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Labadee shore excursions.

Whether you're in the mood for thrilling adventures, serene relaxation or a romantic escape, Labadee has curated excursions that cater to every preference.

Among the many highlights of Labadee is the Dragon's Breath Flight Line , an exhilarating zipline adventure that promises an adrenaline-fueled experience. Embark on a breathtaking journey above Labadee's verdant landscapes and pristine shores, gliding along the world's longest overwater zipline. This extraordinary excursion offers awe-inspiring panoramic views and a distinct vantage point to marvel at the coastal splendor enveloping Labadee.

Paradise Cove is the ultimate beach escape, perfect for those seeking serenity. Tucked between majestic cliffs, this secluded cove is a haven of tranquility. Sink your toes into the soft sand, take a leisurely dip in the crystal-clear Caribbean waters or unwind in a beachfront cabana. Whether you're a couple in need of a romantic retreat or a family looking for peace by the shore, Paradise Cove has you covered.

If you're craving a more exclusive experience, Barefoot Beach is the place to be. Known for its pristine sands and clear waters, it offers private beach cabanas and bungalows for rent. These luxurious retreats provide personalized service and breathtaking ocean views, creating the perfect setting for couples and families looking for a tropical paradise.

Labadee is a haven for underwater exploration, with its snorkeling excursions taking you into the vibrant marine life and thriving coral reefs. Guided tours cater to all skill levels, making it a fantastic activity for the whole family. Immerse yourself in a kaleidoscope of colors as you encounter tropical fish and other fascinating sea creatures beneath the surface.

Calling all fishing enthusiasts! Labadee's sport fishing excursions give you the opportunity to test your luck in the rich Caribbean waters. Expert guides lead you in pursuit of various game fish, making it an exciting adventure against the backdrop of stunning coastal scenery. Whether you're a seasoned angler or a newcomer, sport fishing in Labadee guarantees an unforgettable experience.

Embark on a leisurely walking tour of Labadee to uncover the cultural and historical aspects of this peninsula. Explore local marketplaces, engage with artisans and gain insights into the traditions of the Haitian people. This tour is suitable for adults and families, offering a glimpse into the authentic charm of Labadee.

For adults desiring a more sophisticated and exclusive experience, Labadee offers tailored excursions designed for couples or groups. Indulge in private beachfront dinners or spa retreats, satisfying your desire for relaxation and luxury.

Labadee, Haiti, is a haven of intimate experiences for couples seeking a romantic escape. Barefoot Beach and private dinners with ocean views set the stage for cherished moments. Meanwhile, seniors can enjoy a more relaxed pace with walking tours and beach retreats that provide comfortable exploration of the peninsula's beauty. These excursions cater to their unique needs and preferences, ensuring a leisurely experience.

Labadee stands as a Caribbean gem, offering an array of shore excursions for diverse interests. Whether you're pursuing adventure, relaxation or cultural exploration, Labadee promises an unforgettable experience. Embark on a Labadee adventure that aligns with your desires and create lasting memories in this tropical paradise.

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The Caribbean

Travel guide.

Located in the island of Hispaniola in the Greater Antilles archipelago of  The Caribbean , Haiti offers a unique and enriching travel experience. Rich in history, culture, and natural beauty, Haiti has much to offer visitors seeking an authentic and off-the-beaten-path destination.

Haiti is the most mountainous country in the Caribbea n, home to some of the tallest peaks, fertile valleys and unspoiled natural wonders of the region, including the Massif du Nord, the Cordillera Septentrional and the Matheux Mountains.

Haiti has stunning and secluded beaches and secret bays. Sharing the island with the Dominican Republic , the country is filled with crystal-clear turquoise waters, powdery white sands, and swaying palm trees, the beaches of Haiti offer a tranquil escape.

Haiti’s vibrant culture is a mix of African, French, and Caribbean influences. Explore the bustling markets, where the sights, sounds, and aromas immerse you in the local way of life. Discover the captivating art scene, with its vibrant paintings and sculptures that reflect the country’s rich heritage. Experience the rhythmic beats of Haitian music, from the lively compas to the soul-stirring vodou ceremonies.

Haiti has a rich and tumultuous history, becoming the first independent black republic in the world. Its story is shown through its monuments and architecture, such as The Sans- S ouci Palace and the Citadelle Laferrière , some of the buildings created right after Haiti gained its independence from France. If you are looking for a cultural getaway, Haiti could be it.

Haitian cuisine is a delight for food lovers. Indulge in flavorful dishes like griot (marinated pork), tasso (spicy turkey), and diri ak djon djon (rice cooked with black mushrooms). Sample local street food, such as akra (malanga fritters) and pikliz (spicy pickled vegetables). Don’t miss the opportunity to savor Haitian coffee, renowned for its bold and rich flavors.

Haiti postcards

  • Name: Republic of Haiti
  • Capital: Port-au-Prince
  • Official Languages: French , Haitian Creole
  • Currency: Haitian gourde
  • Time Zone: UTC -5
  • Time Zone: UTC -4

Bucket List

Creole kitchen

Creole Cuisine

caribbean tours haiti

Bassin Bleu

caribbean tours haiti

Port-Au-Prince

Sans Souci Palace haiti

The Sans Souci Palace

La Citadelle la Ferriere

La Citadelle la Ferriere

What to expect.

Haiti’s official language is Haitian Creole, a unique and vibrant language derived from French with influences from West African languages. While French is also widely spoken, especially among the educated population, Haitian Creole is the primary language used in everyday communication. English is not widely spoken.

ELECTRICITY

The standard voltage is 110V and the frequency is 60 Hz. That’s the standard voltage in the american continent; If you are traveling from the EU you will need an adaptor.

The Haitian gourde is the official currency. USD are widely accepted as well, but other foreign currencies only in hotels and major attractions but not local wise. Credit cards are accepted in some places but cash is recommended. You can exchange your currency at the bank, airport, exchange houses or withdraw directly from the ATM, widely available in the capital but hardly anywhere else. 1 USD equals 142 gourdes (as of 2023).

Haiti enjoys a tropical weather with plenty of sunshine, heat and humidity all year round. However temperatures can change depending on the elevation. Average temperatures range from 70 °F (25 °C) in January-February to 80 °F (about 30 °C) in July-August.

Unfortunately and due to high poverty rates, Haiti has high crime rates, including violent crime, such as armed robbery and carjacking. However, some places are more dangerous than others. Exercise extreme caution and common sense at all times.

How to get around

  • Taxis: Taxis are a common mode of transportation in Haiti’s cities, particularly in Port-au-Prince. You can easily find taxis at designated taxi stands or by flagging them down on the street. It’s advisable to negotiate the fare before starting the journey.
  • Tap-taps: Tap-taps are vibrant, colorful buses or trucks that serve as the primary form of public transportation in Haiti. These vehicles are often elaborately decorated and provide an immersive cultural experience. Tap-taps follow specific routes, and fares are generally inexpensive. Keep in mind that they can be crowded, and departure times may not be strictly adhered to.
  • Moto-taxis: Moto-taxis, also known as “motorcycles taxis,” are a popular and efficient way to get around in Haiti. They are motorcycle taxis that can navigate through traffic quickly, especially in congested urban areas. Negotiate the fare beforehand and ensure you have the necessary safety gear, such as a helmet, before riding.
  • Car rentals: Renting a car provides flexibility and independence for exploring Haiti. Several international and local car rental companies operate in major cities and airports. It’s essential to have a valid driver’s license and familiarize yourself with local traffic rules and road conditions.
  • Private drivers: Hiring a private driver is a convenient option for those who prefer a more personalized and comfortable travel experience. Private drivers can be arranged through hotels or local tour operators. This option allows you to tailor your itinerary and explore specific destinations at your own pace.
  • Public buses: Public buses operate between major cities and towns in Haiti. While they are a cost-effective option, they can be crowded and less reliable in terms of schedules and frequency. It’s advisable to check the departure times in advance and be prepared for longer travel times.

Visa Policy

Haiti has a visa policy in place for tourists visiting the country. Travelers from certain countries may be exempt from obtaining a visa or may be eligible for visa-free entry. Here is an overview of the visa policy for Haiti:

  • All European Union (EU) member states, including the United Kingdom.
  • United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
  • Most South American countries, including Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela.
  • Most Caribbean countries, including Jamaica, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, and the Bahamas.
  • Some African countries, such as South Africa and Seychelles.
  • Visa on Arrival: Citizens of certain countries can obtain a visa upon arrival in Haiti. This includes nationals of Turkey, Russia, India, and several other countries. The visa on arrival is typically valid for a specified period, and travelers must present the required documents, including a valid passport, return ticket, and proof of sufficient funds for their stay.
  • Visa Required: Citizens of countries not included in the visa-exempt or visa on arrival categories must obtain a visa before traveling to Haiti. They need to apply for a tourist visa at the nearest Haitian embassy or consulate in their home country.

It is important to note that visa regulations can change, and it is advisable to check with the Haitian embassy or consulate in your home country for the most up-to-date information and requirements. Additionally, all travelers to Haiti must have a valid passport with at least six months’ validity beyond their intended stay in the country. It is recommended to plan and apply for the appropriate visa well in advance of your travel dates to ensure a smooth entry into Haiti.

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Labadee Haiti / Royal Caribbean Cruises – The Caribbean's Most White Sand Beach

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Labadee Cabana Rentals: Unleash Your Caribbean Adventure in Style!

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List of Labadee Excursions: Royal Caribbean

Labadee – Royal Caribbean’s private beach resort in Haiti offers adventurous cruisers a few of shore excursion options Jets Ski tour Cabana rentals Adrenaline coastal Tour Dragon’s breath Zip Line Aqua Water Park Labadee Water slide Snorkeling Adventure Dragon’s Tail…

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TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

Well firstly, it is well named, a short boat ride from the ship, you enter an idyllic cove, flanked with trees offering plenty of shade and shallow water to enjoy. Just a little way up the hill behind the cove is an authentic-looking collection of huts that they will tour with you to show some Haitian customs and culture.

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All tours on Labadee are controlled by   Royal Caribbean   as they are the only cruise company to visit this port. Finding the tour was very easy as they all are found at the first building on the right as you exit the quay. Once they know everyone is ready, someone walks around shouting the name of your tour to attract your attention and you then board your boat ready for the off.

On our tour, we made a short stop at a sailing ship where some of the people transferred on to their excursion for the day, before we set off towards Paradise Cove.

caribbean tours haiti

BOAT RIDE AND ARRIVAL IN PARADISE COVE

Initially, the boat took a sedate pace as our guide explained a little bit about our tour and what to expect, the reason for this became clear once she’d finished and the boat set off more briskly, and a lot more noisily! It would have been hard to hear her over the engine.

As you move away from the ship, you might see them performing some kind of drill as they often do this in Labadee. For us we heard, from quite some distance away from the ship, the tannoy announcing Bravo, Bravo, Bravo and could see a lifeboat being lowered on the port side. On   Royal Caribbean , Bravo, Bravo, Bravo is the code for a fire onboard, so you don’t want to hear it for real!

With the ship out of sight, we entered Paradise Cove and immediately liked it, fringed with trees, almost white sand and shallow water to enjoy, we couldn’t wait to get started. And that doesn’t take long, as it’s important to know that you will get off the boat, once it’s securely anchored, directly into knee-deep water! So make sure you have your swimsuits on ready to go!

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Once you’ve waded ashore you can collect your welcome drink from the bar, this is a fruit punch, which you can add alcohol too for an additional charge. I’m not sure what fruits were in it, but it was delicious and refreshing, so good in fact, that we bought another one at the end of the village tour!

THE VILLAGE TOUR

caribbean tours haiti

We were then also shown that they roast both coffee and cocoa in similar ways, one guest asked whether they sold any of the coffee, which they didn’t, but maybe that will spark an idea to generate additional revenue for the village?

Moving on, we saw a man making hats and bags; they were impressively light, almost ethereal, they weighed so little. His items were for sale for anyone who was interested.

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Our final stop was at the artisan’s workshop, here paintings and other artwork were on show and we were each presented with a red flower. The artwork was excellent and we purchased a small piece as a souvenir. It’s important to realise in Labadee that anything you book through the ship, benefits  Royal Caribbean  mostly, that’s why the lines have these private ports. So anything you buy directly with cash benefits the locals far more and perhaps can help what remains a terribly poor country.

FREE TIME IN PARADISE COVE

By now, even though we visited in November, it was quite hot and muggy and as you descend back down to the beach, that water looks mightily inviting! Almost everyone grabbed a lounger and either relaxed or headed straight to the cool clear water.

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You will probably have around 90 minutes to enjoy the cove once the village tour is over and we found this a good amount of time. There are a couple of kayaks you can take out, you will have to put on life jackets or vests, and for some reason, there was only one oar for each kayak! We tried these out briefly as did several of the others on the tour, but mostly we just enjoyed the water. Due to the stream that enters the cove, the water has warm and cool patches as you enjoy it.

And then it was sadly time to return to the port, as we waded back to the boat to take us back and sped away, we looked back at the cove and thought, maybe we could just stay here, you know, forever!?

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The boat drops you back at the end of the quay to the ship, where you can return to the ship for lunch, or enjoy ship food which has been brought ashore for you. And then the rest of Labadee is yours to explore.

HOW TO BOOK THE TOUR

There was only one time of departure for this tour which was soon after the ship docked, so you spend the rest of the morning on the tour and arrive back in Labadee towards the end of lunchtime.

caribbean tours haiti

WHAT TO BRING WITH YOU

You have to wade through knee-deep water to get to the cove from the boat, therefore you need to wear your swimsuit right from the start of the tour. The water IS only knee-deep, so you can take personal belongings such as a rucksack to carry towels and other essentials to the beach no problem. As you get off the boat, the staff will take your belongings and hand them back to you once you’ve descended the ladder into the water.

Things to remember to bring are:

  • Your ship access card
  • Water: The tour of the village can be warm and the drinks are only for sale on the beach.
  • Camera ! You’re allowed to bring cameras and phones and there will be lots of opportunities for photos and videos.
  • An   underwater camera   if you want to take pictures out in the cove.
  • Insect repellent : The river is a natural home to bugs which might see you as lunch, so bug spray is worth bringing.
  • Sturdy/grippy shoes to tour the village, the ground is rough and loose in places. We used   water shoes   to tour the village and then enjoy the cove.

You need to arrive at your assigned meeting point at the first building on the right once you exit the quay around 10-15 minutes before your tour is due to depart. Check your excursion tickets to identify the precise meeting point for your tour, once in the vicinity, all the tours are well signed and you should find “Paradise Cove” quite easily.

You will then be informed to wait nearby and your guide will call out the name of the tour nice and loudly once they are ready to depart.

WAS IT WORTH IT?

We feel this tour is a good value for what you get. It gave us a feel for Haiti that we simply couldn’t have gotten if we had have stayed on the Labadee peninsula all day. It was well organised and the guided tour of the village was interesting and informative. The time afterwards on the beach, kayaking, and just enjoying the cove was very pleasant and relaxing.

Have you done the Paradise Cove excursion in Labadee, Haiti?

We’d love to hear about it. tell us about it in the comments.

If you have any questions, or there is anything we haven’t covered, please feel free to leave us a comment and we will do our best to answer.

The map below shows all the tour stops described above in relation to the Labadee cruise terminal.

Some of the links in the post above are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, we will receive an affiliate commission but this does not affect the price to you. Please read our   full disclosure policy here . 

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The most common phrase in Haiti might surprise you. It’s 'pa gen pwoblem,' and it translates to 'no have problem.' Haitians use it in a dizzying array of contexts: responding to thank-yous, asserting well-being, filling awkward silences. Despite Haiti’s well-documented struggles, exacerbated lately by natural disasters, proud Haitians use the phrase sincerely, conveying an uncanny ability to live in the moment and appreciate what they do have, which is quite a lot.

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Haiti and beyond

A waterfall in Bassin Bleu Protected Area, near Jacmel, Haiti

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9. Carlos Thesine Okap professional Photoshoot

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How to travel to Haiti (2024)

By Joan Torres 12 Comments Last updated on May 8, 2024

travel to Haiti

I traveled independently through Haiti for 10 days, from Cap-Haïtien to Port-au-Prince and a few places in between, always using local transportation or hitchhiking, as well as a short domestic flight.

It was a fantastic trip, and I recommend visiting Haiti to anyone looking for an unrivalled offbeat adventure in the Americas. 

This updated and comprehensive travel guide to Haiti will show you everything you need to know on safety, top experiences, getting there and more.

Comprehensive travel guide to Haiti

In this Haiti travel guide, you will find

Table of Contents

  • Haiti today
  • Is it safe?
  • Travel Insurance
  • When to travel
  • Top Experiences
  • How to get into?
  • How to travel around
  • How to deal with extreme poverty
  • People & Religion
  • Taking photos
  • More information

our recommended travel insurance for Haiti

IATI Insurance is one of the very few that covers travel in Haiti.

😍 Why travel to Haiti?

Haiti is a Caribbean country that occupies one third of La Española (Hispaniola), an island it shares with the Dominican Republic.

Everyone knows about Dominican Republic and its dreamy beaches, yet few have heard about traveling in Haiti.

The first thing you need to know is that Haiti was the first country to ever be liberated by slaves , in 1803.

At that time, Haiti was ruled by the French, who had spent the previous decades importing hundreds of slaves from West Africa – mainly from Mali and Benin – to work on their sugar plantations.

The peculiarity about Haiti is that when it achieved its independence, many of those slaves had been born in Africa but became Caribbean overnight, and this is the number one reason for visiting Haiti: a purely Caribbean country that still keeps its African culture, traditions and essence .

Haiti and Africa

Traveling in Haiti truly feels like traveling in West Africa, with all that default chaos intrepid travelers feel attracted to, but also in terms of their art, music and religion.

Add to this the world-class Caribbean beaches and landscapes, and the result is, perhaps, the most gorgeous and fascinating off-the-beaten-track destination in the American continent.

Tourism in Haiti

The problems with cruising in Haiti

Not many people travel to Haiti, but the majority of those that do make it there tend to do so on one of those massive cruise ships sailing across the Caribbean, hopping on and off at the major resorts on the main islands.

In Haiti, near Cap-Haïtien, there’s one place in the area of Labadee where cruise ships stop. Anyone not on a cruise – and that includes foreigners too – is banned from entering that tourist bubble, while those on the cruise ships are told that everywhere outside of the bubble is extremely dangerous, meaning you won’t see any of them in the surrounding areas.

I have often wondered whether those cruise tourists even know they’re in a country named Haiti.

Cruising in Haiti

🇭🇹 Visiting Haiti: what’s the current situation

Economically-speaking, Haiti has always struggled, but today it is also experiencing some pretty dark periods of extreme violence.

When I first visited Haiti in January 2023, the country was on the front pages and in the headlines of all reputable international newspapers.

Haiti news

But what had happened?

Well, Haiti had been going through an episode of real anarchy ever since Haitian President Jovenel Moïse was murdered in 2021.

Since then, various different gangs had taken the streets of Port-au-Prince, the capital of Haiti, with violence escalating to unprecedented levels.

Kidnappings, murders and street shootings happen every single day, in a conflict that has already created more than 200,000 internally displaced people.

At the time of writing, the travel situation in Haiti basically remains the same and such is the gravity that many governments are already referring to Haiti as a failed state – a pretty harsh term typically used for countries like Yemen or Libya – while asking for foreign intervention as well.

The earthquake from 2010 In 2010, a 7.0 earthquake shook the capital of Haiti for 35 seconds, killing thousands of people and leaving 1/3 of Port-au-Prince’s population completely homeless. By that time, Haiti was already one of the poorest countries in the world, so you can imagine how devastating this natural disaster was for Haitians. In fact, they say that the country has never recovered from it and, what with all its current social and political issues, the result is one of the most fragile countries on the planet.

⚠️ Is it safe to travel to Haiti right now?

Let me put things into perspective.

I have backpacked solo in Afghanistan , Iraq , Syria , and Somaliland , just to name a few.

I rarely worry when traveling in these areas, mainly because I have a lot of contacts in these countries, but also because I have solid experience of traveling in such regions.

My visit to Haiti, however, was a different story:

  • It was my first time traveling in the Caribbean
  • I didn’t have any contacts
  • All I knew about Haiti was what I had seen in the news
  • I didn’t know of any travelers who had visited Haiti during these anarchic times

Additionally, the FCDO travel advice for Haiti wasn’t very positive either, firmly advising against all travel to Haiti due to the volatile security situation.

Haiti travel advice

I had all the odds against me, but that made me feel particularly excited; plus if there’s one thing I’ve learnt during my travels, it is that things on the ground look very different from what you see in the news.

Yes, that extreme violence is actually happening but the truth is that this conflict is exclusively focused on Port-au-Prince.

In fact, it’s focused on certain areas of Port-au-Prince: the areas controlled by the different gangs.

Is Cap-Haïtien safe?

Outside of those areas, Haiti is OK to travel, especially in Cap-Haïtien and its surroundings. 

Things I did around Cap-Haïtien:

  • Hitchhiking around the area
  • Walking through a slum on my way (on foot) to Labadee
  • Walking around in the dark, in the middle of the night

All I can say is that this part of Haiti was extremely peaceful.

Is Port-au-Prince safe?

Port-au-Prince, however, is a different story. You can still travel there though, as long as you have the right contacts and stay in the right area, e.g., in Pétionville.

In Pétionville, you can still wander and walk around alone at night, no problem.

As for the dangerous parts of Port-au-Prince, I did venture downtown and even to Cité de Soleil, the largest and poorest slum in the Americas – and one of the main violence hubs in the city.

Nevertheless, I went there with a local fixer who is specialized in taking journalists into conflict areas.

That man knew what he was doing, plus he was a personal, old acquaintance of the gangs.

Nevertheless, heading into that area of Port-au-Prince doesn’t come without risk, especially from direct bullets, but that’s a risk travelers choose to assume. Definitely not an adventure for everyone.

Important: I won’t be sharing the fixer’s contact details, so don’t bother asking me for them. As mentioned, this activity is not without risk and if travelers start venturing into such areas, someone will eventually get shot and I don’t want to be part of that.

gang member Port-au-Prince

🪪 How to get a visa for Haiti

You don’t need a visa to visit Haiti, instead you just get a free stamp on arrival in the country.

This rule applies to both airport and land borders.

visa for Haiti

🚑 Travel Insurance for Haiti

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⛅ When to travel to Haiti

Traveling in Haiti is highly seasonal.

Best season to travel to Haiti

The best time to travel in Haiti is between November and March – that’s the dry season.

In February, you might catch the world-famous Carnival of Jacmel but you’ll have to be lucky, since the carnival is locally organized and dates always change, although it tends to always be celebrated between the end of February and beginning of March.

Worst season to travel in Haiti

The worst time to visit Haiti is from August to October, which is the rainy season, with  potential hurricanes.

🛖 Top 5 Experiences in Haiti

1 – hiking up to citadelle laferrière.

This is one of the best forts I have ever seen, and the views from there are gorgeous.

Hiking up to Citadelle Laferrière

2 – Backpacking independently

No other country in the Americas feels as raw, chaotic and authentic.

Traveling in Haiti doesn’t differ much from the rough backpacking you can do in Mali or Benin.

Haiti independent travel

3 – Attending a voodoo ceremony

Voodoo ceremonies, a clear West African heritage, are performed every week.

voodoo market Haiti

4 – The art scene in Pétionville

There’s a lot going on in Port-au-Prince, and the art scene in the refined district of Pétionville is a must-see.

Art scene Pétionville

5 – The coast around Labadee

Haiti has the most beautiful coastline on the island, and Labadee has the cleanest shores and water.

coast Haiti

🛫 How to get to Haiti

How to travel to haiti by air.

The easiest way to fly to Port-a-Prince is from Miami (MIA) or Fort Lauderdale (FLL), and also New York City (JFK).

Which airlines fly to Haiti?

Jet Blue Airways and American Airlines have daily flights into Port-au-Prince.

How to get to Haiti from Dominican Republic – By land, best choice

I personally believe that traveling to Haiti from Dominican Republic is a much better option, for 3 reasons:

  • Flights to Santo Domingo or Punta Cana are much cheaper, plus there are endless connections to many cities around the world.
  • If you haven’t visited Dominican Republic before, you can combine both countries in one single trip.
  • Traveling in Haiti is actually pretty rough so after a few days of tough backpacking, traveling in Dominican Republic can be a very pleasant and rewarding experience.

To reach Haiti from Dominican Republic, you can take one of the daily buses connecting Santo Domingo with either Port au Prince or Cap-Haïtien.

The company running such trips is called Caribe Tours , and it departs from this terminal .

I strongly recommend going to the terminal at least 1 day in advance to book your tickets, since the tickets commonly sell out.

The bus departs between 7am and 8:30am but do confirm the departure time upon booking your tickets.

A one-way ticket costs around 30-35 USD.

Additionally, you will have to pay 37 USD for exit/border fees. This amount is usually paid before boarding the bus, not when booking your ticket.

bus to Haiti from Santo domingo

The whole ride from Santo Domingo to either Cap-Haïtien or Port-au-Prince can take from 8 to 12 hours. The bus has unreliable Wi-Fi, and they provide a truly awful, meat-based meal on board.

The border crossing is pretty chaotic, but there will be an attendant on the bus to assist you with all the procedures.

My experience entering and exiting Haiti I took the bus from Santo Domingo to Cap-Haïtien but on the way back, I traveled from Port au Prince independently, meaning that instead of taking a direct bus, I took different minibuses and tap-taps to the border, then crossed on foot into Dominican Republic. Once in Dominican Republic, you can find transportation to several other cities. This is a slower but more adventurous option, perfect for those wanting to explore beyond the main cities. If going to Cap-Haïtien, you cross at Dajabon. If going to Port-au-Prince, you cross at Comendador.

🛺 How to travel around Haiti

Moving around haiti by tap tap.

The official, local transportation is the tap-tap , an ornately decorated pick-up truck that won’t leave until full of passengers, who can get off at any point during the ride.

Traveling in Haiti by tap tap is ridiculously cheap, and you can use them to get to nearby sights and villages.

tap tap Haiti

Travel around Haiti by minibus

For longer distances, Haitians travel by minibus .

Traveling around Haiti by air

Haiti is a tiny country but small domestic planes run between major cities.

The local airline is Sunrise Airways .

I did take a 25-minute flight from Cap-Haïtien to Port-au-Prince and the reason was that everyone in Cap-Haïtien told me it wasn’t possible to travel there by bus, claiming that the road section close to Port-au-Prince was overrun by gangs.

Upon arrival at the capital, I discovered that this wasn’t true and that buses were simply taking a different, longer route, so for the return journey I did take the bus.

In any case, taking a Sunrise Airways flight was a lot of fun, since they use those small, 20-seat planes where there’s no door between the passengers and the pilots.

Moreover, Cap-Haïtien airport was so small that you could literally get to the airport 15 minutes before departure and still make it on time to catch your flight.

A one-way ticket from Cap Haïtien to Port-au-Prince cost me 125 USD.

💰 Money and budget when traveling in Haiti

In Haiti, they use the Haitian Gourde and, approximately:

1 USD = 132.90 HTG

Exchanging money in Haiti

Certain banks do exchange currency but I exchanged mine at the hotel in Cap-Haïtien, Habitation des Lauriers .

They prefer US dollars but I believe Euros can be exchanged too.

Card payment and ATMs in Haiti

Unlike countries such as Syria or Iran , Haiti is not a country under sanctions, so you can easily withdraw money from certain ATMs and even pay your hotel by card.

For the rest, Haiti is pretty much a cash economy.

How much does it cost to travel in Haiti?

Haiti is actually quite expensive, much more than Dominican Republic.

How much does accommodation cost in Haiti?

Accommodation isn’t great in Haiti and you can expect to pay a minimum of 50 to 70 USD for a basic room.

Rooms are basic but the hotels are relatively decent, meaning that they provide services, speak English and are used to dealing with foreigners.

However, you might be paying 60 USD for a very basic room with no AC and where water and electricity issues are common.

I heard that some travelers were staying in hotels cheaper than that, where local Haitians stay, but expect their facilities to be beyond basic.

How much does food cost in Haiti?

Food in Haiti can be pretty expensive too.

A meal in a restaurant will cost around 10 USD, and up to 20 USD in fancier restaurants.

Local street food is obviously much, much cheaper – maybe 1 USD for a meal – but it’s not great.

How much does transportation cost in Haiti?

Local transportation is particularly cheap, like you can expect in any country of this kind.

A tap tap ride will rarely exceed more than 50 cents and a minibus between cities will cost a couple of USD.

Backpacking budget for Haiti From 85USD a day

How to deal with extreme poverty when visiting Haiti

Haiti is the poorest country in the American continent and within the 25 poorest nations in the world, according to all rankings .

The extreme poverty and lack of proper infrastructure can be seen everywhere in Haiti, including in areas of Port-au-Prince which are supposed to be good.

There are absolutely humungous piles of burning trash at every corner, no electricity at night and so many people looking poor and miserable.

Burning trash Haiti

Foreign travelers stand out a lot, so do expect to be stared at by everyone.

As with all the countries I have been to, most people you meet in Haiti are nice and pleasant, but I also found some beggars to be particularly intense and aggressive, so be mentally prepared to handle such situations.

Getting ripped-off when traveling in Haiti

Getting ripped-off isn’t the general norm but once in a while, some people may try to overcharge you.

This happened to me several times when taking a tap tap , and in local bars too. A bottle of Prestige – the Haitian beer – should never be more than 1 USD in a bar of that kind, but I often paid almost 3 USD. Entirely my fault for not asking their price first.

Haiti: people and religion

Today, Haiti is a Caribbean country where the vast majority of people are descendants of former black African slaves.

Note that the Taíno were the indigenous people to the island but Columbus and his Spanish crew exterminated them in a matter of years.

Some former French colonists also left their descendants by having children with their slaves, leading to lighter-skinned Haitians called mulattos. Nowadays , mulattos form the majority of Haiti’s elite, political and economic class.

The few other Haitians are mainly of Arab descent, from Lebanon and Syria , and you might see them hanging out in the wealthiest areas of Port-au-Prince.

People in Haiti

Religion in Haiti

Haiti is a very religious country and such is the influence of their West African ancestors that Vodou is recognised as the official religion of the state, along with Catholicism.

Churches are always packed on Sunday but Haitian Vodou also plays a significant role and attending a ceremony is one of the highlights of backpacking in Haiti. However you will need to be lucky to catch one.

Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to attend one but I did visit a Vodou temple, a workshop where they sold Vodou-related artifacts and also a market.

Haitian Vodou revolves around spirits known as Iwa and here you can read more about it .

These 2 pieces of Vodou art can be found in Atis Rezistans , a workshop that creates art out of garbage. This was one of the most interesting places I visited during my trip to Haiti.

Vodoo artifacts in Haiti

📸 Taking photos of people when traveling in Haiti

I think Haitians are the most camera-shy people I have ever met on my travels.

They are so shy that you might even be yelled at for just taking a picture of a street, without pointing your camera at anyone’s face in particular.

They just don’t like it so when wandering around markets, for example, always ask for permission – but believe me when I say you’ll rarely be granted it unless you’ve been interacting with them prior to asking.

Cite Soleil Port-au-Prince

💬 Language in Haiti

Both Creole and French are the official languages in Haiti.

French is the language used by the Administration and Haiti’s elite.

Creole is used by everyone else, and it’s a peculiar mix of French, Spanish, English and even Taíno, they claim.

However, French-speaking people won’t be able to understand Creole, and typically, lower-educated people don’t speak French either.

English is also rarely spoken in the streets.

🍲 Haitian cuisine

I will never be a fan of Caribbean food.

I find it bland and boring, but it can be eaten.

Typically, all restaurants will serve a portion of protein alongside fried plantain and rice mixed with black beans.

Protein can be anything from grilled fish (pwason poukannen) to pork (griot), chicken and even lobster, if you go to the right places.

Except for just one or two days, I ate combinations of the above at absolutely every meal.

Haitian cuisine

🍻 Alcohol in Haiti

The national beer is called Prestige. They sell it everywhere and Haitians drink it at any time of day.

Haitians are also very proud of their locally produced rum, the best brand being Barbancourt.

💻 Internet in Haiti

Generally-speaking, Wi-Fi is pretty awful across Haiti, so I strongly recommend getting a SIM card, which works relatively well.

eSIM for browsing, calling and traveling in Haiti

Basically, an eSIM is a regular SIM card with a digital format that works like a normal physical SIM card, with the added benefit that you can buy it from home before the beginning of your trip, hence avoiding the hassle of buying it at your destination. 

With Holafly , you can get a SIM Card for a wide range of destinations, including Haiti . 

Moreover, you can benefit from a 5% discount with the following code:  AGAINSTTHECOMPASS

Get a VPN for traveling in Haiti

You should always use a VPN when you travel, especially when you connect to public Wi-Fi networks.

Your connection will be much safer. 

Moreover, you will be able to access content which is typically censored in Kazakhstan. 

I recommend ExpressVPN – Extremely easy to use, fast and cheap. 

If you want to learn more about VPN, check: Why you need a VPN for traveling .

❗ More information

📢 In my Travel Resources Page you can find the list of all the sites and services I use to book hotels, tours, travel insurance and more.

All guides and articles for traveling in Haiti destination

  • Haiti Itinerary

Check travel tips to the following offbeat countries:

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Haiti Travel guide

12 comments

Wow! Thank you for this comprehensive guide. I am travelling From London to Haiti in December ’23, and I plan to stay for a month. The plan is to fly direct from Heathrow to the Dominican Republic and take another flight from there to Cap Haitian. It’s quite expensive as altogether the cost of flight alone is nearly £2000.00. After that, I have to pay for Hotels and from what I am reading from your write-up, for one month stay, the cost will go through the roof. I set. aside a budget of £5000.00 so I hope the is enough because anything more than that and I will be forced to cancel my trip.

Hi Henry! I think you can save a lot by taking the bus from Santo Domingo to Cap Haitien

Thank you so much for the swift response. The airline costs are not a problem so I don’t mind flying from the Dominican Republic to Cap Haitian. What I am worried about is the price of accommodation which you said is somewhere around $60 per day for a basic room? This means a Hotel (which is where I plan to stay) will cost 3x as much per day. This is my main concern.

Do you know of any good but cheap Hotels to recommend?

Utter stupidity to do all this

This is a really informative guide, and I’m glad that some parts are relatively safe. One thing I will say however is, don’t completely write off Caribbean food. That is a pretty bold claim considering this was your first time in the region and there are countless other Caribbean countries with different cuisines and cooking methods. I implore you to try them all, including the non-islands like Belize, Guyana, and Suriname. Keep up the great work!

Thanks Neron, I’ll give it another try one day!

Thanks for your up-to-date information regarding Cap-Haitien to Santo Domingo by Calibre Tour bus. I will be travelling these cities in April 2024, but up until now, had trouble obtaining reliable information for bus travel.

Amazing, let us know how it goes!

I notice pretty affordable car hire in CAP, which I figured may be a good way to see the surrounds, such as Citadelle Laferrière. Is it safe (& necessary) to drive a rental car?

Whilst I understand that ATM are available, would you recommend taking along sufficient amounts of USD? I plan to book accomodation (& car if required) online, which I expect to make payment up-front. Thanks again.

Hi, it should be safe to rent a car around CAP but not strictly necessary. I traveled all around and didn’t hire any.

You can withdraw money from ATMs, doesn’t matter whether you take sufficient USD or not, up to you.

In Haiti in 2024, armed conflict continues to be stronger than before. I wonder if it is safe to travel to Haiti under these circumstances. Would it be okay to avoid Port-au-Prince and travel to Cap-Haitien?

Hi David, if things are escalating too much, and you don’t have a strong contact in PaP, I’d stick with Cap-Haitien

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Royal Caribbean cancels visits to Labadee in Haiti amid continued violence

caribbean tours haiti

Royal Caribbean International has suspended stops at private destination Labadee in Haiti through the summer amid continued violence in the country.

“The safety and security of our guests, crew, and communities we visit are our top priority,” a spokesperson for the cruise line said in an emailed statement. “Our Global Security and Intel Team is closely monitoring the evolving situation in Haiti, and in an abundance of caution we have suspended all visits to Labadee fleetwide through September 2024.”

Royal Caribbean plans to “continue to monitor and reassess calls as needed” and will notify guests of any updates, the spokesperson added.

The line previously suspended numerous planned calls to Labadee following fresh gang violence that prompted the country to declare a state of emergency in early March.

Was your cruise itinerary changed?: What to do next

The U.S. State Department has had a Level 4 advisory – its highest warning against travel to the destination – in place since before President Jovenel Moïse was assassinated in 2021. About 2,500 people were killed or injured as a result of gang violence in Haiti in the first quarter of 2024, according to the United Nations.

Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at [email protected].

caribbean tours haiti

Royal Caribbean cancels all cruises to popular destination due to gang violence

G lobal cruise line operator Royal Caribbean has extended its cancellation of ship stops to Labadee, Haiti, due to ongoing violence in the region, the company announced.

Royal Caribbean cruises to Labadee will be canceled until at least September, according to a report from Royal Caribbean blog . Guests who booked cruises for summer and early fall are being notified by the company of the changes. Some trips have been replaced with another port or sea day while others have been canceled and refunded.

In March, Royal Caribbean announced it would suspend visits to Labadee through the end of May.

“We have not had any security concerns; this was done out of abundance of caution,” Jonathon Fishman, director of corporate and incident communications for The Royal Caribbean Group, told the Miami Herald .

Labadee is a private beach resort located on the northern coast of Haiti, which maintains sovereignty over the 260-acre area but leased it to Royal Caribbean in 1985. The exclusive resort is fenced off from Haiti and has its own security.

Haiti, in recent months, has been overwhelmed by civil unrest and violent gangs, which has forced the closing of the country’s main international airports, burnings of police stations and prison raids. About 2,500 people were killed or injured by gang violence in Haiti from January to March, according to the United Nations Integrated Office .

Haitian Prime Minster Ariel Henry in March announced he would resign from his position as the country works to establish a transitional presidential council.

©2024 Advance Local Media LLC. Visit cleveland.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Cleveland

U.S. warns tourists ‘do not travel’ to this Caribbean destination due to kidnappings and gang violence

  • Updated: Mar. 15, 2024, 9:12 p.m. |
  • Published: Mar. 14, 2024, 1:05 p.m.

U.S. Department of State Haiti Travel Advisory 2024

The U.S. Department of State has issued a Level 4 travel advisory, urging U.S. citizens not to travel to the island country as it is overwhelmed by political unrest, increased gang activity, violent crime, kidnapping and poor health care infrastructure. Canva

  • Katherine Rodriguez | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

The U.S. government has issued another travel advisory ahead of spring break .

The U.S. Department of State released a formal warning not to travel to Haiti and urged American citizens there now to leave immediately due to the rise in gang violence, crime, political unrest, kidnapping and poor health care infrastructure.

The Level 4 travel advisory comes after one of the country’s most notorious gang leaders, Jimmy “Barbecue” Chérizier, held an armed rebellion and forced Prime Minister Ariel Henry to formally resign on March 12 .

“Kidnapping is widespread, and victims regularly include U.S. citizens,” the warning added.

Many U.S. citizens, who have been kidnapped, were physically harmed and held at ransom, causing families of victims to pay thousands to save them.

Violent crime involving firearms is common, including armed robbery and carjackings. “Travelers are sometimes followed and violently attacked and robbed shortly after leaving the Port-au-Prince International Airport,” according to the travel advisory.

Protests and roadblocks, many of which become violent, occur often and are unpredictable. The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services. Assistance falls on local authorities, like the Haitian National Police and ambulance services, but they have limited resources to respond effectively.

Also, the country has an outbreak of cholera , according to the Haitian Ministry of Public Health and Population (MSPP).

However, for U.S. citizens who decide to travel to Haiti, the U.S. State Department offers the following guidance :

  • Stay away from demonstrations and crowds, and avoid roadblocks.
  • Coordinate for your host meet you once you arrive at the airport or schedule airport transfers and hotels before arriving in the country.
  • Do not give unauthorized individuals, including people without official uniforms or credentials, your personal information in the immigration, customs or other areas inside or near any airports.
  • Drive to the nearest police station immediately, if you notice someone following you when you leave the airport.
  • Travel by vehicle to avoid walking in public when possible.
  • “Travel in groups of at least two people.”
  • Always lock vehicle doors and close your windows while you are driving.
  • Be cautious and alert at all times, “especially when you are driving through markets and other traffic congested areas.”
  • “Do not physically resist any robbery attempt.”
  • Before your scheduled travel, buy travel insurance and medical evacuation insurance.
  • “Review information on Travel to High-Risk Areas .”
  • Sign up for the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to get important alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
  • “Follow the Department of State on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) .”
  • “Review the Country Security Report on Haiti.”
  • “Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the Traveler’s Checklist .”

You can find more information about the travel advisory, further safety guidance and U.S. Embassy contact details here .

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    This tour can only be booked as an excursion through Royal Caribbean as it takes place from their private peninsula in Labadee, Haiti. There was only one time of departure for this tour which was soon after the ship docked, so you spend the rest of the morning on the tour and arrive back in Labadee towards the end of lunchtime.

  13. Haiti travel

    Caribbean. The most common phrase in Haiti might surprise you. It's 'pa gen pwoblem,' and it translates to 'no have problem.'. Haitians use it in a dizzying array of contexts: responding to thank-yous, asserting well-being, filling awkward silences. Despite Haiti's well-documented struggles, exacerbated lately by natural disasters, proud ...

  14. Is Royal Caribbean still going to Labadee, Haiti?

    Visits cancelled through September 2024. Royal Caribbean has cancelled all visits to Labadee in between April and September 2024. "We have suspended all visits to Labadee fleetwide... and we continue to monitor the situation with our Global Security & Intelligence team," the company posted on their website in their latest update. For sailings ...

  15. Things to do in Haiti in a 1-week itinerary

    The bus company going to Haiti is called Caribbean Tours, and the terminal is located here. Buses to Cap-Haïtien depart in the morning, between 7am and 8:30am. Tickets do sell out, so try to get there at least one day before to book your ticket and find out the actual time of departure. A one-way ticket costs 30-35 USD.

  16. Explore Caribbean

    Explore Caribbean, Port-au-Prince, Haiti. 1,811 likes · 3 talking about this · 3 were here. EXPLORE CARIBBEAN is a Tour Operator that helps you enjoy the simple things in life Explore Caribbean | Port-au-Prince

  17. THE 5 BEST Cap-Haitien Tours & Excursions

    Haitian Creole Tour. 1. Bar, Club & Pub Tours • Multi-day Tours. By E1821. Frantz and his teams always do a good job at making sure we have a blast whether it's at the Island, the Citadelle, or... 5. Destination Creole. 2. Multi-day Tours • Scuba & Snorkelling.

  18. How to travel to Haiti (2024)

    Haiti is a Caribbean country that occupies one third of La Española (Hispaniola), an island it shares with the Dominican Republic. Everyone knows about Dominican Republic and its dreamy beaches, yet few have heard about traveling in Haiti. The first thing you need to know is that Haiti was the first country to ever be liberated by slaves, in 1803.

  19. Haiti travel: What airlines, Royal Caribbean are doing amid violence

    Three U.S. airlines typically operate direct flights to Haiti: American, JetBlue and Spirit. However, all three have temporarily suspended service and issued travel waivers for the Caribbean ...

  20. Caribe Tours

    Bus is the best way to travel longer distances in the Dominican Republic. You can expect a decent service from the national carrier Caribe Tours. They cover dozens of destinations across the country (and even to Haiti) and have a quite modern fleet. Buses are air-conditioned. In the capital Santo Domingo the Caribe Tours terminal is located in:

  21. Royal Caribbean suspends stops in Haiti's Labadee through September

    Royal Caribbean International has suspended stops at private destination Labadee in Haiti through the summer amid continued violence in the country. "The safety and security of our guests, crew ...

  22. Royal Caribbean cancels all cruises to popular destination due to ...

    Global cruise line operator Royal Caribbean has extended its cancellation of ship stops to Labadee, Haiti, due to ongoing violence in the region, the company announced. Royal Caribbean cruises to ...

  23. Air travel in Eastern Caribbean getting competition

    Haiti's family-owned Sunrise Airways is headed east. The carrier, which currently offers the only commercial service between Haiti and Miami with flights out of the international airport in Cap ...

  24. U.S. warns tourists 'do not travel' to this Caribbean destination due

    The U.S. Department of State released a formal warning not to travel to Haiti and urged American citizens there now to leave immediately due to the rise in gang violence, crime, political unrest ...