Family Days Out in Paramaribo
Paramaribo suits families who like animals and boats. The main outings are a river cruise, a flat forest trail, a small zoo and a day at a blackwater creek. The city is hot all year, with highs near 32 degrees Celsius, so plan outdoor time for the morning or late afternoon. Prices are in Surinamese dollars (SRD) unless an operator quotes in euros or US dollars.
Dolphin trip from Leonsberg
Boats leave the Leonsberg jetty, about 15 minutes by taxi from the centre, for Guiana dolphins in the Suriname estuary. The trip runs in the late afternoon and takes about three hours. The water on the river is sheltered, so there is little swell. Children usually enjoy the covered wooden boat and the chance of a sighting, although sightings are never guaranteed. Operator prices have been seen from about EUR 30 to USD 41 per person, so ask about child rates. Keep the boat at a respectful distance from the dolphins, and never feed or chase them. Make sure every child wears a life jacket.
Peperpot Nature Park
Peperpot is in Meerzorg, across the Jules Wijdenbosch Bridge, about 10 km from the centre. The 3.2 km trail is flat, free of cars and shaded by forest, which makes it easy for small legs and for cycling. Bicycles for adults and children can be rented at the visitor centre, at about EUR 5, or SRD 100, for two hours. Watch for squirrel monkeys in the bamboo and three-toed sloths resting in cecropia trees. The park is listed as open daily from 08:00 to 17:00. The land was once a coffee plantation worked by enslaved people, and the old factory building is a good place to explain that history to older children.
Paramaribo Zoo
The zoo is in the Cultuurtuin park, about 3 km north of the centre. Opened in 1972, it is the only zoo in Suriname. It keeps animals from the Guianas and the Amazon, such as jaguars, pumas, ocelots, tapirs, giant anteaters, caimans and toucans. There is a wooden playground, picnic tables and a snack bar. Entry has been listed at about SRD 75 for adults and SRD 50 for children, with daily hours of 09:00 to 18:00. Check prices and hours before you go.
Colakreek
Colakreek is a blackwater creek in the Para District, near Zanderij and about an hour south by road. The water is tea coloured from fallen leaves and is shallow in the swimming areas. There are piers, hammocks and shade. There is no lifeguard, so everyone swims at their own risk. With young children, an adult needs to stay within arm’s reach, and families with toddlers may prefer Peperpot instead.
Food for children
Roti rolls, wrapped around curried chicken and potato, are an easy choice from the Waterkant food stalls, which open from about 17:00. Nasi and bami with chicken is another mild option. Tap water in Paramaribo is treated and safe to drink, so carry a refillable bottle.
Health and entry
Dengue is present across the country, so use repellent with DEET and cover arms and legs at dusk. Yellow fever vaccination is advised for travel into the interior, and a certificate is needed when arriving from a country with transmission risk. The UK government entry requirements page lists the rules, and the Immigration and Customs Form must be completed online before arrival and again before departure. Do not let children swim in the Suriname River at Paramaribo.
Read more: Sightseeing in Paramaribo lists the wooden mansions and squares for a short city walk with children.
Booking help
Sunset dolphin cruises can be compared on GetYourGuide .