Haiti

Understand

It is extremely helpful when traveling in Haiti to have a local contact, through a church, a hotel, or just through making friends with someone. Experiences like dining locally, riding on a tap-tap, or strolling through one of the insanely crowded outdoor markets are great fun and very worth doing but are much safer and easier if you have a trusted Haitian to go along as a guide and interpreter. Much of Haiti is struggling. It is the poorest country in the Western hemisphere, long beset by government corruption, and now imperiled by violent criminal gangs. Hurricanes are fairly frequent and there are some earthquakes.

Climate Tropical and semiarid where mountains in the east cut off trade winds, Haiti lies in the middle of the hurricane belt and is subject to severe storms from June to November. Experiences occasional flooding, earthquakes and droughts. When traveling to Haiti it is very important that you bring a first aid kit. Be sure to include a lighter, flashlight (due to Haiti’s constant power outages), an antacid such as Pepto-Bismol (Bismuth subsalicylate), instant ice packs, an analgesic such as ibuprofen (known for example as Motrin), and paracetamol, water purifying tablets (just in case), bug spray, sunscreen, antihistamine (Benadryl), etc. Be sure to not drink the water or any drinks made with the water unless you are on an American-run base with guaranteed purified water.

Terrain Mostly mountainous, with a wide, flat central plain to the north. The highest point is Chaine de la Selle at 2,777 m (9,111 ft). Deforestation is extensive, and the mountains appear positively denuded compared to those of the neighbouring Dominican Republic. Deforestation began in the colonial period when the French demanded extensive monocropping of cash crops. This probl

See

Haiti's heritage is shaped by the world's first independent Black republic, blending West African traditions and French colonial influences. It boasts unparalleled historical monuments, a vibrant arts scene, and rich spiritual traditions of Vodou. Haiti is the birthplace of liberty in the Caribbean, and sites like the Citadelle Laferrière and ruins of the Sans-Sousi Palace are both recognized as UNESCO

Getting there

Visa requirements Haiti has open borders, which means that citizens of most countries can enter the country without a visa. The government is keen on improving Haiti's global image and is actively promoting the tourist industry. Visa-free privileges are not extended to citizens of Colombia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Iran, Libya, Panama, Syria, Vietnam and Yemen.

By plane International travelers will arrive in Haiti at Port-au-Prince (PAP IATA) at the Aéroport Toussaint L'Ouverture or Aéroport International Cap-Haïtien (CAP IATA) in the North. The plane tickets can be purchased via many online ticketing sites and agencies. Domestic flights are usually between $125-$132 return from and to Port-au-Prince, cheaper between Port-au-Prince and Jacmel. A really cheap, dependable and popular airline is Sunrise Airways. In addition to avoiding rather dangerous and inadequate public transportation system by bus and tap-taps, flights offer a safe passage into and out of Port-au-Prince from other parts in Haiti. Airlines such as American Airlines, and JetBlue, serve Port-au-Prince from the US. Air Transat, Air France, Caribair, and among others, also offer international flights to and from Port-au-Prince. MFI (Missionary Flights International) fly to Cap also from Florida, but only registered non-Catholic Christian missionaries are welcome aboard. Other international airlines serving Cap-Haïtien include Sky King, Turks and Caicos Air and Pine-apple Air.

By road

From Santo Domingo, Caribe Tours runs a once-daily bus to Petionville (in the hills above Port-au-Prince) that leaves at 11:00. A ticket costs $40 one-way, $26 USD tax and 100 DR. Unfortunately, this bus drops you off in Petionville after dark so make prior arrangements with a trustworthy person to meet you and tran

Getting around

By car Cars may be rented through Hertz, Avis, etc. Taxis in Haiti are usually in the form of SUVs or trucks, as most of the roads are long overdue for repairs, in addition to plethora of unpaved roads one faces while travelling in Haiti. The price is often fair (i.e., 450 gourdes from Port-au-Prince to Léogâne), but offers safety and comfort that cannot be found in riding tap-taps or buses.

By bus

"Tap-taps" are the most economical way to travel in Haiti. Haitian tap-taps are modified trucks or vans and are ubiquitous throughout Haiti. A raised wooden canopy-like cabin usually sits over the truck bed while wood benches are attached to the bed and serve as seats. Tap-taps are frequently painted bright colors, feature images of popular celebrities and elements featuring popular culture, and often bear a religious slogan, such as Jesus vous aime ("Jesus loves you"). In Port-au-Prince, most routes cost 10 gourdes ($0.25). They are also quite convenient as they will stop anywhere along the route: simply yell "merci!" to get the driver to stop. However, they are sometimes overpacked and can be quite dangerous to ride in the mountain roads where the road conditions are less than ideal. First time travellers who do not speak conversational Creole are advised not to travel by tap-tap without assistance. There are also school bus versions of tap-taps used for longer voyages. These are often modified school buses. A more comfortable alternative for long distance travel are minibuses. These congregate at various lots throughout the city, organized by destination. Seats to Jacmel, for example, cost about 150 gourdes (30 Haitian dollars, $3.75), while the more comfortable front seat may go for 200 gourdes ($5).