"Paramaribo" Top 5 Page for this destination Paramaribo by grets

Paramaribo Travel Guide: 81 reviews and 180 photos

Paramaribo, the capital of Surinam and its largest city, is known as the wooden city of the Caribbean. Some of the buildings were destroyed by fires in 1821 and 1832, but many white-painted colonial buildings remain. The inner city has been placed on the UNESCO “World Heritage” list of historical monuments since 2002, and the buildings are slowly being restored to their former glory. Around 250,000 people live in Paramaribo, which is located on the Surinam River, ca 10m inland from the Atlantic Ocean. In 1630 the area was settled by the British and became the capital of the British colony in 1650. In 1667 it was ceded to Dutch colonial rule. The current inhabitants and mainly of Asian, African, indigenous or Dutch descent. The name Paramaribo is derived from 'Paramurubo,' the name of an old Arrawak village, which means 'city of parwa blossoms.

Pros and Cons

Pros:Beautiful architecture, very clean and comfortable
Cons:The heat and humidity
In a nutshell:The wonderful wooden city of the Caribbean

Last visit to Paramaribo: Oct 2004
Intro Updated Oct 20, 2004
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Reviews (34)

Everything you could possibly want to... Shopping (1)

This famous and very large souvenir shop in the centre of Paramaribo, sell everything you could possibly ever have... more travel advice

My first Korean Restaurants (3)

To think that I had to travel all the way to Surinam in South America to get my first experience with Korean food! And a... more travel advice

Enormous portions! Restaurants (3)

Just an easy stroll away from our hotel was this very good Chinese restaurant. There is a take away desk downstairs and... more travel advice

Riverboat Transportation (3)

From New Amsterdam Pier in Commewijne, we returned to Paramaribo by water taxi. All passengers must wear a life jacket... more travel advice

Off The Beaten Path (7)
See All Riverside
Things to Do (19)
See All Arya Dewaker Hindu Temple

Hotels (1)
A welcome sight after a long flight
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Travelogues (5)

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Comments (13)

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Jasperjolly Oct 24, 2009 at 9:46 AM

How much is it for an hour rent !!!
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deecat Apr 14, 2005 at 8:28 AM

I love the way you included all the different churches. Yes, this is a great architectual page. Some wonderful restuarant tips. Boy, do you travel!
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lotharlerch Mar 20, 2005 at 3:13 AM

An other great and interesting page
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ATLC Mar 14, 2005 at 10:44 PM

Excellent page. The thin dark green beans are called 'kouseband' (garter beans) for obvious reasons!
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cazz38 Jan 7, 2005 at 4:49 AM

Another lovely page Grete,beautiful buildings.
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belgianchocolate Dec 21, 2004 at 6:33 AM

Last year I went to that other Dutch ex-colony : Batavia. But it is completely different , indeed great architecture and of course great writing. :-)
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pepples46 Nov 21, 2004 at 8:06 PM

Surinam always intrigued and interested me, exotic and far away place and Paramaribo just rolls of the tongue like a sweet/sour meal...or fruit. Madam Duplessis, what a p(b)itch she was!! superbpage Grete
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lvdpiet Nov 11, 2004 at 1:34 PM

I'll never been to P. myself and I am Dutch! Envy! Very nicely done this page!
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herzog63 Nov 4, 2004 at 10:44 AM

All the way to Paramaribo to eat Korean food!! hahaha Miss Duplessis seems like quite a character! Can you say Onafhankelijksplein 3 times fast?BTW..watch your head on the boats!! Wonderful!!!
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kyoub Oct 25, 2004 at 4:02 AM

A very interesting page, Grete The Korean food does sound good.