Getting Around Paramaribo
Paramaribo is the capital and largest city of Suriname, sitting on the banks of the Suriname River. Its historic inner city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is compact and largely flat, which shapes how visitors tend to move around. The old colonial centre lies directly behind the Waterkant, and most of the main sights — the fort, the palm garden, colonial officers' houses and the central market — are easily explored on foot.
Rail, Metro and Trams
Paramaribo has no rail, metro or tram network for visitors to use. Getting around the city is done by road, on foot, by bike or by boat across the river.
Buses and Other Public Transport
Buses in Suriname are privately owned, but the drivers follow collectively determined routes. They sit somewhere between private taxis and public transportation: they leave the bus station only once they are completely full, so there are no fixed schedules to rely on. If you spot one, note that the buses are hand-painted, which makes them fairly distinctive.
A central bus station can be found in the Knuffelgracht near the Waterkant, which is a useful reference point when you want to pick up a route.
Boat taxis are another form of local transport. They cross the Suriname River to the Commewijne district. You can find them in downtown Paramaribo at the platte brug (between the Central Market and the Waterkant) for crossings to Meerzorg on the far side of the river, or at Leonsberg in North Paramaribo for trips to New Amsterdam. Bicycles can be taken on these boats.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
That is worth keeping in mind when you arrive: agree on your destination and fare before setting off.
Walkability
The historic centre is the most walkable part of the city. Because the old colonial core sits directly behind the Waterkant, the fort, the palm garden, the colonial officers' houses and the central market can all be reached comfortably on foot.
Cycling is a good alternative for getting around and for exploring the outskirts of town. Two things to plan for: there is no shelter from the sun, and you can be surprised by torrential rain. Most drivers take notice of cyclists, but when traffic is light, people often drive too fast.
If you prefer to drive yourself, several car hire services are based in Paramaribo. One important local quirk: Suriname drives on the left with steering wheels on the right.
Getting from the Airport into the City
Paramaribo is served by Johan Adolf Pengel International Airport, also known as Paramaribo-Zanderij International Airport, located near the town of Zanderij to the south of the city. A second airport, Zorg en Hoop, handles local flights and is where several local airlines have their head offices.
From Johan Adolf Pengel International Airport there is a bus running into Paramaribo, taking about an hour. Taxis are also available. A transit minibus will take you to any hotel in Paramaribo, though the driver may wait until all seats are occupied before departing — so build in some flexibility if you choose this option.
You can change money inside the airport terminal while you wait for your baggage, which is handy if you need local currency for your onward transport.