Sendang Redjo
A Javanese-inspired lake sanctuary hidden 20 minutes from Paramaribo
Why Go
Set on the old La Paix plantation grounds in the Javanese heart of Commewijne, Sendang Redjo (Old Javanese for 'sacred lake of prosperity') is the kind of quiet-luxury day retreat locals guard for themselves ΓÇö a private lake laced with creeks, thatched cabanas over the water, and birdsong instead of car horns.
The Experience
You turn off H.I. Bechanweg down a dirt track and the noise of the road just falls away. Owners have shaped the old plantation land into a chain of small islands and winding creeks around a big, calm lake, with Javanese-style pavilions tucked into the tree line. Days move at their own pace: paddle a kayak between the reeds, drift on a water hammock, take a slow boat through the creeks watching kingfishers and herons work the banks, then retreat to your private cabana for a Javanese-style lunch. It feels less like a tourist attraction and more like being invited to a friend's very serene country place.
What to Try
Book the peacock-bass (tukunari) fishing add-on and have the kitchen grill your catch for lunch. The kayak-and-creek loop is the signature move ΓÇö go early when the water is glassy and the birds are most active. Don't skip the sit-down Javanese meal: it's a nod to Tamanredjo's roots and one of the more authentic bites you'll get outside a home kitchen.
Insider Tip
This is day-use only and strictly by reservation ΓÇö walk-ins won't get past the gate. Rates drop sharply as your group grows (solo is premium, four-plus is very reasonable per head), so rally friends or family before booking. Aim for a 9:30 arrival to bank a full day, and ask about weekday solo discounts if you're travelling alone.
The Practical Stuff
Address: H.I. Bechanweg, Tamanredjo, Commewijne ΓÇö about a 20ΓÇô25 minute drive east of Paramaribo, across the Wijdenbosch Bridge. No public transport; come by rental car, taxi, or arranged transfer. Open for day visits roughly 09:30 to 21:00, reservation required. Bring swimwear, reef-safe sunscreen, strong insect repellent for dusk, a dry bag, and cash for extras. Short tropical showers are normal ΓÇö the cabanas keep you dry.
Pair It With
- Fort Nieuw-Amsterdam Openluchtmuseum — Combine your Sendang Redjo day with a stop at this open-air fort-museum at the confluence of the Suriname and Commewijne rivers ΓÇö the district's best history primer, and directly on the drive back to Paramaribo.
- Warung Sarinah or a local Tamanredjo warung — If you want to keep the Javanese thread going after your visit, the roadside warungs along the Commewijne Javanese belt serve the real-deal saoto soup, bami, and petjil that inspired the retreat's kitchen.
- Peperpot Nature Park Guide — On the same side of the river and easy to fold into the same day ΓÇö a former coffee and cacao plantation now overrun by monkeys and forest, perfect for a short morning walk before checking in at the lake.