Haiti travel guide
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.
Places worth the trip
Citadelle Laferrière
A huge mountaintop fortress built after independence in the early nineteenth century, overlooking the north coast. Together with the nearby Sans-Souci Palace and the Ramiers site, it forms a UNESCO World Heritage Site near the town of Milot.
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. It was badly damaged by an earthquake in 1842, and its staircases and walls remain.
Cap-Haïtien
Haiti's second city, on the north coast, with a grid of colonial-era streets, colourful houses and a cathedral. It is the usual base for the Citadelle and for beaches along the nearby coast.
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.
Bassin Bleu
A series of blue pools and waterfalls in the hills above Jacmel, reached by a walk and a short scramble with local guides.
Haitian art
Haiti has a celebrated tradition of painting and sculpture, from naive painting to the cut-metal art of Croix-des-Bouquets, where artisans hammer recycled oil drums into intricate designs.
Île-à-Vache
A small, largely car-free island off the south coast near Les Cayes, with mangroves, beaches and fishing villages.
Interesting facts about Haiti
- Haiti declared independence in 1804 after a revolution against slavery and French colonial rule, becoming the first independent nation in Latin America and the Caribbean.
- Haitian Creole, based largely on French with influences from West African languages, is spoken by almost the entire population and is an official language alongside French.
- Soup joumou, a pumpkin soup traditionally eaten on 1 January to mark independence, was added to UNESCO's list of intangible cultural heritage in 2021.
- The Citadelle Laferrière is one of the largest fortresses in the Americas.
- Haiti shares Hispaniola with the Dominican Republic, and the island's highest peak, Pico Duarte, lies on the Dominican side, while Pic la Selle is Haiti's highest point.
Best time to visit Haiti
Haiti is warm all year. The drier months, roughly from November to March, are generally the most comfortable. Rain falls in two main periods, around April to June and again from about August to October, and the Atlantic hurricane season runs from June to November, with the highest risk from August to October. Carnival takes place in the days before Lent. Whatever the season, check your government's current travel advice and local conditions before planning a trip.
Getting around
Roads are often in poor condition and journeys are slow. Brightly painted shared pick-ups and buses called tap-taps are the main public transport, but they are crowded and visitors usually travel with a trusted local driver or guide instead. Domestic flights have connected Port-au-Prince with Cap-Haïtien and other towns, but services change frequently. Arrangements depend heavily on current conditions, so work with established local contacts and follow your government's travel advice.
Practical details
- Capital
- Port-au-Prince
- Currency
- Haitian gourde (HTG)
- Languages
- Haitian Creole, French
- Plug types
- A, B
- Voltage
- 110 V, 60 Hz
- Emergency
- 114 or 122 police, 116 ambulance, 115 fire; responders may be delayed or unable to reach you, so also note your accommodation's contacts
- Driving side
- right
- Tipping
- Around 10 percent in restaurants is appreciated if service is not included. Tips for guides and drivers are customary.
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.
Haiti eSIM plans
1 GB
1GB eSIM Data for 7 Days for Haiti
Ilimitado
Unlimited eSIM Data for 1 Day for Haiti
2 GB
2GB eSIM Data for 15 Days for Haiti
3 GB
3GB eSIM Data for 30 Days for Haiti
Useful apps
- WhatsApp: The most common way to stay in touch with drivers, guides and accommodation.
- Google Maps: Navigation and finding places; download offline maps for areas with weak signal.
- Google Translate: Translating Haitian Creole and French, with offline packs for areas without signal.
- XE Currency: Converting gourde prices, which are sometimes quoted in 'Haitian dollars', an informal unit.
Haiti travel FAQs
Conditions in Haiti can change quickly. Check your government's current travel advice before making any plans and follow it; it may affect your travel insurance too. Visitors who do travel usually work with established local contacts.
Yes, in Port-au-Prince and other towns, though service can be affected by power cuts, and rural coverage is limited. A travel eSIM gives you data from arrival so you can stay in touch.
Haitian Creole is spoken by almost everyone, and French is used in government, business and education. English is spoken by some people working with visitors. A few words of Creole, such as 'bonjou' and 'mèsi', are appreciated.
It is an informal unit equal to five gourdes, still used in some price quotes. Always confirm whether a price is in gourdes, Haitian dollars or US dollars before paying.