Caribbean
Haiti
Cap-Haitien, the Citadelle Laferriere (the largest fortress in the Americas), Bassin Bleu near Jacmel (when accessible), the painted tap-tap art scene, Vodou heritage, the Caribbean north coast that almost no tourists see. Travel here is a deliberate choice with significant friction.
Plan it right
Before you book the flight
Quick checks that decide whether a Haiti trip actually works on your dates.
Find it on the map
Open Haiti in Google Maps and drop a pin on your base before you lose signal.
Open in Google MapsCheck the visa policy
Rules for Haiti change with your nationality and current advisories. Confirm before booking anything.
Read entry rulesGet help with a visa
A reputable visa service can handle paperwork and invitation letters if you'd rather not deal with the consulate.
Compare services- 1 EUR ≈ 149.3 HTG
- 1 USD ≈ 130.8 HTG
- 1 GBP ≈ 175.3 HTG
Exchange Rates Updated Daily. Last updated on 11/Jul/2026.
No McDonald's benchmark available.
Use local café / fast-food meal prices instead.
Approximate McDonald's Big Mac® price where available. Prices vary by city, branch, tax, delivery channel, and date checked. This site is not affiliated with or endorsed by McDonald's.
Source: Countries with McDonald's restaurants reference
No reliable McDonald's/Big Mac benchmark found; likely no official McDonald's presence
Prices Researched at May 2026
Where to stay
8+ rated stays near Haiti
Booking.com opens filtered to an 8+ guest score so you can compare photos, prices and recent reviews before choosing a base.
When to go
Best: Dec-Mar. Drier, less humid months outside peak hurricane season; mountains cooler.
Avoid: Aug-Oct hurricane/wettest risk
Why it is difficult
Status, May 2026: Acute crisis. Gang coalition (Viv Ansanm) controls most of Port-au-Prince since 2024 takeover of the main airport. Kenyan-led multinational security mission (MSS) deployed but with limited effect. Almost no commercial flights to Port-au-Prince. Travel to Cap-Haitien in the north remains possible. UK, US, Canadian governments all advise “do not travel”.
Why it is worth visiting
Cap-Haitien, the Citadelle Laferriere (the largest fortress in the Americas), Bassin Bleu near Jacmel (when accessible), the painted tap-tap art scene, Vodou heritage, the Caribbean north coast that almost no tourists see. Travel here is a deliberate choice with significant friction.
Practical travel notes
Currency: Haitian gourde (HTG) and USD circulate. USD widely accepted in hotels. SIM: Digicel and Natcom; tourist plans at the airport. Language: French + Haitian Creole. English in tourist context only. Travel insurance: most policies exclude Haiti. Specialist providers (World Travel Protection, Global Rescue) can cover. Security: do not leave hotel grounds without a vetted driver. Move only in daylight. Photograph nothing that includes uniforms or armed people.
Access and logistics
Access and internal movement depend heavily on current conditions. Plan routes around reliable entry points, daylight transfers, and locally verified transport.
Safety considerations
Treat security as the core planning constraint. Avoid improvising routes, keep a conservative schedule, and re-check local conditions immediately before travel.
Visa or permit notes
No visa required for most Western and most Latin-American passports (90 days on arrival). Tourist tax USD 10 on arrival. Entry currently almost exclusively through Cap-Haitien (CAP). Sunrise Airways flies CAP from Miami, Santo Domingo, Punta Cana and Providenciales. Port-au-Prince (PAP) was closed to commercial passenger flights for most of 2024-25; check the week of travel. Overland from the Dominican Republic (Dajabon-Ouanaminthe in the north, Jimani-Malpasse in the south) functional but tense.
Local guides, drivers and fixers
These contacts may help with guiding, transport, permits, logistics, translation, or local arrangements. Always confirm prices, availability, safety conditions, and exact services before booking.
Habitation des Lauriers (Cap-Haitien)
Hotel / Tour OrganizerHaiti
Top choice, arranges drivers, Citadelle trips, airport pickup
Philip (Park Hotel PaP)
Hotel Owner / FixerHaiti
Pragmatic, security updates, connects guide/driver
Augusnel
Tour Guide (Cap-Haitien/Labadie)Haiti
Highly recommended, enthusiastic, navigates traffic well
Lauriers' driver (PaP)
Moto Taxi Driver (French/Creole only)Haiti
Arranged by Habitation des Lauriers
Jefferson
Street Guide (Cap-Haitien)Haiti
Speaks Spanish/French/English, orphan, kind & knowledgeable
Age de Tour (cross-border bus)
Bus Service Cap-Haitien to DRHaiti
$100 full trip, sometimes punctual
On the ground
10 practical tips
The decisions that separate a smooth trip from a stranded one.
Choose the strongest season
Use Dec-Mar as the first planning window for Haiti, then check weather, access and local conditions again before booking.
Avoid the hardest months
Be cautious about Aug-Oct hurricane/wettest risk, because the wrong season can make transport, outdoor access and backup plans much harder.
Confirm entry rules first
Verify current entry rules through official channels before booking; recent planning notes suggest No visa required for most Western and most Latin-American passports (90 days on arrival), but this should not be treated as final.
Plan the access route
Build the itinerary around the real access route: Access and internal movement depend heavily on current conditions.
Re-check security conditions
Treat Haiti as a severe security-risk destination and verify airport, road and neighbourhood access through current official advice and trusted local contacts.
Plan cash and payments
Carry a realistic payment backup for Haiti, especially for drivers, small hotels, local fees and situations where cards or ATMs may not work reliably.
Secure scarce accommodation
Book the first night and trusted transfers before arrival in Haiti, then avoid relying on last-minute local arrangements in sensitive areas.
Use local support selectively
Shortlist a reputable local operator for Haiti before departure, then confirm route, permissions, security expectations, inclusions and cancellation terms in writing.
Build in buffer days
Treat 7 to 14 days, depending on route and security constraints as a planning range for Haiti, but add buffer time if the route depends on flights, boats, permits, road conditions or security checks.
Decide if the trade-off fits
Choose Haiti for Cap-Haitien, the Citadelle Laferriere (the largest fortress in the Americas), Bassin Bleu near Jacmel (when accessible), the painted tap-tap art scene, Vodou heritage, the, but only if you are comfortable with the main trade-offs: political instability, health or safety concerns, difficult permits.
Good to know
Haiti FAQ
Honest answers, including the ones that might change your plans.
Can tourists visit Haiti?
Tourism may be possible in parts of Haiti, but conditions can change quickly. Check current government travel advisories, embassy guidance, local contacts, and recent traveller reports before booking.
What visa do you need for Haiti?
Visa and permit rules vary by nationality and can change without much notice. Use this guide as a starting point, then confirm current requirements with official government, embassy, or consulate sources.
What is the best time to visit Haiti?
The usual planning window is Dec-Mar. Weather, access, holidays, security conditions, and transport schedules can still affect the final route.
How long do you need for Haiti?
A realistic first plan is 7 to 14 days, depending on route and security constraints. Add buffer days for permits, route changes, weather delays, and unreliable transport.