Kourou is a unique destination where the future meets history. It is best known as the home of the Guiana Space Centre (CSG), Europe's spaceport. For families, a visit to the Space Museum is engaging and educational, featuring full-scale rocket models and interactive exhibits about the solar system. If you plan ahead, you can book a guided bus tour that takes you inside the high-security base to see the massive launch pads used for Ariane and Vega rockets. Watching a live launch is an unforgettable experience, though schedules can change frequently.
Beyond space exploration, Kourou is the gateway to the Îles du Salut (Salvation Islands), located about an hour away by catamaran. While famous as a former penal colony (including Devil's Island), the islands are now a beautiful, family-friendly nature reserve. Île Royale is the main stop, where the history is visible but the atmosphere is relaxed. Children love the island because of the abundant wildlife; agoutis (large rodents) and squirrel monkeys roam freely and are often curious about visitors.
The islands also offer one of the few places in French Guiana with clear, blue water suitable for swimming. The Piscine des Bagnards is a sea-water pool formed by rocks, originally built for prisoners, which now provides a calm, protected area for children to swim away from strong ocean currents. Back on the mainland, Kourou town offers various amenities, parks, and the Kalawachi center, where families can learn about Amerindian culture and traditional crafts.
When visiting the Space Centre, remember to bring passports for every family member (including children), as security is strict. Tours of the base must often be booked 24-48 hours in advance. For the islands, boat trips usually depart in the morning and return in the late afternoon, so pack sunscreen, hats, and plenty of water for the day.
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Activities & Best Times
Learning experiences, scientific sites, historical education
Home to the Guiana Space Centre, this is a world-class site for scientific exploration where families can witness orbital launches and tour cutting-edge facilities. Peak dry months (Sep-Oct) offer the best visibility for rocket launches; heavy seasonal rains in the off-season can lead to tour cancellations and reduced visibility.
Hiking, wildlife, outdoor exploration, ecotourism
Offers authentic Amazonian rainforest exploration and the unique historical ruins of the Salvation Islands. Peak months provide the dry conditions necessary for navigable jungle trails and wildlife viewing; the off-season sees extreme rainfall (>300mm/month) making outdoor adventure difficult.
Urban tourism, museums, historical sites, architecture
Offers a fascinating cultural juxtaposition of high-tech European science and the dark, authentic history of the French penal colony. Travelers benefit from world-class infrastructure during the dry months; the off-season sees intense tropical deluges that limit movement between the mainland and the historic islands.
Events, celebrations, seasonal attractions
The region hosts one of the world's most authentic and longest-running Creole Carnivals, featuring elaborate costumes and traditional street parades. Peak celebrations occur in Jan-Feb; while the weather is wet, the cultural significance for experienced travelers is high, though activities outside the festival are limited by rain.
Beach resorts, marine activities: diving, snorkelling, kite surfing, wind surfing, sailing
The Salvation Islands offer a unique volcanic archipelago setting for swimming, distinct from the silty waters of the mainland. While not a world-class resort destination, it offers a peaceful retreat during the driest months (Sep-Oct) when seas are calmest and visibility is at its best.
Attractions (23 total)
Historic Town / Village / Cultural Area
Guiana Space Centre
Kourou
Europe's primary spaceport offers guided bus tours of launch pads and assembly buildings, perfect for families interested in science.
Visit website →Salvation Islands (Îles du Salut)
Kourou
A historic former penal colony archipelago featuring well-preserved ruins, a museum, and palm-fringed paths on Île Royale.
Saramaca Village
Kourou
A cultural quarter known for its traditional wooden architecture and the unique wood-carving heritage of the Saramaccan people.
Space Museum
Kourou
A family-friendly museum at the entrance of the space center featuring life-sized rocket models and interactive exhibits on space exploration.
Visit website →Castle / Palace / Historic Site
Guiana Space Centre (CSG)
Kourou
The primary European launch site offers guided tours of launch pads and an extensive Space Museum documenting the history of aerospace.
Visit website →Salvation Islands Penal Colony (Île Royale)
Kourou
The administrative heart of the former French penal colony features remarkably preserved ruins of the hospital, church, and administrative buildings.
Dreyfus Tower
Kourou
A historic stone telegraph tower used to communicate signals between the mainland and the offshore prison islands.
Salvation Islands Penal Colony (Île Saint-Joseph)
Kourou
A historic site where tourists can walk through the haunting, vine-covered ruins of the solitary confinement cells once used by the penal system.
Science Museum / Natural History Museum / Discovery Centre
Guiana Space Centre (CSG) Guided Tours
Kourou
A fascinating discovery experience providing guided bus tours of launch pads, assembly buildings, and the Jupiter control center.
Visit website →Landmark / Monument / Iconic Urban Attraction
Île Royale
Kourou
The administrative center of the former Salvation Islands penal colony features historic ruins, a museum, and panoramic views of Devil's Island.
Musée de l'Espace
Kourou
An engaging family-friendly museum featuring full-scale rocket models and interactive exhibits on the history of space exploration.
Visit website →Beach / Coastal Recreation Area
Îles du Salut (Salvation Islands)
Kourou
A stunning volcanic archipelago featuring palm-fringed paths, historic ruins of the French penal colony, and clear waters for swimming and turtle spotting.
Visit website →Plage des Roches
Kourou
A scenic coastal area featuring the historic Dreyfus Tower and a peaceful shoreline popular for watching sunset and rocket launches from the Space Centre.
Plage de la Cocoteraie
Kourou
The primary resort beach in Kourou, known for its extensive grove of coconut palms and views of the Salvation Islands on the horizon.
Visit website →Hiking & Cycling Routes
Montagne des Singes Trail
Kourou
3.8km moderate loop trail with 160m elevation gain, taking approximately 1.5 to 2 hours. This is the most iconic hike in Kourou, leading through dense primary rainforest to a wooden observation deck with views over the Guiana Space Centre and the coastal savannah.
Visit website →Sentier de l'Anse
Kourou
3.4km easy out-and-back coastal trail with 20m elevation gain, taking about 1 hour. This route follows the Atlantic shoreline near the 'Roches de Kourou', navigating through coastal shrubland and providing views of the offshore islands and the Kourou river mouth.
Visit website →Île Royale Loop Trail
Kourou (Îles du Salut)
3.2km easy loop trail with approximately 40m elevation gain, taking 1 hour. The route circles the largest of the Salvation Islands, passing through the ruins of the infamous penal colony, coconut groves, and offering clear views of Devil's Island. Access is via catamaran from Kourou.
Visit website →Road Trips & Scenic Drives
Route de l'Espace (RN1 Scenic Corridor)
Cayenne
65km paved highway (approx. 1 hour). This is the primary scenic corridor connecting the capital to Kourou. The route traverses vast tropical savannahs and secondary rainforests. Key highlights include the Macouria marshes, views of the Cayenne River bridge, and the dramatic approach to the Guiana Space Centre (CSG) where rocket assembly buildings become visible on the horizon.
Visit website →Route du Barrage de Petit-Saut
Kourou
50km paved forest road (approx. 1 hour each way). Branching off the RN1 near Gare Tigre, this dead-end route is famous among international eco-tourists as a premier wildlife-watching drive. The road cuts through a protected primary rainforest zone leading to the Petit-Saut Dam. It is common to spot sloths, toucans, and monkeys directly from the vehicle.
Visit website →Botanical Garden / Formal Gardens
Jardin Botanique de Kourou
Kourou
A tranquil municipal park featuring a diverse collection of tropical palms and native Amazonian plant species with educational signage.
Natural Feature / Scenic Site
Pointe des Roches
Kourou
A rocky headland featuring the historic Dreyfus Tower, providing panoramic views of the Kourou River mouth and the distant islands.
Adventure Park / Outdoor Activity Center
Camp Canopée
Kourou
An immersive rainforest eco-adventure center offering high-altitude canopy walks and zip-lines for a unique view of the Amazonian wilderness.
Visit website →National Park / Nature Reserve
Montagne des Singes (Monkey Mountain)
Kourou
A popular hiking area through primary rainforest with a botanical trail and a summit offering panoramic views of the coast and spaceport.
Visit website →