Backpacking in Suriname: Top 15 Sights in Paramaribo

paramaribo suriname backpacker

Backpacking in Paramaribo, Suriname – top 15 sights.

In my quest to try and completely write a “top 5/top 9,10,15” etc. list from all of the places I’ve ever been, I’m lagging very far behind. So much so that it was well over 3 years ago that I visited Paramaribo in Suriname for the first time and I’ve yet to properly cover my time there even though I loved the city! Suriname was one of the countries in South America I wanted to see the most mainly because I had rarely ever met somewhere from there or who had been there. That sort of intrigue and the voyage into the unknown constantly inspires, and I hope it rubs off on you too.

suriname paramaribo

Chilling by the I love SU sign at the waterfront in Paramaribo, Suriname.

I wanted to go and check Suriname out and I made it a priority, cutting out days of my Colombia and Venezuela time just so that I could head to Suriname. Suriname is a former Dutch Colony in South America with a very interesting history. The Dutch once swapped New York for this place with the British. Something to do with sugarcanes. What this means is, that when you go backpacking in Suriname, you’ll have almost the whole country to yourself.

suriname backpacking

Arrival in my guesthouse in Suriname – a cool Parbo beer and no backpackers about!

Before you get to backpacking in Paramaribo, you’ll need to get your Suriname Visa first. I got mine eventually in Caracas, which was a mission but I did it. I later revisited Suriname and got a double entry Suriname Visa in Cayenne, French Guyana. IN terms of getting to Suriname, I have entered the country three times:
1. By flight into Zanderij Airport
2. By boat into Albina from French Guyana
3. By ferry into South Drain from Guyana
When I was based in Paramaribo I stayed in two different places. The Guesthouse Amice is excellent – wifi, breakfasts and a back garden pool. We also went self catering once to the Etienne’s Unique Fajalobi Apartments. And I now proudly present you with my top 15 sights from the city of Paramaribo, the capital of Suriname.

Downtown Paramaribo - a really cool capital city to check out.

Downtown Paramaribo – a really cool capital city to check out.

1. Waterkaant
Waterkaant is a must of course – it’s a UNESCO World Heritage listed street. You would swear that you are in the Netherlands. The Dutch influence of these buildings is clear to see. Perfect for a stroll and the avid cameraman/woman.

Waterkaant in Paramaribo, Suriname.

Waterkaant in Paramaribo, Suriname.

2. Onafhankelijkheidsplein
A tongue twister if ever there was one, and there was one and this is it. Get your gob round this one: Onafhankelijkheidsplein!

independence square paramaribo

Onafhankelijkheidsplein, Independence Square in Paramaribo, Suriname.

Onafhankelijkheidsplein is the main square in downtown Paramaribo. The Dutch influence won’t wear off I assure you, but if you want to know, translated into English this means “Independence Square”.

independence square paramaribo

Onafhankelijkheidsplein – Independence Square in Paramaribo, Suriname.

It’s a grassy area which (as you face the river) has the Waterkaant to the right, the Presidential Palace to the left, Fort Zeelandia ahead and a statue of Pengel, the former Prime Minister and a popular figure. On Sunday mornings the square becomes part of a Tweetyfest! A local bird singing competition.

Flags of the world at Independence Square, Paramaribo, Suriname.

Flags of the world at Independence Square, Paramaribo, Suriname.

3. Presidential Palace

Suriname is a relatively “new country” well it was formed in the 1970s, but the parliament building sits proudly in Onafhankelijkheidsplein. This is apparently only open to the public on the 25th November. It’s an elaborate white building with a Suriname flag flying in front of it.

suriname paramaribo palace

Flying my Northern Ireland flag at the Presidential Palace in Paramaribo, Suriname.

4. Arya Dewaker Hindu Temple
Suriname is an eclectic mix of religions. There isn’t another country in the world quite like it (yes not even Singapore). All these religious buildings sit side by side throughout the city. The Arya Dewaker Hindu Temple is worth checking out. There was also a cool one near my hostel/guesthouse.

Hindu Temple in Paramaribo, Suriname.

A Hindu Temple in Paramaribo, Suriname.

5. Mosque Keizerstraat
Religion will feature in four separate elegant buildings in my Paramaribo top 10 and rightly so. I loved free spirited Paramaribo. Anything goes here. As the Lonely Planet once wrote (something similar) laid back Amsterdam meets the Wild West on a hill where Palestinians and Israelis live and eat side by side in harmony. You better believe it. On Keizerstraat sits the massive Mosque Keizerstraat the National Mosque of the country. In South America you’d do well to find better Mosques than this one. Somewhat epic.

mosque in paramaribo suriname

Keizerstraat Mosque – surely one of the finest in South America.

6. Neveh Shalom Synagogue
I’m not sure if this is a world’s first or only or not, but it sure as hell sends out a positive message to the rest of the planet. DIRECTLY next door to the Mosque. Yes – Synagogue and Mosque side by side. Amazing stuff. Say a prayer for Palestine and Israel as you dander nonchalantly past. Inspiring.

paramaribo suriname

Standing in the middle – between the Synagogue and Mosque in Paramaribo, Suriname.

7. St. Peter and St. Paul Cathedral
This elegant Catholic Cathedral provides Paramaribites with their Roman Catholic fix, while at the same time it is the largest wooden structure in the Western Hemisphere! That’s crazy isn’t it? It even beats the USA to this label. Locals will claim it’s the biggest wooden structure in the world, but there are rumours that New Zealand and Japan have bigger ones. Stop by, admire and go on in…

paramaribo suriname

The Largest Wooden Building in the World? This is the yellow and blue St. Peter and St. Paul’s Cathedral in Paramaribo, Suriname.

The blue and yellow colours are memorable and you can get inside.

cathedral paramaribo

Inside the wooden Cathedral in Paramaribo, Suriname.

8. National Football Stadium
I was intrigued by Suriname when it came to football. As a keen football fan, this former Dutch colony really could have been World Champions! Eh? Yes really – Dutch players such as Edgar Davids, Ruud Gullit, Aron Winter, Regi Blinker, Clarence Seedorf and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink.

suriname football stadium

At the Andre Kamperveen Stadion in Paramaribo, Suriname.

Also for some reason, despite being a South American team, they play their World Cup qualifiers in the Central American section and they also don’t enter the Copa America. I reckon given their talent, they would be a dark horse for World Cup qualification if they entered with their stronger neighbours – the country borders Brazil.

suriname football stadium

On the pitch in Paramaribo – the Surinamese could have been World Champions you know…

Down the years Suriname have beaten the USA and Denmark in internationals, but lost their only ever match against the Netherlands. Apparently there is a new bigger national stadium built, or in progress. When I was there I headed to the Andre Kamperveen Stadion and was able to get into the stands and onto the pitch. Collectors will LOVE the joint Suriname and Netherlands shirts available.

football shirt holland suriname

Holland and Suriname joint shirts!

9. National Assembly
Also situated off Independence Square is the National Assembly building. The constitution is written in Dutch, entry isn’t permitted to backpackers, normally.

suriname paramaribo

The National Assembly in Paramaribo, Suriname.

10. Stichting Surinaams Museum
Down by the waterfront, to the west side is a small museum. This is a good place to check out relics remaining from the colonial times and some local art and exhibitions.

museum paramaribo

The Suriname Museum

11. Fort Zeelandia
Fort Zeelandia is a typical Dutch Fort and though it’s not too touristy or popular it does give you a good idea of the Dutch influence here. Once they build a fort you know they mean business.

zeelandia paramaribo suriname

Fort Zeelandia down by the seafront in Paramaribo, Suriname.

12. The Palmentuin
I was actually warned that this leafy area near the parliament is where all the tramps, druggies and suspicious characters hang out. I never went there at night but during the day it seemed like a cool place.

palmentuin paramaribo, suriname

The Palmentuin – looks leafy and a nice spot for a walk but it can be dangerous.

13. Royal Torarica Hotel
As a backpacker, this place breaks the bank, but having a snoop around is always allowed and this swanky hotel has a cool bar. It won’t break the bank to pop in for an ice cold Parbo – incidentally Surinamese beer is among the best I’ve tried. I loved Parbo beer.

posh hotel paramaribo

Visit one of the posh hotels for a quick beer!

14. Waag (Weighing House)
A bit of a sad history here at the Waag. Here they used to weigh slaves and the best ones would make it and be exploited and over worked. The lighter ones would end up mal nourished. Rumour has it that this building is ironically now a restaurant. It’s on the Waterkaant.

waag weighing house paramaribo

Den Waag – the Weighing House.

15. Commewijne River
Escaping the madness (!) of central Paramaribo isn’t too hard. Buses and mini buses janut all around town and you can take a boat trip on the Commewijne River. Most people use it as a gateway to the Nature Reserve and Sugar Cane tours which are outside of Paramaribo itself. Check out my Suriname Sugar Cane Tour review.

river in suriname

The Commewijne River in Paramaribo Suriname.

Those 15 things should keep you occupied for a few days in the capital of Suriname. Here are some of my videos from backpacking in Suriname and exploring Paramaribo:

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