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Paramaribo — travel, stays & events guide
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Paramaribo, SurinameOpen-Meteo forecast.
Paramaribo city overview
Paramaribo is a city in Suriname shaped by its region, population, local economy, landmarks, climate and civic history. This overview summarizes the city itself: where it sits, what defines it, which places anchor its identity and why it matters within the wider country.
City facts
Known forParamaribo, Capital city in Suriname, Paramaribo planning base 3, Paramaribo planning base 4
RegionSurinameSuriname
Time zoneAmerica/Paramaribolocal time
Founded1613historical origin
City history
This was the location of the first Dutch settlement, a trading post established by Nicolaes Baliestel and Dirck Claeszoon van Sanen in 1613.
English and French traders also tried to establish settlements in Suriname, including a French post established in 1644 near present-day Paramaribo.
All earlier settlements were abandoned sometime before the arrival of English settlers in 1650 to found Surinam.
In 1662, Governor Willoughby was granted the settlement and surrounding lands (extending into Suriname's interior) by King Charles II.
Around 1665 the village of Paramaribo was expanded and quickly outranked the earlier settlement of Torarica.
In 1667, during the Second Anglo-Dutch War, Paramaribo was conquered by a squadron of ships under Abraham Crijnssen.
The old town has suffered many devastating fires over the years, notably in January 1821 (which destroyed over 400 buildings) and September 1832 (which destroyed nearly 50 buildings).
Paramaribo has remained the capital of Suriname, from its colonial days through the independence of Suriname in 1975 to the present day.
In 1987, an administrative reorganization took place in Suriname and the city was divided into 12 administrative resorts (jurisdictions).
They were sent by the English governor of Barbados, Lord Francis Willoughby, 5th Baron Willoughby of Parham, and established a town on the site of Paramaribo (though probably south of the current town center).
The town was protected by a fort, called Fort Willoughby.
Among the first British settlers were many Jews and one of the oldest synagogues in the Americas, the Neveh Shalom Synagogue, is found in Paramaribo.
Worth seeing
Paramaribo
Paramaribo is a practical Paramaribo planning anchor: compare its location, transfer time, nearby hotel bases and event timing before you lock the day plan.
Capital city in Suriname
Capital city in Suriname is a practical Paramaribo planning anchor: compare its location, transfer time, nearby hotel bases and event timing before you lock the day plan.
Paramaribo planning base 3
Paramaribo planning base 3 is a practical Paramaribo planning anchor: compare its location, transfer time, nearby hotel bases and event timing before you lock the day plan.
Paramaribo planning base 4
Paramaribo planning base 4 is a practical Paramaribo planning anchor: compare its location, transfer time, nearby hotel bases and event timing before you lock the day plan.
Paramaribo planning base 5
Paramaribo planning base 5 is a practical Paramaribo planning anchor: compare its location, transfer time, nearby hotel bases and event timing before you lock the day plan.
Paramaribo planning base 6
Paramaribo planning base 6 is a practical Paramaribo planning anchor: compare its location, transfer time, nearby hotel bases and event timing before you lock the day plan.
Stay overview
Compare Paramaribo before booking Paramaribo hotels. Start with the places you will repeat most, then check airport timing, parking, nightly price and event demand before choosing the final base.
Hotels & areas
Compare accommodation options in and around Paramaribo by area, not only by nightly price. A cheaper room can become expensive when airport transfers, parking, attraction routes, late arrivals or event-week demand add time and cost.
Compare stays in Paramaribo, SurinameFlights & airports
Main airport TBC arrival plan
- Paramaribo airport accessMain gateway TBC.
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Rental cars
Paramaribo day-trip car use
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Compare rental carsTravel tips
Best time to visit
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Transport notes
Choose a base around the trips you will repeat most: airport, station, old town, waterfront, venue district or day-trip route.
Crowds
Prices can jump around festivals, conventions, school holidays, cruise days, ski weeks, race weekends and large sports events.
Booking detail
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Upcoming events
No upcoming Paramaribo events in the shared event index yet.