Paramaribo Walking Routes

Paramaribo’s old town is flat and small enough to walk, and two routes work well depending on the time of day. The morning loop of about 3.5 km runs for roughly 2.5 hours and includes the fort, which closes early in the afternoon. The afternoon walk is shorter and finishes at the river as the food stalls open. Guided versions are sold by local agencies for about EUR 20 to 25 per person.

Morning loop, about 3.5 km

Start at 07:30 on the Waterkant, where the wooden merchant houses at numbers 2 to 8 face the river. Walk to the Centrale Markt, open Monday to Saturday from 06:00 to 16:00, and look at the fruit stalls. Then turn inland to Keizerstraat and pass Neveh Shalom synagogue and Mosque Keizerstraat, which stand side by side. Visits inside the synagogue must be arranged beforehand.

Continue to Henck Arronstraat and Saint Peter and Paul Cathedral, where the unpainted cedar interior is worth a few minutes outside Mass. Next, pass through the Palmentuin and out to Independence Square for the Presidential Palace, the Court of Justice and the statues of Johan Adolf Pengel and Jagernath Lachmon. Finish at Fort Zeelandia on Abraham Crijnssenweg.

Arrive at the fort during opening hours, which are Tuesday to Friday 09:00 to 14:00 and Sunday 10:00 to 14:00, and not on Monday or Saturday. Bastion Veere in the fort is a national monument to fifteen men killed in December 1982, so slow down and speak softly there. Confirm the hours and fees before you head out.

Afternoon stroll

Start at 15:30 at Saint Peter and Paul Cathedral and take Henck Arronstraat toward the river. Cross Independence Square and look at the palace front, then continue to the Waterkant. Walk its length, then stop at the stalls that open about 17:00 for a roti roll or telo met bakkeljauw. Take a taxi back to your hotel after dark. Skip the Palmentuin on this route, since crime has been reported in the park and it is best used in daylight.

Heat, water and footing

  • Equatorial sun is strongest around midday, so keep to the 07:30 to 10:30 and 15:30 to 18:00 windows.
  • Treated tap water is safe to drink in Paramaribo, so a refillable bottle saves money.
  • Pavements are uneven, and open drains called goten run beside many streets. Flat, sturdy shoes are the best choice.

Safety

The old town is comfortable by day. Even so, keep phones and cameras close near the minibus ranks beside the Centrale Markt, and do not walk the riverbank in the dark. Petty and violent crime occurs in Paramaribo. The Jules Wijdenbosch Bridge carries vehicles to Meerzorg and is not a walking route. The UK government safety page has further advice.

Read more: Sightseeing in Paramaribo and the two day Suriname itinerary .

Where to find a guide

Guided old town walks can be searched on Viator .