Links to Haiti tourism web sites
Entry requirements
Haitian embassies and consulates in Europe and
elsewhere
How to get to Haiti
Car hire
Inoculations and health precautions
Where to stay
National Airport Authority - flight details, etc.
Norm's Place - Labadee
Kayanol village - Labadee
Haiti -The Untold Story
A Port-au-Prince Journal: text and photos by Adam Jones
Can Haiti dream of Eco-Tourism by Paul Paryski
Tourism could boost Haiti's economy - article, March 2000
The Oloffson - Graham Greene Would Still Adore This Hotel
The Republic of Haiti is a fascinating country, peopled by a friendly and energetic population of some eight million, but following negative international publicity about the country during the 1980s, few tourists visit it nowadays. If you are looking for a beach resort vacation with European standard facilities and communications, forget it. But if you have a spirit of adventure, and can take the rough with the smooth, a visit to Haiti can be an awesome and unforgettable experience.
The Citadelle, south of Cap-Haïtien, is one of the most spectacular constructions in the Caribbean. Photo by Leah Gordon.
Links to Haiti tourism web sites
Haiti Travels
The Lonely Planet guide to travel in Haiti
Kiskeya Alternativa: Ecotourism, Alternative/Sustainable tourism in Haiti
and Dominican Republic
Discover Haiti
and for a great in-country service, try:
Jacqui Labrom -- Voyages Lumière SA
email
Tel: (00 509) 249-6177
Cellphones: (00 509) 557-0753/607-1321
Entry requirements
Citizens of the following countries do not require a tourist visa: Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Israel, Liechtenstein, Monaco, South Korea, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America.
Citizens of other countries require a tourist visa (valid for up to three months) to visit Haiti. This can be obtained from a Haitian embassy or consulate for a fee of approximately US$5.
Haitian embassies and consulates in Europe and elsewhere:
Belgium - Ambassade d'Haïti, 139, Chaussée
de Charleroi, 1060 Bruxelles, Belgique.
(Tel: 0 32 2 649 7381. Fax: 0 32 2 640 6080)
France - 10 Rue Théodule Ribot, BP 275, Cédex 28, 75827 Paris
(Tel: 763-4778, fax: 33-14-227-0205)
Germany - 10 Schlossallee, 53179 Bonn
(Tel: 49-22-885-6829, fax: 49-22-885)
7700)
Italy - Via Ruggero Fuaro 59, Rome 00197
(Tel: 39-63-972-3362, fax: 39-63-973-
7764)
Spain - 33 Paseo del Gén. Martinez, Madrid 28010
(Tel: 34-1-575-2624)
Dominican Republic -33 Ave Juan Sanchez Ramirez, Santo Domingo
(Tel: 809-686-5778, fax: 809-686-6096)
Jamaica - 2 Munroe Rd, Kingston 6
(Tel: 876-927-7595, fax: 876-978-7638)
United States of America
- 2311 Massachusetts Ave, NW Washington DC 20008
(Tel: 202-332-4090, fax: 202-745-7215.
E-mail the embassy
Haitian Consulate of Miami, 259 Southwest 13th Street, Miami, FL 33131
(Tel: 305-859-2003, fax: 305-854-7441).
How to get to Haiti
The easiest way to arrive in Haiti by plane is via Miami (1hour 40 minutes) or New York (4 hours) to Port-au-Prince International Airport. From Miami, American Airlines has two flights a day, arriving early morning and around midday, and ALM has three flights a week arriving around midday, and two flights a week arriving early evening.
If travelling from Europe to Miami for a Port-au-Prince flight it is only possible to get a same-day connection with the twice-weekly early evening flights (Monday and Thursday) offered by ALM. Otherwise an overnight stay in Miami is necessary, in which case a visit to Miami Beach's fabulous Haitian restaurant, the Tap Tap is highly recommended. Tap Tap at 819 Fifth Street, between Jefferson & Meridian Avenues, South Beach, Miami. Tel: 672 2898.
From New York, American Airlines flies twice a day. From Europe, it is possible to fly to Port-au-Prince via the French overseas department of Guadeloupe ‹ take the daily Air France flight from Paris to Pointe à Pitre in Guadeloupe, and then arrange a connection (not necessarily available on the same day) on to Port-au-Prince with either Air France, American Airlines, or Air Guadeloupe.
From the Dominican Republic
Many tour operators now offer very cheap air fares from Europe to the Dominican Republic, and this option is worth exploring as alternative route to Haiti. But be aware that many flights to the Dominican Republic arrive in the tourist resort areas, and that it is the capital, Santo Domingo, that is the most convenient and direct departure point for travel onto Port-au-Prince.
From the UK it is worth checking the tour operator Thomson for a flight-only fare to Santo Domingo - this can be as little as £100 return. From Santo Domingo to Port-au-Prince, Caribintair has a daily flight (not Sunday). Overland from Santo Domingo by bus is easiest, although more expensive than making your own way on the Dominican and then Haitian public transport (not recommended if time is tight), with the Terra Bus company. This company uses new air-conditioned coaches which run to Haiti, arriving in Petionville, once a day, leaving at 12 noon. A return fare costs US$75, and they arrange the border crossing and tax payments for you - this costs an additional US$20. Visitors to the Dominican Republic wishing to cross into Haiti by car should remember that car hire companies do not usually permit their vehicles to leave the country. Note: Departure taxes of US$25 and 10 Haitian gourdes are collected by airlines upon departure from Port-au-Prince or Cap-Haitien airports. Arriving at the border from the Dominican Republic requires an entry tax payment of US$10.Car hire
There are numerous local and international car hire companies at the national airport in Port-au-Prince. Remember that if you want to drive anywhere other than on the roads from the capital to Jacmel, to Les Cayes or to Cap-Haitien, then you will need a four wheel drive/SUV. For advance booking and more information, try Secom car hire.Inoculations and health precautions:
Polio, tetanus, diphtheria, typhoid, hepatitis A, and malaria are all potential risks, and, well in advance of arrival in Haiti, visitors should seek medical advice on preventative treatment and inoculations.
Mosquito bites are a major irritation, as well as carrying the risk of malaria. A mosquito net, insect repellent and bite soothing cream are recommended.
Always use bottled water - Culligan is fine - even for brushing teeth.
HIV/Aids is a serious problem. Always practice safe sex. Remember to protect yourself and others - Haitian condoms, Pante, are one way to practice safer sex.Where to stay:
Most hotels and top range restaurants are located in the rich peoples' suburb of Petionville in the hills above Port-au-Prince, but in the city itself the following places to stay are recommended:In Port-au-Prince
Hotel Oloffson, 60 Avenue Christophe, Port-au-Prince. Tel: 509 223 4000/223 4102, fax: 509 223 0919. email
web site
The Oloffson is a Haitian institution, and is with little doubt one of the most atmospheric hotels in the world. The setting for much of Graham Greene's novel, The Comedians, the hotel is all creaking wooden floors, ornate latticework, and cool verandas overlooking an oasis-like garden, and this just a stones throw from the throbbing chaos of downtown Port-au-Prince. Haiti freaks, passing journalists, and the ubiquitous aid workers all frequent the bar and restaurant of this very special hotel. Catch the Vodou rock band, RAM, playing in the lounge most Thursday nights. For a standard room with bathroom the basic charge is US$65 with a US$10 supplement for another person sharing (breakfast included)
Prince Hotel, 30 rue 3, Tel: 509 245 2764/223 0100, fax: 509 245 2765.
Set in the sleepy residential area of Pacot behind the Oloffson. Single rooms with air conditioning and bathrooms are US$64 (US$79 for a double). Breakfast is US$6.
Park Hotel, 23 rue Capois, Tel: 509 222 4406
A much better bet than the nearby Le Plaza (formerly the Holiday Inn). Situated right on the bustling Champ de Mars area, the Park is hidden behind a garden and forecourt, and thus offers a sleepy, relaxed atmosphere within walking distance of most downtown attractions. Rooms with bathrooms are a reasonable US$35 for a single, and US$44 for a double.
If looking for something cheaper, try the Hospice St Joseph, 33 rue Acacia, Christ Roi, Tel: 509 245 6177,
which runs local aid projects but also provides accommodation for visitors. It's not exactly a hotel and you may have to share a room, but it's a good place to meet other foreigners in Haiti for a purpose. The charge is US$25 per night including breakfast and evening meal. Advance booking and a US$25 deposit are required by letter to
Sister Ellen Flynn, Lynx Air, PO Box 407139, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33340, USA.
The Lonely Planet guide to Haiti and The Dominican Republic is highly recommended.
In Petionville:
There are plenty of up-market hotels in this suburb, 6 kilometres from the centre of Port-au-Prince. The following are recommended:
Hotel Montana, rue Cardozo, off Avenue Pan American, Tel: 509 257 1920/2574030, fax: 509 257 6137,
The Montana is a large top range hotel with magnificent views over the bay of Port-au-Prince. Rooms start at US$70 for a single and US$90 for a double. Because this hotel is some distance from both downtown Port-au-Prince and the centre of Petionville, the hiring of a car or the use of frequent taxies is probably necessary.
Hotel Caraibe, rue Leon Nau, Tel: 509 257 2524,
has single rooms from US$50 and doubles from US$75.
Ifé Hotel, corner of rue Gregoire and rue Villate, Tel: 509 257 0737, fax: 509 257 1037,
is a small place right in the heart of Petionville. Rooms cost US$45 for a single, US$65 for a double including breakfast.
Near Cap-Haitien
Cormier Plage
Port Morgan Jacmel
La Florita
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