Haiti

Introduction

IMG_0092

© Lavafalls

Nestled alongside the Dominican Republic on the island of Hispaniola, Haiti has a favourable location in the heart of the Caribbean, promising a fine getaway. Promising, but not necessarily delivering. While the wealthy suburb of Petionville presents a palette of fine dining, luxurious hotels and modern shopping centres, neighbouring slum areas reveal the disturbing inequality of Haitian society. For visitors, this means that extra caution must be taken. It is recommended that slum areas such as these are not ventured into.

Looking beyond the social injustice of Haiti there is much to offer as a travel destination. For many travellers the standard Caribbean attractions of stunning beaches and great diving may be enough of a draw. On the other hand Haiti is home to amazing culture such as voodoo, being the first slave revolt state and the Citadel. Haiti is one of those countries that travellers need to think and consider before going and for more information read a lot about the country, the people, safety and health. Although, if you want a true adventure dust off your French and learn some Creole in order to have a great time in Haiti.

Warning: The governments of the US, the UK, Canada and Australia advise against travel to Haiti due to civil unrest, crime, vigilante activities in Port-au-Prince, and kidnapping. Fuel, food, and water are in significantly short supply. Consular services may be limited.

Brief History

The island of Hispaniola, of which Haiti occupies the western third, is one of many Caribbean islands inhabited at the time of European arrival by the Taíno Indians, speakers of an Arawakan language. The Taíno name for the entire island was Kiskeya. In the Taíno societies of the Caribbean Islands, the largest unit of political organization was led by a cacique; hence the term 'caciquedom'. Before the arrival of Christopher Columbus, the island of Hispaniola was divided among five or six long-established caciquedoms.

Christopher Columbus landed at Môle Saint-Nicolas on 5 December 1492, and claimed the island for Spain. Nineteen days later, his ship the Santa María ran aground near the present site of Cap-Haïtien; Columbus was forced to leave behind 39 men, founding the settlement of La Navidad. Following the destruction of La Navidad by the local indigenous people, Columbus moved to the eastern side of the island and established La Isabela.

French buccaneers established a settlement on the island of Tortuga in 1625. They survived by pirating Spanish ships and hunting wild cattle. Although the Spanish destroyed the buccaneers' settlements several times, on each occasion they returned. The first official settlement on Tortuga was established in 1659 under the commission of King Louis XIV.

In 1664, the newly established French West India Company took control over the colony, which it named Saint-Domingue, and France formally claimed control of the western portion of the island of Hispaniola. In 1670 they established the first permanent French settlement on the mainland of Hispaniola, Cap François (later Cap Français, now Cap-Haïtien).

The outbreak of revolution in France in the summer of 1789 had a powerful effect on the colony. On August 22, 1791, slaves in the northern region of the colony staged a revolt that began the Haitian Revolution. In 1792 the French government sent three commissioners with troops to try to reestablish control. They began to build an alliance with the free people of color who wanted more civil rights. In 1793, France and Great Britain went to war, and British troops invaded Saint-Domingue. The execution of Louis XVI heightened tensions in the colony. To build an alliance with the gens de couleur and slaves, the French commissioners Sonthonax and Polverel abolished slavery in the colony.

The United States occupied the island from 1915 to 1934 and from 1957 to 1986, the Duvalier family reigned as dictators, with a personality cult and major corruption. In March 1987, a new Constitution was overwhelmingly approved by Haiti's population. General elections in November were aborted hours after dozens of inhabitants were shot in the capital by soldiers and the Tonton Macoute, and scores more were massacred around the country.

In December 1990, the former priest Jean-Bertrand Aristide was elected President in the Haitian general election, winning by more than two thirds of the vote. Aristide was re-elected in 2000. His second term was marked by accusations of corruption. In 2004 a paramilitary coup ousted Aristide a second time. Aristide was removed by U.S. Marines from his home in what he described as a "kidnapping", and was then briefly held by the government of the Central African Republic. Aristide obtained his release and went into exile in South Africa.

On January 12, 2010 Haiti was struck by a magnitude 7.0 earthquake, the country's most severe earthquake in over 200 years. The epicenter of the quake was just off the Haitian capital Port-au-Prince. The capital city was devastated and tens of thousands of people were killed.

Geography

Haiti occupies the western third of the Caribbean island of Hispaniola. The Dominican Republic takes up the eastern two-thirds. Haiti has two main peninsulas, one in the north and one in the south. Between the peninsulas is the Ile de la Gonâve. On the south and west it borders the Caribbean Sea, while it borders to the Atlantic Ocean in the north. From the most northwestern point it is about 90 kilometres to Cuba, from which it is separated by the Windward Passage. Haiti also controls 4 big islands: Ile de la Gonâve, Ile de la Tortue, Grande Cayemite, and Ile à Vache.

The northern part of Haiti consists of the Massif du Nord (Northern Massif) and the Plaine du Nord (Northern Plain). The Massif du Nord is an extension of the Cordillera Central in the Dominican Republic. It begins at Haiti's eastern border, north of the Guayamouc River, and extends to the northwest through the northern peninsula. The lowlands of the Plaine du Nord lie along the northern border with the Dominican Republic, between the Massif du Nord and the North Atlantic Ocean. The central region consists of two plains and two sets of mountain ranges. The Plateau Central (Central Plateau) extends along both sides of the Guayamouc River, south of the Massif du Nord. It runs from the southeast to the northwest. To the southwest of the Plateau Central are the Montagnes Noires, whose most northwestern part merges with the Massif du Nord. Its westernmost point is known as Cap Carcasse.

The southern region consists of the Plaine du Cul-de-Sac (the southeast) and the mountainous southern peninsula (also known as the Tiburon Peninsula). The Plaine du Cul-de-Sac is a natural depression that harbors the country's saline lakes, such as Trou Caïman and Haiti's largest lake, Lac Azuéi. The Chaîne de la Selle mountain range – an extension of the southern mountain chain of the Dominican Republic (the Sierra de Baoruco) – extends from the Massif de la Selle in the east to the Massif de la Hotte in the west. This mountain range harbors Pic la Selle, the highest point in Haiti at 2,680 metres.

Regions

• Central Haiti - Haiti's population center at the heart of the country—the sprawl surrounding the capital, and lands to the north.
• Northern Haiti - Home to the country's most important cities outside the capital, as well as the foreign tourist's favorite beaches near Cape-Haïtien.
• Southern Haiti - The Caribbean side of the country is the nation's less hectic region, with the up-and-coming Haitian backpacker destinations of Jacmel, Port Salut, and Île à Vache.

Cities

Port-au-Prince

Port-au-Prince is the capital, cultural center and largest city in the country. It has been the major city of Haiti for several centuries and features many great aspects of that tradition. It is home to the national museum, national palace and several wonderful parks. Sadly most of city was destroyed in an earthquake on January 12, 2010 and it will be long time before it will be restored.

Cap-Haïtien

Cap-Haïtien is a nice city located on the northern coast. It has been the traditional rival of Port-au-Prince and was the first capital after independence. It is the jumping point to several nice beaches and to Haiti's proudest achievement, the Citadel. Cap-Haïtien also has an international airport allowing an alternative entry point instead of Port-au-Prince.

Jacmel

Jacmel is the center of the Haitian art community and a wonderful beach town. It is a great place to go and relax. This is also one of the best places to get plugged into the Haitian art world. It also has great seafood and a pleasant atmosphere.

Other Cities

• Port-de-Paix
• Hinche
• Les Cayes
• Saint-Marc is a small industrial town located on the coast on Highway 1
• Gonaïves is one of the largest cities in Haiti and located north of Port-au-Prince on Highway 1. It has been the starting point for several major Haitian events.

Sights and Activities

National History Park – Citadel, Sans Souci, Ramiers

Palais Sans Souci

© LIFAU

The National History Park is the only sight in Haiti that is on the Unesco World Heritage List. The Haitian monuments date back to the early 19th century, when Haiti proclaimed its independence. The Palace of Sans Souci, the buildings at Ramiers and, in particular, the Citadelle Laferrière serve as mixed symbols of liberty and the beginning of oppressive and corrupt governments. At the same time they were the first monuments to be constructed by the black slaves after gaining their freedom. The park is located near Cap Haitien and offers great views as well.

Bassins Bleu Falls

The Bassins Bleu Falls are three deep blue pools, connected by spectacular waterfalls. Because of the special minerals in the water these waterfalls have a very special colour. Legend has it that that there are water nymphs living in the caves near the waterfalls, who enjoy the sun on the rock in Palm Lake. But they disappear whenever they hear people's footsteps.

Étang Saumâtre

Étang Saumâtre is the main place to visit if you are interested in seeing the local flora and fauna. It is Haiti's largest saltwater lake and supports over 100 species of waterfowl, flamingos and American crocodiles. It offers a fantastic natural feature with great colours and dotted by brush and cacti. The western part of the lake is a bit salty, while the eastern part is actually freshwater!

Club Indigo

Club Indigo Beach

© Lavafalls

Club Indigo is the most high end resort in all of Haiti. Located on Highway 1 about an hour and half north of Port-au-Prince, in Montrouis, this resort is stunning. It was originally built as a Club Med in the 1950s and had many famous guests from that era. It was reopened after being closed for 20 years with expanded rooms and services. The crystal clear warm water is great for swimming and the resort has very good prices for its quality with excellent food.

Other sights and activities

• Voodoo is still alive and strong in Haiti and visiting a ceremony is always an interesting time.
• Cap Haitien with its nearby beaches, lush forests and mountains is a great place to visit.
• Aid Work ranging from healthcare, reforestation and economic development can be found in Haiti. Many people come to Haiti in order to help the country.
• Fort Liberte is an amazing sea fortress located near the northern Dominican border.

Events and Festivals

Due to the blending of Catholic and Voodoo traditions, Haiti has several vibrant holidays ranging from Independence Day celebrations to one of the most intense carnivals in the Caribbean.

• Independence Day and New Years are both on January 1st and together are considered a national holiday with joumou, a kind of pumpkin soup, being eaten as a tradition. New Year’s Day is a widely celebrated holiday across countries following the Christian calendar, but this day is also when Haiti commemorates the country’s independence. Jean-Jacques Dessalines declared the nation free from the French colonizers in 1804, making it a joyous occasion.
• Ancestors Day is on January 2nd and is a major Holiday
• Heroes Day celebrates many of Haiti's heroes and is on January 3rd.
• Carnival - Called “Kanaval” in local Creole, this event takes place annually in January or February and traditionally coincides with the start of Lent. All of Haiti comes alive as the cities are filled with colorful parades and pageants, dancing and singing. The festivities turn into night-long parties where the locals come together in celebration. Lent varies according to the Christian calendar, while Carnival takes place in the preceding weeks, concluding on Shrove Tuesday ( “Fat Tuesday”).
• Death of Toussaint Louverture celebrates the death of Haiti's founding father and is on April 4th.
• Flag Day is on May 18th and usually features parades. It is also a popular holiday for protesters against the government.
• Corpus Christi on June 3rd is important to the Catholic population of the country.
• Pilgrimage of St. D'Eau is an important religious holiday during the festival of Our Lady of Carmel from July 14–16.
• October Death of Jean-Jacques Dessalines is celebrated on July 17th.
• Battle of Vertieres is a celebration of one of the most important battles for Haitian independence on November 18th.
• Decouverte of Haiti is the celebration of Columbus discovering Haiti on December 5th. This is one of the most important holidays in Haiti
• Christmas, on December 25th, is an extremely important holiday for Haitian Christians and practicers of Voodoo.
• Rara - Rara is another festival that is linked to the Christian calendar, taking place on Easter week. There are many parades with traditional Haitian-style and Afro-Caribbean music being played. The lively atmosphere is boosted by the many percussive instruments ringing through the streets, with melodies from a bamboo trumpet-style instrument called a vaksen.
• Krik? Krak! Festival - Usually held in May, this family-oriented festival is filled with traditional storytelling of Haitian folklore. There are many other Voodoo celebrations happening throughout the year in different locations.
• Dessalines Day - Held on October 17, this holiday celebrates the death of the modern nation’s founder, Jean-Jacques Dessalines. Haitians are proud that their country became one of the first independent nations in the Americas and was the first ever republic to be led by people of African descent.

Weather

Haiti is a tropical destination with warm or hot weather and high humidity. Daytime temperatures hover around 30 °C or more throughout the year while most nights are well above 20 °C. The north has slightly more variation regarding temperatures, mainly a bit colder during the winter months of November to April and warmer from May to October. The wet season lasts from May to November with hurricanes being a real threat from August to November. The north is also somewhat wetter than the south. Because of the heat Haiti tends to start early in the morning, and as a traveller it is best to follow along with the locals starting your day at 5:30am and ending it early.

Getting There

By Plane

Toussaint Louverture International Airport (PAP) near Port-au-Prince serves a number of international destinations. Air D'Ayiti operates several flights in the Caribbean and to Miami. Other airlines have flights to New York, Montreal, Panama, the Dominican Republic, Curacao and Air France flies to Cayenne in French Guiana. The airport was heavily damaged during the earthquake but still in use. Remember when checking into flights, there are different entrances for the different airlines. There are baggage men that can help you but you don't have to use them. They can be a bit aggressive when trying to help you and demanding a tip.

Tortugair has domestic flights between Port-au-Prince and Jacmel, Cap-Haïtien, Les Cayes and Port-de-Paix.

Getting from the airport to the city can be quite an experience. After exiting the airport, travellers enter a mass of people screaming and shouting. It is best to arrange transport before hand. Most hotels offer free, or affordable, transport to and from the airport. If this is an option, use it.

By Train

There are no train connections with neighbouring Dominican Republic.

By Car

You can use the same border crossings as mentioned below, but driving in Haiti really is not recommended. It's much worse than in the Dominican Republic.

By Bus

There are three border crossing between Haiti and the Dominican Republic. The two best places are the crossing between Ouanaminthe and Dajabón in the north which is convenient when traveling from Santiago to Cap-Haïtien, and the Malpasse/Jimaní crossing more to the south which is on the route from Santo Domingo to Port-au-Prince. A third crossing in the centre, between Beladere and Elías Piña, is difficult when using buses.

Terra-Bus has direct daily departures between Santo Domingo and Port-au-Prince in large comfortable, air-conditioned buses. It costs around US$60 for a ticket. You can also travel in smaller buses for less than half this price, but it's much less comfortable and can take twice as long. Most buses leave during the late morning, arriving late afternoon.

By Boat

Currently there are no international boat services to and from Haiti.

Getting Around

By Plane

Sunrise Air has domestic flights in Haiti between Cap-Haitien and Port-au-Prince.

By Train

There is no train system in Haiti. The system was shut down several decades ago and because of poverty every part of it has been torn up and sold for scrap a long time ago.

By Car

It's not recommended for travellers to rent cars, but if you insist there are agencies at the airport. An international driver's license is required. Outside Port-au-Prince, petrol might be scarce. Roads are in a bad condition and so are most private cars on the road.

Another option is hiring a private car with a driver/translator/guide. This option is costly, about US$200 a day depending on the cost of fuel, but is much safer and more convenient than bus travel. Most guesthouses, such as Matthew 25 below, can arrange short term and long term transport with a driver/translator/guide. This option can be affordable if shared among several travelers.

Another company that offers drivers and cars for roughly the same price is Tour Haiti. The father son duo that runs this company have excellent information on Haiti and can arrange any kind of trip you want. They have arranged trips for famous celebrities, journalists and doctors. The website may be in French, although they speak excellent english and respond to emails quickly.

By Bus

Buses are generally old American school buses and most buses originate and terminate in Port-au-Prince or Cap-Haitien. Buses are slow but cheap. Other destinations include Les Cayes, Jacmel, Jérémie, Hinche and Port-de-Paix and bus travel is not scheduled - they leave when full.

Traveling by bus, or tap-tap, is generally not very comfortable and time consuming. No city has a central bus station and buses leave from random areas. There will also be no English speakers to explain which bus goes where and when it will be there. Also buses have been known to stop at random towns before reaching their final destination because the driver has decided to stop. Even for native Creole speakers figuring out the bus system is time consuming and complex. If you have plenty of time to travel local transport is ok, but if you're on a tight schedule or need to be somewhere at a certain time, this is not the best option.

Another issue with bus or tap-tap travel is safety. These buses are ancient and are barely held together. Bus accidents are common and fatalities almost always happen. According to doctors who do aid work regularly in Haiti, bus accidents are the worst cases. Broken bones and brain damage are common injuries because of bus accidents.

Smaller station wagons travel between Port-au-Prince and Pétionville and a few other towns.

By Boat

Several of the islands of the coast of Haiti are served by regular ferries, among which are those from the capital Port-au-Prince. Cargo ships operate on the route between Jérémie, Cap-Haïtien and Port-au-Prince and sometimes are able to take passengers on board. There are also regular ferries to the larger islands that belong to Haiti.

Red Tape

Visas are required only by citizens of Colombia, Cuba, Dominican Republic and Panama. Citizens of other countries can stay three months without a visa.

Money

See also: Money Matters

Goude

The Goude (HTG), or Gourde in French, is the main currency in the country. It tends to hover around 62 Goude to the US Dollar (2016/03/03). In general for larger purchases, such as hotels or paying drivers, people tend to use US Dollars while for everyday items such as street food or water it is best to use Goudes.

Goude banknotes come in denominations of 10, 25, 50, 100, 250, 500 and 1,000. The highest four are very difficult to use in everyday transactions and should only be used for large purchases. In general try to stock up on the smaller bills because they are much more useful. The bills tend to be very used so be careful not to rip them.

Goude coins come in 1 and 5 and are useful to have for small purchases.

Haitian Dollar

Many prices will be listed in "dollars." This does not mean US Dollars it means Haitian Dollar which is not an official currency. It actually means 5 Goudes. So if someone tells you it costs US$3 they mean it costs 15 Goudes. (This is because the Haitian Gourde used to be tied to the American Dollar at 5 Gourdes to 1 US dollar.) If a price is in US Dollars it will say "USD" next to it.

ATMs

There are ATM's that accept foreign cards at least in Port-au-Prince, Léogâne, Petit Goave and Jacmel. Many business do accept standard checks but most people want cash.

Costs

Haiti is not a cheap country. Corruption and isolation make many things cost a lot more in Haiti than they should. Examples are a simple notebook in a shop can cost up to US$10. Here is a list of the cost of some general items:

• 1 liter of Gas is US$1-2
• Bag of water is 10 Goudes
• Coke in a plastic bottle is 25 Goudes
• Coke in a glass bottle is 15 Goudes
• Beer at a guesthouse is US$1.50
• Prestige in a local shop is 50 Goudes
• Sandwich at a nice shop is 150 Goudes
• Slice of Pizza at a nice shop is 50 Goudes
• Rice and beans from a street stall is 75 Goudes
• A Donkey is US$140
• A rolodex is US$48

Work

Haiti has an unemployment rate ranging from 70% to 80%. This means finding a job is very difficult in general. That being said if you have foreign aid money or your own resources starting an enterprise in Haiti is quite possible. If you plan to go this route it is best to line up with Haitian Churches or missions. These groups tend to have the knowledge and resources to make projects or business enterprises successful. Trying to go on your own is very difficult, even things as simple as finding land can be difficult because multiple farmers may claim the rights to it.

Study

Studying in Haiti is quite difficult at the present time. Many of the major schools in Port-au-Prince were destroyed or heavily damaged in the January 2010 earthquake. Also most major study abroad programs view Haiti as too dangerous to send programs there. However the University of Massachusetts in Boston does offer a summer program in Haiti that incorporates local Haitian students and provides a great education opportunity for anyone interested in Haiti.

Language

The country technically has two official languages. The original official language is French, starting in 1804, while Creole has only been made an official language recently in 1961. Creole was reinforced as an official language in 1987 when it was added to the constitution. Although knowing French is useful, especially among the upper class or in government buildings, Creole is spoken by 80% of the population of Haiti and in everyday interactions it is much more useful to use. Haitians are very proud of Creole and love to teach it to travellers so take the time and learn some basic phrases when you arrive in Haiti.

Eat

Haitian cuisine is typical of Caribbean métissage, a wonderful mix of French and African sensibilities. It is similar to its Spanish Caribbean neighbors yet unique in its strong presence of spices. Roast goat called 'kabrit', morsels of fried pork 'griot', poultry with a Creole sauce 'poulet creole', rice with wild mushroom 'du riz jonjon' are all wonderful and tasty dishes.

Along the coast fish, lobster and conch are readily available. Haiti has a very fine collection of fruit including guava, pineapple, mango (Haiti's most prized fruit), banana, melons, breadfruit, as well as mouth watering sugarcane cut and peeled to order on the streets. Restaurants in the bigger cities provide safe and delicious meals, and precautions are taken with the food and water to keep things safe.

However, even in resorts with purified water, it is not always safe to assume that raw vegetables (such as lettuce and tomatoes) have been properly washed. In smaller or more humble venues make sure to eat fruit and vegetables that can be skinned or peeled, drink bottled drinks only, make sure any ice is from a clean water source, and make sure any meat is well-cooked.

When bottled water or boiled water is not available, a freshly opened coconut provides water and electrolytes with minimal health risk.

Sleep

Accommodation is an interesting issue in Haiti. In most of the country there are really two options, very high end or extremely low end. The problem is that the low end can be dangerous and unsanitary. There are some medium range options available in Port-au-Prince though.

Drink

Prestige the National Beer

© Lavafalls

When traveling in Haiti there are plenty of choices when it comes to drinks. If you want beer, rum, super sweet fruit juices or just a nice cup of coffee Haiti has plenty of choices.

Water

Water is usually sold in little plastic bags for 10 Gourde. It is best when buying one of these bags is to do what the locals do. That is take the bag up to your mouth and use your K-9 teeth to rip a little tear in the corner. Another option for Haiti is to sterilize your own water. The best choices for sterilization of water is iodine tablets or a steripen. A steripen can be bought at most outdoor stores and it uses UV light to sterilize the water. It is more effective then iodine and has none of the gross iodine taste.

Fruit Juices, Instant Drinks and Soda

All over Haiti it is possible to buy fruit juices, instant drinks and sodas in shops or from vendors on the street. These store bought treats make western soda's seem like they have no sugar in them at all. These drinks are extremely sweet and can be a bit of a shock for a new comer to the country. Remember that watering them down is an option. However because most people sweat so much while in Haiti those extra sugars can feel really good.

Coffee

Haitians love coffee. In addition Haitians love good coffee. It is possible to get very good local coffee all over the country for a reasonable cost. Starbucks is considering importing Haitian coffee to its shops in the USA. So for coffee fans this is truly a paradise.

Beer

Although a recent addition to Haiti, beer has become very popular, especially the national brand of Prestige Beer. They also brew locally a very good version of Guinness and another malt beverage Malte. Prestige Beer was founded in 1978 and is family owned. The brewery makes 15,00 to 20,000 cases a day and recycles everything. The brewery has extremely high quality control and gives health insurance to all of its 1,200 to 1,500 employees. It also plans to start offering a pension plan to employees and install more green machinery.

Rum

Like most of the Caribbean Haiti is a rum culture. The main national brand is Barbancourt, which can be bought in most places. This brand is considered very good by national standards. Many locals like to take Barbancourt and mix it with coffee and cream to make a Baileys-like drink that is very good. It is possible to tour the Barbancourt distillery by appointment.

Health

See also: Travel Health

Health in Haiti is not good. Many doctors comment that they would never try and send a patient to one of the best hospitals in the capital. That being said there are some interesting health projects going in Haiti, especially with Partners in Health. In general it is best to avoid most hospitals or health clinics in Haiti.

There are no vaccinations legally required to travel to Haiti. There is one exception though. You need a yellow fever vaccination if you have travelled to a country (7 days or less before entering Haiti) where that disease is widely prevalent.

It's a good thing to get your vaccinations in order before travelling to Haiti. The general vaccination against Diphtheria, Tetanus and Polio (DTP) is recommended. Also a hepatitis A vaccination is recommended and vaccination against hepatitis B, rabies, tuberculosis and typhoid are also sometimes recommended for stays longer than 3 months. Dengue sometimes occurs as well. There is no vaccination, so buy mosquito repellent (preferably with 50% DEET), and sleep under a net. Also wear long sleeves if possible.

Finally, other possible health issues include diarrhea and other general travellers' diseases like motion sickness. Watch what you eat and drink and in case you get diarrhea, drink plenty of fluids (to prevent dehydration) and bring an ORS (oral hydration solution).

As a traveller Haiti is one country that you want to make sure you have had all your shots and bring your malaria pills. Malaria and typhoid are common killers in Haiti and do not avoid foreigners. Smaller issues like travellers diarrhea are also quite common. It is best to travel with pills to sterilize the water or a Steripen. Many places do not have a regular access to clean drinking water.

Buying travellers insurance for Haiti is a very good idea. Make sure it includes medical evacuation to the United States or the Dominican Republic. For most travellers this insurance is quite cheap.

In 2010, after being struck by an earthquake and heavy rains and hurricanes, another disaster happened in Haiti when at least 2,000 people were killed by cholera. Be sure to wash your hands and stay away from possible contaminated food and drinks or other sources.

Safety

See also: Travel Safety

Since the earthquake on January 12, 2010, many people are still living on the streets in makeshift shelters. There have been a number of protests and an increase in criminal activity. Use proper judgment when traveling in Haiti. Overall, do exercise a heightened level of caution based on common sense. Do not carry huge loads of cash around, or walk late at night in dark streets.

Women should not walk alone on the island. The number of people that fled to the island after the earthquake is unknown, but the atmosphere on the island has changed some people. Even when women walk with other men, Haitian men may still utter remarks. They are not afraid to maintain eye contact, and their stares may make one uneasy. It is best to be polite, but be engaged in your immediate group. There have been reports of thieves stealing passports from distracted travelers at Toussaint Louverture International Airport in Port-au-Prince.

In 2012, Canada cautioned its citizens to "exercise a high degree of caution" because of high crime rates and ongoing political tension; this advisory was still in effect in June 2018. The United States warned its citizens that "the ability of local authorities to respond to emergencies is limited and in some areas non-existent" as some visitors have been attacked, robbed, shot or killed.

On July 9, 2018, the U.S. Department of State advised against travel to Haiti due to civil unrest and crime, and that it may not be able to provide services to citizens traveling there. The Government of Canada advised its citizens to avoid non-essential travel to Haiti due to civil unrest throughout the country.

Keep Connected

Internet

The internet is slowly growing across the country and cyber cafes can be found around Port-au-Prince and other major cities. That said it is often very slow, although cheap. Remember that power outages are common and in the countryside finding a computer, let alone internet, is quite difficult.

Phone

See also: International Telephone Calls

Mobile phones have exploded across the country and are very easy to obtain. The two main companies are Voila and Digicel. They have comparable prices although Digicel has better coverage in the countryside. A SIM card costs about 150 Goude and it includes 50 Goudes in minutes. It is easy to buy more replacement cards across the country as there seems to be a Voila or Digicel vender everywhere.

Another odd phenomena in Haiti is that locals will like to ask for your phone number in your home country. It is best not to give them this phone number. Instead give them an email address or an actual address unless you plan to stay in contact with that person. Haitians will actually call your phone in your home country regularly. Aside from this being annoying, it is also a waste of their limited money to be calling an international number.

Post

The mail system in Haiti is unpredictable and unreliable. It is best to avoid it, even for post cards. Most Haitians, if wanting to send something internationally, wait till they have a friend that is going to the Dominican Republic or the United States and have them post it there.

External Links

• Official Governmental Website