Exercise Normal Precautions
“Reissued with obsolete COVID-19 page links removed. Exercise normal precautions in Suriname.”
Updated Fri, 13 Dec 2024
Full advisory →Is Paramaribo safe? 🇸🇷
Suriname · Safety report last updated
As of July 2026, Paramaribo scores 67/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: mostly — take normal precautions. Yes — Paramaribo is generally safe for visitors who exercise normal precautions. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (moderate risk) and robbery (moderate risk). The U.S. State Department rates it Level 1 (Exercise Normal Precautions).
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Paramaribo 🇸🇷
Suriname · Assessed 29 July 2026
67
/ 100
Mostly — take normal precautions
Safer than ~68% of countries
What drives this score
Crime56/100FairCrime index 51.3 / 100 · city-level
Sentiment65/100FairMixed
Advisories97Good
Stability69Fair
Health72Good
01 · Official Guidance
Advisories
Good
No advisory against travel
“Before you travel No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide.”
Updated 2025-12-10T12:41:46Z
Full advisory →Exercise normal security precautions
“Canada's official risk level for Suriname: exercise normal security precautions.”
Updated 2026-07-08T09:16:46.1998207-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Crime
Fair
Homicide rate
6.5 / 100kHomicide rate · per 100kJapan0.2Switzerland0.6World avg5.2United States5.8Suriname6.5Brazil19.3South Africa43.7
59
Robbery / mugging
ModerateMugging and armed robbery are uncommon but can occur in isolated areas such as Palm Garden after dark
Pickpocketing
ModeratePickpocketing and bag‑snatching are common in business districts, shopping areas and near popular hotels
03 · Environment
Health & Air
Good
04 · Institutions
Stability
Fair
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Moderate
Traveller sentiment score
Mixed
65/100
Reported feel62Mixed
Robbery risk62Moderate risk
Pickpocket risk78Moderate risk
Recent traveler reports describe feeling generally safe during daylight but uneasy after dark, especially in peripheral districts.
Yes — Paramaribo is generally safe for visitors who exercise normal precautions.
Crime scores moderate (56) and visitor‑reported feeling safe is low (47), reflecting petty theft in busy areas but limited violent crime against tourists. Official advisories are Level 1 (Exercise Normal Precautions) from the U.S., Canada and the UK, and the composite index of 67 indicates a moderate overall risk.
Recent developments
- Dec 2025Knife attack outside Suriname's capital Paramaribo kills nine, including five children; police responded to multiple stabbing incidents— BBC
- Dec 2025Man kills nine, including his children, in a Paramaribo stabbing; police report a domestic‑violence‑related incident— The Washington Post
- Jun 2026Travel Off Path article highlights increasing petty‑theft reports in Paramaribo’s business districts— Travel Off Path
- May 2025UNODC report notes a rise in domestic‑violence cases despite overall crime‑rate decline— UNODC
Common scams
- fake tour or transport operators
- overcharging for taxis and tours
- currency‑exchange scams
Full briefing
Safety Briefing
Paramaribo is considered safe for travelers who follow basic precautions. The composite safety index of 67 reflects a moderate overall risk, driven primarily by petty theft rather than violent crime. Official U.S., Canadian and UK advisories all sit at Level 1 — Exercise Normal Precautions — indicating that while the city is not high‑danger, visitors must stay alert.
Recent dossier items show a spike in knife‑attack reports from December 2025 that resulted in nine deaths, including children, but these incidents were isolated and not targeted at tourists. More relevant to most visitors is the increase in pickpocketing and bag‑snatching noted in June 2026 by Travel Off Path, especially in the bustling business and shopping districts. The city’s historic centre remains the safest zone during daylight, yet night‑time walks in poorly lit peripheral areas such as Palm Garden carry a higher robbery risk.
Travelers commonly report feeling moderately safe in daylight but uneasy after dark, a sentiment reflected in the 47 % “feel safe walking alone after dark” figure. Scams typically involve fake tour operators, overcharging for taxis and currency‑exchange tricks; using registered taxis, ride‑hailing apps and keeping valuables concealed mitigates these threats. Although violent crime against tourists is low, isolated attacks have occurred, so avoid isolated neighborhoods after dark and stick to well‑patrolled areas. By staying vigilant, using secure transport and keeping belongings protected, visitors can enjoy Paramaribo’s cultural highlights with minimal safety concerns.
06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 6 Paramaribo districts for visitors: 2 safer, 2 needing caution and 2 best avoided. See them plotted on the Paramaribo safety map.
LatouravoidHigh petty crime rates, especially pickpocketing and bag snatching, documented in recent police reports and travel advisories
PontbuitenavoidNoted in 2025 Times of Suriname as hotspot for violent robberies and knife attacks, avoid especially after dark
JodensavannecautionHistoric plantation site outside city centre, limited lighting at night and sparse police patrols, petty theft reported
Residential expat enclavescautionGenerally safe but isolated areas may lack street lighting and have limited police response, require registered transport at night
Historic CentresaferUNESCO area with heavy police and tourist presence during daylight, low violent crime
WaterkantsaferPopular waterfront with restaurants and bars, frequented by locals and tourists, generally safe after dark with registered taxis available
07 · After Dark
Is Paramaribo safe at night?
47% of people in Suriname say they feel safe walking alone at night in their area (UN SDG survey, 2018).
Mugging and armed robbery are uncommon but can occur in isolated areas such as Palm Garden after dark
After dark, be most careful around Latour, Pontbuiten, Jodensavanne, Residential expat enclaves. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Trip Profiles
Score by traveller type
Who's travelling changes which risks matter. These re-weight Paramaribo's category data for common trip types — same data, different emphasis. Run your own profile from the interactive checker.
Solo female travellerCrime +35% weight63
Solo travellerCrime +23% weight64
Family with kidsCrime +19% weight · Health & Air +12% weight66
Nightlife-focused tripCrime +28% weight64
Travellers 65+Crime +13% weight · Health & Air +16% weight · Stability +4% weight66
Business tripCrime +14% weight · Stability +6% weight66
09 · Questions
Paramaribo safety FAQ
Is Paramaribo safe for tourists right now?
Yes — Paramaribo is generally safe for visitors who exercise normal precautions. Crime scores moderate (56) and visitor‑reported feeling safe is low (47), reflecting petty theft in busy areas but limited violent crime against tourists. Official advisories are Level 1 (Exercise Normal Precautions) from the U.S., Canada and the UK, and the composite index of 67 indicates a moderate overall risk. (Assessed 29 July 2026.)
Which areas of Paramaribo should tourists avoid?
Field research flags Latour, Pontbuiten as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
What are the most common scams in Paramaribo?
- fake tour or transport operators
- overcharging for taxis and tours
- currency‑exchange scams
How does Paramaribo compare with other places in Suriname?
Paramaribo scores 67/100 — see the Suriname safety overview for country-level data.
How is this Paramaribo safety score calculated?
The score blends 13+ public data sources — government advisories, UNODC/World Bank crime statistics, WHO health data, live air quality and disaster alerts — with AI field research over current local reporting. The databases carry 82% of the weight; the traveller-sentiment score from field research carries 18%. Full methodology.
Nearby destinations
4 reportsSimilar safety profile
4 reportsBrowse the Suriname safety overview or all destinations. Raw data: paramaribo.json (CC BY 4.0).