Things to do in Paramaribo, Suriname

What can you do in Paramaribo? Believe it or not this isn’t a boring city, there are many things to do in Paramaribo, Suriname. You can visit the UNESCO world heritage site of the historic inner city of Paramaribo, go dolphin watching, try your luck at one of the many casinos, go shopping (very affordable) or just relax by the river and interact with the locals.

Firstly, Suriname, a former Dutch colony, in South America is home to a vibrantly diverse population of less than 600,000, rich wildlife and lush tropical rainforest. The official language is Dutch, but most persons are bi- or multilingual in several recognized languages such as Javanese. English is widely understood and spoken. This country is bordered by Guyana, Brazil and French Guiana which makes it the most accessible and cheapest holiday destination abroad for citizens of the bordering countries.

I must admit, I had such a horrible experience on my first visit that I vowed never to return but years later was forced to reneged on my promise and thoroughly enjoyed myself on the second go. I will definitely be returning. 

On the first visit I had the bad luck of meeting a few unscrupulous characters and staying in a place that offered very little in terms of entertainment. Of course, Suriname is not full of terrible people; in each country you will find a few rotten apples. Fortunately, on my second visit I did not meet any of these and I stayed in charming Paramaribo.

The fact that my money really went a long way made my trip worthwhile and more enjoyable. The Surinamese dollar has depreciated tremendously and from a tourist standpoint that was fantastic news for me.

How to get there

Numerous bus operators offer transportation service to the border, it is very affordable and easy to find one. In Guyana, they do home pickups then go straight to the ferry crossing.Tickets are sold for the other leg of the journey-from Nickerie to Paramaribo. The ferry ticket is a separate cost but cheap. You can use your own vehicle to get there if that’s your preference, no wild terrain. 

Accommodation

I stayed in the heart of the city. My room was inexpensive, big and had all the amenities I expected. Another bonus was the market next door and a bus park in front of the place, but everything was within walking distance. You can get all sorts of accommodation in Paramaribo, there all luxurious hotels, mid-range places, apartment type rooms, hostels and the ultra-cheap. The best thing about accommodations there is that you can get  nice places with modern amenities and in the heart of the city for very affordable prices. In western Europe I paid more for hostel rooms which I had to share with several people!

Food

The local food was spicy, very delicious and affordable (that overused word again but so true). Most of my meals I had at a restaurant close to the fort with a view of the river, quite nice and relaxing. The beef satay with honeyed coconut shaving at the Torarica hotel by the pier was really good, cooked perfectly. This hotel is great for relaxation. There is a swimming pool, casino and a bar by the river.  Across the street is a nice restaurant with nightly Karaoke sessions and a killer duck curry. Also, at night the area by the river is abuzz with activity. Many little stalls selling street food and playing music. Had it not been for a very friendly Surinamese whom I met while strolling along the river I would not have found the Karaoke bar. All the people I met this time were super nice and friendly.

Things to do in Paramaribo, Suriname

What I did:

– Visited inner city Paramaribo with its well-kept colonial style buildings

– The sign speaks for itself

– The palm garden is a tourist attraction and home to a variety of birds and Capuchin monkeys. 

– Presidential Palace of Suriname embodies Dutch colonial style architecture and is part of the UNESCO world heritage site of inner city Paramaribo ( including the Palm Garden that is found behind).

-Visited well-preserved Fort Zeelandia which was built since 1640.

-While strolling around I found a parade. Enjoy a few videos from this on my YouTube feed.

 

– Gambled. Lots of casinos.

– Had some fancy drinks at a nice restaurant overlooking the river, can’t remember the name though but worth a visit for the view and atmosphere.

– Ate amazing food and interacted with the locals, this is a must. Paramaribo is such a charming city, quaint and for me best described as taking a step into the past.

Of course, there are tons of things to do in Suriname. I just stayed in Paramaribo and did a few. Do a bit of research on the vast array of activities and sights in this beautiful country, you will find something just tailored for you.