Dcars: Keys to Suriname's Backroads
A locally run rental fleet built for everything from city errands to interior road trips
Why Go
Suriname rewards travelers who don't stay put ΓÇö and Dcars is the small, family-feeling rental outfit that quietly makes that possible. With more than 50 vehicles on the lot, both right-hand and left-hand drive, they're one of the few Paramaribo shops that can hand you a proper pickup for a Brownsberg run or a compact for weaving through Centrum's one-way grid, without the corporate-counter runaround.
The Experience
Walking in feels less like a rental counter and more like sorting things out with a friend who happens to own a garage. Paperwork moves quickly, staff will talk you through Suriname's left-hand traffic quirks (a leftover from the Dutch colonial system), and if you're staying nearby they'll simply drop the car at your guesthouse ΓÇö free within city limits. Expect a real conversation about where you're driving: they'll steer you toward a higher-clearance vehicle if you mention Atjoni or the Afobaka road, and hand you a tidy sedan if it's just Palmentuin and the seawall.
What to Try
Grab one of their pickups or SUVs for a two- or three-day loop into the interior ΓÇö Brownsberg Nature Park, the Afobaka dam, or the Commewijne plantations across the river. For city-only stays, the small hatchbacks are the sweet spot: easy to park along Waterkant and cheap on fuel. Business travelers should ask about the long-term lease program, which is priced very differently from the daily rate.
Insider Tip
Message them on WhatsApp (+597 876 9090) before you even land ΓÇö response times are faster than email, and they'll hold a specific vehicle rather than just a category. If you're headed into the interior, ask specifically for a 4x4 with a full-size spare and confirm whether your route requires the ferry at Atjoni; they know which cars are cleared for which roads.
The Practical Stuff
Rentals require a valid driver's license (an IDP is recommended but not always demanded), a credit card for the deposit, and minimum age is typically 23. Suriname drives on the left, so if you're coming from the US or continental Europe, take the first ten minutes slowly. Fuel stations thin out fast once you leave Paramaribo ΓÇö top up before crossing the Coppename. Free pickup and drop-off within Paramaribo city limits; airport transfers (about 45 km to JAP International) can be arranged for a fee.
Pair It With
- Brownsberg Nature Park — The classic reason to rent a higher-clearance vehicle ΓÇö a 2-hour drive south of Paramaribo into rainforest, waterfalls, and a lake overlook you can't reach on public transport.
- Commewijne plantation loop — A relaxed half-day self-drive across the river to Frederiksdorp and Marienburg ΓÇö flat roads, easy navigation, perfect for a compact from Dcars.
- 'T Vat Sidewalk Cafe Guide — A five-minute drive from the rental office and the obvious first stop after picking up your car ΓÇö grab a Parbo and plan the route over the map.
- Galibi turtle beaches — A long drive east to Albina plus a boat transfer ΓÇö worth asking Dcars which vehicle handles the Marowijne road best in the season you're visiting.