Prestige Elite Cars
Chauffeur-polished wheels for exploring Suriname in first-class comfort
Why Go
Suriname is a country that rewards the road-tripper: colonial Paramaribo, palm-fringed beaches at Galibi, plantations along the Commewijne, and the jungle interior all sit within a day's drive. Prestige Elite Cars is the Teltingstraat outfit that hands you the keys to a Range Rover, Audi Q8 or Lexus LX600 to make those drives feel effortless ΓÇö or, if you'd rather not deal with left-hand-drive traffic and roundabout etiquette, pairs you with a punctual chauffeur who knows every shortcut off the Wanicastraat.
The Experience
Tucked on quiet Teltingstraat just a few blocks from the historic centre, the pickup feels less like a rental counter and more like a private concierge handover ΓÇö vehicles are meticulously detailed, WAM insurance is already sorted, and the team walks you through the car's quirks before you pull away. The fleet skews unapologetically premium: Maybach V-Class vans for airport meet-and-greets, Toyota Landcruisers built for the bumpy stretch out to Brownsberg, Ford Ranger Raptors for anyone tempted by the East-West Link, and slick Audi A1s or Ford Pumas for zipping around town. Chauffeurs are discreet, English-speaking and used to executive clients, which is why you'll spot the black SUVs idling outside Torarica and the Marriott at all hours. It's the sort of operator where a WhatsApp message at 8pm asking to extend an airport transfer into a next-day Commewijne tour actually gets a 'yes' within minutes.
What to Try
For a day trip, book the Landcruiser or Ranger Raptor and take the ferry across the Suriname River to Nieuw-Amsterdam, then loop through the old coffee and cacao plantations of Frederiksdorp and Peperpot before sunset drinks back in the city. If you're arriving on the KLM night flight into Zanderij, splurge on the Maybach V-Class airport transfer ΓÇö the 45-minute drive into Paramaribo is a much softer landing than a taxi. Business travellers should ask about the hourly chauffeur package in the Lexus LX600 for a day of meetings between Kwatta, the city centre and Paranam.
Insider Tip
Ask for the vehicle a day early if you're heading to the interior ΓÇö the team will swap in a Landcruiser or Ranger with the right tyres and a full jerrycan mount rather than sending you off in a city SUV. Also: pay the refundable security deposit by card rather than cash so the release lands back on your statement before you fly out, and WhatsApp (not email) is by far the fastest channel for last-minute changes.
The Practical Stuff
Teltingstraat 5, central Paramaribo, a 5-minute drive from Fort Zeelandia and walkable from most downtown hotels. Phone/WhatsApp +597 892-6429, email info@prestige-elitecars.com. Drivers must be 25+ with a valid licence, a second government-issued ID and a refundable security deposit; mandatory WAM third-party insurance is bundled into every rental. Rates run roughly USD 55/day for a Ford Puma up to USD 550/day for a Lexus LX600, with chauffeur services from about USD 100/hour. Book several days ahead in the DecemberΓÇôFebruary high season and around Avondvierdaagse week.
Pair It With
- Torarica Hotel & Casino — The city's classic riverside base for business and leisure guests ΓÇö Prestige Elite regularly stages airport pickups and executive transfers from its lobby.
- Commewijne plantation loop (Frederiksdorp & Peperpot) — A half-day self-drive across the ferry that's tailor-made for the Landcruiser or Ranger Raptor in Prestige's fleet.
- Fort Zeelandia & the UNESCO Inner City — Only a few blocks from Teltingstraat ΓÇö do the historic walking tour first, then collect your keys for onward drives.
- 597SpeedUp Watertubing Guide — Adventurous day trips outside Paramaribo are much easier when you've got a 4x4 rental sitting outside your hotel.