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 — 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 — 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 — 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 — 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 — 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 — 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 — 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 — 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.
