Walking Paramaribo's Historic Centre

Paramaribo’s UNESCO-listed old town is flat and compact, which makes it one of the easiest colonial centres in the Americas to cover on foot. A loop of about 3.5 km takes roughly 2.5 hours with stops. Local agencies also run guided walks, at about EUR 20 to 25 per person. The self guided route below starts at the river fort and ends at the market.

The route

  1. Fort Zeelandia. Start at the brick bastions on Abraham Crijnssenweg. Bastion Veere is a national monument to fifteen men killed in December 1982, so walk it quietly. Listed hours are Tuesday to Friday 09:00 to 14:00 and Sunday 10:00 to 14:00, and the fort is closed on Monday and Saturday. Check before you set out.
  2. The officers’ houses. Walk the lane out of the fort past the preserved 18th-century timber houses.
  3. Independence Square. Look across the square at the Presidential Palace, the Court of Justice and the statues of Johan Adolf Pengel and Jagernath Lachmon, two leaders of the independence era. The palace can be viewed from the outside only.
  4. Palmentuin. Pass behind the palace into the royal palm garden, where shell paths run beneath tall palms. It is open from about 06:00 to 18:00.
  5. Henck Arronstraat. Follow this street of white and green timber houses to Saint Peter and Paul Cathedral. The unpainted cedar interior is worth a few minutes. Visit outside Mass and dress modestly.
  6. Keizerstraat. Turn south to see Neveh Shalom synagogue and the neighbouring Mosque Keizerstraat side by side. Synagogue visits need prior arrangement.
  7. Waterkant. Head west to the river promenade and walk past the merchant houses at numbers 2 to 8. Finish at the Centrale Markt, open Monday to Saturday from 06:00 to 16:00, or at the food stalls that open about 17:00.

Timing and heat

The equatorial sun is fierce at midday. Walk between 07:30 and 10:30 or between 15:30 and 18:00. A refillable bottle is useful, as tap water in Paramaribo is treated and safe to drink.

Footing

Pavements are often uneven, and open drains called goten run beside many streets. Wear sturdy flat shoes and watch your step, especially after rain.

Staying safe

Walking in the daytime is fine in the old town, but keep your phone and camera close, particularly near the minibus ranks by the Centrale Markt. Do not walk the riverbank or the Palmentuin after dark, since petty and violent crime occurs in the city, including in quiet areas of the park. Do not try to walk across the Jules Wijdenbosch Bridge, which is a road bridge to Meerzorg. If you need a ride, taxis have no meters, so agree the fare first. A short trip in the centre is usually SRD 100 to 150. The UK government safety page has more detail.

Extending the walk

From Platte Brug on the Waterkant, a water taxi crosses to Meerzorg in about five minutes for SRD 20 to 30. Peperpot Nature Park lies on that side of the river, and its flat 3.2 km trail makes a gentle second walk, open daily from 08:00 to 17:00.

Read more: Sightseeing in Paramaribo gives the history behind each stop.

Booking help

Guided walking tours with a local guide can be compared on GetYourGuide .