Paramaribo
Travelers come to Paramaribo for its wooden colonial old town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and for food shaped by Creole, Hindustani, Javanese and Maroon communities.
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Paramaribo is the capital of Suriname, a small country on the northern coast of South America. The city sits on the Suriname River, a short distance from the Atlantic. Its historic inner city, with wooden houses, galleries and churches from the Dutch colonial period, was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2002. The street plan and buildings date from Dutch rule, while the markets, religious sites and food show the communities that settled here.
Two or three days is enough to walk the old town, visit the markets and eat across the city's cuisines, which draw on Creole, Hindustani, Javanese, Chinese and Maroon cooking. The city suits travelers who want a walkable capital with a clear sense of history, and those heading on to the rainforest or the interior. Expect hot, humid weather all year, so plan outdoor walking for the drier months when rain is less frequent.
Paramaribo in five
- Check entry rules before you bookVisa rules depend on your passport and nationality, so check them on the official government site before you pay for flights.Visas and entry
- Carry Surinamese dollarsSmall shops and markets often need cash. Change some money in Paramaribo before you travel into the interior.Money and costs
- Set up data and download offline mapsMobile signal can be weak outside Paramaribo. Download maps and your booking confirmations before you leave the city.Phones and eSIM
- Get insurance that covers evacuationHospital care outside Paramaribo is limited. Check that the policy covers medical evacuation before you book an interior trip.Travel insurance
- Book interior trips through an operatorRainforest and river trips often need transport and lodging arranged in advance. Book a tour operator before you arrive.Tours and tickets
Need to know
- Currency
- Surinamese dollar (SRD)
- Entry
- Visa rules depend on your passport; check before you book
- Emergency
- Ask your hotel for police and ambulance numbers
- Tipping
- Ask whether a service charge is already on the bill
- Time
- UTC-3, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryShort wet season
- FebruaryDrier spell
- MarchHot, humid
- AprilRains return
- MayWet season
- JuneHeavy rain
- JulyKeti Koti, rains
- AugustDry, hot
- SeptemberDry season
- OctoberDry, warm
- NovemberRains start
- DecemberShort rains
Right now in Paramaribo
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
31
- Feels like
- 34°
- Humidity
- 54%
- Wind
- 14 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 4%
Paramaribo
08:23 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today36°26°4%Monday: Drizzle. High 36°, Low 26°. Chance of rain 4%.
- Tue35°25°52%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 35°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 52%.
- Wed35°24°12%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 35°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 12%.
- Thu36°25°12%Thursday: Drizzle. High 36°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 12%.
- Fri37°26°2%Friday: Cloudy. High 37°, Low 26°. Chance of rain 2%.
- Sat36°26°53%Saturday: Drizzle. High 36°, Low 26°. Chance of rain 53%.
- Sun35°25°74%Sunday: Drizzle. High 35°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 74%.
Updated 05:28 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 37.64 SRD
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Brownsbergabout 2 hours by carRainforest trails and a lookout over the Brokopondo reservoir.
- Commewijneabout 1 hour by carOld plantation houses along the Commewijne River.
- Nieuw Nickerieabout 5 to 6 hours by carA market town on the Corantijn River, near the Guyana border.
Before you go to Paramaribo
Rules for Paramaribo, checked
- Check the visa rules for your nationality on the official government site before you book flights.
- Use the customs form to declare cash when you arrive and when you leave.
- Ask before photographing people, especially at markets and at mosques, Hindu temples and synagogues.
- Carry your passport or a copy when you go out, since you may be asked to show ID.
Plan around Paramaribo
Which passports need a visa, and what to check before you fly.
Read the guideMoney and costsCash, card use and typical prices in Paramaribo.
Read the guideGetting aroundTaxis, buses and how to reach the interior from the capital.
Read the guideWhere to stayDistricts in and near the center, and where to base a first visit.
Read the guideAll of SurinameRegions, interior trips and how to plan a trip beyond the capital.
Read the guideSouth AmericaOther trips on the continent to compare with Suriname.
Read the guideParamaribo FAQ
Is Paramaribo worth visiting?
Yes, for a few days. The historic inner city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with wooden colonial buildings, and many trips into the rainforest start here.
How many days do you need in Paramaribo?
Two days cover the historic center, Fort Zeelandia and the markets. Add a day or more for an interior trip.
Where should I stay in Paramaribo?
Stay in or near the historic center, so the old town and the river are within a short walk.
What language is spoken in Paramaribo?
Dutch is the official language, and Sranan Tongo is widely spoken in the streets and markets.
Can you visit the interior as a day trip from Paramaribo?
Brownsberg is possible in a long day. Rainforest lodges and river trips need at least one overnight stay, so book an operator that arranges the transport.
What is the best time to visit Paramaribo?
August to October is the most comfortable period, and February is also a good month. The wet season runs from May to July, with short rains in December and January.