Kekemba Apartments Paramaribo - Studio Apartment
A garden-wrapped studio hideaway two blocks from the zoo, minutes from downtown Paramaribo.
Why Go
Trade the noise of Paramaribo's centrum for a compact, self-catering studio tucked behind mango trees on quiet Mangolaan - close enough to walk to the zoo before breakfast, far enough that you actually hear the birds.
The Experience
Kekemba is a small, family-run cluster of just a handful of brightly painted units arranged around a garden, a pool and a hot tub, so it never feels like a hotel and always feels like you've slipped into a residential pocket of Paramaribo. The Studio Apartment is a 25 sqm air-conditioned unit for two with a queen bed, a proper little kitchen (fridge, microwave, kitchenware), a flat-screen TV, mosquito nets and a private furnished patio that opens straight onto the greenery. Days here have a slow rhythm: coffee on the patio, a swim before the heat sets in, a short walk or ride into the historic UNESCO centrum, and evenings back at the pool with something you cooked yourself or picked up from one of the neighbourhood warungs. Because you're in the Zorg en Hoop side of town rather than on the Waterkant, you get a much more local feel - Javanese, Creole and Hindustani neighbours, small snack stands, and the calls from the zoo drifting over the fence.
What to Try
Book the studio for at least three nights so the kitchen actually earns its keep - hit the nearby toko for eggs, fruit and a bottle of Parbo, then use the patio for lazy breakfasts and late-night beers. Swim early (the pool is at its best before 10am), take an afternoon dip in the hot tub after a sweaty day in the centrum, and ask reception to help arrange a 4x4 or car rental for a day trip out to Brownsberg or the Commewijne plantations - both are far easier from a base like this than from a downtown high-rise.
Insider Tip
The Paramaribo Zoo is literally two blocks away and most guests overlook it - go right at opening, when it's cool and quiet, then walk 10-15 minutes further to the Orchideeentuin (orchid garden) and loop back for a swim before lunch. For dinner, skip the taxi into town at least one night and walk to a nearby warung or roti shop; the surrounding streets have some of the most honest, cheapest Javanese and Hindustani food in the city.
The Practical Stuff
Address: Mangolaan 118, Paramaribo, Suriname, in the Zorg en Hoop / zoo-adjacent neighbourhood, about 2.4 km (a 5-10 minute taxi) from the historic centrum and roughly 45 km from Johan Adolf Pengel International Airport (JAP) - budget around an hour by taxi or pre-arranged transfer. The Studio Apartment sleeps 2 in a queen bed, 25 sqm, with AC, kitchenette, private patio, flat-screen TV and mosquito nets; property amenities include an outdoor pool, hot tub, garden, free Wi-Fi and free private parking on site. Cash (SRD) is handy for warungs, taxis and small shops, though larger restaurants and the property accept cards; bring mosquito repellent even with the nets, and check current entry requirements for Suriname before you fly. Best visited in the drier months (roughly February-April and August-November); the compound is peaceful but small, so book well ahead in high season.
Pair It With
- Paramaribo Zoo Guide — Two blocks away and easiest done first thing in the morning straight from the apartment.
- Historic Inner City of Paramaribo (UNESCO centrum & Waterkant) — A short taxi ride puts you among the white wooden colonial buildings, Fort Zeelandia and the riverside promenade - perfect as a half-day contrast to your quiet base.
- Orchideeentuin (Orchid Garden) — Roughly a kilometre away, an easy walk or bike ride and a natural pairing with the zoo for a slow, green morning.
- Commewijne plantation day trip — With parking on site and a self-catering kitchen, Kekemba is an ideal launchpad for a full-day drive or bike-and-boat trip across the river to the old coffee and cocoa plantations.
- 't VAT Sidewalk Cafe Guide — A classic Paramaribo expat-and-locals hangout for a cold Parbo and people-watching when you want a night out beyond the neighbourhood warungs.