{"id":48548,"date":"2024-03-19T10:06:20","date_gmt":"2024-03-19T08:06:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/?p=48548"},"modified":"2025-11-04T14:55:03","modified_gmt":"2025-11-04T12:55:03","slug":"haiti-itinerary","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/haiti-itinerary\/","title":{"rendered":"Things to do in Haiti in a 1-week itinerary"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/featured-Places-to-visit-in-Haiti-1024x753.avif\" type=\"image\/avif\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/featured-Places-to-visit-in-Haiti-1024x753.jpg\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/featured-Places-to-visit-in-Haiti-1024x753.jpg\" alt=\"Places to visit in Haiti\" class=\"wp-image-48558\"><\/picture><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Dreamy landscapes and beaches, world-class architectural delights and the most authentic West African culture in the heart of the Caribbean.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Few travelers know about any of the places to visit in Haiti, yet this is truly the most unique destination in the Americas, packed with exciting sites offering thrilling backpacking adventures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>After spending 10 traveling around the country, here\u2019s a <strong>comprehensive 7-day<\/strong>, safe itinerary containing the best things to see and do in Haiti.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-background\" style=\"background-color:#eaeaea\">For all practical information including visas, safety, local culture, etc., check our <a href=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/travel-haiti\/\"><strong>travel guide to Haiti<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/pin-1-things-to-do-in-Haiti-685x1024.avif\" type=\"image\/avif\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/pin-1-things-to-do-in-Haiti-685x1024.jpg\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/pin-1-things-to-do-in-Haiti-685x1024.jpg\" alt=\"things to do in Haiti\" class=\"wp-image-48561\" style=\"width:476px;height:auto\"><\/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 itinerary, 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\" data-type=\"internal\" data-id=\"#tips-for-egypt\">Accommodation<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#2\" data-type=\"internal\" data-id=\"#all-my-articles-on-egypt\">Things to do<\/a>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"#3\">Day 1 \u2013 Traveling from Santo Domingo to Cap-Ha\u00eftien<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#4\">Day 2 \u2013 Exploring Cap-Ha\u00eftien<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#5\">Day 3 \u2013 Day trip to Citadelle la Ferri\u00e8re<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#6\">Day 4 \u2013 Hiking to Labadee<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#7\">Day 5 \u2013 Travel from Cap-Ha\u00eftien to Port au Prince<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#8\">Day 6 \u2013 Port-au-Prince<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#9\">Day 7 \u2013 Mirelabais and Dominican Republic<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#10\">More Information<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\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_itinerary_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 has-custom-font-size\" style=\"font-size:16px\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-black-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color has-text-align-center wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.iatitravelinsurance.com\/en-eu\/?r=30867932099453&amp;cmp=haiti_itinerary_en_text\" style=\"border-radius:11px;background-color:#fe9900\" 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<\/div>\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=\"1\">\ud83c\udfe8 Accommodation: where to stay at the places you visit in Haiti<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Where to stay in Santo Domingo<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-normal-font-size\"><strong>Near the station for buses to Haiti: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.booking.com\/hotel\/do\/torres-apart-studio.xu.html?aid=1232728&amp;label=haiti_itinerary_en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow sponsored\">Torres Apart Studio<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-normal-font-size\">Although this place is nothing special, it\u2019s relatively well-priced and ideally located next to the bus terminal for buses going to Haiti.<\/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:\/\/www.booking.com\/hotel\/do\/torres-apart-studio.xu.html?aid=1232728&amp;label=haiti_itinerary_en\" style=\"border-radius:11px;background-color:#0c3b7c\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow sponsored\"><strong>Check on Booking<\/strong>.com<\/a><\/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-normal-font-size\"><strong>In the Zona Colonial, near tourist sites: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.booking.com\/hotel\/do\/la-puerta-roja-guess-house.xu.html?aid=1232728&amp;label=haiti_itinerary_en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow sponsored\">La Puerta Roja Guest House<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-normal-font-size\">Cheap, and very well located. This beautiful guest house is an excellent place to stay.<\/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:\/\/www.booking.com\/hotel\/do\/la-puerta-roja-guess-house.xu.html?aid=1232728&amp;label=haiti_itinerary_en\" style=\"border-radius:11px;background-color:#0c3b7c\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow sponsored\"><strong>Check on Booking<\/strong>.com<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Where to stay in Cap-Ha\u00eftien: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.booking.com\/hotel\/ht\/habitation-des-lauriers.xu.html?aid=1232728&amp;label=haiti_itinerary_en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow sponsored\">Habitation des Lauriers<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-normal-font-size\">This is the best place to stay in Cap-Ha\u00eftien. The rooms are basic and a bit expensive, but that\u2019s what you always get in Haiti, and this accommodation offers the added benefit of having staff who speak English. You can also pay by card and exchange money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-normal-font-size\">The views are amazing too, overlooking Cap-Ha\u00eftien.<\/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:\/\/www.booking.com\/hotel\/ht\/habitation-des-lauriers.xu.html?aid=1232728&amp;label=haiti_itinerary_en\" style=\"border-radius:11px;background-color:#0c3b7c\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow sponsored\"><strong>Check on Booking<\/strong>.com<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Things-to-do-in-Cape-Haitien-1024x695.avif\" type=\"image\/avif\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Things-to-do-in-Cape-Haitien-1024x695.jpg\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Things-to-do-in-Cape-Haitien-1024x695.jpg\" alt=\"Things to do in Cape Hai\u0308tien\" class=\"wp-image-48631\"><\/picture><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The views from Habitation des Lauriers is probably one of the most beautiful things to see in Haiti<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Where to stay in Port-au-Prince: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.booking.com\/hotel\/ht\/allamanda-bed-and-breakfast.xu.html?aid=1232728&amp;label=haiti_itinerary_en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow sponsored\">Allamanda Hotel<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-normal-font-size\">P\u00e9tionville is the safest area in the capital, and the only place where you should book a hotel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-normal-font-size\">This one is one of the best choices in town.<\/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:\/\/www.booking.com\/hotel\/ht\/allamanda-bed-and-breakfast.xu.html?aid=1232728&amp;label=haiti_itinerary_en\" style=\"border-radius:11px;background-color:#0c3b7c\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow sponsored\"><strong>Check on Booking<\/strong>.com<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"2\">\ud83d\uded6 Things to do with Haiti in a 7-day itinerary<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Here\u2019s everything you can visit in Haiti in 1 week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-vivid-red-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-0e5a597ca5ae7d70e07ebd94f5ad899e\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Map of things to do in Haiti<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<iframe src=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/d\/u\/0\/embed?mid=1Akml-1n8iGk9pkkfQSz-flX9EsEfWR8&#038;ehbc=2E312F&#038;noprof=1\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\"><\/iframe>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"3\">Day 1 &#8211; Traveling from Santo Domingo to Cap-Ha\u00eftien<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>I overlanded into Haiti from Dominican Republic and that\u2019s what most travelers do, so our Haiti itinerary will focus on this area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In any case, remember that both Port-au-Prince and Cap-Ha\u00eftien have an international airport with connections to different cities in the USA &#8211; especially Miami &#8211; but flights tend to be more expensive than any flight into Santo Domingo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The best way to travel from Dominican Republic to Haiti is by taking the direct bus that runs from Santo Domingo to Cap-Ha\u00eftien via Santiago de los Caballeros.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A bus also goes to Port-au-Prince, but this Haiti travel itinerary will instead focus on the other route.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step 1: Head to the bus terminal at least one day before your intended date of departure<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>The bus company going to Haiti is called <strong>Caribbean Tours<\/strong>, and the terminal is <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/BXuF8m5g7oeV7AMe6\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">located here<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Buses to Cap-Ha\u00eftien depart in the morning, between 7am and 8:30am.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Tickets do sell out, so try to get there at least one day before to book your ticket and find out the actual time of departure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A one-way ticket costs 30-35 USD. This can be paid in Dominican Pesos too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step 2: On the day of departure, go to the terminal to catch the bus and pay the respective border fees<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>To exit Dominican Republic by land, some border fees apply and you must pay these before boarding the bus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Border fees cost 37 USD, and must be paid in USD.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you don\u2019t have US dollars on you, there\u2019s a money exchange office on the first floor of the bus terminal, where they will exchange your Dominican Pesos into USD at a pretty fair rate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Note that the office will most likely be closed by the time you get there, so make sure to buy your $ the day before.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The bus journey officially takes 7 &#8211; 8 hours although it can easily take up to 12. Factors for potential delays include border crossing mishaps, but also bus breakdowns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The bus has a pretty long stopover in a city called Santiago de los Caballeros.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>They do also serve a meal on board consisting of Dominican-style grilled meat and rice, which I found to be particularly awful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image 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\" data-id=\"45801\" 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\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image 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\" data-id=\"45804\" 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<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step 3: Dominican Republic-Haiti border crossing<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>The border is a bit chaotic but there\u2019s an attendant\/tour leader on the bus who will probably guide you through, including paying the mentioned border fees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On the Haitian side, some locals will offer to help you with filling out the forms &#8211; looking for a tip &#8211; but just ignore them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step 4 &#8211; Arriving in Cap-Ha\u00eftien<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>The bus will drop you <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/44YdnUQKC2oa3JX36\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">at this terminal<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I arrived at around 7pm, when it was already dark. Actually, it was really dark, since the street lights weren\u2019t on, which happens pretty much all over Haiti.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>At the station, you\u2019ll find plenty of motorbike taxis but the hotel I stayed at, Habitation des Lauriers, is just 1.7km from here, so I decided to walk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"4\">Day 2 &#8211; Exploring Cap-Ha\u00eftien<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Cap Ha\u00eftien is the second most important city after Port-au-Prince, housing the top tourist attractions in all Haiti.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Furthermore, from a historical perspective, the area is far more significant than the capital, for the following reasons:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It was here in Cap-Ha\u00eftien &#8211; in Bord de Mer de Limonade, just outside of the city &#8211; where Colombus built the first settlement ever in the New World.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The area was the epicentre of the slaves&#8217; revolt against their French overlords.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Cap Ha\u00eftien served as the French headquarters during colonial rule.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>From the <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.booking.com\/hotel\/ht\/habitation-des-lauriers.xu.html?aid=1232728&amp;label=haiti_itinerary_en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow sponsored\">Habitation des Lauriers<\/a><\/strong> hotel, you get the best views of the city\u2019s skyline, so there isn\u2019t a better place to start your day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Other than that, Cap-Ha\u00eftien is a pleasant city to walk around while checking out some pretty cool local markets and old colonial French architecture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Things to do in Cap-Ha\u00eftien<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Place d\u2019Armes &amp; Notre Dame Cathedral:<\/strong> the central square with its respective cathedral, colonial buildings and gingerbread houses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-2 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Famous-landmarks-in-Haiti-684x1024.avif\" type=\"image\/avif\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Famous-landmarks-in-Haiti-684x1024.jpg\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-id=\"48572\" src=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Famous-landmarks-in-Haiti-684x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Famous landmarks in Haiti\" class=\"wp-image-48572\"><\/picture><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Cap-Hai\u0308tien skyline, one of the most beautiful things in Haiti<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Cathedral-Cap-Haitien-768x1024.avif\" type=\"image\/avif\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Cathedral-Cap-Haitien-768x1024.jpg\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-id=\"48570\" src=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Cathedral-Cap-Haitien-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Cathedral Cap-Hai\u0308tien\" class=\"wp-image-48570\"><\/picture><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The main cathedral in Cap-Hai\u0308tien<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Iron Market: <\/strong>East of Place d\u2019Armes, the Iron Market covers several streets of the city grid. It\u2019s a bustling, fascinating market, something you won\u2019t see anywhere else in the Americas, and very similar to local markets in West Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Around Place de la R\u00e9sistance:<\/strong> This is a pretty random place that won\u2019t be mentioned in any guidebooks, but at the entrance to the city, just before reaching the bridge, there\u2019s a huge outdoor market, one that tourists never see and the best place in Haiti for people-watching. This market is located almost right on the beach, and it reflects the typical images we see of Haiti on the news: absolutely massive piles of rubbisha being dragged away by the ocean waves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Iron-Market-Cap-Haitien-1024x699.avif\" type=\"image\/avif\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Iron-Market-Cap-Haitien-1024x699.jpg\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Iron-Market-Cap-Haitien-1024x699.jpg\" alt=\"Iron Market Cap-Hai\u0308tien\" class=\"wp-image-48574\"><\/picture><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Next to Place de la Re\u0301sistance you find the best market to visit in Haiti<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Half-day trip from Cap-Ha\u00eftien: Bois Ca\u00efman<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Bois Ca\u00efman is one of the most important places in <a href=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/country\/haiti\/\"><strong>Haiti<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On 14th August 1791, a group of black slaves from the sugar plantations of Cap-Ha\u00eftien and nearby areas gathered at a site called Bois Ca\u00efman to perform a Vodou ceremony, while also planning a mass uprising that quickly turned into the Haitian Revolution which freed the country from its French overlords.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Bois Ca\u00efman is located 10km from Cap-Ha\u00eftien.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>How to visit Bois Ca\u00efman<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you want to do it the backpacking &#8211; hard &#8211; way, first take a <em>tap tap<\/em> towards Vaudreuil. From there, it\u2019s a 2km walk to the actual village, but you can also catch a taxi motorbike.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In the village, there\u2019s a painting and memorial of the Haitian Revolution and you can visit the actual cave where the Vodou ceremony took place, and where rituals are still held.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Bois-Caiman-Haiti-1024x719.avif\" type=\"image\/avif\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Bois-Caiman-Haiti-1024x719.jpg\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Bois-Caiman-Haiti-1024x719.jpg\" alt=\"Bois Cai\u0308man Haiti\" class=\"wp-image-48576\"><\/picture><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A representation of the slave revolution in Bois Cai\u0308man, an unmissable in your itinerary in Haiti<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"5\">Day 3 &#8211; Day trip to Citadelle la Ferri\u00e8re<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>In my opinion, Citadelle la Ferri\u00e8re is the most beautiful place to visit in Haiti.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Less than 20km from Cap Ha\u00eftien, there\u2019s a place called Milot, a rural town home to an absolutely astonishing fortress built on top of a mountain with superb views of the mountains around the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This is the largest fortress in the whole American continent, and a symbol of Haiti\u2019s independence, built by black slaves who had gained their freedom &#8211; the first of its kind &#8211; and the reason Citadelle la Ferri\u00e8re is today a <a href=\"https:\/\/whc.unesco.org\/en\/list\/180\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>UNESCO World Heritage site<\/strong><\/a>, and the most famous place to visit in Haiti.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It was built in the 19th century, commissioned by Haitian revolutionary Henri Christophe, and aiming to at thwart potential French invasions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Beautiful-places-in-Haiti-1024x684.avif\" type=\"image\/avif\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Beautiful-places-in-Haiti-1024x684.jpg\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Beautiful-places-in-Haiti-1024x684.jpg\" alt=\"Beautiful places in Haiti\" class=\"wp-image-48578\"><\/picture><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The mountains around the fort, the top tourist attraction in Haiti<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to get to Citadelle la Ferri\u00e8re<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>1 &#8211; Take a <em>tap tap<\/em> to Milot<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The <em>tap tap<\/em> station for Milot is <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/8DnBMozeb72jUQWw9\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">located here<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It costs around 100 Gourdes per person.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>2 &#8211; Arriving in Milot and ticket office<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Upon arriving in Milot, you will be approached by particularly intense young men on their motorbikes wanting to take you up to the Citadel. They won\u2019t leave you alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The ticket office for going up to the fortress is 10-15 minutes away from the <em>tap tap<\/em> drop-off point.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The guys on the motorbikes will most likely follow you all the way there, insisting on taking you to the top.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The entrance fee to the Citadel is 1000 Gourdes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>3 &#8211; Going up to the Citadel.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Going to the top of the Citadel on foot is possible, but it would take a few hours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Instead, you can hire someone to take you there on a motorbike, and a round-trip ticket should cost no more than 1000 Gourdes but you\u2019ll probably have to bargain a bit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Motorbikes can\u2019t make it all the way to the top, so the last 1 or 2 kilometres must be done on foot. Lazier travelers can opt to ride a horse too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-3 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Citadelle-la-Ferriere-Haiti-768x1024.avif\" type=\"image\/avif\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Citadelle-la-Ferriere-Haiti-768x1024.jpg\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-id=\"48580\" src=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Citadelle-la-Ferriere-Haiti-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Citadelle la Ferrie\u0300re Haiti\" class=\"wp-image-48580\"><\/picture><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Henry Fort, the most famous landmark in Haiti<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Nice-places-in-Haiti-768x1024.avif\" type=\"image\/avif\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Nice-places-in-Haiti-768x1024.jpg\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-id=\"48582\" src=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Nice-places-in-Haiti-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Nice places in Haiti\" class=\"wp-image-48582\"><\/picture><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">More fort views<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"6\">Day 4 &#8211; Hiking to Labadee<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Many travelers agree that Labadee is the most beautiful place to visit in Haiti.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Labadee is the bit of coast west of Cap-Ha\u00eftien, on the other side of the small peninsula.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This is the best stretch of coast in the country, not only for its white-sand beaches and crystal-clear waters, but also because it\u2019s impeccably clean and plastic-free, something hard to find in Haiti.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Labadee is in fact a pretty laid back settlement, more notably known for being home to a tourist resort named after the village.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This resort is an essential part of the itinerary for many Caribbean cruises sailing past the islands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But don\u2019t worry, the resort is a bit far from the village and nobody is allowed to enter unless they are a cruise passenger. Moreover, cruise passengers are either not interested in leaving the resort or they just think it\u2019s too dangerous.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Actually, you won\u2019t even notice there\u2019s a resort here unless you climb one of the hills or come from Cap-Ha\u00eftien on foot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-4 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Things-to-do-in-Labadee-768x1024.avif\" type=\"image\/avif\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Things-to-do-in-Labadee-768x1024.jpg\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-id=\"48586\" src=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Things-to-do-in-Labadee-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Things to do in Labadee\" class=\"wp-image-48586\"><\/picture><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Locals claim that the coastline of Labadee is the most beautiful place to visit in all Haiti<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/How-to-travel-to-Labadee-Haiti-768x1024.avif\" type=\"image\/avif\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/How-to-travel-to-Labadee-Haiti-768x1024.jpg\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-id=\"48584\" src=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/How-to-travel-to-Labadee-Haiti-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"How to travel to Labadee, Haiti\" class=\"wp-image-48584\"><\/picture><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Hiking to Labadee<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to visit Labadee<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>The 10km hike that follows the coast from Cap-Ha\u00eftien to Labadee is an excellent day trip, and one of the best things to do in Haiti.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>By the way, you can also get there by motorbike taxi, but you\u2019ll be missing a lot of things on the way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To hike to Labadee, you\u2019ll first have to climb a hill through a slum, so there are no marked streets either, and it\u2019s easy to get lost. In my experience, however, locals were pretty helpful in pointing me in the right direction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You need to start climbing <a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/4f2DPvJSMWU9HXFt8\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\"><strong>somewhere around here<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-5 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Slums-Haiti-768x1024.avif\" type=\"image\/avif\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Slums-Haiti-768x1024.jpg\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-id=\"48590\" src=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Slums-Haiti-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Slums Haiti\" class=\"wp-image-48590\"><\/picture><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The slums you must go through if you wish to go Labadee on foot<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Slums-Cap-Haitien-768x1024.avif\" type=\"image\/avif\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Slums-Cap-Haitien-768x1024.jpg\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-id=\"48588\" src=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Slums-Cap-Haitien-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Slums Cap-Hai\u0308tien\" class=\"wp-image-48588\"><\/picture><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Climbing through a shanty town in Cap-Hai\u0308tien<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Once you leave the slum, you\u2019ll get to the main road, and then you just need to follow the trail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Things to do in Labadee<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>As mentioned, Labadee is a small settlement. There\u2019s a small centre, the commercial area where locals gather and you can get a drink.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>From there, local boats depart to different beaches and settlements in the peninsula. A one-way ride costs the equivalent of 1 or 2 USD.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I took the boat to a beach named Belly Beach. There\u2019s a bar here, where you can order drinks and seafood. It wasn\u2019t busy when I was there, and everyone was either wealthy Haitians or crew members from the cruise ship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"7\">Day 5 &#8211; Travel from Cap-Ha\u00eftien to Port au Prince<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-background\" style=\"background-color:#eaeaea\">I recommend visiting Port-au-Prince only if you have a good local contact, otherwise, I think it\u2019s too dangerous to go.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Everyone in Cap-Ha\u00eftien will think that you are crazy wanting to travel to Port-au-Prince.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Maybe they&#8217;re right, I don\u2019t know.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>They will even say it\u2019s not possible to travel there by land, declaring that road access into the capital is controlled by the gangs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I actually believed them, so I decided to flew in instead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Domestic flights are run by a local airline called Sunrise Airways, and the Cap-Ha\u00eftien &#8211; Port-au-Prince route is a short 30-minute flight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, it was after booking my ticket that I learn from my local contact in Port-au-Prince that buses do run regularly between the major cities, although they take a different route.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In any case, remember that the bus journey takes around 9 hours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"8\">Day 6 &#8211; Port-au-Prince<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-background\" style=\"background-color:#eaeaea\">Remember that there is basically a civil war going on in Port-au-Prince. Some places like P\u00e9tionville are safe but to go further afield, you must go with someone who knows their way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The capital of Haiti is one of the most chaotic cities I\u2019ve ever been. It is said that the city\u2019s infrastructure can only accommodate a quarter of its total population, and what existing infrastructure there is isn&#8217;t great either, built in a city that has been crumbling since the <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/2010_Haiti_earthquake\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>earthquake in 2010<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Port-au-Prince is dusty and extremely noisy, with piles of rubbish and extreme poverty filling all the streets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To be completely honest, this isn\u2019t a destination for most travelers although Against the Compass readers may find a certain appeal in its chaos, art scene and particular nightlife.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Visit-Petionville-Haiti-1024x707.avif\" type=\"image\/avif\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Visit-Petionville-Haiti-1024x707.jpg\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Visit-Petionville-Haiti-1024x707.jpg\" alt=\"Visit Pe\u0301tionville, Haiti\" class=\"wp-image-48592\"><\/picture><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Pe\u0301tionville, Port-au-Prince<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p class=\"has-normal-font-size\">Port-au-Prince is an unmissable place to see in Haiti, and it&#8217;s sure not to disappoint you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-normal-font-size\">By the way, when visiting Port-au-Prince, you must stay only in P\u00e9tionville, the safest area in the city, and the only place where you can walk around freely. A good place to stay is <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.booking.com\/hotel\/ht\/allamanda-bed-and-breakfast.xu.html?aid=1232728&amp;label=haiti_itinerary_en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow sponsored\">Allamanda Hotel<\/a><\/strong>.<\/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:\/\/www.booking.com\/hotel\/ht\/allamanda-bed-and-breakfast.xu.html?aid=1232728&amp;label=haiti_itinerary_en\" style=\"border-radius:11px;background-color:#0c3b7c\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow sponsored\"><strong>Check on Booking<\/strong>.com<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Things to do in Port-au-Prince<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>P\u00e9tionville: Originally a residential suburb in the mountains, P\u00e9tionville flourished after the 2010 earthquake, becoming the most prominent neighbourhood in Port-au-Prince, housing the best restaurants and hotels. This is a safe area to walk around, and one where you can enjoy a lively market, a beautiful street where they sell pieces of local art, and numerous bars and restaurants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Street-art-Port-au-Prince-1024x607.avif\" type=\"image\/avif\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Street-art-Port-au-Prince-1024x607.jpg\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Street-art-Port-au-Prince-1024x607.jpg\" alt=\"Street art Port-au-Prince\" class=\"wp-image-48594\"><\/picture><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Street art in Pe\u0301tionville<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Atis Rezistants: A workshop where they create art out of trash, mainly Haitian Vodou-related pieces. This was one of the most interesting places to visit in Haiti.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Atis-Rezistants-Port-au-Prince-1024x768.avif\" type=\"image\/avif\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Atis-Rezistants-Port-au-Prince-1024x768.jpg\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Atis-Rezistants-Port-au-Prince-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"Atis Rezistants, Port-au-Prince\" class=\"wp-image-48596\"><\/picture><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">One of the many art pieces in Atis Rezistants, Port-au-Prince<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/visithaiti.com\/things-to-do\/museum-haitian-national-pantheon\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\"><strong>National Pantheon Museum<\/strong><\/a>: Among other things, this museum features the anchor from <em>Santa Maria<\/em>, the largest boat used during Christopher Columbus&#8217; expedition to the New World, back in 1492. Remember that the first place there ever set foot on was in today\u2019s Haiti.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left\">Check our <a href=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/travel-haiti\/\"><strong>travel guide<\/strong><\/a> for more information. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2028Cit\u00e9 Soleil: The poorest slum in all of the Americas and one of the largest in the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to visit Cit\u00e9 Soleil<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>The most infamous place to visit in Haiti is Cit\u00e9 Soleil.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Cit\u00e9 Soleil is perhaps the most dangerous place in the Americas, and far more dangerous that infamous destinations such as <a href=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/travel-syria\/\"><strong>Syria<\/strong><\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/yemen-travel\/\"><strong>Yemen<\/strong><\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/travel-afghanistan\/\"><strong>Afghanistan<\/strong><\/a>. The reason is that today, Cit\u00e9 Soleil is a <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/2022_Port-au-Prince_gang_battles\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>battlefield for gangs<\/strong><\/a> trying to kill each other on an almost daily basis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Despite the current situation, however, I did visit Cit\u00e9 Soleil with the help of a local fixer who personally knows the gangs controlling the area, and I actually had the chance to meet the sub-chief of G-PEP.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>They showed me around the slum, we had a few beers with some gang members then left after 2 hours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Cite-Soleil-1024x768.avif\" type=\"image\/avif\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Cite-Soleil-1024x768.jpg\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Cite-Soleil-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"Cite\u0301 Soleil\" class=\"wp-image-48598\"><\/picture><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The slum of Cite\u0301 Soleil<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/People-Cite-Soleil-1024x768.avif\" type=\"image\/avif\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/People-Cite-Soleil-1024x768.jpg\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/People-Cite-Soleil-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"People Cite\u0301 Soleil\" class=\"wp-image-48600\"><\/picture><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A woman in Cite\u0301 Soleil<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>2 things I want to highlight:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Firstly, that I\u2019ve never felt so intimated in my life as, the time I visited Cit\u00e9 Soleil. Upon arriving at the main gang checkpoint to enter the slum, a group of extremely young Haitians came running towards us, but as soon as they saw our fixer, they all calmed down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s important to highlight that unlike checkpoints in <a href=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/travel-iraq-federal\/\"><strong>Iraq<\/strong><\/a> for example, these Haitians do actually use their guns every other day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Second, kindly note that I won\u2019t be sharing my fixer\u2019s contact details as I don\u2019t want Cit\u00e9 Soleil to become a playground for backpackers since eventually, someone <em>will<\/em> get shot and I really don\u2019t want to be involved. Street shootings do occur every every day and stray bullets are a thing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Gangs-Port-au-Prince-768x1024.avif\" type=\"image\/avif\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Gangs-Port-au-Prince-768x1024.jpg\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Gangs-Port-au-Prince-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Gangs Port-au-Prince\" class=\"wp-image-48602\"><\/picture><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">With a gang member in Cite\u0301 Soleil<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"9\">Day 7 &#8211; Mirelabais and Dominican Republic<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Unless you wish to keep exploring Haiti beyond what is included in this Haiti travel itinerary, on day 7 of the tour, I recommend going back to Dominican Republic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, instead of getting a direct bus to Santo Domingo, I recommend doing it the <em>backpacking way<\/em> through Mirebalais and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.es\/maps\/place\/Douane+de+Bellad%C3%A8res\/@18.879876,-71.7377306,15.75z\/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0x8eb0bbb5d5c41f8b:0x31b798870694d6ea!8m2!3d18.8782055!4d-71.7251136!16s%2Fg%2F11h5578lhx?entry=tts\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\"><strong>the Bellad\u00e8res border<\/strong><\/a>, so you can to see another, more rural side to the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step 1: Get a bus to Mirelabais.<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Buses run all day long, starting early in the morning. The station is located <a href=\"https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/G24QYubx1eFmu9XU9\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\"><strong>here<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step 2: Get on a <em>tap tap<\/em> to Lascahobas. <\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>You can find a taxi to take you to the border, but we couldn\u2019t find a public <em>tap tap<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step 3: Get a final <em>tap tap<\/em> to the actual border. <\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>No secrets, you\u2019ll easily find the necessary transportation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step 4: Cross the border on foot. <\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>On the Haitian side, you don\u2019t have to pay any exit fees but on the Dominican side, a fee of 10 USD applies. I found this border to be very corrupt, so make sure you pay at the official stall, and get an actual receipt. The police may ask for it later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step 5: Bus from Elias Pina to Santo Domingo. <\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Elias Pina is a 20-minute walk from the border, maybe a bit more. There\u2019s not much to see in this town, but it has a lively market and a very local feel. It\u2019s easy to find transportation to Santo Domingo but you might want to spend the night here, or travel somewhere else instead. One piece of advice, however: I took the last bus to Santo Domingo, departing at 6pm. The ride was long and they dropped me off in the middle of the night at a very, very sketchy area of Santo Domingo, where muggings are not uncommon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Haiti-Dominican-Republic-border-crossing-1024x768.avif\" type=\"image\/avif\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Haiti-Dominican-Republic-border-crossing-1024x768.jpg\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Haiti-Dominican-Republic-border-crossing-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"Haiti-Dominican Republic border crossing\" class=\"wp-image-48604\"><\/picture><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The border crossing at Bellade\u0300res<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"10\">\u2757More 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\/travel-haiti\/\">Haiti Travel Guide<\/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\/2024\/03\/pin-2-Haiti-Itinerary-685x1024.avif\" type=\"image\/avif\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/pin-2-Haiti-Itinerary-685x1024.jpg\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/pin-2-Haiti-Itinerary-685x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Haiti Itinerary\" class=\"wp-image-48563\" style=\"width:405px;height:auto\"><\/picture><\/figure>\n\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Dreamy landscapes and beaches, world-class architectural delights and the most authentic West African culture in the heart of the Caribbean. Few travelers know about any of the places to visit in Haiti, yet this is truly the most unique destination in the Americas, packed with exciting sites offering thrilling backpacking adventures. After spending 10 traveling [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":48558,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[164,334],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-48548","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\/48548","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=48548"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/48548\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":50101,"href":"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/48548\/revisions\/50101"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/48558"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=48548"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=48548"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=48548"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}