The capital of Suriname in South America, Paramaribo is a former Dutch colonial town, which is not only the center of commerce and transportation in Suriname, including tourist services, but also a multicultural city filled with fascinating historical sites and lush tropical gardens.
The most popular of the other sights in Paramaribo is the 17th century Fort Zeelandia fortress, which was originally built by the French. Today this well-restored historical sight hosts a museum showing Surinam's history. Furthermore, if you want to see places with strange names, go see the central square of the city, Onafhankelijkheidsplein, which is bordered by Presidential Palace and National Assembly. Another attraction in Paramaribo worth mentioning is Palmentuin park with its tropical birds and monkeys.
Finding flights to Paramaribo is easiest from North America, the Caribbean and the Netherlands. Additionally, you can also arrive by ferry or by road from Guyana or French Guyana. For moving around in the city, taxis or rental cars in Paramaribo are the best alternative.
Old town, gardens and museums: Paramaribo's attractions
The main attraction in the ethnically diverse Paramaribo is its fascinating historic inner city that has been nominated a UNESCO World Heritage site. The attractiveness of the site built in 17th and 18th centuries is based on a unique mixture of Dutch and local architectural techniques and materials. This charming historical site also has an atmosphere of its own, which can be enjoyed walking on the historical streets among the colorful buildings, small shops and restaurants of the area.The most popular of the other sights in Paramaribo is the 17th century Fort Zeelandia fortress, which was originally built by the French. Today this well-restored historical sight hosts a museum showing Surinam's history. Furthermore, if you want to see places with strange names, go see the central square of the city, Onafhankelijkheidsplein, which is bordered by Presidential Palace and National Assembly. Another attraction in Paramaribo worth mentioning is Palmentuin park with its tropical birds and monkeys.
Practical information for staying in Paramaribo
Weather in Paramaribo is tropical with steady hot temperatures available all year round. Another thing characterizing Paramaribo's weather is the high amount of rainfall. There are two wet seasons, the first of which is from December to January, and the second being between March and July. Therefore, if you want to try to avoid rain, best time to travel to Paramaribo is in February, or between August and November.Finding flights to Paramaribo is easiest from North America, the Caribbean and the Netherlands. Additionally, you can also arrive by ferry or by road from Guyana or French Guyana. For moving around in the city, taxis or rental cars in Paramaribo are the best alternative.
Photo: Bartvanpoll, used under Creative Commons License (By SA 2.0)
However, you should be a careful when choosing a taxi as not all taxis drivers in Paramaribo play an honest game. The first thing to do when choosing a taxi in Paramaribo is to negotiate the price in advance.
Paramaribo might not be a touristic haven, but it is a city with best tourism services available in Suriname. Therefore, you will have no problem finding suitable hotels in Paramaribo, which will accommodate you at a fairly reasonable price. Restaurants in Paramaribo are also easy to find, and if you are adventurous enough, you can also test the vivid nightlife of this South American capital, where also interesting places for shopping in Paramaribo can be found. English is commonly spoken in Paramaribo.
Talking about adventure and Suriname, Paramaribo is not one of the safest places on earth. Robberies are common, car-jackings happen, and pickpocketing is more of a rule than an exception. Therefore, traveling alone and walking outside after dark should be avoided. It might also be wise to keep your valuables hidden and car doors locked when moving outside. However, with safety procedures followed, your holiday in Paramaribo will probably be trouble-free.
hint See also these nearby destinations: Central Suriname Nature Reserve
