Paramaribo is not what you think of when you think a trip to South America. It’s also not a destination most people plan a trip around.
It is ultimately a stopover city – one you pass through on a Guianas trip, or land in before heading into Suriname’s jungle, or find yourself in because the routing to French Guiana went via Bogotá and Curaçao and honestly at this point you’re just committed. (Side note if you take this insane flight route, check out my guide on what to do in Curaçao in a day!)
However you end up here, one full day is the right amount of time. The city is compact, the main sights are walkable, and by late afternoon you’ll have seen everything worth seeing and be ready for a drink somewhere with a pool. This is how to spend that day well.
Before you read this, if you want the honest, warts-and-all version of what Paramaribo is actually like – the card machine chaos, the street harassment, the downtown edge – read my companion post here. This one focuses on what to do. That one focuses on what to expect.
Getting to Paramaribo
Paramaribo’s Johan Adolf Pengel International Airport is about 45km from the city centre – a 45-minute to one-hour drive depending on traffic. Taxis are available outside arrivals; agree a price before you get in. Expect to pay around $35–40 USD, carry cash to pay. Alternatively higher end hotels like Eco Torarica do airport transfer – a better option if you land in the middle of the night.
Suriname is a former Dutch colony and there are direct flights from Amsterdam with KLM. From elsewhere in the Americas, there are connections from Port of Spain (Trinidad), Panama City, and Curaçao.
Getting around Paramaribo
The city centre is small enough to walk. The main sights – Fort Zeelandia, the woden cathedral, the mosque-synagogue street, and the colonial downtown area – are all within reasonable walking distance of each other. They’re also only a 20ish minute walk from the hotel strip.
For getting out to see the Arya Dewaker Hindu Temple (see below) or to and from the airport, taxis are your best option. Your hotel can arrange for you.
Where to stay in Paramaribo
I stayed at Eco Torarica Hotel, a solid higher end (for Paramaribo…) option that also gave me access to the sister Torarica Resort a short walk away – which is where I spent my afternoon, pool side. The Torarica Resort is a nicer version and has a large pool, river views, and a bar, and is worth knowing about even if you don’t stay there, as guests in sister Torarica hotels can use the facilities at no charge.
The Ramada was also a good option, really close to the main attraction of Fort Zeelandia, an well-known rooftop bar, pool, a great Japanese restaurant. Also quite a bit cheaper than the Torarica chain.
For something more boutique, Greenheart Boutique Hotel is more in the centre. An old Dutch colonial building that gives more traditional vibes. Also has a pool and a bar, so same options to relax, though you’ll need to venture out for substantial food.
Where to eat and drink
Suriname has a genuinely interesting food culture, shaped by its mix of South American, Caribbean, Indian, Javanese, and Dutch colonial influences. In practice, finding somewhere to eat can be more effort than you’d expect — Paramaribo is not a city overflowing with obvious restaurant options — but there are good spots if you know where to look.
A few recommendations:
Baka Foto – inside Fort Zeelandia, this is the most-recommended restaurant in the city among tourists and foreigners. The menu is good, the setting is excellent, and it’s worth building your Fort visit around a meal here. Note: it closes at 13:30 for lunch service and reopens for dinner at 18:00. Don’t arrive at 13:25 like I did. Google maps lies.
Elixir Bar and Restaurant – in the town centre, inside the Yogh Hotel. Really varied menu – pasta, burgers, fresh fish, asian dishes. Came highly recommended by other tourists.
Sushi-Ya – a more quirky spot, nice for late afternoon sushi and drinks after a day of walking. Great outdoor seating area and fun vibe.
Things to do in Paramaribo
1. Visit Fort Zeelandia
Fort Zeelandia is the city’s most hyped sight. Built by the Dutch in the 17th century, it played a central role in Suriname’s colonial history. And a darker more recent chapter too, as the site of the 1982 December Murders during the military dictatorship. There is basically no information available while you’re there though – no signs, info boards, tour guides touring you for business. You’ll need to read up in advance and then wander.
Inside the fort is the Surinaams Museum, which covers Suriname’s history from its indigenous Carib roots through colonisation, the transatlantic slave trade, and the modern period. It’s genuinely interesting, however… One caveat. Almost all the information boards are in Dutch only, so if you don’t speak it you’ll spend the whole time with google translate’s lens function.
Outside the fort is the ‘I ❤️ SU’ sign, which you will photograph. Because obviously. It’s also where Baka Foto restaurant is – one of the best places to eat in the city (see above).
2. Wander the colonial streets and UNESCO historic centre
Paramaribo’s historic inner city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the older colonial streets downtown are genuinely beautiful – Dutch colonial wooden architecture, quiet roads, an atmosphere that feels like a completely different century.
The iconic St. Peter and Paul Cathedral, one of the largest wooden buildings in the Western Hemisphere (and the one from all the pictures when you google Paramaribo), is here and worth a look.
Worth noting: the deeper into downtown you go, the rougher the atmosphere gets. Homeless people, street harassment, uneasy feelings. Stick to the historic areas, and only during the day. Read my honest take on the city before you go so you know what to expect.
3. The mosque and synagogue on the same street
On Keizerstraat, the S.I.V. Mosque and the Neveh Shalom synagogue sit directly next to each other. And coexist very peacefully. It’s one of the most remarkable things you’ll see in Paramaribo, and a genuinely interesting reflection of Suriname’s multicultural identity. With a a legacy of Dutch colonial migration from across the world, including Europe, Asia, and beyond, this street captures it better than anything else in the city.
As an aside, the mosque is architecturally stunning and worth visiting just to see in its own right. It’s also reportedly the largest mosque in the Caribbean, built over 20 years entirely without machinery. Fascinating.
4. Visit the Arya Dewaker Hindu Temple
The largest Hindu temple in Suriname, and architecturally unlike anything else in the city. The Arya Dewaker Mandir is one of the more beautiful buildings in Paramaribo. It follows Arya Samaj principles, meaning there are no idols or deity images inside, but the symbolism is built into the structure itself: the domes represent the connection between God, humanity and nature; the four floors represent the four Vedas.
It’s further out from the downtown area, so you’d need to take a c.15 minute cab to get there. It’s not near anything, so suggest agreeing with the cab to wait and take you back.
5. Spend your afternoon at a resort
There is genuinely not enough in Paramaribo to fill a full day from dawn to dusk, especially if you move at any kind of pace. And even if you stop for lunch. By mid-afternoon you’ll likely have seen everything. The best solution is to find a pool and get out of the heat.
Eco Torarica Hotel and its sister Torarica Resort give you access to a large pool (+ towels), a bar with restaurant menu, and a terrace overlooking the Suriname River with a pagoda jetty that catches the sunset beautifully. It’s a genuinely pleasant way to end a Paramaribo day – and a safe, comfortable place to be once you don’t want to be wandering downtown anymore. Which is really not advisable at night.
Is Paramaribo worth visiting?
Yes, with honest expectations. It’s a historically fascinating city with UNESCO-status Dutch colonial architecture, a genuinely unusual cultural mix, and enough to fill a day if you approach it right. You have to be actively curious, but you’ll enjoy it if you are.
It’s not a standalone destination – nobody should be flying to Suriname just for Paramaribo. But as a stop on a Guianas trip, or a base before heading into the jungle or across to French Guiana, it earns its place. One day, one night, and move on feeling like you’ve genuinely seen it.
Practical information for visiting Paramaribo
Cash is essential. Suriname is primarily a cash economy. Some hotels and larger restaurants accept card, but many places don’t, or have machines they’re reluctant to use, or only accept certain card types. Bring cash in smaller denominations and don’t rely on being able to pay by card anywhere outside your hotel. Change cash at the airport when you arrive.
Connectivity. eSIMs work well in Suriname and are the easiest way to stay connected. Airalo has coverage for Suriname and is what I’d recommend sorting before you travel. It’s pricey, but then most remote location eSIMs are.
Language. Dutch is the official language so most locals will default to it, but English is widely spoken and you’ll have no issues getting around.
Safety. The historic colonial areas around Fort Zeelandia and Keizerstraat are fine to explore during the day. The deeper downtown area is a different story. I encountered drunks, smashed bottles, and a general unease that made me uncomfortable walking alone. Nothing happened, but it didn’t feel relaxed either. Stick to daytime, stay in the historic areas, keep valuables out of sight, and don’t wander downtown after dark. Solo female travellers should also be prepared for persistent street harassment – it’s relentless and exhausting, even in the historic areas. More on all of this in my honest take on Paramaribo here.
FAQ: Paramaribo, Suriname
How long do you need in Paramaribo? One day is enough to see the main sights. Use it as a one-night base before heading further into Suriname or across to French Guiana.
Is Paramaribo safe? The historic colonial areas are fine during the day. The deeper downtown area has a rougher edge – drunks, general unease, some petty crime. Don’t walk alone at night and keep valuables out of sight. Read the full honest take here.
Do they accept card in Suriname? Suriname is primarily a cash economy. Bring cash in smaller denominations. Some hotels take card but many restaurants and shops don’t, or have machines they’re reluctant to use.
What language is spoken in Paramaribo? Dutch is the official language and the default for most interactions. English is widely spoken.
What is the currency in Suriname? The Surinamese dollar (SRD). Cash in local currency, and in small denominations, is best for day-to-day spending.
When is the best time to visit Paramaribo? The dry seasons – February to April and August to November – are the most straightforward. December to January brings heavy rainfall.
Also worth reading:
- What is Paramaribo really like? Five things I wasn’t expecting – the honest companion to this post
- Things to do in Curaçao in a day — if you’re routing through the Caribbean on your way here
This post contains affiliate links. If you book through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend places I’ve actually stayed or would genuinely recommend.
