Cola Creek

Cola Creek runs through the white sand savanna south of Paramaribo and its water is the colour of cola, stained by tannins leaching out of the forest floor, which is where the name comes from. The bottom is pale sand so the contrast is sharp. It is shallow, warm and safe to swim in, with shelters and a bar along the bank, and it fills with families from the capital at weekends. The resort was first built during the Second World War for American soldiers stationed at Zanderij.

The landscape

• The tea-coloured water - tannins from the forest staining the creek dark.
• The white sand bottom - pale sand under dark water, the contrast the site is known for.
• The savanna forest - the white sand belt the creek runs through.
• The bank shelters - the huts and bar along the water.

When to go

The dry seasons, February to April and August to November, are best. Weekends bring crowds from Paramaribo; weekdays are quiet. Heavy rain raises and clouds the water.

What to expect

It is busy and noisy at weekends. Facilities are basic and litter is a problem after busy days. The creek is shallow and small.

Nearby

Blaka Watra is east, and Paramaribo is north.

Key facts