{"id":45760,"date":"2023-09-04T15:59:53","date_gmt":"2023-09-04T13:59:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/?p=45760"},"modified":"2026-01-19T13:49:32","modified_gmt":"2026-01-19T11:49:32","slug":"travel-haiti","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/travel-haiti\/","title":{"rendered":"How to travel to Haiti (2026)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/travel-to-Haiti-1024x684.avif\" type=\"image\/avif\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/travel-to-Haiti-1024x684.jpg\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/travel-to-Haiti-1024x684.jpg\" alt=\"travel to Haiti\" class=\"wp-image-45765\"><\/picture><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>I traveled independently through Haiti for 10 days, from Cap-Ha\u00eftien to Port-au-Prince and a few places in between, always using local transportation or hitchhiking, as well as a short domestic flight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It was a fantastic trip, and I recommend visiting Haiti to anyone looking for an unrivalled offbeat adventure in the Americas.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This updated and <strong>comprehensive travel guide to Haiti<\/strong> will show you everything you need to know on safety, top experiences, getting there and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Comprehensive-travel-guide-to-Haiti-740x1024.avif\" type=\"image\/avif\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Comprehensive-travel-guide-to-Haiti-740x1024.jpg\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Comprehensive-travel-guide-to-Haiti-740x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Comprehensive travel guide to Haiti\" class=\"wp-image-45938\" style=\"width:502px;height:695px\"><\/picture><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">In this Haiti travel guide, you will find<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group table-of-contents is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"table-of-contents__title\" style=\"font-size:20px\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"#1\">Why travel<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#2\">Haiti today<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#3\">Is it safe?<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#4\">Visa<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#5\">Travel Insurance<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#6\">When to travel<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#7\">Top Experiences<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#8\">How to get into?<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#9\">How to travel around<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#10\">Money<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#11\">How to deal with extreme poverty<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#12\">People &amp; Religion<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#13\">Taking photos<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#14\">Language<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#15\">Cuisine<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#16\">Internet<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#17\">More information<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group atc-info-box is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center m-0 has-black-color has-text-color has-background\" style=\"background-color:#fe9900\">our recommended travel insurance for Haiti<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\" style=\"font-size:20px\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.iatitravelinsurance.com\/en-eu\/?r=30867932099453&amp;cmp=haiti_travelguide_en_text\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow sponsored\">IATI Insurance<\/a><\/strong> is one of the very few that covers travel in Haiti.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-16018d1d wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-black-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color has-text-align-center has-custom-font-size wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.iatitravelinsurance.com\/en-eu\/?r=30867932099453&amp;cmp=haiti_travelguide_en_text\" style=\"border-radius:11px;background-color:#fe9900;font-size:16px\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow sponsored\">GET 5% DISCOUNT HERE<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"1\">\ud83d\ude0d Why travel to Haiti?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Haiti is a Caribbean country that occupies one third of La Espa\u00f1ola (Hispaniola), an island it shares with the Dominican Republic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Everyone knows about Dominican Republic and its dreamy beaches, yet few have heard about traveling in Haiti.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The first thing you need to know is that Haiti was the <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Haitian_Revolution\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>first country to ever be liberated by slaves<\/strong><\/a>, in 1803.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>At that time, Haiti was ruled by the French, who had spent the previous decades importing hundreds of slaves from West Africa &#8211; mainly from <a href=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/travel-mali\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Mali<\/strong><\/a> and Benin &#8211; to work on their sugar plantations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The peculiarity about Haiti is that when it achieved its independence, many of those slaves had been born in Africa but became Caribbean overnight, and this is the number one reason for visiting Haiti: <strong>a purely Caribbean country that still keeps its African culture, traditions and essence<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Haiti-and-Africa-838x1024.avif\" type=\"image\/avif\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Haiti-and-Africa-838x1024.jpg\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Haiti-and-Africa-838x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Haiti and Africa\" class=\"wp-image-45774\"><\/picture><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">This market could easily be any market in West Africa<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Traveling in Haiti truly feels like traveling in West Africa, with all that default chaos intrepid travelers feel attracted to, but also in terms of their art, music and religion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Add to this the world-class Caribbean beaches and landscapes, and the result is, perhaps, the most gorgeous and fascinating off-the-beaten-track destination in the American continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Tourism-in-Haiti-1024x768.avif\" type=\"image\/avif\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Tourism-in-Haiti-1024x768.jpg\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Tourism-in-Haiti-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"Tourism in Haiti\" class=\"wp-image-45777\"><\/picture><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A dreamy beach in Haiti<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The problems with cruising in Haiti<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Not many people travel to Haiti, but the majority of those that do make it there tend to do so on one of those massive cruise ships sailing across the Caribbean, hopping on and off at the major resorts on the main islands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In Haiti, near Cap-Ha\u00eftien, there\u2019s one place in the area of Labadee where cruise ships stop. Anyone not on a cruise \u2013 and that includes foreigners too \u2013 is banned from entering that tourist bubble, while those on the cruise ships are told that everywhere outside of the bubble is extremely dangerous, meaning you won\u2019t see any of them in the surrounding areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I have often wondered whether those cruise tourists even know they\u2019re in a country named Haiti.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Cruising-in-Haiti-768x1024.avif\" type=\"image\/avif\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Cruising-in-Haiti-768x1024.jpg\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Cruising-in-Haiti-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Cruising in Haiti\" class=\"wp-image-45779\"><\/picture><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The massive cruise ship we bumped into when hiking along the coast of Labadee<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"2\">\ud83c\udded\ud83c\uddf9 Visiting Haiti: what\u2019s the current situation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Economically-speaking, Haiti has always struggled, but today it is also experiencing some pretty dark periods of extreme violence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When I first visited Haiti in January 2023, the country was on the front pages and in the headlines of all reputable international newspapers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"504\" src=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Haiti-news-1024x504.png\" alt=\"Haiti news\" class=\"wp-image-45781\" srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Haiti-news-1024x504.png 1024w, https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Haiti-news-300x148.png 300w, https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Haiti-news-768x378.png 768w, https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Haiti-news-1536x755.png 1536w, https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Haiti-news-2048x1007.png 2048w, https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Haiti-news-1200x590.png 1200w, https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Haiti-news-1980x974.png 1980w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2022\/10\/07\/world\/americas\/haiti-international-intervention-violence.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\"><strong>New York Times news<\/strong><\/a> on Haiti in 2022.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>But what had happened?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Well, Haiti had been going through an episode of real anarchy ever since Haitian President Jovenel Mo\u00efse was murdered in 2021.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Since then, various different gangs had taken the streets of Port-au-Prince, the capital of Haiti, with violence escalating to unprecedented levels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Kidnappings, murders and street shootings happen every single day, in a conflict that has already created more than 200,000 internally displaced people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>At the time of writing, the travel situation in Haiti basically remains the same and such is the gravity that many governments are already referring to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cbc.ca\/news\/politics\/haiti-faile-state-michaelle-jean-1.6749717\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\"><strong>Haiti as a failed state<\/strong><\/a> &#8211; a pretty harsh term typically used for countries like <a href=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/yemen-travel\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Yemen<\/strong><\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/travel-libya\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Libya<\/strong><\/a> &#8211; while asking for foreign intervention as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-background has-small-font-size\" style=\"background-color:#eaeaea\"><strong>The earthquake from 2010<\/strong><br>In 2010, a 7.0 earthquake shook the capital of Haiti for 35 seconds, killing thousands of people and leaving 1\/3 of Port-au-Prince\u2019s population completely homeless. By that time, Haiti was already one of the poorest countries in the world, so you can imagine how devastating this natural disaster was for Haitians. In fact, they say that the country has never recovered from it and, what with all its current social and political issues, the result is one of the most fragile countries on the planet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"3\">\u26a0\ufe0f Is it safe to travel to Haiti right now?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Let me put things into perspective.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I have backpacked solo in <a href=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/travel-afghanistan\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Afghanistan<\/strong><\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/travel-iraq-federal\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Iraq<\/strong><\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/travel-syria\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Syria<\/strong><\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/travel-somaliland\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Somaliland<\/strong><\/a>, just to name a few.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I rarely worry when traveling in these areas, mainly because I have a lot of contacts in these countries, but also because I have solid experience of traveling in such regions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>My visit to Haiti, however, was a different story:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It was my first time traveling in the Caribbean<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>I didn\u2019t have any contacts<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>All I knew about Haiti was what I had seen in the news<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>I didn\u2019t know of any travelers who had visited Haiti during these anarchic times<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Additionally, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/foreign-travel-advice\/haiti\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>FCDO<\/strong><\/a> travel advice for Haiti wasn\u2019t very positive either, firmly advising against all travel to Haiti due to the volatile security situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Haiti-travel-advice.avif\" type=\"image\/avif\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Haiti-travel-advice.jpg\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Haiti-travel-advice.jpg\" alt=\"Haiti travel advice\" class=\"wp-image-45785\" style=\"width:430px;height:324px\"><\/picture><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Haiti travel advice <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/foreign-travel-advice\/haiti\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>according to FCDO<\/strong><\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>I had all the odds against me, but that made me feel particularly excited; plus if there\u2019s one thing I\u2019ve learnt during my travels, it is that things on the ground look very different from what you see in the news.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Yes, that extreme violence is actually happening but the truth is that this conflict is exclusively focused on Port-au-Prince.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In fact, it\u2019s focused on certain areas of Port-au-Prince: the areas controlled by the different gangs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Is Cap-Ha\u00eftien safe?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Outside of those areas, Haiti is OK to travel, especially in Cap-Ha\u00eftien and its surroundings.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Things I did around Cap-Ha\u00eftien:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Hitchhiking around the area<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Walking through a slum on my way (on foot) to Labadee<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Walking around in the dark, in the middle of the night<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>All I can say is that this part of Haiti was extremely peaceful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Is Port-au-Prince safe?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Port-au-Prince, however, is a different story. You can still travel there though, as long as you have the right contacts and stay in the right area, e.g., in P\u00e9tionville.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In P\u00e9tionville, you can still wander and walk around alone at night, no problem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As for the dangerous parts of Port-au-Prince, I did venture downtown and even to Cit\u00e9 de Soleil, the largest and poorest slum in the Americas &#8211; and one of the main violence hubs in the city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Nevertheless, I went there with a local fixer who is specialized in taking journalists into conflict areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That man knew what he was doing, plus he was a personal, old acquaintance of the gangs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Nevertheless, heading into that area of Port-au-Prince doesn\u2019t come without risk, especially from direct bullets, but that\u2019s a risk travelers choose to assume. Definitely not an adventure for everyone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-background\" style=\"background-color:#eaeaea\"><strong>Important: <\/strong>I won\u2019t be sharing the fixer\u2019s contact details, so don\u2019t bother asking me for them. As mentioned, this activity is not without risk and if travelers start venturing into such areas, someone will eventually get shot and I don\u2019t want to be part of that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/gang-member-Port-au-Prince-835x1024.avif\" type=\"image\/avif\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/gang-member-Port-au-Prince-835x1024.jpg\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/gang-member-Port-au-Prince-835x1024.jpg\" alt=\"gang member Port-au-Prince\" class=\"wp-image-45787\"><\/picture><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A gang member in Cit\u00e9 de Soleil<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"4\"><span class=\"efont\" id=\"copy-emoji\">\ud83e\udeaa<\/span> How to get a visa for Haiti<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>You don\u2019t need a visa to visit Haiti, instead you just get a free stamp on arrival in the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This rule applies to both airport and land borders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/visa-for-Haiti-1024x720.avif\" type=\"image\/avif\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/visa-for-Haiti-1024x720.jpg\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/visa-for-Haiti-1024x720.jpg\" alt=\"visa for Haiti\" class=\"wp-image-45789\"><\/picture><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Among all these stamps, you might be able to distinguish my entry stamp for Haiti<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"5\">\ud83d\ude91 Travel Insurance for Haiti<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-normal-font-size\">Most travel insurance companies don\u2019t cover for travel in Haiti, except for <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.iatitravelinsurance.com\/en-eu\/?r=30867932099453&amp;cmp=haiti_travelguide_en_own\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow sponsored\">IATI<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I recommend it because:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Only travel insurance company that covers Haiti<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>They have different plans for all budgets<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Covers senior citizens too<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Readers of this blog can get <strong>an exclusive 5% discount<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-horizontal is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-499968f5 wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-background wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.iatitravelinsurance.com\/en-eu\/?r=30867932099453&amp;cmp=haiti_travelguide_en_own\" style=\"border-radius:11px;background-color:#fe9900\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow\"><strong>BUY IT HERE TO GET YOUR DISCOUNT<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"6\">\u26c5 When to travel to Haiti<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Traveling in Haiti is highly seasonal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Best season to travel to Haiti<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The best time to travel in Haiti is between November and March &#8211; that\u2019s the dry season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In February, you might catch the world-famous <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/visithaiti.com\/things-to-do\/jacmel-carnival\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Carnival of Jacmel<\/a><\/strong> but you\u2019ll have to be lucky, since the carnival is locally organized and dates always change, although it tends to always be celebrated between the end of February and beginning of March.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Worst season to travel in Haiti<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The worst time to visit Haiti is from August to October, which is the rainy season, with &nbsp;potential hurricanes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"7\">\ud83d\uded6 Top 5 Experiences in Haiti<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1 &#8211; Hiking up to Citadelle Laferri\u00e8re<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>This is one of the best forts I have ever seen, and the views from there are gorgeous.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Hiking-up-to-Citadelle-Laferriere-1024x684.avif\" type=\"image\/avif\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Hiking-up-to-Citadelle-Laferriere-1024x684.jpg\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Hiking-up-to-Citadelle-Laferriere-1024x684.jpg\" alt=\"Hiking up to Citadelle Laferri\u00e8re\" class=\"wp-image-45832\"><\/picture><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Gorgeous views from Citadelle Laferri\u00e8re, the best tourist site to see when you travel to Haiti<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2 &#8211; Backpacking independently<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>No other country in the Americas feels as raw, chaotic and authentic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Traveling in Haiti doesn\u2019t differ much from the rough backpacking you can do in <a href=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/mali-itinerary\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Mali<\/strong><\/a> or Benin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Haiti-independent-travel-768x1024.avif\" type=\"image\/avif\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Haiti-independent-travel-768x1024.jpg\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Haiti-independent-travel-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Haiti independent travel\" class=\"wp-image-45791\" style=\"width:665px;height:887px\"><\/picture><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Riding a tap tap<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3 &#8211; Attending a voodoo ceremony<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Voodoo ceremonies, a clear West African heritage, are performed every week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/voodoo-market-Haiti-1024x768.avif\" type=\"image\/avif\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/voodoo-market-Haiti-1024x768.jpg\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/voodoo-market-Haiti-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"voodoo market Haiti\" class=\"wp-image-45793\"><\/picture><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A Vodou market in Port-au-Prince<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4 &#8211; The art scene in P\u00e9tionville<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>There\u2019s a lot going on in Port-au-Prince, and the art scene in the refined district of P\u00e9tionville is a must-see.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/art-scene-Petionville-1024x768.avif\" type=\"image\/avif\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/art-scene-Petionville-1024x768.jpg\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/art-scene-Petionville-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"Art scene Pe\u0301tionville \" class=\"wp-image-45795\"><\/picture><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The art street of Port-au-Prince<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">5 &#8211; The coast around Labadee<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Haiti has the most beautiful coastline on the island, and Labadee has the cleanest shores and water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/coast-Haiti-1024x768.avif\" type=\"image\/avif\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/coast-Haiti-1024x768.jpg\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/coast-Haiti-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"coast Haiti\" class=\"wp-image-45797\"><\/picture><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The coast in Labadee<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"8\">\ud83d\udeeb How to get to Haiti<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to travel to Haiti by air<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The easiest way to fly to Port-a-Prince is from Miami (MIA) or Fort Lauderdale (FLL), and also New York City (JFK).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Which airlines fly to Haiti?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Jet Blue Airways and American Airlines have daily flights into Port-au-Prince.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to get to Haiti from Dominican Republic &#8211; By land, <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">best choice<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>I personally believe that traveling to Haiti from Dominican Republic is a much better option, for 3 reasons:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol style=\"list-style-type:1\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Flights to Santo Domingo or Punta Cana are much cheaper, plus there are endless connections to many cities around the world.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>If you haven\u2019t visited Dominican Republic before, you can combine both countries in one single trip.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Traveling in Haiti is actually pretty rough so after a few days of tough backpacking, traveling in Dominican Republic can be a very pleasant and rewarding experience.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>To reach Haiti from Dominican Republic, you can take one of the daily buses connecting Santo Domingo with either Port au Prince or Cap-Ha\u00eftien.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The company running such trips is called <strong>Caribe Tours<\/strong>, and it departs <a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/BXuF8m5g7oeV7AMe6\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\"><strong>from this terminal<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I strongly recommend going to the terminal at least 1 day in advance to book your tickets, since the tickets commonly sell out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The bus departs between 7am and 8:30am but do confirm the departure time upon booking your tickets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A one-way ticket costs around 30-35 USD.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Additionally, you will have to pay 37 USD for exit\/border fees. This amount is usually paid before boarding the bus, not when booking your ticket.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/bus-to-Haiti-from-Santo-domingo-768x1024.avif\" type=\"image\/avif\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/bus-to-Haiti-from-Santo-domingo-768x1024.jpg\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/bus-to-Haiti-from-Santo-domingo-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"bus to Haiti from Santo domingo\" class=\"wp-image-45801\"><\/picture><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The Caribe Tours ticket<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/haitian-customs-768x1024.avif\" type=\"image\/avif\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/haitian-customs-768x1024.jpg\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/haitian-customs-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Haitian customs\" class=\"wp-image-45804\"><\/picture><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Immigration on Haiti side<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The whole ride from Santo Domingo to either Cap-Ha\u00eftien or Port-au-Prince can take from 8 to 12 hours. The bus has unreliable Wi-Fi, and they provide a truly awful, meat-based meal on board.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The border crossing is pretty chaotic, but there will be an attendant on the bus to assist you with all the procedures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-background has-small-font-size\" style=\"background-color:#eaeaea\"><strong>My experience entering and exiting Haiti<\/strong><br>I took the bus from Santo Domingo to Cap-Ha\u00eftien but on the way back, I traveled from Port au Prince independently, meaning that instead of taking a direct bus, I took different minibuses and <em>tap-taps<\/em> to the border, then crossed on foot into Dominican Republic. Once in Dominican Republic, you can find transportation to several other cities. This is a slower but more adventurous option, perfect for those wanting to explore beyond the main cities. If going to Cap-Ha\u00eftien, you cross at Dajabon. If going to Port-au-Prince, you cross at Comendador.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"9\">\ud83d\udefa How to travel around Haiti<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Moving around Haiti by<em> tap tap<\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The official, local transportation is the <em>tap-tap<\/em>, an ornately decorated pick-up truck that won\u2019t leave until full of passengers, who can get off at any point during the ride.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Traveling in Haiti by <em>tap tap<\/em> is ridiculously cheap, and you can use them to get to nearby sights and villages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/tap-tap-Haiti-1024x671.avif\" type=\"image\/avif\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/tap-tap-Haiti-1024x671.jpg\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/tap-tap-Haiti-1024x671.jpg\" alt=\"tap tap Haiti\" class=\"wp-image-45806\"><\/picture><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A pretty cool tap tap in Port-au-Prince<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Travel around Haiti by minibus<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>For longer distances, Haitians travel by minibus<strong>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Traveling around Haiti by air<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Haiti is a tiny country but small domestic planes run between major cities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The local airline is <a href=\"https:\/\/sunriseairways.net\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\"><strong>Sunrise Airways<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I did take a 25-minute flight from Cap-Ha\u00eftien to Port-au-Prince and the reason was that everyone in Cap-Ha\u00eftien told me it wasn\u2019t possible to travel there by bus, claiming that the road section close to Port-au-Prince was overrun by gangs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Upon arrival at the capital, I discovered that this wasn\u2019t true and that buses were simply taking a different, longer route, so for the return journey I did take the bus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In any case, taking a Sunrise Airways flight was a lot of fun, since they use those small, 20-seat planes where there\u2019s no door between the passengers and the pilots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Moreover, Cap-Ha\u00eftien airport was so small that you could literally get to the airport 15 minutes before departure and still make it on time to catch your flight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A one-way ticket from Cap Ha\u00eftien to Port-au-Prince cost me 125 USD.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"10\">\ud83d\udcb0 Money and budget when traveling in Haiti<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In Haiti, they use the <strong>Haitian Gourde<\/strong> and, approximately:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-white-color has-vivid-green-cyan-background-color has-text-color has-background\" style=\"font-size:28px\"><strong>1 USD = 130 HTG<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Exchanging money in Haiti<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Certain banks do exchange currency but I exchanged mine at the hotel in Cap-Ha\u00eftien, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.booking.com\/hotel\/ht\/habitation-des-lauriers.xu.html?aid=1232728&amp;label=haiti_travelguide_en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow sponsored\"><strong>Habitation des Lauriers<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>They prefer US dollars but I believe Euros can be exchanged too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Card payment and ATMs in Haiti<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Unlike countries such as <a href=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/country\/syria\/\"><strong>Syria<\/strong><\/a> or <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/travel-to-iran-ultimate-survival-guide\/\">Iran<\/a><\/strong>, Haiti is not a country under sanctions, so you can easily withdraw money from certain ATMs and even pay your hotel by card.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For the rest, Haiti is pretty much a cash economy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How much does it cost to travel in Haiti?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Haiti is actually quite expensive, much more than Dominican Republic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How much does accommodation cost in Haiti?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Accommodation isn\u2019t great in Haiti and you can expect to pay a minimum of 50 to 70 USD for a basic room.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Rooms are basic but the hotels are relatively decent, meaning that they provide services, speak English and are used to dealing with foreigners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, you might be paying 60 USD for a very basic room with no AC and where water and electricity issues are common.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I heard that some travelers were staying in hotels cheaper than that, where local Haitians stay, but expect their facilities to be beyond basic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How much does food cost in Haiti?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Food in Haiti can be pretty expensive too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A meal in a restaurant will cost around 10 USD, and up to 20 USD in fancier restaurants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Local street food is obviously much, much cheaper &#8211; maybe 1 USD for a meal &#8211; but it\u2019s not great.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How much does transportation cost in Haiti?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Local transportation is particularly cheap, like you can expect in any country of this kind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A <em>tap tap<\/em> ride will rarely exceed more than 50 cents and a minibus between cities will cost a couple of USD.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-white-color has-vivid-green-cyan-background-color has-text-color has-background\"><strong>Backpacking budget for Haiti<\/strong><br><strong>From 85USD a day<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"11\">How to deal with extreme poverty when visiting Haiti<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Haiti is the poorest country in the American continent and within the 25 poorest nations in the world, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.worlddata.info\/poorest-countries.php\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\"><strong>according to all rankings<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The extreme poverty and lack of proper infrastructure can be seen everywhere in Haiti, including in areas of Port-au-Prince which are supposed to be good.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There are absolutely humungous piles of burning trash at every corner, no electricity at night and so many people looking poor and miserable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Burning-trash-Haiti-1024x768.avif\" type=\"image\/avif\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Burning-trash-Haiti-1024x768.jpg\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Burning-trash-Haiti-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"Burning trash Haiti\" class=\"wp-image-45808\"><\/picture><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Foreign travelers stand out a lot, so do expect to be stared at by everyone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As with all the countries I have been to, most people you meet in Haiti are nice and pleasant, but I also found some beggars to be particularly intense and aggressive, so be mentally prepared to handle such situations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Getting ripped-off when traveling in Haiti<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Getting ripped-off isn\u2019t the general norm but once in a while, some people may try to overcharge you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This happened to me several times when taking a <em>tap tap<\/em>, and in local bars too. A bottle of Prestige \u2013 the Haitian beer \u2013 should never be more than 1 USD in a bar of that kind, but I often paid almost 3 USD. Entirely my fault for not asking their price first.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"12\">Haiti: people and religion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Today, Haiti is a Caribbean country where the vast majority of people are descendants of former black African slaves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-background\" style=\"background-color:#eaeaea\">Note that the <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Ta%C3%ADno\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Ta\u00edno<\/strong><\/a> were the indigenous people to the island but Columbus and his Spanish crew exterminated them in a matter of years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Some former French colonists also left their descendants by having children with their slaves, leading to lighter-skinned Haitians called <em>mulattos. <\/em>Nowadays<em>, mulattos<\/em> form the majority of Haiti\u2019s elite, political and economic class.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The few other Haitians are mainly of Arab descent, from <a href=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/things-to-do-in-lebanon\/\"><strong>Lebanon<\/strong><\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/syria-itinerary\/\"><strong>Syria<\/strong><\/a>, and you might see them hanging out in the wealthiest areas of Port-au-Prince.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/People-in-Haiti-1024x768.avif\" type=\"image\/avif\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/People-in-Haiti-1024x768.jpg\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/People-in-Haiti-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"People in Haiti\" class=\"wp-image-45810\"><\/picture><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A local Haitian woman in Port-au-Prince<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Religion in Haiti<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Haiti is a very religious country and such is the influence of their West African ancestors that Vodou is recognised as the official religion of the state, along with Catholicism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Churches are always packed on Sunday but Haitian Vodou also plays a significant role and attending a ceremony is one of the highlights of backpacking in Haiti. However you will need to be lucky to catch one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Unfortunately, I wasn\u2019t able to attend one but I did visit a Vodou temple, a workshop where they sold Vodou-related artifacts and also a market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Haitian Vodou revolves around spirits known as <strong><em>Iwa<\/em><\/strong> and <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Haitian_Vodou\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>here you can read more about it<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These 2 pieces of Vodou art can be found in <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/7XWwkAPgojGRLhUx8\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Atis Rezistans<\/a><\/strong>, a workshop that creates art out of garbage. This was one of the most interesting places I visited during my trip to Haiti.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Vodoo-artifacts-in-Haiti-768x1024.avif\" type=\"image\/avif\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Vodoo-artifacts-in-Haiti-768x1024.jpg\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Vodoo-artifacts-in-Haiti-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Vodoo artifacts in Haiti\" class=\"wp-image-45812\"><\/picture><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Vodou-in-Haiti-768x1024.avif\" type=\"image\/avif\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Vodou-in-Haiti-768x1024.jpg\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Vodou-in-Haiti-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Vodou in Haiti\" class=\"wp-image-45814\"><\/picture><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"13\">\ud83d\udcf8 Taking photos of people when traveling in Haiti<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>I think Haitians are the most camera-shy people I have ever met on my travels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>They are so shy that you might even be yelled at for just taking a picture of a street, without pointing your camera at anyone&#8217;s face in particular.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>They just don\u2019t like it so when wandering around markets, for example, always ask for permission &#8211; but believe me when I say you\u2019ll rarely be granted it unless you\u2019ve been interacting with them prior to asking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/cite-soleil-Port-au-Prince-768x1024.avif\" type=\"image\/avif\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/cite-soleil-Port-au-Prince-768x1024.jpg\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/cite-soleil-Port-au-Prince-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Cite Soleil Port-au-Prince\" class=\"wp-image-45816\"><\/picture><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A local man and borrom seller in Cit\u00e9 Soleil Port-au-Prince<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"14\">\ud83d\udcac Language in Haiti<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Both Creole and French are the official languages in Haiti.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>French is the language used by the Administration and Haiti\u2019s elite.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Creole is used by everyone else, and it\u2019s a peculiar mix of French, Spanish, English and even Ta\u00edno, they claim.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, French-speaking people won\u2019t be able to understand Creole, and typically, lower-educated people don\u2019t speak French either.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>English is also rarely spoken in the streets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"15\">\ud83c\udf72 Haitian cuisine<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>I will never be a fan of Caribbean food.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I find it bland and boring, but it can be eaten.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Typically, all restaurants will serve a portion of protein alongside fried plantain and rice mixed with black beans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Protein can be anything from grilled fish (pwason poukannen) to pork (griot), chicken and even lobster, if you go to the right places.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Except for just one or two days, I ate combinations of the above at absolutely every meal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Haitian-cuisine-768x1024.avif\" type=\"image\/avif\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Haitian-cuisine-768x1024.jpg\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Haitian-cuisine-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Haitian cuisine\" class=\"wp-image-45818\"><\/picture><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Fired fish, lobster and rice with beans. This is the best meal I had traveling in Haiti<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/beer-haiti-768x1024.avif\" type=\"image\/avif\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/beer-haiti-768x1024.jpg\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/beer-haiti-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Beer Haiti\" class=\"wp-image-45820\"><\/picture><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Prestige is the national beer in Haiti<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\ud83c\udf7b Alcohol in Haiti<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The national beer is called Prestige. They sell it everywhere and Haitians drink it at any time of day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Haitians are also very proud of their locally produced rum, the best brand being Barbancourt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"16\">\ud83d\udcbb Internet in Haiti<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Generally-speaking, Wi-Fi is pretty awful across Haiti, so I strongly recommend getting a SIM card, which works relatively well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">eSIM for browsing, calling and traveling in Haiti<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>An eSIM is a regular SIM card with a digital format that works like a normal physical card, with the added benefit that you can buy it online before or during your trip, hence avoiding the hassle of buying it in a local store.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.airalo.com\/haiti-esim\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Airalo<\/a><\/strong>, you can get an eSIM for a wide range of destinations, including <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.airalo.com\/haiti-esim\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Haiti<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Get a VPN for traveling in Haiti<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">You should always use a VPN when you travel, especially when you connect to public Wi-Fi networks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">Your connection will be much safer.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">Moreover, you will be able to access content which is typically censored in Kazakhstan.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">I recommend <strong>ExpressVPN<\/strong> &#8211; Extremely easy to use, fast and cheap.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-background wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/go.expressvpn.com\/c\/2203603\/1481117\/16063?subId1=haiti_travelguide_en\" style=\"border-radius:11px;background-color:#dd3333\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow sponsored\"><strong>Get a vpn<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-background\" style=\"background-color:#eaeaea\">If you want to learn more about VPN, check: <a href=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/vpn-travel\/\"><strong>Why you need a VPN for traveling<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"17\">\u2757 More information<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-white-color has-text-color has-background\" style=\"background-color:#2b8f2b\">\ud83d\udce2 In my <a href=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/travel-resources\/\"><strong>Travel Resources Page<\/strong><\/a> you can find the list of all the sites and services I use to book hotels, tours, travel insurance and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">All guides and articles for traveling in Haiti destination<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/haiti-itinerary\/\">Haiti Itinerary<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Check travel tips to the following offbeat countries:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/country\/mali\/\">Mali<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/country\/libya\/\">Libya<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/country\/syria\/\">Syria<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/country\/yemen\/\">Yemen<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/country\/afghanistan\/\">Afghanistan<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/country\/somalia\/\">Somalia<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Other Related Travel Guide Articles:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/canaima\/\">How to visit Angel Falls<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/llanos-venezuela\/\">How to visit Los Llanos<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/venezuela-travel\/\">Venezuela Travel Guide<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Haiti-Travel-guide-740x1024.avif\" type=\"image\/avif\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Haiti-Travel-guide-740x1024.jpg\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Haiti-Travel-guide-740x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Haiti Travel guide\" class=\"wp-image-45769\" style=\"width:482px;height:667px\"><\/picture><\/figure>\n\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>I traveled independently through Haiti for 10 days, from Cap-Ha\u00eftien to Port-au-Prince and a few places in between, always using local transportation or hitchhiking, as well as a short domestic flight. It was a fantastic trip, and I recommend visiting Haiti to anyone looking for an unrivalled offbeat adventure in the Americas.&nbsp; This updated and [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":46319,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[164,334],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-45760","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-travel-guides","category-haiti"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/45760","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=45760"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/45760\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":56656,"href":"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/45760\/revisions\/56656"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/46319"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=45760"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=45760"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=45760"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}