Haiti Travel Guide

Travel to Haiti

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

Get inspired to visit Haiti today!

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

Weather & Best Time to Visit

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

Travelling & Backpacking in Haiti

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

Top Places to Visit in Haiti

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

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

Most Beautiful Islands to Visit in Haiti

Haiti has some of the most incredible islands in the Caribbean

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

Where to Stay in Haiti

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

The Best Bars in Haiti

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