Johan Adolf Pengel International Airport
Paramaribo, Suriname
Johan Adolf Pengel International Airport
Suriname's primary international gateway near Paramaribo.
- ›Named after Johan Adolf Pengel, a former Prime Minister of Suriname who served in the 1950s–1960s.
- ›Located near Zanderij, approximately 45 km south of Paramaribo.
- ›The airport sits on the site of a former World War II-era United States Army Air Forces base known as Paramaribo/Zanderij.
- ›It is one of the few international airports in South America's northern coastal region.
- ›Surinam Airways uses PBM as its primary hub.
Johan Adolf Pengel International Airport, named after a former President of Suriname, has served as the country's primary international gateway since opening in 1965. Located approximately 45 kilometres south of Paramaribo in Zanderij, it handles the bulk of Suriname's international air traffic connecting the country to the Netherlands, the Caribbean, and the Americas. The airport reflects Suriname's unique multicultural character and serves as a critical hub for both commercial travellers and those heading into the interior rainforest regions.
- Main Terminal — The single terminal building handles all domestic and international arrivals and departures, with facilities including check-in counters, immigration, customs, and basic retail.
- Taxi services from the official taxi rank outside arrivals
- Private shuttle buses operated by hotels and tour operators
- Car rental desks available inside the terminal (Hertz, local operators)
- Minibus shared transport to Paramaribo city centre
- Private transfers bookable through tour agencies in Paramaribo
- Courtyard by Marriott Paramaribo
- Torarica Hotel & Casino
- Eco Resort Inn
- Hotel Krasnapolsky Paramaribo
- Zanderij Guesthouse
Dining options inside the terminal are limited to a small number of cafes and snack bars offering local Surinamese dishes alongside basic international fare. Travellers are advised to eat before arriving at the airport, as the food selection is modest compared to larger regional hubs. The surrounding Zanderij area has few standalone restaurants, but Paramaribo city centre offers a rich variety of Surinamese, Javanese, Indian, and Chinese cuisine.
- Allow extra time for check-in and immigration, as queues can be long during peak evening departures to Amsterdam.
- Exchange currency in Paramaribo before heading to the airport, as exchange facilities at the terminal are limited.
- The journey from the city centre takes roughly 45–60 minutes by road; account for traffic particularly in morning and evening hours.
- Confirm your return flight early, as international flights often operate only a few times per week on certain routes.
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Johan Adolf Pengel International Airport, commonly known as Paramaribo-Zanderij International Airport, and locally referred to simply as JAP, is the primary international airport serving Paramaribo, Suriname. It is located in the town of Zanderij, Suriname, 45 kilometres (28 mi) south of Paramaribo. It is the larger of the three airports serving the city, the others being Zorg en Hoop and Gummels Airports.
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