Exercise Normal Precautions
“Exercise normal precautionin Suriname. Suriname is generally a safe destination for travelers Review the Travel Guidance to learn how to prepare for a safe trip.”
Updated Tue, 08 Sep 2026
Full advisory →Personalize report nowTailor this report to you.Next: age, gender, group size preference…Next: the latest news and insightsNext: one click, 5 seconds, no costStart now8 districts
Is Paramaribo safe? 🇸🇷
Suriname · Safety report last updated
As of October 2026, Paramaribo scores 69/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: yes — generally safe. Yes. Paramaribo is generally safe for visitors who exercise normal precautions, with petty crime being the main concern. 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 8 October 2026
69
/ 100
What drives this score
Crime63/100FairHomicide 6.5 / 100k
Sentiment67/100FairMostly positive
Advisories100Good
Stability71Good
Health76Good
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 2026-10-07T10:38:54Z
Full advisory →Exercise normal security precautions
“Canada's official risk level for Suriname: exercise normal security precautions.”
Updated 2026-10-01T11:07:43.3410066-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Crime
Fair
Urban scale factor
224k residents
82
City SignalCity Geocoding
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
Good
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Moderate
Traveller sentiment score
Mostly positive
67/100
Reported feel66Mostly positive
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, with petty crime being the main concern.
Paramaribo presents moderate safety challenges, primarily pickpocketing and petty theft in business districts and shopping areas, while violent crime against tourists remains relatively low. The UNESCO historic center is safe during daylight, but areas like Palm Garden and peripheral districts require caution after dark. Recent traveler reports indicate feeling generally safe by day but uneasy at night in less populated areas.
Recent developments
- Dec 2025Nine people, including five children, killed in a stabbing attack outside Paramaribo— BBC
- Dec 2025Knife attack in Suriname kills at least nine people, including children— CBS News
- Jul 2026Suriname court convicts Dutch driver in passenger bus crash that killed five— NL Times
Common scams
- Taxi overcharging
- Jungle tour operator fraud
- Currency exchange traps
Full briefing
Paramaribo’s historic UNESCO center remains the safest zone for tourists during daylight, with regular foot traffic and tourist police presence. Pickpocketing and bag-snatching are frequently reported in main shopping and business areas, particularly around hotels and markets, warranting extra vigilance with valuables. While violent crime against visitors is low, isolated incidents like armed robbery can occur after dark in peripheral areas such as Palm Garden, which is known for drug-related activity and should be avoided at night.
Recent events underscore the importance of situational awareness: a fatal stabbing attack in December 2025 outside Paramaribo claimed nine lives, including five children, as reported by BBC and CBS News. In July 2026, a Dutch driver was convicted in a passenger bus crash that killed five, per NL Times. These incidents, while not targeting tourists, reflect broader safety dynamics in urban areas. Travelers should use registered taxis or ride-hailing apps after dark and avoid walking alone in unlit or quiet streets.
Common scams targeting visitors include taxi overcharging, fraudulent jungle tour operators, and currency exchange traps, as highlighted in 2026 travel guides. To stay safe, keep a low profile, use anti-theft bags in crowded areas, and arrange airport pickups and interior trips through licensed operators. The U.S. State Department, UK FCDO, and Canadian advisories all maintain Level 1 ratings, reinforcing that normal precautions are sufficient for a trouble-free visit when basic safety practices are followed.
Was this Paramaribo, Suriname report helpful?
06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 8 Paramaribo districts for visitors: 3 safer, 4 needing caution and 1 best avoided. See them plotted on the Paramaribo safety map.
Palm Garden (Palmentuin)avoidWell-known crime site for drug trade and petty theft; avoid especially after dark.
LatourcautionHigher crime rates reported; exercise extra caution, particularly at night.
PontbuitencautionElevated petty crime and robbery risk; avoid walking alone after dark.
WanicacautionPeripheral district with limited police presence; remain vigilant, especially after dark.
Central Market areacautionPickpocketing and bag-snatching common; keep valuables secure and avoid displaying expensive items.
Historic Center (UNESCO)saferGenerally safe during daylight with tourist police presence; avoid walking alone after dark.
FlorasaferPopular residential area with expats and tourists; generally safe during day and evening with normal precautions.
WaterkantsaferScenic riverside area; safe during daylight and early evening with normal precautions.
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 Palm Garden (Palmentuin), Latour, Pontbuiten, Wanica. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Questions
Paramaribo safety FAQ (2026)
Is Paramaribo safe right now (2026)?
Yes. Paramaribo is generally safe for visitors who exercise normal precautions, with petty crime being the main concern. Paramaribo presents moderate safety challenges, primarily pickpocketing and petty theft in business districts and shopping areas, while violent crime against tourists remains relatively low. The UNESCO historic center is safe during daylight, but areas like Palm Garden and peripheral districts require caution after dark. Recent traveler reports indicate feeling generally safe by day but uneasy at night in less populated areas. (Assessed 8 October 2026.)
Is Paramaribo safe for women, families and solo travelers?
Safety is not one number, and this Paramaribo report does not pretend it is: the score is re-weighted for who is travelling. A woman travelling alone, a family with children and a solo backpacker face different street-level risks, so the headline score shifts and the report leads with the findings that matter for that group. Personalize this report in one click to see the 2026 score and safety briefing for your specific travellers.
Which areas of Paramaribo should tourists avoid?
Field research flags Palm Garden (Palmentuin) as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
What are the most common scams in Paramaribo (2026)?
- Taxi overcharging
- Jungle tour operator fraud
- Currency exchange traps
How does Paramaribo compare with other places in Suriname (2026)?
Paramaribo scores 69/100 — see the Suriname safety overview for country-level data.
How is this paramaribo safety score calculated (2026)?
The score blends 12+ public data sources — government advisories, UNODC/World Bank crime statistics, FBI crime data for U.S. cities, WHO health data, live air quality and disaster alerts — with AI field research over current local reporting. The databases carry the bulk of the weight; the traveller-sentiment score from field research carries the rest. Full methodology.
Nearby destinations
4 reports
Similar safety profile
4 reports
Keep exploring
Raw data: paramaribo.json (CC BY 4.0).