Dolphins, Songbirds and Markets in Paramaribo
The best way to plan activities in Paramaribo is by the clock. The city runs on early mornings and cool evenings, and several of its best experiences happen at fixed times. Daytime temperatures stay between 26 and 32 degrees Celsius all year. The currency is the Surinamese dollar (SRD), though boat and lodge operators often price in euros or US dollars. Cash is the usual way to pay, and cards work mostly in larger hotels and supermarkets.
Sunday, 06:00 to 09:00: songbird contests
On Sunday mornings Independence Square hosts a long-running local tradition. Owners bring prize songbirds in handmade cages of brass, mahogany and wire. Pairs of birds are hung facing each other, and referees count their whistles and trills on chalk scoreboards over rounds of 10 or 15 minutes. The species you will hear named are the twa-twa (great-billed seed-finch), the rowti and the picolet. It costs nothing to watch. Keep your voice down and ask permission before pointing a camera at the owners.
Monday to Saturday, 06:00 to 16:00: Centrale Markt
The Centrale Markt on the Waterkant is a large covered market. Fruit stalls sell papaya, soursop and maripa. Fishmongers sell krobia and anjumara from the river. In the rear annex Maroon women sell medicinal barks, roots and herbal tonics used in cleansing rituals. These stalls are part of a living tradition, so ask before you take photographs. Bags and cameras attract attention near the minibus ranks.
Late afternoon: dolphin cruise
Covered wooden boats take passengers from the Leonsberg jetty, about 8 km north of the centre, out to the estuary where Guiana dolphins feed. The trip takes about three hours. Operators have charged from about EUR 30 to USD 41 per person. Dolphins do not always appear. Operators should keep their distance and not feed or chase the animals, so choose one that does.
From 17:00: Waterkant food stalls
As the heat eases, the promenade by the river fills with food stalls and wooden pavilions. A solid first meal is telo met bakkeljauw, which is fried cassava with salted cod, followed by saoto soup or a roti roll. Beer comes in 1-litre brown bottles of Parbo. Arrive before dark and arrange a taxi for the return. Drivers set the fare before you board, and a short ride in the centre is about SRD 100 to 150.
A day in the forest: Colakreek
Colakreek is a forest creek near Zanderij in the Para District, about 50 km from the city. The water is the colour of weak tea because of fallen vegetation. Facilities include piers, slides and hammocks. No lifeguard is on duty, and swimming is at your own risk, so go with a group and keep a close eye on anyone who is not a confident swimmer.
Where not to swim
The Suriname River at Paramaribo is wide, tidal and busy with cargo ships, so swimming there is dangerous. The coast has mangrove and mudflats rather than resort beaches.
Entry and safety
Most visitors buy an Entry Fee online before they travel, at about USD 50 to 58 with the handling fee, and everyone fills in the Immigration and Customs Form at icf.sr . Stays of up to 90 days are allowed, as set out in the UK government entry page . Petty and violent crime occurs in the city, so avoid the Palmentuin and riverbank after dark.
Read more: Walking Tours in Paramaribo links the historic stops with a short route.
Booking help
Boat trips and guided excursions are listed on Viator .