Places / South America / Suriname
Lelydorp
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At a glance
- Country
- Suriname
- Region
- Wanica District
- Population
- 20,000
- Best time to go
- August to November
- Main airport
- None — nearest is Johan Adolf Pengel International (PBM)
- Coordinates
- 5.70°N, 55.23°W
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Overview
Lelydorp is a small town on the main road between Paramaribo and the international airport, and the capital of Wanica district. It is mostly a residential and farming town with a strong Indian and Javanese heritage.
There are few sights, but it makes a quiet base close to the airport. Use it for a slow look at everyday Surinamese life and as a jumping-off point for river and forest trips.
Things to see
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Photo: The original uploader was Criel at English Wikipedia ., CC BY-SA 3.0 Lelydorp market
The town's market is the focus of daily life, with tropical fruit, vegetables and snacks.
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Photo: -JvL- from Netherlands, CC BY 2.0 Neotropical Butterfly Park
A garden where you can watch butterflies hatch and fly, alongside other local wildlife.
Tickets and tours -
Photo: Freek L. Bakker, CC BY-SA 3.0 Hindu temples
Brightly painted mandirs reflect the large Indo-Surinamese community in the district.
Things to do
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Photo: Ron Van Oers, CC BY-SA 3.0 igo Day trip to Paramaribo
The UNESCO-listed capital, with its wooden houses and riverfront, is under an hour away.
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Photo: Brokopondo at Dutch Wikipedia, Public domain Jodensavanne
The ruins of a seventeenth-century Jewish settlement on the Suriname River, reached by road through the forest.
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Photo: Grizlyy, CC BY-SA 4.0 Eat roti
Try Surinamese roti with chicken, potato and long beans at a local roti shop.
Where to stay
Lelydorp centre
A few simple guesthouses, convenient for the airport.
Hotels in Lelydorp centreParamaribo
For more choice, stay in the capital and visit as a short excursion.
Hotels in Paramaribo
Getting around
Minibuses run along the main road to Paramaribo and the airport. Taxis or a hire car are best for trips further afield.
Lelydorp lies on the road from the airport to Paramaribo, around half an hour from the terminal.
When to go
The long dry season from August to November is the best time. A shorter dry spell runs from February to April.
Plan your trip to Lelydorp
Guide last checked October 2026. Opening times and prices change, so check before you go.