Ricardo Rent A Car
Local car rental with airport pickup, all-risk insurance, and free Paramaribo delivery
Why Go
Renting a car is the single best decision you can make in Suriname ΓÇö the country's real magic hides at the end of long red-dirt roads, and Ricardo's local team knows exactly which of them your rental can handle.
The Experience
Ricardo Rent A Car is a homegrown Surinamese operator on Professor W.J. Kernkampweg, tucked into a quiet residential-commercial pocket of Paramaribo about ten minutes from the historic centre. The vibe is deliberately un-corporate: you deal with real people, often the family behind the business, rather than a call-centre script. The fleet ranges from fuel-sipping economy hatchbacks perfect for city errands to sturdier SUVs and pickups built for the pot-holed stretches toward Brownsberg, Bigi Pan, or the Commewijne plantations. Rentals come standard with all-risk insurance, 24/7 roadside support, and free pickup and delivery anywhere in Paramaribo — including Johan Adolf Pengel International Airport if you coordinate ahead. They also run personalised transport and airport-transfer services for guests who'd rather be driven, and they've quietly expanded operations into French Guiana and Curaçao, so cross-border trips can be arranged with a single point of contact.
What to Try
Book one of their higher-clearance SUVs or 4x4s if any part of your itinerary strays off the East-West Highway ΓÇö the road to Brownsberg Nature Park, the ferry crossings on the Commewijne, and the interior tracks around Atjoni all reward a bit of ground clearance. For city-only stays, the economy models are the sweet spot: cheap to run, easy to park in Paramaribo's tight colonial-grid streets, and gentle on the wallet when petrol tops up. Add the meet-and-greet airport delivery so your car is waiting when you clear customs ΓÇö it saves the awkward taxi shuffle into town.
Insider Tip
Ask Ricardo directly (or over WhatsApp on +597 494705) about weekly and multi-week rates rather than booking day-by-day online ΓÇö locally negotiated long-stay deals are almost always better than the posted price, and they'll often throw in a free extra driver or a swap-vehicle mid-rental if your plans change. Also: fill the tank at the Kernkampweg-area stations before you return, not on the airport road, where prices jump.
The Practical Stuff
Address: Professor W.J. Kernkampweg 76a, Paramaribo. Phone/WhatsApp: +597 494705. Email: info@ricardorentacar.com. Website: ricardorentacar.com. Payment: cash (SRD/EUR/USD) and card generally accepted ΓÇö confirm when booking. Requirements: valid driver's licence (an international permit is smart but not always required for short stays), passport, and a credit card or cash deposit. Rates start around EUR 30/day for economy vehicles, all-risk insurance included. Free pickup and drop-off within Paramaribo; airport delivery on request. Drive on the left in Suriname, and note that fuel stations outside the capital can be sparse ΓÇö top up before heading into the interior.
Pair It With
- 'T Vat Sidewalk Cafe Guide — Grab your rental, then head straight to this Paramaribo institution on the Waterkant strip for a cold Parbo and people-watching ΓÇö the easiest low-stakes place to shake off the flight.
- 168 Restaurant Guide — An easy first-night dinner nearby that shows off Suriname's Chinese-Surinamese fusion side; parking your rental here is straightforward.
- 597SpeedUp Watertubing Guide — Load the car with friends and drive out for a half-day on the water ΓÇö exactly the kind of side trip that only makes sense once you have your own wheels.
- 101 Suites Guide — A practical Paramaribo base that pairs well with a rental: quiet residential setting, secure parking, and easy access back to the Kernkampweg drop-off.