Commewijne River

Old plantation homes, as well as cocoa, coffee, and sugar cane operations, can be found all along the Commewijne River. Renting a bike for the day and cycling the well-maintained pathways around the plantations is a popular tourist activity.

Water taxis are the most common way to cross the river from Paramribo. They generally take you to Frederiksdorp, a historic plantation that has been rebuilt and is now a hotel and restaurant. It's the ideal spot for a lunch break.

Fort Nieuw Amsterdam is also nearby, where you can see artifacts from the slave trade as well as Dutch-engineered locks that keep the river at bay. Peperpot Nature Park and Meerzorg Bridge are two other spots worth seeing (popular with bird watchers).

If you are looking for where the Commewijne River and Suriname rivers meet, you will find Fort Nieuw Amsterdam. This is a polygonal fortress that plays the role of protecting the crop fields from attacks in the past. Just spend a little time wandering the grounds, and you'll feel like you've been transported back to the tumultuous 19th century.

• Location: Suriname
• Timing: Open all day
• Famous for: Fort Nieuw Amsterdam
• Entry Fee: Free
• Best Time To Visit: Year-round.