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Haiti travel guide
Mountain fortresses, Creole art and a proud island history.
Haiti shares the island of Hispaniola with the Dominican Republic and was the first Black-led republic in the world. It is known for the mountaintop Citadelle, vibrant painting and music, and a strong Creole culture.
Travel tools
Getting there
Haiti's main international airports are in Port-au-Prince and Cap-Haïtien, though flights are frequently disrupted. Land crossings with the Dominican Republic exist but are subject to closures, so check the latest situation.
Best time to visit: Dec–Mar – dry, sunny and a little cooler.
Tougher months: August–October: peak hurricane season, with heavy rain and storm risk.
Weather by month in Port-au-Prince
- 31°J
- 31°F
- 32°M●
- 32°A●●
- 33°M●●●
- 34°J●
- 35°J●
- 35°A●●
- 34°S●●
- 33°O●●
- 32°N●
- 31°D
Average daytime highs in °C; dots show how rainy the month is (one dot dry, three dots wet).
Time zone: America/Port-au-Prince. Compare with your local time.
Visas: in our passport dataset, 193 of 198 other passports can enter Haiti without arranging a visa first (visa-free or visa on arrival), 0 need an e-visa or electronic authorisation, and 5 need a visa in advance. Check your passport.
Background: Visa policy of Haiti (Wikipedia).
Official advisory: Level 4: Do Not Travel (U.S. Department of State, updated 2026-07-10). Read the advisory.
Source and more: Haiti travel facts on RoamSun
Stay
Most trips to Haiti are based around Citadelle Laferrière, Cap-Haïtien or Jacmel. Pick a base for your main interest, then add day trips rather than moving hotels every night.
Typical daily budget: about US$40–70 for a backpacker and US$100–180 mid-range, per person.
Source: RoamSun Haiti page · Browse hotel guides
Connect
Plug types: A, B. Voltage: 110 V. Check your own devices on the plug and currency checker.
Calling code: +509.
Mobile data: read the travel eSIM setup guide before you fly so the plan is installed and ready on landing.
Source: Advinne eSIM guide · RoamSun
Do
- Citadelle Laferrière (North · UNESCO fortress): The largest fortress in the Americas, part of the National History Park with Sans-Souci and Ramiers.
- Cap-Haïtien (North coast · colonial city): A historic port with old French architecture and nearby beaches.
- Jacmel (Southeast · arts town): A creative town known for its crafts, ironwork balconies and carnival masks.
- Bassin Bleu (Near Jacmel · waterfalls): Three blue pools linked by waterfalls in a lush mountain setting.
- Île-à-Vache (South coast · island): A quiet island of beaches, mangroves and fishing villages.
- Port-Salut (Southwest · beaches): Long palm-lined beaches and calm water on the southern peninsula.
Things to do
- Climb to the Citadelle. Hike or ride up to the colossal mountaintop fortress built after independence, with views over the northern plains.
- Explore Sans-Souci Palace. Wander the grand ruins of King Henri Christophe's palace at the foot of the Citadelle.
- Stroll Cap-Haïtien. Walk among the colourful colonial buildings and balconies of the old French capital.
- Swim at Bassin Bleu. Dive into a series of turquoise pools and waterfalls in the hills above Jacmel.
- See papier-mâché masks in Jacmel. Visit artisan workshops crafting the elaborate masks worn during carnival.
- Relax on Île-à-Vache. Spend lazy days on a car-free island with quiet beaches off the southern coast.
- Admire metal art. Watch artists in Croix-des-Bouquets hammer recycled oil drums into intricate sculptures.
- Taste Haitian cuisine. Try griot (fried pork), diri ak djon djon (black mushroom rice) and spicy pikliz.
Source: full Haiti guide on RoamSun
Eat and drink
- Griot – fried marinated pork
- Diri ak djon djon – rice cooked with black mushrooms
- Soup joumou – pumpkin soup eaten on Independence Day
- Pikliz – spicy pickled cabbage relish
Source: RoamSun Haiti guide
Money and safety
Currency: Haitian gourde (HTG). Currency and plug checker.
Tipping: 10% in restaurants is appreciated.
Emergency numbers: 114 police · 115 fire · 116 ambulance.
- The currency is the Haitian gourde, though US dollars are widely used for larger purchases.
- ATMs are limited and cards are accepted only in some hotels and businesses, so bring enough cash.
- Most governments advise against all travel to Haiti because of serious insecurity, including kidnapping and armed violence; check your government's latest travel advice before considering a trip.
- Avoid road travel around Port-au-Prince and do not move without trusted local arrangements.
Source: RoamSun Haiti facts
Frequently asked questions
What is the best time to visit Haiti?
Dec–Mar – dry, sunny and a little cooler. Hot and tropical, with rainy spells in spring and autumn.
What time zone is Haiti in?
Haiti uses America/Port-au-Prince.
Do I need a visa for Haiti?
It depends on your passport. In our dataset 193 of 198 other passports can enter without a prior visa, 0 need an e-visa or eTA and 5 need a visa in advance. Use the visa checker and confirm with the official government source.
What plug and voltage does Haiti use?
Haiti uses plug type A, B at 110 V. Check whether your devices are dual-voltage before you plug in.
What is the calling code for Haiti?
The international calling code for Haiti is +509.
Do you tip in Haiti?
10% in restaurants is appreciated.
What is the emergency number in Haiti?
114 police · 115 fire · 116 ambulance.
Which side of the road do they drive on in Haiti?
Traffic drives on the right.