0.5 km from the centre
Central Market Paramaribo: vegetables, fish and everything between
The Central Market on the Waterkant in Paramaribo is the largest market in Suriname, with vegetables, spices, fish and meat on the ground floor and clothing and household goods above. Entry is free and the stalls are fullest between 07:00 and 11:00.
Check this Opening hours and entry prices in Suriname change without notice. Call or message ahead if you are coming specifically for this.
This is where you see what Surinamese cooking actually is inside five minutes: pomtayer, cassava, long bean, antroewa, bitter gourd, taro leaf, mountains of Madame Jeanette peppers, dried fish, fresh herbs.
The fish hall is the loudest and wettest part and the most interesting. Around the edge sit the herb sellers, whose stalls carry medicinal plants and materials for winti rituals alongside kitchen herbs.
Go in the morning: by noon the best of it has gone, and by three the fish hall smells like three in the afternoon.
Frequently asked questions
What are the opening hours of the Central Market in Paramaribo?
The market runs from early morning into the afternoon, with the fullest stalls between 07:00 and 11:00. Later in the day many vegetable and fish sellers are already packing up.
Can you pay by card at the market?
No, bring cash in Surinamese dollars (SRD). Small notes are best; change for large notes is often a problem.