Paramaribo is the capital of Suriname, a country in northern South America. It lies on the Suriname River, approximately 15 km inland from the Atlantic Ocean. There is great cultural diversity in Paramaribo, which is reflected in the Dutch, French, Spanish and British colonial architecture. Imposing brick buildings overlook grassy squares and wooden houses crowd narrow streets. Towering palms shade some areas and mangroves still hug the riverside. Mosques and synagogues sit side by side, while Javanese vendors peddle satay and Dutch-speaking Creoles guzzle beer at sidewalk cafés.
Central Paramaribo's focus is the Onafhankelijksplein (Unity Square), fronting the Presidential Palace. Immediately behind the palace is the Palmentuin, an attractive park with tall palms inhabited by tropical birds. To the east is Fort Zeelandia, a 17-century riverside fortification used for the detention and torture of political prisoners after the coup of 1980. The main market is found on the riverside boulevard, Waterkrant, and ferries for Meerzog, on the other side of the river, leave from nearby.
Things to See and Do
* Independence Square
* Fort Zeelandia
* Palmentuin – Palm Garden
* Waterkrant boulevard
* Walking tour
Cruise Season – Jan - Dec
Currency – Surinamese dollar (SRD)
Language – Dutch
Land Area – 183 km²
Population – 250,000
Electricity – 2 perpendicular flat pins USA style or with a round pin below or 2 round pins European style
Time – GMT minus three hours
International Country Telephone Code – + 597
Port Location – The port of Paramaribo is located on the Paramaribo river.
Transport Links - Paramaribo is served by the Johan Adolf Pengel International Airport and Zorg-en-Hoop for local flights. KLM has three weekly direct flights from Amsterdam. Coming from Europe another alternative is to fly with Air France from Paris to Cayenne (in French Guiana) and travel overland from there. A bus runs from the Airport Zanderij into Paramaribo, taking about an hour.