The Guide to Brownsberg Park Suriname

Brownsberg park is located just an hour and a half outside the capital of Suriname, and makes the perfect day trip or weekend trip from Paramaribo.

It is a great place to enjoy the Amazon rainforest, as you can see all types of wildlife, waterfalls, and great views! Here is everything you need to know about visiting Brownsberg Park in Suriname.

Where is Brownsberg Park in Suriname?

Brownsberg Park is located in the town of Brownsweg, Suriname, which is just 68 miles (or 110 kilometers) away from Paramaribo.

How to Get to Brownsberg Park in Suriname

Being just an hour outside the capital, it is one of the most popular things to do when in Suriname. Here are the different options of getting to Brownsberg Park from Paramaribo.

Public Transportation

To get to Brownsweg, there is a bus from the main station in the center that goes a few times a day. The schedule changes all the time, so we suggest asking the day before. Once you are in Brownsweg, you will then have a 4 hour hike.

Private Transportation

Another option is private transportation, which you can get at a tour agency (of course this will be the most expensive option). Despite the price, this will be best for those who want comfort, and who don't want to stress about figuring it out on their own. This will also save you from having to do the super long hike (4 hours each way) through the jungle to get there.

Renting a 4x4 is a great option, and was only $20-30/day! (Keep in mind this was in 2019, so prices may have changed). We think this is the best option, as you don't have to do the 4 hour hike, nor pay a crazy expensive tour guide. This will also give you much more flexibility for how long you want to spend at Brownsberg, your plans after, and what exactly you want to check out while there.

Unfortunately there wasn't any availability when we were there, so we definitely suggest booking in advance if this is the route you'd like to go.

Here's a site we often use to book our rentals:

Our Experience Going to Brownsberg Park in Suriname

It was the weekend when we went and since we waited last minute, all of our options had run out for the day. We suggest booking in advance if you want to rent a car (must be a 4x4), or going to the bus station the day before if you would like to get a schedule for the following days.

We ended up hitchhiking! There is only one straight highway for most of the way, so it wasn’t too difficult. Once you arrive in Brownsweg (the town), it is just a tiny village. 

Staying Overnight at Brownsberg Park in Suriname

When you finally arrive to the park, there is just one place that you can stay. We wouldn't say it is by any means luxurious, but it does the job. We suggest bringing food to cook breakfast in the morning. The hours are very limited, and there was barely anyone around when we went. We actually got yelled at for showing up at the ungodly hour of 8:00 pm!

There are a few options when it comes to lodging. The cheapest of course is staying in a shared room where you can hang your hammock, for 50 SRD (about $7 USD). The most expensive option is the lodge for 1,400 SRD (about $188 USD) which is if you plan on going in a very large group.

There is an additional charge for park entry for 30 SRD ($4.50 USD), which you can pay to the owner of the lodge. Listed below is the chart of all prices.

We also had lunch there and it was fantastic. Only $7 for amazing portions and tasty locally spiced food. The options are very simple, but all the flavor is there!

Exploring Brownsberg Park in Suriname

We went to two waterfalls, which fell under the same main path. The trail was located right off of the main road, after leaving the place that we stayed.

Ireneval

This was the more beautiful waterfall, and took about an hour and half to get to. All you need to do is follow the signs, and generally, keep right.

Leoval

On our way back to the main road, we decided to check the other waterfall, which was only 5 minutes off the main path on the way back. From the starting point of the trail, it is about 45 minutes-an hour.

Mazaroni Viewpoint

Right outside the accommodation is a small trail that takes you to a beautiful view of the park. It takes only about 10 minutes, and has a nice shaded bench area to sit and enjoy the views.

On the way we also saw this cool abandoned house!

Heading Further Inland

We had a friend staying with us that had a much longer time to spend in the country, so he decided to venture deeper into the rainforest. If you go down the main highway, there are small villages on the river that we heard are really cool!.

If you’d like to even get more adventurous, you can go even further south. But how if the road stops? That’s right, there are boats that can take you down the river where you will find villages completely disconnected from everything! It doesn’t get more authentic than that right?

Brownsberg Park is one of the best things to do while in Suriname, and definitely deserves an overnight trip to be able to wake up in nature and enjoy all that the park has to offer.

Packing For a Trip to Brownsberg Park

Here are some of the things you should keep in mind to pack when visiting the park:

• Sneakers
• Swimsuit (if you want cool off at the waterfall)
• Bug Spray
• A change of clothes
• Insulated water bottle (we use Cafago Water Bottles because they hold the temperature well)
• Simple foods such as sandwiches and snacks
• Hammock (if you want to spend the night on a budget)
• Wipes (in case you get dirty or need to go to the bathroom in nature)
• Power bank (we use Anker power banks, as they are super long lasting and sturdy)

Visiting Brownsberg Park in Suriname is a great way to experience an off-the-beaten-path adventure, without having to venture too far from capital. We definitely think it is one of the top things to do in the country, and something to add to your list while traveling throughout the area.

Planning on traveling through the Guyanas or to other spots throughout the continent? We have plenty of South American travel guides to help you through your travels.

Need help planning your trip? Scratch Your Mapa now offers custom made travel itineraries and detailed travel services so that you can enjoy more, and worry less! 

Here are some other articles you'll love: