French Guiana is France in South America, an overseas department of the European Union on Suriname's eastern border, reached overland across the Marowijne River. This three-day, two-night tour runs from Paramaribo into French Guiana for the territory's headline sights: the penal colony at Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni, the Salvation Islands by catamaran and the Guiana Space Centre at Kourou, then returns overland to Suriname.
Day 1 crosses the border and covers Saint-Laurent's Camp de la Transportation and a Cayenne city tour before overnighting in Kourou. Day 2 is a full-day catamaran voyage to Îles du Salut, the offshore penal islands of the Papillon story. Day 3 visits the Guiana Space Centre, Europe's primary spaceport, before the drive back to Suriname.
Departures run on Mondays and Wednesdays. The dates are set so the Space Centre visit on Day 3 falls on an open day, the centre is closed on Sundays and public holidays and suspends tours around scheduled launches. The standard tour uses shared touring with a 3-star hotel in Kourou for both nights.
Full itinerary
Pickup from your Paramaribo accommodation early, around 7:00 AM, by shared transfer. The drive east to Albina on the Marowijne River takes about 2.5 to 3 hours. At the border your guide handles formalities and you cross to Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni in French Guiana by ferry or pirogue, whichever is running.
In Saint-Laurent you tour the Camp de la Transportation, the penal colony's central transit prison, which received roughly 70,000 convicts between 1852 and 1953. The visit runs about one to two hours through the cell blocks, punishment quarters and administrative buildings. From there you continue east along the coast to Cayenne for a city tour of the capital's historic center, then transfer to Kourou for the night.
Overnight in Kourou at Hotel Atlantis or similar, breakfast included.
Note: French Guiana uses the euro and drives on the right. Bring euros for meals and purchases.
Depart your Kourou hotel around 7:30 AM for the pier. The catamaran crosses to Îles du Salut in about an hour. The islands sit roughly 15 kilometers offshore and formed the sea section of France's penal colony from 1852 to 1953.
On Île Royale you explore on foot at your own pace: the cell blocks, the chapel, the former director's house and coastal paths looking across to Devil's Island. Lunch is available for purchase at the Auberge des Îles du Salut (euros, not included). In the early afternoon a tender takes you to Île Saint-Joseph and its solitary confinement cells. The catamaran then sails around Devil's Island itself, which cannot be landed on because of its currents, with commentary on Alfred Dreyfus and the Papillon story. There is time to swim at Île Royale's beach where conditions allow.
Return to Kourou by late afternoon, around 4:30 to 5:00 PM. Second night in Kourou, breakfast included.
Note: the sea crossing can be choppy. Bring seasickness medication if you are sensitive.
After breakfast you visit the Guiana Space Centre, Europe's primary spaceport, on a guided tour of about 2.5 to 3 hours by coach. The route depends on the day's launch schedule and typically covers the Jupiter mission control room, the Ariane 6 and Vega-C launch pads (viewed from designated areas, with no entry to active pad zones) and the Space Museum. It is an operating launch facility rather than a static museum.
After the tour there is an option to buy lunch (not included) before the overland drive back to Suriname. You are dropped at your Paramaribo accommodation around 5:00 PM.
Note: the Space Centre requires your passport details at least two weeks before departure for security clearance, this cannot be arranged on arrival. The site tour is conducted in French by a Space Centre guide, English or Dutch translation can be arranged in advance.
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- Return overland transfers, Paramaribo to French Guiana
- English or French speaking guide throughout
- All guided tours and excursions in the itinerary
- Two nights hotel in Kourou (3-star or similar) with breakfast
- Border crossing logistics and assistance
- Local fees and city taxes
- Lunches and dinners
- French Guiana visa: French Guiana is a French overseas department, a Schengen visa is not valid, a French overseas territories visa is required where applicable. We advise based on nationality.
- Suriname re-entry: an entry voucher or multiple-entry permission is needed to return to Suriname, applied for online. We can assist (USD 65).
- Îles du Salut lunch (available for purchase at the Auberge des Îles du Salut, euros)
- Travel insurance
- Gratuities for guides and drivers
This tour runs as a standalone French Guiana add-on for travelers already in Suriname, or as part of a longer itinerary. Options at booking: a single room supplement for solo travelers (USD 58 for the two nights), a 4-star hotel upgrade in Kourou at the Ker Alberto (USD 90 for two nights, double), a fully private version with private transfers throughout, a private Cayenne city tour and Îles du Salut by private speedboat (from USD 1,180 for two travelers) and a Suriname entry voucher applied for on your behalf (USD 65). Combine with our Suriname tours or extend with additional nights. Contact us to discuss options.
What makes this tour
Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni penal colony, Camp de la Transportation, the century-old transit prison that processed convicts arriving from France, from the world of Henri Charrière's Papillon
Îles du Salut by catamaran, the offshore Salvation Islands of Île Royale and Île Saint-Joseph, with a sea passage around Devil's Island, which cannot be landed on due to its currents
Guiana Space Centre at Kourou, Europe's primary spaceport and the launch site for Ariane 6 and Vega-C, on a guided tour of mission control, the launch pads and the space museum
Cayenne city tour, French Guiana's coastal capital, with its market, colonial center and Place des Palmistes
Overland border crossing over the Marowijne River by ferry or pirogue, with formalities handled at both sides
Fixed Monday and Wednesday departures, timed so the Space Centre visit avoids the centre's Sunday and holiday closures
Practical information
- Departure days: the tour departs on Mondays and Wednesdays, timed so the Space Centre visit on Day 3 falls on an open day. The Space Centre is closed on Sundays and public holidays and suspends tours from two days before to two days after a scheduled launch.
- Currency: French Guiana uses the euro and USD is not widely accepted. Bring euros for meals, lunches and purchases.
- Both hotel nights are in Kourou.
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Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni Day Trip
Day trip from Suriname to French Guiana's border town of Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni, with the preserved penal colony complex (Camp de la Transportation) and the lively Marowijne riverfront and market.
Guiana Space Centre Tour
Half-day visit to Europe's primary spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana. Active launch facility for Ariane 6 and Vega-C. Three-hour guided tour of mission control, rocket assembly buildings and launch pads. Advance passport submission required.
Îles du Salut: Devil's Island Day Tour
Full-day catamaran voyage from Kourou to the offshore Salvation Islands, the historic site of France's most notorious penal colony, including Île Royale, Île Saint-Joseph and Devil's Island.