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Suriname🇸🇷 | landmarksColakreekTea-colored creek, white sand banks, weekend barbecues, Para district | things to do and best time to go

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Backpacking in Colakreek
👌 Worth visitingunique site ranked #4
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 19, 2026

The water in Colakreek is not flavored, fizzy or polluted. It is stained the deep brown of strong tea by tannins leaching from fallen leaves and roots in the forest upstream, which is where the name comes from. The creek runs in the Para district of Suriname, about 50 km south of Paramaribo, just south of Johan Adolf Pengel International Airport. Floating in it feels odd at first, because you cannot see your own knees, but the water is soft, cool and slightly slippery on the skin, and pale sand lines the edges. Cicadas and birdcalls fill the trees overhead. It is a local weekend hangout, so expect music, grilling smoke and families on Saturdays and Sundays. Facilities are basic, nothing here is a spectacle, and the appeal is a cheap, easy swim in a forest setting. Come on a weekday for quiet, and bring cash, drinking water and food with you.

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✨ Why go?
Ranked #4 unique site in SurinameThe unique appeal for travelers

Colakreek gives you a swim in tannin-dark water that looks like iced tea, without the long river trip most of Suriname's interior demands. That is the whole pitch, and it is a good one. The brown color is strange enough to photograph, yet the water itself is clean, soft and refreshing after a sweaty day in the lowlands. It is also one of the few places where you can watch Surinamese families do what they do on a day off: cook, play music, argue over dominoes and float for hours.

The creek fits easily into a wider loop south of the capital toward the Brokopondo district. The Afobaka reservoir and Brownsberg Nature Park lie in the same general direction, so a swim here makes a natural cool-down before or after a forest hike. Go on a weekday if you want the water to yourself, and on a weekend … read more 👉
Colakreek gives you a swim in tannin-dark water that looks like iced tea, without the long river trip most of Suriname's interior demands. That is the whole pitch, and it is a good one. The brown color is strange enough to photograph, yet the water itself is clean, soft and refreshing after a sweaty day in the lowlands. It is also one of the few places where you can watch Surinamese families do what they do on a day off: cook, play music, argue over dominoes and float for hours.

The creek fits easily into a wider loop south of the capital toward the Brokopondo district. The Afobaka reservoir and Brownsberg Nature Park lie in the same general direction, so a swim here makes a natural cool-down before or after a forest hike. Go on a weekday if you want the water to yourself, and on a weekend if you want to meet people. Either way the creek costs little and asks nothing of you except a towel.

💡 HighlightsTop highlights of Colakreek

  1. The tea-colored water: The creek's signature. Tannins from the forest turn it a clear, deep brown, and the surface mirrors the trees above like polished wood. Swimming in it is the main reason to come.
  2. The sandy shoreline: Pale sand along the banks contrasts sharply with the dark water and makes a comfortable spot to spread a towel and dry off.
  3. Swimming spots in the shallows: The gentle, slow current lets you float without effort. The water is cool and soft, which suits kids and nervous swimmers alike.
  4. The picnic areas: Shaded spots along the water are where local families set up, grill and linger for hours. Joining in, or simply sitting nearby with a cold drink, is half the experience.
  5. The forest edge: Tall trees press right up to the creek. Listen for cicadas, parrots and the rustle of lizards
… read more 👉
  1. The tea-colored water: The creek's signature. Tannins from the forest turn it a clear, deep brown, and the surface mirrors the trees above like polished wood. Swimming in it is the main reason to come.
  2. The sandy shoreline: Pale sand along the banks contrasts sharply with the dark water and makes a comfortable spot to spread a towel and dry off.
  3. Swimming spots in the shallows: The gentle, slow current lets you float without effort. The water is cool and soft, which suits kids and nervous swimmers alike.
  4. The picnic areas: Shaded spots along the water are where local families set up, grill and linger for hours. Joining in, or simply sitting nearby with a cold drink, is half the experience.
  5. The forest edge: Tall trees press right up to the creek. Listen for cicadas, parrots and the rustle of lizards in the leaf litter, and look for butterflies at the water's edge.
  6. Weekend atmosphere: Saturdays and Sundays bring music, smoke from barbecues and a lively crowd. It is the most social side of the creek and a good way to see how Surinamers relax.
  7. Photography at the waterline: Dark water, white sand and green canopy create strong contrasts, especially in soft morning light. Bring a dry bag for your phone or camera.
Allow two to four hours for a swim, a meal and some unhurried sitting around.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

Things to do near Colakreek

Paramaribo City Tour

Paramaribo City Tour

4.8(21) 3h 30m
From €135
per personViator
Full-Day Brownsberg Nature Park Tour

Full-Day Brownsberg Nature Park Tour

4.3(10) 12h
From €197
per personViator
Bigi Pan Tourist Eco Lodge

Bigi Pan Tourist Eco Lodge

4.5(2) 48h
From €159
per personViator
Sunset and Dolphin Tour Suriname

Sunset and Dolphin Tour Suriname

4.0(2) 3h 15m
From €36
per personViator
Commewijne Plantation Tour

Commewijne Plantation Tour

5.0(1)
From €143
per personViator
Saramacca and Coronie District Tour

Saramacca and Coronie District Tour

0.0(0) 7h
From €146
per personViator
Suriname Paramaribo Airport (PBM) to Paramaribo hotel - Arrival Private Transfer

Suriname Paramaribo Airport (PBM) to Paramaribo hotel - Arrival Private Transfer

0.0(0) 1h 20m
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per personViator
Indian Roti workshop

Indian Roti workshop

0.0(0) 5h
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Javanese Cooking Workshop

Javanese Cooking Workshop

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Plantation Tour with One Overnight Stay at Frederiksdorp

Plantation Tour with One Overnight Stay at Frederiksdorp

0.0(0) 48h
From €350
per personViator

Ratings based on Tripadvisor reviews. When you book through this link, you support our work at no extra cost to you.

🌤️ When to go?Seasonal considerations and timing

  • Long Dry Season (August to mid-November): Colakreek is at its most reliable, with highs of 31 to 33°C (88 to 91°F), clearer water in the creek and the most crowded weekends. Suriname families from Paramaribo fill the swimming spots on Saturdays and Sundays.
  • Short Dry Season (February to March): A brief lull in the rain, with similar temperatures of 30 to 32°C (86 to 90°F) and quieter days than in autumn.
  • Long Wet Season (late April to July): Heavy downpours turn the reddish-brown, tea-colored water higher and faster, and the dirt access roads get muddy. Lows sit around 23°C (73°F). Midweek visits are nearly empty, and daylight stays steady at about 12 hours all year.
  • Short Wet Season (December to January): Showers are shorter and often fall in the afternoon. Local holidays bring picnic crowds.
… read more 👉
  • Long Dry Season (August to mid-November): Colakreek is at its most reliable, with highs of 31 to 33°C (88 to 91°F), clearer water in the creek and the most crowded weekends. Suriname families from Paramaribo fill the swimming spots on Saturdays and Sundays.
  • Short Dry Season (February to March): A brief lull in the rain, with similar temperatures of 30 to 32°C (86 to 90°F) and quieter days than in autumn.
  • Long Wet Season (late April to July): Heavy downpours turn the reddish-brown, tea-colored water higher and faster, and the dirt access roads get muddy. Lows sit around 23°C (73°F). Midweek visits are nearly empty, and daylight stays steady at about 12 hours all year.
  • Short Wet Season (December to January): Showers are shorter and often fall in the afternoon. Local holidays bring picnic crowds.
Go on a weekday morning, when the water is calm and you have the benches to yourself.


source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: fair for travelingFEBFebruary: fair for travelingMARMarch: fair for travelingAPRApril: fair for travelingMAYMay: fair for travelingJUNJune: fair for travelingJULJuly: fair for travelingAUGAugust: highly recommended for travelingSEPSeptember: excellent for travelingOCTOctober: excellent for travelingNOVNovember: highly recommended for travelingDECDecember: fair for traveling
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🛏️ Where to stay?How to pick the right area

Paramaribo is the best place to stay for Colakreek, a bit under an hour south by road, with the Waterkant and the streets around Keizerstraat holding most of the budget beds. Hostels and guesthouses there are social, with shared dorms, fans or air-conditioning, and a steady flow of solo travelers swapping rides to the interior. The old center is walkable and reasonably safe by day, though you should take a taxi after dark rather than walk quiet blocks. It also has the best choice of food stalls and money exchange, plus the minibus and tour operators who handle onward trips.
The second option is … read more 👉
Paramaribo is the best place to stay for Colakreek, a bit under an hour south by road, with the Waterkant and the streets around Keizerstraat holding most of the budget beds. Hostels and guesthouses there are social, with shared dorms, fans or air-conditioning, and a steady flow of solo travelers swapping rides to the interior. The old center is walkable and reasonably safe by day, though you should take a taxi after dark rather than walk quiet blocks. It also has the best choice of food stalls and money exchange, plus the minibus and tour operators who handle onward trips.
The second option is the Brownsberg or Afobaka direction, where simple lodges and guesthouses along the road give you a quieter, more rural night, but fewer travelers and fewer places to eat. Pre-arrange transport if you choose this.
Camping or hammock use at the creek itself depends on the owner and the day, so ask before you plan on it. For most backpackers, a Paramaribo base and an early start make the easiest and most sociable plan, with a chance to share a taxi with other guests.
Best hostels in Suriname


Best quality hotels in Suriname

👛 Costs (as of 19 October 2026)How expensive it really is

A realistic daily budget for Colakreek is about US$38 when you base yourself in Paramaribo and travel by shared transport.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Accommodation (high season)US$15 to 30Dorm bed or basic guesthouse room in Paramaribo, higher around holidays.
Accommodation (low season)US$12 to 25Easier to haggle, with more free beds.
Entry feeUS$1 to 3Small charge at the recreation area, paid in cash.
TransportUS$6 to 15Minibus toward the area plus a short taxi leg, or a shared taxi from the capital.
FoodUS$6 to 12Roti, noodles and fried chicken from warung stalls, with simple snacks at the creek.
Drinks and extrasUS$2 to 5Bottled water, a local Parbo beer, and small tips.
Total Daily BudgetUS$38Based on the high season bed at US$15, US$2 entry, US$8 transport, US$8 food and US$5 extras.
⚠️ Prices can change and everyone travels differently, so take this as a rough guide. Hope it helps you plan your adventure!

FAQFrequently asked questions about Colakreek

Colakreek is a small, tea-colored creek and recreation area in the Suriname interior where locals swim, picnic and relax on weekends. Its dark water comes from tannins in the surrounding forest, and simple benches and shelters line the banks. Paramaribo is the nearest city, and entry is typically only US$1 to 3.
Most travelers need half a day to a full day at Colakreek, with 3 to 5 hours enough for swimming and a picnic. Add roughly an hour each way if you travel from Paramaribo. A weekday morning gives the calmest time, while weekends are livelier and busier with local families.
Colakreek is reached by road from Paramaribo, usually in under an hour by private car or taxi, which costs roughly US$25 to 50 each way. Minibuses run toward the area for about US$2 to 5, but you may need a short taxi to the entrance. Renting a car gives the most flexibility, and arranging a driver for the return trip is smart because transport thins out late in the day.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other Surinamese landmarks near Colakreek

Explore more nearby:

  • Fort Zeelandia—Star-shaped ramparts, colonial museum, Suriname River bank, 1982 memorial| 41 km away
  • Tapawatra Sula—Upper Suriname rapids, Saramaka villages, dugout boat access, Gran Rio confluence| 164 km away
  • Blanche Marie Falls—Nickerie River cascades, dark rock shelves, tea-colored wading pools, rough southern road| 199 km away

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We 💚 feedbackFinal thoughts on visiting Colakreek

Colakreek deserves half a day, no more. Two to three hours in the water is plenty, and a full overnight here would be wasted. I would pair it with Brownsberg Nature Park or the reservoir, and build the day around a weekday visit so the creek is calm. Bring snacks and cash.

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on in-depth research, insights shared by experienced travelers, and feedback from the local travel community in Suriname. While every effort is made to keep the information accurate and current, conditions can change — so if you spot anything incorrect or outdated, please get in touch.



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