Overview
Paramaribo is the riverside capital of Suriname, on the north-eastern shoulder of South America. Its UNESCO-listed old town mixes Dutch colonial timber buildings with Creole, Javanese, Hindustani, Chinese and Indigenous culture, making it one of the continent's most diverse cities. For UK travellers it is an offbeat choice, often paired with a wider South America or Caribbean trip. Check the price charts on this page to see how current fares are moving before you book.
Best time to fly to Paramaribo
Suriname is hot and humid year-round, at around 30°C. The long dry season from early February to late April is the most comfortable time to visit and the best for river and plantation trips; a shorter drier spell runs from mid-August to early December. The heaviest rain falls between late April and mid-August. Fares climb around Christmas and the Dutch school holidays, so see the When to book chart above for the current pattern.
Airlines and routes
There are no direct flights from the UK to Paramaribo. The most reliable routing is with KLM or Surinam Airways via Amsterdam: about an hour from London Heathrow, London City or Manchester to Schiphol, then roughly 9 to 10 hours onward to Johan Adolf Pengel International. Allow 13 to 16 hours in total, depending on the connection. Routings via Trinidad, Curaçao or Aruba also work if you are adding a Caribbean stop.
Things to do in Paramaribo
The compact centre is easily walked, with day trips along the Suriname and Commewijne rivers.
- Historic Inner City: UNESCO-listed streets of white-painted Dutch colonial houses.
- Fort Zeelandia: 17th-century riverside fort housing the Suriname Museum.
- Sts Peter and Paul Cathedral Basilica: one of the largest wooden buildings in the Americas.
- Palmentuin: a peaceful royal palm garden in the city centre.
- Waterkant and the Central Market: riverfront street food, spices and sunset views.
At Johan Adolf Pengel International Airport (PBM)
The airport, still often called Zanderij, sits about 45 km (28 miles) south of Paramaribo, a 45 to 60 minute drive. Fixed-fare airport taxis and pre-booked hotel transfers are the usual way into town; agree the fare before you leave. Shared minibuses cost less but are less predictable. Smaller Zorg en Hoop Airport, near the city, handles domestic and some regional flights.
Top tips for finding cheap flights to Paramaribo
- Book around two to four months ahead; seats on the Amsterdam route are limited close to departure.
- Avoid Christmas, Easter and Dutch school holidays, when demand from the Netherlands peaks.
- Fly midweek and flex your dates by a day or two using the price charts on this page.
- Compare KLM and Surinam Airways on the same dates, and price up Caribbean routings as an alternative.
Travel essentials
UK passport holders normally need an e-Tourist Card or e-visa arranged online before departure; the rules have changed in recent years, so check current requirements and FCDO advice. Your passport should be valid for at least six months. The currency is the Surinamese dollar (SRD), but US dollars and euros are easy to exchange, and cash is essential outside larger hotels. A yellow fever certificate is required if you arrive from a country with transmission risk, and it is worth seeking anti-malarial advice if you plan to travel into the interior.
