24 hours in Paramaribo
I think Paramaribo is, without a doubt, one of the nicest cities in Latin America. I’ll take you on a 24-hour trip of Paramaribo.
The clock and the time
24 hours in Paramaribo – it sounds almost contradictory, as Surinamese people generally take things at a more leisurely pace. Moreover, they refuse to cram a certain number of activities into a fixed timeframe, as we Dutch are often accustomed to doing. “You Dutch have the clock and we Surinamese have time” is a well-known saying, and for good reason. In this blog post, I’ll give you an idea of all the things you can do in Paramaribo. I wouldn’t blame you if you decided to spread the activities over several days because of the tropical climate.
Breakfast: Central Market on the Waterfront
Start the day early, just like many Paramaribo residents, to make the most of the pleasant morning cool. It’s the ideal time to visit one of the many markets in Suriname’s capital. The best known is the Central Market on the Waterfront. The market is a veritable explosion of scents and colours. Pick up some delicious fresh fruit here to get your day off to a good start.
Things to do: City walk
Discover the centre of Paramaribo on a city walk led by Dutchman Peter Duker. Peter fell in love with Suriname many years ago and decided to make it his home. The walks are incredibly fascinating, as Peter, being Dutch, explains the cultural differences in great detail and always chooses highly original perspectives. Why, for example, does the statue of Wilhelmina look out over the river, and why was a cyclist fined at Kerkplein in 1902? You’ll find out all about it during the city walk through the historic centre of Paramaribo. Peter has organised a treasure hunt for children, making it fun and educational for them too.
Lunch: Zus en Zo
By about one o’clock, the city walk will be over and you can stroll through the Palmentuin to the Zus en Zo eatery. It’s a laid-back spot where you can enjoy a delicious sandwich. Why not try a Surinamese hot chicken sandwich or a Batjaw sandwich? A sandwich with dried and salted cod, prepared in a spicy Surinamese style.
Tip: If you’re in Paramaribo on a Friday, you can enjoy live music at Zus en Zo. Definitely recommended for a fun night out.
Things to do: The Commewijne plantations
After lunch, visit the Commewijne plantations, which are easily accessible from Paramaribo. A number of plantations, such as Peperpot, Bakkie and Frederiksdorp, have been restored to their former glory. A visit to one of these plantations will teach you more about colonial history.
In this context, a visit to the Mariënburg plantation is also highly recommended. This large plantation and factory complex is now completely derelict, but it tells the story of the uprising by the Javanese and Hindustani indentured labourers. Mr Soekardi, now 85 years old, grew up and worked at Mariënburg. He has written a book about it and, despite his advanced age, still works as a guide. He believes that the story of the plantation and the history of the Javanese and Hindustani indentured labourers must not be lost.
Things to do: Spot dolphins at Sotalia
In the afternoon, set off from the Commewijne in a korjaal – a typical narrow Surinamese boat – accompanied by a guide, and head up the Commewijne River. Your guide will take you to the confluence where the Commewijne and Suriname rivers merge to flow together into the Caribbean Sea. At this point, you’ll have the chance to spot one of the rarest species of dolphin. This is the habitat of the Sotalia dolphin, a species found only in the Guianas. My daughter called this the most extraordinary experience she’d ever had.
Dining: The Javanese neighbourhood of Blauwgrond
Around half past six, as evening falls, you’ll arrive in Blauwgrond, Paramaribo’s Javanese neighbourhood. I’d definitely recommend grabbing a bite to eat here too. It sometimes feels as if you’re in Indonesia. You’ll find plenty of Javanese restaurants here, known as ‘warungs’, where delicious rice platters are served. I had a lovely meal at Mirosso myself.
A night out: a drink at ’t Vat
If you walk back to your hotel after dinner, you won’t be far from ’t Vat, where you can round off your day with a drink. ’t Vat is a household name in Paramaribo. It has a terrace where both tourists and locals gather for an ice-cold Parbo beer.
Accommodation: Royal Torarica
After a long day exploring colourful Paramaribo and its fascinating surroundings, I can imagine you’re looking forward to a cosy bed in a good hotel. For us, the Royal Torarica is the best option in Paramaribo. The hotel is situated close to the historic centre of Paramaribo, yet overlooks the Suriname River and boasts a lovely garden that connects the hotel and its terrace with swimming pool to the riverbank.
Photo source: Royal Torarica
Want to know more about a trip of Suriname?
Would you like to find out more about a trip of Suriname including a visit to Paramaribo? We’d be happy to help. Please feel free to contact us for further information or a bespoke travel proposal. Call +31 73 610 62 04 or send an email to info@sapapanatravel.nl.
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