Top things to do in Paramaribo
1. Historical city centre
Paramaribo's historic inner city is the reason most visitors come, and it rewards slow walking rather than a checklist. The spacious, tree-lined street plan was laid out by the first Dutch governor in the 17th century, and the wooden mansions that line it mostly date from the first half of the 19th century, rebuilt after the city fires of 1821 and 1832. Dutch design is visible throughout, but adapted with indigenous techniques and local materials.
The Waterkant and Mr.Lim A Postraat hold some of the best examples. Note that many wooden houses are in dire need of restoration, to the point where UNESCO has urged the state to address the problem.
2. Fort Zeelandia
The English laid the first foundations of the current brick fort around 1650, on the site of an earlier wooden French structure built over an even earlier Dutch trading post. After the Peace of Breda in 1667 the fort was renamed Zeelandia, and it later served as an army barrack and a prison. In 1982 it was the scene of the December murders, events that remain controversial today.
The restored buildings opened to the public as a museum in 1995, with collections covering the cultures of Suriname, the colonial period, 20th-century art, a library and a photo archive. There is a café and a restaurant with an outdoor terrace in the courtyard, and historical officers' houses stand in front of the entrance. A statue of Queen Wilhelmina looks over the Suriname River from the waterfront.
3. Onafhankelijkheidsplein and Presidential Palace
This square is the heart of Paramaribo, surrounded by the Presidential Palace, the Court of Justice and the Parliament. It is used for festivals, and on ordinary days there is not much activity.
Come on a Sunday, when men exercise the national hobby of letting their caged birds sing. Pair it with the Garden of Palms directly behind the palace.
4. Palmentuin
The Palm Garden is a small park filled with king palms behind the Presidential Palace, part of the original city plans of Cornelis van Aerssen van Sommelsdijck, the first Dutch governor, who opened it to the public in 1685. It was closed again after his murder three years later and only re-opened in the early 20th century; in 2009 it was restored with UNESCO funds.
It now has a small playground, statues and benches, making it a pleasant, shady place on a hot day. On holidays it comes alive with food stalls. Except on those occasions, avoid it after sundown, as the lighting is poor and it attracts less friendly crowds.
5. St. Peter and Paul Cathedral
This Roman Catholic cathedral on Henck Arronstraat is one of the biggest wooden structures on the American continent. Building started in 1883 and the church was consecrated two years later, though the towers were not finished until 1901 and the yellow and grey exterior painting was done only in 1926. The interior is carried out in unpainted cedar wood to a Surinamese design.
Termite damage and severe tilting closed the cathedral in 1989; after fundraising and a large EU grant, thorough restorations were carried out between 2007 and 2010, and it re-opened to the public that year. The large organ remains a work in progress, as most of its pipes were stolen.
6. The Central Market
A large market with over 3,000 stalls inside a hall at the Waterkant, and a colourful, buzzing place with smells and sounds to take in. Vendors offer fresh fish delivered directly by fishermen, along with vegetables, fruit and meat; the first floor holds non-perishables such as clothes, shoes and kitchen utensils.
Many vendors, especially Maroon people, strongly object to having their pictures taken, so ask before raising a camera. Combine a visit with a walk along the Waterkant.
7. Neve Shalom Synagogue
The Jewish community in Paramaribo is reputed to be the oldest continuing Jewish community in the Americas. The current wooden synagogue dates from 1835 and replaced a building constructed in 1719 by Ashkenazi Jews, whose forebears had come via Brazil after fleeing persecution by the Spanish Inquisition in Holland, Portugal and Italy.
Its unusual feature is a floor of sand rather than boards or tiles, a reminder both of the Hebrews' years in the desert and of the times when marranos had to muffle their prayers and footsteps. Several Torahs are hundreds of years old, and the carved woodwork shows fine craftsmanship.
8. Keizerstraat
Walk to the Keizerstraat, where a mosque and a synagogue are built adjacent to each other. Not far from this spot you will also find a Catholic church and a Hindu temple.
This short stretch is the clearest single illustration of the city's mixed makeup, and it fits naturally into a walk through the historic centre.
9. Waterkant
The Waterkant is the waterfront strip along the Suriname River, and it holds some of the best examples of the historic centre's wooden architecture. It is also where the Central Market hall stands.
Come in the late afternoon, share a djogo of Parbo, the national beer, and watch the sunset over the river.
10. Paramaribo Zoo
The zoo was an idea of Prime Minister Pengel in the 1960s, who began collecting animals in his own backyard until it opened in 1972. Animal numbers and visitors declined over the following decades, but a cooperation with Dutch Diergaarde Blijdorp starting in 2003 helped raise funds to restore the place, and it has regained its popularity.
The collection is mostly regional species, including many indigenous monkeys, jaguars, caimans and tropical birds, plus a petting zoo and a playground for kids.
11. Numismatic Museum
This small museum is part of the Bank of Suriname and is housed in one of the nice colonial buildings. Its highlight is a 1679 copper Parrot coin, and it holds almost every legal currency used in Suriname since the late 17th century.
You will probably need a real interest in the history of money to fully appreciate the collection, but there is no admission fee, so walking in for a quick glance cannot hurt.
12. Blauwgrond
In the north of Paramaribo is the Blauwgrond quarter, a former plantation where Javanese people live. Sit down at a warung, a small Javanese restaurant or shop, and try one of the dishes.
This is a food stop rather than a sight, and it works best when you have time to eat properly rather than pass through.
13. Weg naar Zee
Bike or take a taxi to Weg naar Zee, the Road to the Sea, a Hindustani open-air cremation site north of the Kwattaweg. You are permitted to attend a ceremony.
A pilgrimage sanctuary is nearby, so the trip can be combined with a second stop. Treat the site with the quiet it calls for.
14. Thalia theater
The Surinamese theater company was founded in 1837 and is the oldest theater company of the Caribbean. The Thalia theater building opened in 1840.
Check what is on during your stay if you want an evening indoors, and pair it with a walk through the surrounding historic streets.
If you only have one day
Morning: Start in the Historical city centre, walking the tree-lined streets and the wooden mansions of the Waterkant and Mr.Lim A Postraat. Continue to Fort Zeelandia for the museum and the courtyard café, then cross to Onafhankelijkheidsplein to see the Presidential Palace and the surrounding buildings.
Afternoon: Take the shade in Palmentuin behind the palace, then visit St. Peter and Paul Cathedral on Henck Arronstraat. Finish the afternoon at The Central Market at the Waterkant, keeping your camera down unless you have asked.
Evening: Return to the Waterkant, share a djogo of Parbo and watch the sunset over the Suriname River. If you have energy left, see what is playing at Thalia theater.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time of year to visit Paramaribo?
The city has no true dry season, with every month averaging more than 60 mm of rain. September through November is the driest period, and the heaviest rainfall falls from April to July. Temperatures are consistent year-round, with average highs around 30°C and lows around 24°C.
Is the historic inner city walkable?
Yes. The historic inner city sits along the left bank of the Suriname River, and its original street plan has largely remained intact. The Waterkant and Mr.Lim A Postraat hold some of the best examples of the wooden architecture, and several landmarks sit close together around Onafhankelijkheidsplein.
Can I take photographs at the Central Market?
Many market vendors, especially Maroon people, strongly object to having their pictures taken. Ask before photographing anyone.
Is the Palm Garden a good place to spend an evening?
Not ordinarily. Except on holidays, when it fills with food stalls, the garden is best avoided after sundown because the lighting is poor and it attracts less friendly crowds.
Decide which of these fits your days, check the opening times that apply when you travel, and start mapping your route through the historic centre.