French Guiana 1 day

From

€115

Duration

11 hours

Min. Pers.

Discover more

French Guiana is just a short boat ride from Suriname, but feels like a completely different world. During this unique day trip, you will depart from Paramaribo to the border town of Albina and cross the Marowijne River by canoe to the charming French village of Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni.

Book your day trip to Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni now for an unforgettable experience!

Highlights/Activities

Visit to St. Laurent, French Guiana

Visit to the Moiwana monument.

Boat trip on the Marowijne River

French architecture in the tropics

Discover the infamous bagno

Advice from Insiders

Xiara

Travel Specialist

Discover the ultimate cross-border adventure from Paramaribo to Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni in French Guiana in just 2.5 hours. Board a dugout canoe and cross the Maroni River, where you’ll embrace the French atmosphere of the historic town. Don’t miss this: a journey that combines culture, nature, and history in one breathtaking experience!

Inclusive/Exclusive

Inclusive

Bus & boat transport

Lunch

Guide (Dutch & English speaking)

Snack

Non-alcoholic beverage

Entrance to the bagno

Exclusive

Other beverages

Tour Information

Program

French Guiana Day Tour – Discover Saint-Laurent du Maroni

07:30 – Departure from Paramaribo

We start the day early and relaxed. From Paramaribo, we travel in a comfortable bus to Albina. Sit back, enjoy the view of the Surinamese landscape, and prepare for a day full of culture and adventure.

Tip: Have breakfast at home and bring a bottle of water for the journey.

± 10:00 – Arrival in Albina

After a drive of approximately 2.5 hours, we arrive in Albina. Here we transfer to the wooden motorized boats bound for French Guiana.

Note: we will not be passing through French customs, so a visa is not required.

* Required: a valid passport for inspection upon departure from Albina.

* We will also make a bathroom stop at Stolkersijzer.

Before docking in Saint-Laurent, we will sail past the famous zinc boat, after which we will visit the Tourist Office. You can relax here for a while and then enjoy a freshly squeezed juice or a delicious coffee along the Maroni River.

± 11:00 – Welcome to French Guiana

The rest of the morning and early afternoon are dedicated to discovery: culture, history, and the daily hustle and bustle of Saint-Laurent du Maroni.

We’ll visit the local market (Wednesdays and Sundays only).

Architecture of Saint-Laurent du Maroni

During the walk through the town center, you’ll also discover the unique architecture of Saint-Laurent. The city is known for its Creole wooden buildings and French colonial style, with colorful facades, ornate verandas, and long galleries typical of the 19th and early 20th centuries.

Many of these buildings have been preserved and tell the story of the former penal colony system, as well as the mix of cultures that gives the city its charm. This makes Saint-Laurent a photogenic and atmospheric place to stroll through.

Nearby, you’ll also find a cozy café with delicious coffee and a bakery where you can sample authentic French croissants. Afterwards, we’ll have lunch at a local restaurant.

After lunch, we’ll continue to Camp de la Transportation, better known as El Bagno – an impressive and historic prison from the French penal colonies.

Admission is included.

± 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM – Visit to El Bagno / Camp de la Transportation

During this tour, you’ll learn more about the region’s fascinating and sometimes difficult past. After this visit, you’ll have some time to explore Saint-Laurent further.

Afterward, we’ll return to Albina.

3:00 PM – Last moment by the river

Upon arrival, we’ll enjoy a refreshing non-alcoholic drink by the river. A wonderful moment of rest before we drive back to Paramaribo.

3:30 PM – 4:00 PM – Departure for Paramaribo

On the way, we’ll make a pleasant stop at a local Javanese warung for a small snack.

You’ll be back in Paramaribo around 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM, with a day full of new impressions and stories to share.

Important to know

Market days: Wednesday and Saturday

Tours on other days are possible, but there is no market in Saint-Laurent on those days.

Travel details

Day trip to French Guiana

Transportation: Bus and boat
Departure time: 07:30*
Travel time: Approximately 2.5 hours drive
Back in Paramaribo: Around 17:00/18:00

Frequently Asked Questions

Packing list

🧳 Your packing list for your day trip to French Guiana!

Ready to cross the border and experience a new adventure? Don’t forget these items:

☀️ Sun protection – Hat or cap to protect your face + sunscreen from the tropical sun.
👟 Comfortable shoes – Sturdy walking shoes for all walks.
🌧️ Raincoat or poncho – For when the jungle or the city surprises you with a tropical shower.
🎒 Backpack – Handy for snacks, water and small souvenirs.
📸 Camera or phone – There are so many beautiful moments to capture (tip: bring a charged battery!).
🪪 Passport – Required at border control.
💰 Change in SRD & Euros – SRD for local expenses, Euros for purchases in Saint-Laurent
🍏 Snacks & water – Always nice to have on the road (optional).
🥂 Change for drinks – Especially useful if you fancy a little extra, often not included.

And of course: a good dose of curiosity and wanderlust! 🌍✨

Accommodation

Departure date

Regular departure Wednesday/Saturday (due to market day at Saint Laurent) On request (with a minimum of 3 people)
Other days are also possible, but only the Saint Laurent market is closed.

General information

Busreis
Vroeg in de ochtend vertrekt u vanuit Paramaribo, over de Oost – West verbinding, naar het grensstadje Albina in het district Marowijne. Tijdens de busreis komt u langs enkele historische bezienswaardigheden zoals Stolkertsijver en het Moiwana-monument, die de lokale bevolking herinneren aan de Surinaamse binnenlandse oorlog (tachtiger jaren).

Wandeling door Frans-Guyana
Vanuit Albina vertrekt u per korjaal naar het grensstadje St. Laurent du Maroni, in het buurland Frans-Guyana dat tot heden nog een Frans overzees departement is.
Vanaf 1852 werden de eerste 6000 gevangenen van Frankrijk verscheept naar Frans-Guyana om hun straf uit te zitten in de lokale gevangenis.

U brengt als eerst een bezoekje aan het bagno (gevangenis), opgericht in 1858 en waarrond dit stadje is ontstaan. Deze bagno is nu in gebruik als museum en is vooral bekend geworden door de film L'affaire Seznec en de verfilming van het boek Papillon.
Na het bezoek aan de Bagno loopt u langs enkele winkels en de markt waar verschillende bevolkingsgroepen hun producten verkopen. Nadat we weer terug keren naar Paramaribo, maken we een stop voor de lunch.

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