0.4 km from the centre
The Waterkant: the oldest street in Paramaribo
The Waterkant is the oldest street in Paramaribo: a row of white timber merchant houses along the Suriname River, part of the UNESCO-protected townscape and the best-known place in the city to watch the sun go down, year-round between about 18:15 and 18:45.
Check this Opening hours and entry prices in Suriname change without notice. Call or message ahead if you are coming specifically for this.
The row of buildings on the Waterkant is the image on every photograph of Paramaribo. They were warehouses and merchant houses; the river was the port, and everything entering or leaving the country passed here.
Under the trees on the quay, food carts set up in the evening: bara, bakabana, telo, grilled chicken. That is the cheapest and best way to eat here.
The best view of the Waterkant is not from the Waterkant but from the water. Take the boat to Commewijne and you see the street as it was meant to be seen.
Frequently asked questions
What time does the sun set in Paramaribo?
Between roughly 18:15 and 18:45, all year: Suriname sits close to the equator, so sunset barely moves. Twilight is short, it is dark within half an hour.
Is the Waterkant safe?
By day and until around 21:00 it is busy and unremarkable. After that, do not walk the quay alone and take a taxi from a company. Most incidents in Paramaribo are pickpocketing rather than violence.