Haiti Travel Guide

Haiti Travel Guide

Haiti is a country rich in culture with beautiful mountains, white sandy beaches, secluded waterfalls, rural areas which most outsiders have never been to and also the spectacular UNESCO site of Citadelle Laferrière. View our comprehensive travel and backpacking guide with tips, ideas for the best things to see and do and information about itineraries, costs, how to save money, and more!

 
 

Activities & Things to Do in Haiti

Travel to Haiti

Our destination guide aims to give you all the information you need to have an amazing experience in this amazing country. Find affordable travel and backpacking ideas with advice for amazing things to do and how you can be more than just your average traveller. You can also get recommendations for budget travel tips, where to stay and advice how to stay safe.

Get inspired to visit Haiti today!

  • Capital - Port-au-Prince
  • Currency - Gourde (HTG)
  • Area - 27,750 km2
  • Population - 8,310,000 (approx)
  • Local Language - French + Creole
  • International Dailing Code +509
  • Language - Local people speak two main languages - French and Creole whilst many younger people are also learning Spanish (view our Spanish courses in Central America)
  • Currency - Haiti’s official currency is the Haitian Gourde (HTG), around 25 Haitian gourdes are equal to £1 (50 HTG = USD$1). Many local people, shops, tourist attractions prefer to deal in US dollars. Also you will probably be charged more for goods as a tourist but don't be afraid to barter with streets sellers, you will often find local people selling art on the streets of the capital Port-au-Prince

 

Weather & Best Time to Visit

Due to the location of Haiti, you can expect a year round tropical climate throughout the year. Haiti is covered in mountains and these areas are much drier than the lower regions. There is no best time to visit Haiti, rainy season generally starts in May so you might want to avoid this period. During December to April the weather is usually sunnier and over the year temperatures are usually over 80 degrees.

 

Travelling & Backpacking in Haiti

You will get a really authentic experience visiting Haiti, we recommend starting in Port-au-Prince and from here venture out and explore more of the country. Meet local people and see a different side to the country which you might not see in the media. This will be a life changing experience and a holiday like no other and on our Haiti travel guide you can also get top tips for the best things to do, places to visit and where to stay. 

 

Top Places to Visit in Haiti

There are so many things to do in Haiti, here are our highlights:

  • Port-au-Prince
  • Citadelle Laferrière
  • Cap-Haïtien 
  • Bassin-Bleu (Jacmel).
  • Grotte Marie-Jeanne (Port-a-Piment).
  • Beach time in Port-Salut
  • Labadee - Historic Walking Areas
  • Bassin Bleu (Jacmel) - Bodies of Water
  • Musee du Pantheon National Haitien (Port-au-Prince) - Specialty Museum
  • Papillon Enterprise (Port-au-Prince) - Ancient Ruins Antique Shops
  • Barbancourt Rum Distillery (Port-au-Prince)
  • Cathedrale Notre Dame de Cap Haitien (Cap-Haitien)
  • National History Park - Citadel, Sans Souci, Ramiers (Nord Department) - Historic Sites
  • Ogier-Fombrun Museum (Montrouis)
  • Petionville Neighborhood (Port-au-Prince)
  • Village Artistique de Noailles (Croix-des-Bouquets) - Art Museum
  • Zipline & Aerial Adventure Parks
  • Marche de Fer (Port-au-Prince) - Architectural Buildings
  • Kokoye Beach (Petit Goave)
  • 500 marches Medaille Miraculeuse (Coteaux)
  • Parc de Martissant (Port-au-Prince) - Beautiful Gardens
  • Fort des Anglais (Zanglais) - Ancient Ruins
  • Fort Jacques (Ouest Department)
  • Fort des Oliviers (Saint-Louis-du-Sud)
  • Cathedrale de Milot (Milot)

 

Most Beautiful Islands to Visit in Haiti

Haiti has some of the most incredible islands in the Caribbean

  • Gonâve Island
  • Île-à-Vache  
  • Les Cayemites
  • Grand Cayemite
  • Tortuga Island (Turtle Island) 
  • Grande Caye
  • Labadie

 

Where to Stay in Haiti

  • Universal Hotel Boutique, 29, Boulevard, Cap Haitien
  • Royal Oasis by Occidental Hotels & Resorts, 115 Avenue Pan-Américaine
  • Best Western Premier Petion-Ville, 50 Angle Louverture & Geffrard
  • Hotel NH Haití El Rancho & Casino, Villa Creole Road
  • Hotel Montana, Gros Morne, Port-au-Prince,
  • Karibe Hotel, Avenue Lamartiniere
  • Habitation Hatt Hotel, Delmas, Port-au-Prince
  • Kinam Hotel, Place Saint Pierre
  • Coconut Villa Hotel, Route de Delmas
  • Hotel Auberge du Quebec, Thor 67, Carrefour
  • La Reserve, Marcel Toureau
  • Wahoo Bay Beach, Route Nationale 1, Km 62, 1
  • Palm Inn Hotel, 3, Hatte3, Delmas 31
  • Hotel Oloffson, Ave Christophe
  • Kaliko Beach Club, Km 61 RN1
  • Pacot Breeze Hotel, Rue Pacot
  • La Maison Hotel, Boulvard Toussaint Louverture

 

The Best Bars in Haiti

Haiti might be a developing country but tourism is increasing every year and what might suprise you is this country has fantastic nightlife. If you would like to sample we have put together a list of the best bars and night spots you should add to your itinerary.

  • The Irish Village, 5 Darguin, Pétion-Ville
  • Saxo Club, 30 Rigaud, Pétion-Ville
  • Esquina Latina, Port-au-Prince
  • Le Villate, 19, rue Lamarre, Petion-Ville
  • Petionville Club, Bois Caradeux, Port-au-Prince
  • Djoumbala Night Club, Port-au-Prince
  • Karamel Club, Bois Caradeux, Port-au-Prince
  • Tropicana Night Club, Route National # 1, Cap-Haïtien, Haiti
  • Vagamer, Blvd Carrainage, Cap, Haitien, Haiti
  • Terrase Universal Bar, Bar & Grill, 98, Rue 17B
  • Becky's Bar Grill, Boulevard
  • Schooners Bar, 26 Boulevard du Cap Haitien