Directly behind the Presidential Palace lies a rectangle of tall royal palms, hundreds of them, planted in loose rows over grass. The Palmentuin began in the late 17th century as the private garden of Governor Cornelis van Aerssen van Sommelsdijck and was opened to the public in the early 20th century.
It is part of the World Heritage site and the only real park in the old town. It is not manicured — expect fallen fronds and uneven paths — but under the palms it is several degrees cooler than the street.
Top things to do: Palmentuin
Walk under the palms
A slow loop takes fifteen minutes. The trunks rise like columns and the crowns are full of birds: parakeets, tanagers and, with luck, a toucan. Look for the drainage channels that keep the garden from flooding.
Watch the city relax
On weekends and holidays families picnic here and craft and food stalls appear along the edge. On 1 July, Keti Koti, the garden is at the centre of the celebrations.
Link the sights
The garden sits between Fort Zeelandia, Independence Square and the restaurant street of Kleine Waterstraat, so it makes a natural short cut and resting point.
How to get to Palmentuin
- Entrances are on Van Roseveltkade and beside the palace; it is two minutes’ walk from Fort Zeelandia and from the Torarica hotels.
- There is no entrance fee.
- Combine it with the inner-city walk.
Insider tips
- Go in daylight. Locals advise against walking through after dark.
- Keep bags closed and phones in hand — it is a quiet spot.
- After heavy rain the paths are muddy; mosquitoes like the shade as much as you do.
- Early morning is best for birds, late afternoon for light through the trunks.
Tours: Palmentuin
GetYourGuide lists only a handful of Suriname tours. These are the real, bookable ones most relevant to Palmentuin:
Private tour from €799 per group Paramaribo: Heritage & Landmarks Private Guided Walking Tour
The one dedicated city tour of Paramaribo on GetYourGuide: a private five-hour walk through the UNESCO-listed inner city with a local guide, taking in Fort Zeelandia, the Palm Garden, the markets and the Waterkant, with a meal along the way. It is priced per private group of up to three, so it works best when you can share the cost.
- Fort Zeelandia, the Palmentuin and the riverside
- Markets and colonial landmarks with a local guide
- Private group, meal included
Workshop from €55 Paramaribo: Hands-on Aromatherapy Candle Making Workshop
A gentle ninety-minute workshop in the city in which you pour and scent your own candle to take home. It has nothing to do with sightseeing, which is exactly the point: a good filler for a rainy afternoon or the hot middle of the day.
- Make your own Suriname-inspired candle
- Small group in a tropical setting
- A souvenir you take home the same day
