Things to Do in Paramaribo
Paramaribo sits on the west bank of the Suriname River, about 15 to 20 km upstream from the Atlantic. It is hot and humid all year, with temperatures of 26 to 32 degrees Celsius. The city has no ocean beaches, because the coast here is mangrove and mudflat. The best days out are on boats, in markets and at the weekly bird contest. The local currency is the Surinamese dollar (SRD), and tour operators often quote in euros or US dollars.
Dolphin trip from Leonsberg
Boats for Guiana dolphins (called profosu in Sranan Tongo) leave from the Leonsberg jetty, about 8 km north of the centre and roughly 15 minutes by taxi. Trips run in the late afternoon on a covered wooden boat and last about three hours. Operator prices have been seen from about EUR 30 to USD 41 per person, so ask what is included. Sightings are not guaranteed. Keep the boat at a distance, never feed the animals and never chase them.
Sunday songbird contests
Every Sunday morning from about 06:00 to 09:00, men gather on Independence Square (Onafhankelijkheidsplein) with prize songbirds in handmade cages. The birds hang on posts facing each other, and referees score their whistles and trills over timed rounds of 10 or 15 minutes. Favourites include the twa-twa, the rowti and the picolet. Entry is free. Stand back, stay quiet during a round and ask before you photograph anyone.
Waterkant after 17:00
In the evening the riverside promenade on Waterkant fills with open-air food stalls and wooden pavilions. Look for these dishes:
- Telo met bakkeljauw, fried cassava with spicy salted cod
- Saoto soup, a Javanese chicken broth with egg, bean sprouts and crispy noodles
- Nasi and bami with chicken
- Roti rolls with curried chicken, potato and yardlong beans
- Parbo Bier, the national lager, sold in 1-litre brown bottles
Go while it is still light and take a taxi home. Agree the fare before you get in. A short trip in the centre usually costs SRD 100 to 150.
Centrale Markt
The covered Centrale Markt on Waterkant is open Monday to Saturday from 06:00 to 16:00. The ground floor sells tropical fruit such as papaya and soursop, vegetables and fresh river fish. At the back, along the river, Maroon women sell medicinal plants, barks, roots and herbal tonics. Treat this section with respect and ask before you photograph vendors. Keep bags and cameras close, especially near the minibus ranks outside.
Colakreek, about an hour south
Colakreek is a blackwater forest creek near Zanderij in the Para District, roughly 50 km and an hour’s drive from Paramaribo. Fallen forest plants stain the water a clear tea colour. There are shallow swimming areas, piers and hammocks. No lifeguard is on duty, so swimming is at your own risk. Do not swim in the Suriname River at Paramaribo. The river is wide, tidal and busy with cargo ships.
Before you go
Most visitors pay a mandatory Entry Fee online before travel through the VFS portal, at about USD 50 to 58 in total, so check the portal for the current amount. Some passports are exempt, and some nationalities need an e-visa instead. All travellers also complete the Immigration and Customs Form at icf.sr up to three days before arrival and again before departure. The UK government entry requirements page lists the 90-day stay limit and the yellow fever certificate rule for travellers arriving from risk countries.
Petty and violent crime does occur in Paramaribo, including in quiet areas such as the Palmentuin park, so avoid walking along dark riverbanks after nightfall. Flooding is common from May to August.
Read more: Sightseeing in Paramaribo covers the cathedral, the palace square and the wooden mansions of the old town.
Booking help
Dolphin cruises and other boat trips can be compared on GetYourGuide .