Lawa Railway Remains

The Lawa Railway was a single-track railway in Suriname, originally constructed during the gold rush at the beginning of the 20th century. Construction began in 1903 under the administration of Governor Cornelis Lely, intended to link Paramaribo with the gold fields near the Lawa River in the southeast of the country. The 1000 mm gauge line eventually reached a total length of approximately 173 kilometers, extending as far as the settlement of Dam. However, due to declining gold yields and high maintenance costs, the railway was never completed to its namesake river. In the 1980s, operations ceased entirely, and large sections of the tracks were either submerged following the construction of the Afobaka Dam or reclaimed by the jungle. Today, remnants of vintage locomotives and carriages can still be found in the town of Onverwacht, serving as a reminder of this ambitious colonial infrastructure project.

Nearby cities

Cola Creek

A popular recreational swimming spot with dark, cola-colored water, surrounded by shaded forests.

Paramaribo

The vibrant capital of Suriname is situated on the banks of the river of the same name.

Brownsweg

A significant settlement of the Maroon community and the central starting point for tours to the Brokopondo Lake and Brownsberg.

History & landmarks

Arya Dewaker Temple

A magnificent Hindu temple in Paramaribo with unique octagonal architecture.

Bergendal

A luxury eco-resort and historic site on the Suriname River, blending adventure with colonial history.

Commewijne plantations

Historic plantations along the Commewijne River, famous for colonial history and dolphin spotting tours.

Atjoni

The bustling end of the road and the jumping-off point for all boat trips into the Upper Suriname region.

More places

Port of Paranam

A historically important industrial port on the Suriname River.

Kofidjompo Monument

A historical monument commemorating the Maroon freedom fighter Kofi, after whom the place was originally named.

Paranam

A historic mining settlement that gained great importance through bauxite mining in the 20th century.

Jodensavanne

Former agricultural settlement of Sephardic Jews in the 17th century on the Suriname River.

Camp 52

A historic camp along the former Lawa railway, which served as a stopover to the jungle.

Waterland Plantation

Once a flourishing sugar cane plantation, today a popular historic recreation area along the river.

Staatsolie Tout Lui Faut Refinery

The only oil refinery in Suriname, operated by the state oil company Staatsolie.

Kuldipsingh Port

A private heavy-duty port used primarily for the oil, gas, and construction industries.