Haiti may be a challenging country to travel in due to the miserable state of its infrastructure, but most visitors nonetheless find themselves returning to experience the country again and again. Amongst the reasons for this are the unique blend of French and African culture and the country's fascinating past. The spirit world comes to life in Haiti - ancient Voodoo rituals are still a common occurrence. Despite living in dreadful poverty the Haitians are a fun loving and instantly fascinating people.Find your travel arrangement to Haiti here
Region and City Guides
Region:
City:
Facts
Local name
Republique d'Haïti
Capital
Port-au-Prince
Size
27,750 sq km
Principal Languages
French and Creole
Principal Religion
Catholicism
Inhabitants
6,867,995 (2000
Government
Republic
Geography
The island of Hispaniola is shared by Haiti - which occupies the western third - and the Dominican Republic. There are several mountains clad in rainforest, and some respectably large rivers. But you also come across large tracts of eroded mountains and deserts.
Travel preparation
Best time to visit
Haiti doesn't have any real high and low season; there is no particular time of year that sees more tourists than any other. But the weather may well be a decisive factor in planning when to visit. The rainy-seasons fall in April to May and again in September to October. These periods have very heavy rainfall - especially in the evenings.
Literature
Lonely Planet Dominican Republic and Haiti
Haiti and the Dominican Republic: The Island of Hispaniola
Haiti and the Dominican Republic: The Island of Hispaniola
Local conditions
Weight and Measures
Haiti uses the metric system.
Photography
There are no serious restrictions on photography in Haiti. Of course, it's never advisable to take picture near military installations and in airports. If you want to capture the local people on film, it is a good idea to ask first. The answer will usually be a big smiling affirmative.
Drinking water
The local water in Haiti is considered a genuine health hazard. Don't ever drink it. All water for drinking and brushing your teeth should be bottled. Also, accept no ice cubes in drinks.
Electricity
110 Volts AC/50 Hz
Behaviour
A smile will get you a long way in Haiti. Don't be put off if the locals sometimes appear sceptical towards tourists at first, they soon come around. Haitians like to poke fun at visitors, a good-spirited habit to be taken with a smile. Especially in the countryside, it is customary to greet strangers you meet.
Business Hours
Banks are open from 8.30 am to 1 pm Monday to Friday, and in some larger cities again from 2 pm to 4 pm.
Shops are open from 7 am to 4 pm Monday to Friday. Some shops close early on Fridays, and most are open for business Saturdays as well.
Offices are open from 7 am to 4 pm Monday to Friday
Shops are open from 7 am to 4 pm Monday to Friday. Some shops close early on Fridays, and most are open for business Saturdays as well.
Offices are open from 7 am to 4 pm Monday to Friday
Food and drink
Haitian cuisine is a mixture between Creole and French. Creole cooking is a lot like Caribbean, only spicier. A particular specialty is Griot, deep-fried pork and rice with Djon Djon, small dark mushrooms.
The local Haitian Barbancourt rum is excellent.
The local Haitian Barbancourt rum is excellent.
Disabled travellers
Haiti is one of the poorest countries in the world and few resources are set aside to improve conditions for the disabled. Wheelchair users will find it very difficult to get about.
Holidays
Independence Day: January 1
Ancestry Day: January 2
Americas Day: April 14
Flag Day and University Day: May 18
Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary: August 15
Death of Henri Christophe: October 8
Death of Jean-Jacques Dessalines: October 17
All Saints Day: November 1
All Souls Day: November 2
Vertières Day: November 18
Discovery of Haiti: December 5
Christmas: December 25
Easter: March or April
Ancestry Day: January 2
Americas Day: April 14
Flag Day and University Day: May 18
Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary: August 15
Death of Henri Christophe: October 8
Death of Jean-Jacques Dessalines: October 17
All Saints Day: November 1
All Souls Day: November 2
Vertières Day: November 18
Discovery of Haiti: December 5
Christmas: December 25
Easter: March or April
Accommodation / Hotel
The accommodation scene in Haiti is not characterised by great diversity. Cheap hotels and hostels are uncommon as the country has not seen much backpack tourism. There are no actual camping grounds in Haiti, but if you like to rough it there are some beautiful spots where you can pitch a tent for a night or two.
Book your Hotel in Haiti here
Book your Hotel in Haiti here
Camping
Camping in Haiti is not a leisurely activity. There are no facilities available, and you often have to travel through rough terrain to get to a suitable spot.
Those hotels that have experience with putting up tourists are often rather expensive, and the standards are not too high.
Bed og breakfast or guesthouse
There are no Bed & Breakfasts or guesthouses in Haiti.
Hostels
There are no youth hostels in Haiti.
Local transport
To get up close and personal with the local population while getting around the country, you can do no better than to go by bus. This is the cheapest and the most fun. The distances are never any longer than you can endure on the badly maintained roads. Try to avoid driving yourself in Haiti, the roads can be treacherous, and the local driving style is, shall we say, nonchalant.
Planes
There are daily departures between Port-au-Prince and Cap Haïtien. Other airfields are only serviced by chartered planes.
Bus
The cheapest form of transportation is the system of buses. The service is extensive and also a good way to meet people. Haitians don't bother with bus stops. You just flag down the bus anywhere and shout to the driver when you want to get off.
Trains
There is no train service in Haiti.
Taxi
It is not easy to find a regular cab in Haiti. Nick's Taxis is the only company that have radio-controlled cars and drive by the meter (phone: 25 77 777).
car rental
All the major rental companies are represented in Haiti. Prices are steep, though, due to the number of accidents on the country's roads.
Region and City Guides
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