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Experience authentic Saamaka life during a stay at Jaw Jaw a Tela, a traditional Maroon village along the Upper Suriname River. This unique Go Local Tour focuses on culture, nature, and the daily life of the locals, far away from mass tourism.
Together with Orange Travel, you will discover Suriname in a pure and authentic way, with local activities and a full immersion into Maroon culture.
Book your adventure now, experience the rich Saamaka culture up close, and enjoy the personal service of Orange Travel!
Highlights/Activities
Advice from Insiders
Janice
If you really want to get to know the locals and Maroon culture, the tour to Jaw Jaw is the perfect choice for you.
We at Orange Travel are happy to take you to one of the Maroon villages inland. From start to finish you will interact with the locals.
You sleep in a simple but very cozy lodge, in the middle of the village. So you really experience what it is like to live together with the locals.
Inclusive/Exclusive
Inclusive
Exclusive
Tour Information
Program
What Your Jaw Jaw Experience Looks Like
Day 1 – Arrival in Jaw Jaw
Your adventure starts from Paramaribo towards Atjoni. Whenever possible, you will travel together with locals, giving you an authentic first introduction to the Saamaka way of life.
After arriving in Atjoni, you continue by boat to Jaw Jaw a Tela, located deep in the Surinamese jungle. After lunch, you can relax or participate in various activities.
- Departure around 09:00 – 09:15 from Paramaribo
- Drive to Atjoni (approximately 3 hours)
- Boat trip to Jaw Jaw
- Welcome lunch upon arrival
- Free afternoon or participation in activities
- Overnight stay at Jaw Jaw a Tela
Day 2 until departure day – Culture, nature & relaxation
During your stay, you can largely decide how your days will look. Relax by the river, join cultural workshops, explore the village, or take part in activities together with the locals.
Possible standard activities
- Saamaka language lesson
- Swimming in the rapids
- Village walk during the day & evening
- Jungle / forest walk
- Night boat trip
- Cooking together with locals
- Cassava bread making
- Calabash workshop
- Coconut oil workshop
- Fishing or hunting with a local
- Paddling in a traditional wooden boat
- Learning how to sew a pangi
Optional activities (additional cost)
- Traditional wasi / herbal bath
- Visit to the hydroelectric dam & gold mining areas
- Massage by a local
- Back-to-basic jungle overnight experience
- Visit to the Saamaka Museum
- Overnight stay on an island in the reservoir
- Sports or music activities with locals
ℹ️ Important information
- This tour is very flexible and can be customized together with the guests
- The longer the stay, the more activities are possible
- Groups from 5 persons usually travel with private minibuses
- Solo travelers may travel together with locals
- Dietary wishes should be communicated in advance
- There is limited phone signal and no WiFi in Jaw Jaw
- Electricity is only available during limited evening hours
- This experience is all about simplicity, nature, and culture
Travel details & Prices
Transportation
- Transport: bus & boat
- Departure time: 09:00 – 09:15 AM
- Travel time: ± 3.5 hours (depending on weather, traffic, and road conditions)
- Return to Paramaribo: ± 5:00 PM
*Departure and arrival times are indicative and may vary depending on the pick-up location. The final time and location will be confirmed in advance via voucher or invoice.
Jaw Jaw a Tela Prices 2026
| Stay | Price per person |
|---|---|
| 1 overnight stay | €185 |
| 2 overnight stays | €245 |
| 3 overnight stays | €295 |
| 4 overnight stays | €345 |
| Treehouse | €200 p.p. per night |
- Children up to 12 years receive a 25% discount
- Private charter bus/boat available at additional cost
- Extra seats must be requested in advance
🚤 Charter transport (optional)
| Charter transport | Price |
|---|---|
| Charter bus (6–7 persons) | €300 round trip |
| Charter Toyota (3 persons) | €250 round trip |
| Large charter boat | €145 round trip |
| Small charter boat | €120 round trip |
Frequently Asked Questions
Packing list
🎒 What to Bring for Your Jaw Jaw Trip
For a comfortable and well-prepared jungle experience, we recommend bringing the following items:
🧳 Luggage & documents
- Weekend bag or backpack (suitcases are not recommended due to boat transport)
- Passport (required because of checkpoints along the way)
- Small backpack for daily activities
- Waterproof bag for electronics and documents
👕 Clothing & footwear
- Good walking shoes (closed shoes recommended)
- Flip-flops or sandals
- Long pants and long-sleeved shirt (protection against insects)
- Lightweight clothing
- Swimwear
- Raincoat or poncho
☀️ Protection & personal care
- Hat or cap
- Sunscreen
- Mosquito repellent
- Sunglasses
- Toiletries (toothbrush, soap, deodorant, etc.)
- Towel (included towels are not for use outside the lodge)
📸 Other useful items
- Camera or phone + powerbank
- Water shoes (recommended for rapids and slippery rocks)
- Small cash (SRD, euro or USD) for drinks, snacks, or souvenirs
Accommodation
🛖 Basic & Authentic
Experience the real jungle feeling in our authentic wooden cabanas!
This accommodation is perfect for travelers who enjoy simplicity and peace in the middle of nature. Do not expect luxury, but a unique and pure experience far away from the crowds.
Room Facilities:
| Facility | Available | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| Private cabana | ✅ | Shared bathroom facilities outside the lodge |
| Mosquito net | ✅ | Available |
| Balcony / Terrace | ✅ | Available |
| Electricity (110V) | ✅ | 24/7 electricity available |
| Power outlets | EU / US | Available |
| Private bathroom / toilet | ❌ | Shared facilities outside the lodge |
| Air conditioning | ❌ | Not available |
| Fan | ✅ | Available |
| Hot water | ❌ | Not available |
| Wardrobe / hangers | ❌ | Not available |
| Towels | ❌ | Please bring your own |
Material: Built from wood, perfectly matching the natural surroundings and authentic local experience.
Sleeping: Each cabana includes a comfortable bed with a mosquito net to keep insects away.
What makes this experience unique?
- Back to basics: A chance to leave daily life behind and truly reconnect with nature.
- Natural charm: These authentic lodges offer an untouched and peaceful jungle experience with the comfort of a simple stay.
👉 Tip: Bring a flashlight for the evenings and enjoy the starry sky and the sounds of nature.
Departure date
Available upon request. This tour is very flexible and can already depart from just 1 person.
General information
🌿 Duurzaamheid en ecotoerisme
In Jaw Jaw staat duurzaam toerisme centraal. De lokale Marrongemeenschap is actief betrokken bij de tours, accommodaties en begeleiding, waardoor toerisme direct bijdraagt aan werkgelegenheid en de lokale economie.
Daarnaast ervaart u de natuur en cultuur op een kleinschalige en respectvolle manier, met aandacht voor het behoud van de omgeving en de traditionele Saamaka cultuur.
Bent u benieuwd naar wat Orange Travel nog meer te bieden heeft? Maak uw reis naar Suriname compleet met ons veelzijdige aanbod van dag- en meerdaagse tours en compleet verzorgde rondreizen.
❓Veelgestelde vragen (FAQ)
Kan ik zelf een vertrekdatum kiezen?
Ja, deze tour is zeer flexibel dankzij lokaal transport per bus en boot.
Kan ik mijn verblijf verlengen?
Ja, dit kan ter plaatse of via Orange Travel geregeld worden.
Reis ik alleen als solo reiziger?
Nee, er zijn altijd locals, personeel of andere gasten aanwezig.
Hoe ver van tevoren moet ik boeken?
Wij adviseren minimaal 4–6 weken vooraf te reserveren.
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