A little more
Haiti.
A lot less roaming.

Travelling to Haiti: what to know before you go

Haiti occupies the western third of the island of Hispaniola, a mountainous country with a unique history as the first nation founded by formerly enslaved people, and a rich culture of art, music and Creole cooking. Conditions for travel can change quickly, so anyone considering a visit should check their government's current travel advice first and follow it.

Where to go

• Citadelle Laferrière. A huge mountaintop fortress built after independence in the early nineteenth century, overlooking the north coast.
• Sans-Souci Palace. The ruins of the royal palace of Henri Christophe, the king of northern Haiti, at the foot of the climb to the Citadelle.
• Cap-Haïtien. Haiti's second city, on the north coast, with a grid of colonial-era streets, colourful houses and a cathedral.
• Jacmel. A southern coastal town known for its nineteenth-century merchant houses with iron balconies, its artists' workshops and its papier-mâché masks, which feature in its carnival.

Best time to visit

Haiti is warm all year. The drier months, roughly from November to March, are generally the most comfortable.

Staying online in Haiti

Mobile coverage is available in Port-au-Prince, Cap-Haïtien, Jacmel and other towns, with mobile data in the cities, but service can be affected by power cuts. In mountainous and rural areas coverage is patchy or absent. Wi-Fi is available in some hotels and guesthouses, often depending on generators. A working phone is important for keeping in touch with drivers and contacts. Install an eSIM before you fly and switch it on when you land.