job was to stop an enemy fleet reaching either the capital or the richest plantations of the colony. It never fired in anger.
The earth ramparts, moats and brick powder magazines survive in parkland at the tip of the village of Nieuw Amsterdam, and the whole site is now an open-air museum with a breeze off the water.
Top things to do: Fort Nieuw Amsterdam
Walk the ramparts
Follow the path around the star-shaped walls for views over the meeting of the two rivers — the same water where Guiana dolphins feed. Cannons of several centuries stand along the way, including large coastal guns installed by American troops during the Second World War, when Suriname’s bauxite was vital to Allied aircraft production.
The powder houses and prison
Two 18th-century brick powder magazines are the oldest buildings. Later the fort served as a prison, and the cell block can be visited.
The exhibitions
Small displays cover slavery and the plantation system, the arrival of Hindustani and Javanese contract workers, and the district’s history. There is also a collection of old carriages and a lightship in the grounds.
The village
Nieuw Amsterdam is the capital of Commewijne district, with a strong Javanese character. Warungs near the fort serve saoto and bami for lunch.
How to get to Fort Nieuw Amsterdam
- By boat: small passenger boats cross from Leonsberg, at the northern edge of Paramaribo, to Nieuw Amsterdam in a few minutes and take bicycles.
- By road: over the Jules Wijdenbosch Bridge it is roughly half an hour’s drive from the centre.
- By bike: it lies about ten kilometres beyond Peperpot on the standard Commewijne loop, returning by the Leonsberg boat.
Insider tips
- There is a small admission fee. The museum is normally open daily with shorter hours at weekends; confirm before you go.
- There is little shade on the walls — bring a hat and water.
- Late afternoon combines well with a dolphin boat from the nearby landing.
- Do not confuse it with Fort Zeelandia in the city: they are different forts on opposite banks.
Tours: Fort Nieuw Amsterdam
GetYourGuide lists only a handful of Suriname tours. These are the real, bookable ones most relevant to Fort Nieuw Amsterdam:
Day trip from €200 Commewijne Coffee and Plantation Heritage Tour, All Inclusive
A relaxed six-hour introduction to the plantation district across the river. The day starts with breakfast, continues with the history of Commewijne and a visit to the Katwijk coffee plantation for a tasting, and ends with a local lunch. Small group, with free cancellation at the time of writing.
- Breakfast at a café before crossing to Commewijne
- Katwijk coffee plantation with tasting
- Local lunch included, small group
Guided tour Suriname: Peperpot Nature Park Tour & River Sunset
A short afternoon outing to Peperpot, the old coffee and cocoa plantation that has become a nature park just across the river from the city. You walk among the plantation remains, look for monkeys and birds in the regrown forest and finish with sunset on the river. A new listing with a small group size — check the live price before you plan around it.
- Forest trail on an 18th-century plantation
- Wildlife spotting with a guide
- Sunset over the river, pickup available
