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Paramaribo is the capital and largest city of Suriname, a former Dutch colony on the Suriname River. Learn about its colonial heritage, cultural diversity, and attractions, such as Fort Zeelandia, St. Peter and Paul Cathedral, and Independence Square.
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Things to Do in Paramaribo, Suriname: See Tripadvisor's 13,657 traveler reviews and photos of Paramaribo tourist attractions. Find what to do today, this weekend, or in September. We have reviews of the best places to see in Paramaribo. Visit top-rated & must-see attractions.
- The top attractions to visit in Paramaribo are: Fort Zeelandia Saint-Peter-and-Paul Basilica of Paramaribo Commewijne River Brownsberg Nature Park...
- The best outdoor activities in Paramaribo according to Tripadvisor travelers are: Commewijne River Palmentuin Brownsberg Nature Park Paramaribo Zoo...
- The best day trips from Paramaribo according to Tripadvisor travelers are: Full-Day Guided Commewijne Plantation Tour by Car Neotropical Butterfly...
- The most popular things to do in Paramaribo with kids according to Tripadvisor travelers are: Commewijne River Palmentuin Independence Square (Onaf...
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The name Paramaribo is probably a corruption of the name of an Indian village called Parmirbo (or Parmurbo or Parmarbo). The Dutch settled a trading post in 1631 which fell into English hands when the Dutch abandoned it. The British built a fort called Fort Willoughby. In 1667 the area was conquered by a Zeeland expedition. They called the fort Zee...
By plane
1. 5.452831-55.1877831 Johan Adolf Pengel International Airport (PBMIATA also known as Paramaribo-Zanderij International Airport), Zanderij (45 km (28 mi) south of Paramaribo). KLM Royal Dutch Airlines has three weekly direct flights from Amsterdam. Surinam Airways (Surinaamse Luchtvaart Maatschappij) also has three weekly direct flights from Amsterdam. If you are coming from Europe, another alternative is to fly with Air France from Paris to Cayenne (in French Guiana) and travel from there,...
By bus
From Georgetown, Guyana, take minibus #63a to Molson Creek in eastern Guyana just across the river from Suriname. The trip takes at least 3 hr and costs c. USD10. From there, you will go through customs on the Guyanese side. Then take the 11:00 daily ferry across the river to the South Drain. The actual ferry ride takes about 30 minutes. (Contact Canawaima ferry, ☏ +597 212331, +597 212332for more information). From there you can get a minibus into Paramaribo. Again the trip takes at least 3...
By boat
Boat taxis can take you over the Suriname River to the Commewijne district. You can find boat taxis in downtown Paramaribo at the platte brug (between Central Market and Waterkant) to Meerzorg across the Suriname River, or at Leonsberg, North Paramaribo, to take you to New Amsterdam. You can take your bike on these boats.
The old colonial centre mostly lies directly behind the Waterkant and most of the main sights, including the fort, the palm garden, colonial officers' houses and the central market are easily explored on foot.
5.8256-55.151441 Historical city centre. Paramaribo's distinctive historic city centre, packed with wooden buildings from colonial times, has been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List since...5.82515-55.149692 [dead link] Fort Zeelandia, Abraham Crijnssenweg 1, ☏ +597 425871, fax: +597 42 58 81, museum@cq-link.sr. Tu-F 09:00-14:00, Su 10:00-14:00 (closed Sa M). The English laid the firs...5.82665-55.152963 Numismatic Museum, Mr F.H.R. Lim a Po Straat 7, ☏ +597 520016. M-F 08:00-14:00. Highlight of this small museum is a 1679 copper Parrot coin. You'll probably need to have a real in...5.82628-55.151524 Onafhankelijkheidsplein (Independence Square) and Presidential Palace. The square is the heart of Paramaribo surrounded by important buildings like the Presidential Palace, Court...Stroll through the historic centre with its old wooden houses.Walk to the Keizerstraatwhere a mosque and a synagogue are built adjacent to each other. Not far from this place are also a Catholic church and a Hindu temple.Visit Waterkant, share a djogo (1 litre) Parbo, the national beer, and enjoy the sunset.Visit the flea market on Sunday and the daily lively Central Market.Paramaribo is packed with small shops, boutiques and markets stalls, selling anything from Western brand clothing (plus at least as many fake versions) to cheap daily amenities, great hammocks, illegal DVD copies and Chinese jewellery. It remains a fairly cheap place for foreign visitors, which makes shopping for souvenirs a fun way to spend an aft...
Paramaribo has its own university, which offers a few courses in English. Many of the country's ambitious young people head abroad however, to study at different universities or pursue different fields of study at universities in the Netherlands, in the United Statesor neighbouring South-American countries. 1. Anton de Kom University of Surinam, Le...
Paramaribo's many restaurants reflect its diverse culture and strong Chinese, Javaneseand Hindustan influences. Small food stalls serve inexpensive traditional snacks at the markets and along the Waterkant. If you're looking for Javanese style food, consider driving out to the Blauwgrond area of town. This Javanese part of the city is known for its...
On the Waterkant, between the street and the river, are a number of pavilions with simple, but atmospheric, terraces. There's no service and you have to get your drinks yourself. Music is everywhere and while adults pour out a djogo in cups, children play between the tables and teens hang out near the quay wall. There's always something happening o...
As Paramaribo's tourist economy develops, hotels and guesthouses are popping up while older ones get restyled. There's plenty of choice now to fit your budget, from €15 single rooms in a basic guesthouse to €100 and more for a stay in one of the upmarket resorts. If you're travelling with a family or group, apartments are a good option and often ch...
Learn about Paramaribo, the capital and only city of Suriname, with its colonial heritage, tropical climate and diverse culture. Find out how to get in, get around, see and do in this South American gem.
- Fort Zeelandia. Inside well-restored Fort Zeelandia, a star-shaped, 18th-century fort built on the site where the first colonists alighted, is the worthwhile Stichting…
- Saint Peter & Paul Cathedral-Basilica. Commonly called 'the Cathedral,' this gorgeously restored building was designated a Minor Basilica by Pope Francis in 2014.
- Onafhankelijkheidsplein. Surrounding the centrally located Onafhankelijkheidsplein (Independence Square) are the contrasting stately 18th-century Presidential Palace – open to the…
- Central Market. The frenzied and fascinating central market is divided into distinct areas: the meat, fish, fruit and vegetable sections on the lower floor and a less…
Mar 4, 2020 · Places to Visit in Paramaribo. Check out must-see sights and activities: Saint-Peter-and-Paul Basilica of Paramaribo, Fort Zeelandia, Sacred & Religious Sites, Points of Interest & Landmarks.
- The top attractions to visit in Paramaribo are: Fort Zeelandia Saint-Peter-and-Paul Basilica of Paramaribo Commewijne River Brownsberg Nature Park...
- The best outdoor activities in Paramaribo according to Tripadvisor travellers are: Commewijne River Palmentuin Brownsberg Nature Park Paramaribo Zo...
- The best day trips from Paramaribo according to Tripadvisor travellers are: Full-Day Guided Commewijne Plantation Tour by Car Neotropical Butterfly...
- The most popular things to do in Paramaribo with children according to Tripadvisor travellers are:Commewijne RiverPalmentuinIndependence Square (On...
Jun 13, 2024 · Paramaribo, the capital of Suriname, is a city that blends colonial history with vibrant cultural diversity. Located on the northern coast of South America, Suriname is known for its pristine rainforests, diverse wildlife, and fascinating blend of cultures.
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Over 80% of this sparsely populated country consists of unspoiled rainforests, making it an ideal place to discover the native biodiversity and rainforest habitats. Those looking to embark on an adventure in Suriname will need to head over to Paramaribo first.