Haiti
Haiti is the only country founded by a successful slave revolt, and that story is written in stone at the mountaintop Citadelle Laferrière. Add the faded merchant houses and papier-mâché carnival of Jacmel, the cobalt pools of Bassin Bleu, deep Vodou traditions and one of the Caribbean's most original art scenes. Check the FCDO travel advice closely before planning any visit.
Overview
Haiti holds more history per square mile than almost anywhere in the Caribbean. In 1804 it became the first independent Black republic after defeating Napoleon's army, and the north still holds the monuments of that era: King Henri Christophe's Citadelle Laferrière and the ruined Sans-Souci Palace above Milot, reached from Cap-Haïtien. The south coast has Jacmel, an arts town of 19th-century coffee merchants' houses, and nearby Bassin Bleu; further west lie Île-à-Vache and the Macaya mountains. Most trips focus on one region rather than attempting a loop, usually with a local guide or fixer arranged in advance.
Haiti is not a cheap destination: decent hotels are few and priced in US dollars, and getting around usually means hiring a driver. The rewards are intense and personal: painters' studios in Jacmel, rara bands in the streets during Lent, a Vodou ceremony if you are invited, and a welcome that never feels packaged, because there are so few tourists. It suits experienced travellers interested in history, art and religion who are comfortable with limited infrastructure and changing plans. Always check the FCDO travel advice before booking and again before you go.
Map of Haiti
Top 5 highlights
- 1History
Citadelle Laferrière
Built by King Henri Christophe to repel any French return, this colossal mountaintop fortress is still armed with cannon and piles of cannonballs. Ride or hike up from Milot, passing the ruins of Sans-Souci Palace on the way.
- 2Culture
Jacmel
A seaside town of 19th-century coffee merchants' houses with wrought-iron balconies, workshops making papier-mâché carnival masks, and an art scene out of all proportion to its size. Its pre-Lent carnival is Haiti's most creative.
- 3Nature
Bassin Bleu
A chain of cobalt-blue pools linked by waterfalls in a limestone gorge in the hills outside Jacmel. The deepest pool is reached by climbing down a rope; go with a local guide and swim in the cool water.
- 4Beach
Île-à-Vache
A car-free island off Les Cayes with sandy coves, mangroves and a handful of small hotels, reached by boat from the south coast. Days revolve around swimming, walking between villages and fresh seafood.
- 5Sacred site
Saut-d'Eau
A waterfall in the central hills revered by both Catholics and Vodou followers since a reported apparition of the Virgin Mary in the 19th century. Each July, thousands of pilgrims bathe beneath the falls seeking blessings and luck.
Biggest cities
Port-au-Prince
The sprawling capital is home to the MUPANAH national history museum and the galleries of Pétion-Ville, but check the FCDO travel advice carefully before including it in any itinerary.
Cap-Haïtien
Haiti's second city has a colonial grid of balconied houses facing the bay and is the gateway to the Citadelle, Sans-Souci Palace and the beaches of Cormier and Labadie.
Gonaïves
The 'City of Independence', where Dessalines proclaimed Haiti's freedom on 1 January 1804. A busy port with few sights, best treated as a stop between the capital and the north.
Ranked by urban-area population where available. Figures are rounded estimates, and sources define city limits differently, so rankings of similar-sized cities can vary.
When to go to Haiti
Best time: Dec–Feb.
Average climate in Port-au-Prince
Festivals & events
- Feb–MarKanaval
Haiti's pre-Lent carnival fills the streets with floats, konpa bands and costumed groups; Jacmel's version, famous for papier-mâché masks and satirical characters, is the most artistic.
- JulSaut-d'Eau pilgrimage
Around 16 July, the feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, pilgrims crowd the Saut-d'Eau waterfall to bathe, pray and honour the Vodou spirit Ezili alongside the Virgin.
- NovFèt Gede
On 1–2 November, Vodou followers honour the Gede spirits of the dead with music, rum-soaked offerings and ceremonies in cemeteries across the country.
How much does Haiti cost?
Estimates per person per day, excluding flights. Prices vary by season and city.
Food to try
Griot
Chunks of pork marinated in sour orange and herbs, simmered and then fried until crisp, served with pikliz (fiery pickled slaw) and fried plantain.
Diri ak djon djon
Rice cooked black in the liquid from dried djon djon mushrooms, giving an earthy, smoky flavour; a dish for celebrations and Sunday lunches.
Soup joumou
A rich pumpkin and beef soup eaten on 1 January to mark independence, once reserved for enslavers; it is on UNESCO's intangible heritage list.
Getting around
There are no trains and few long-distance buses suited to visitors. Tap-taps, the brightly painted pick-ups and buses, and moto-taxis are how Haitians travel, but most visitors hire a car with a trusted driver through their hotel or guide. Small domestic airlines have linked Port-au-Prince with Cap-Haïtien, Jacmel and Les Cayes, but services in and out of the capital have been suspended repeatedly, so check close to travel.
Practical information
- Plugs & voltage
- AB110V — bring a UK-to-A/B adapter
- Emergency numbers
Source: FCDO “Getting help”
- Dialling code
- +509
- Time zone
- UTC-5 (standard time)
- Tap water
- Not safe — drink bottled or treated water
- Driving
- On the right
- Tipping
- Leave around 10% in restaurants unless service is included, and tip guides and drivers in gourdes or US dollars at the end of a trip.
- Etiquette
- Greet everyone with 'bonjou' (or 'bonswa' from early afternoon) before starting a conversation. Always ask before photographing people, and treat Vodou ceremonies as religious occasions, attending only when invited.
- Main airports
- Toussaint Louverture International Airport (PAP), Port-au-Prince; Cap-Haïtien International Airport (CAP), Cap-Haïtien
Visas & entry for Haiti
Shown for a British passport.
No visa needed
You do not need a visa to visit Haiti for up to 90 days.
To stay longer (or to work or study, for business travel or for other reasons), you must meet the Haitian government’s entry requirements.
From the UK government's FCDO entry requirements for British passport holders — read the full page for passport validity, permits and exceptions.
Health & vaccinations
- Recommended for most travellers
- Hepatitis ATetanusTyphoid
- Sometimes advised — depends on your trip, activities and health
- ChikungunyaDengueHepatitis BMeaslesRabiesTuberculosis
- Yellow fever certificate
- A yellow fever certificate is only required if you arrive from (or transit through) a country with yellow fever risk — not if you fly direct from the UK.
- Malaria
- Malaria risk in some areas
- There is a risk of malaria in Haiti: antimalarial tablets recommended.
Source: TravelHealthPro (National Travel Health Network and Centre), checked 21 October 2026. This is a summary, not medical advice.
Public holidays in Haiti
The next 12 months. Banks, offices and some sights may close, and transport and hotels get busy around these dates.
| Sun 1 Nov 2026 | All Saints' Day |
| Mon 2 Nov 2026 | Day of the Dead |
| Wed 18 Nov 2026 | Armed Forces Day · Commemoration of the Battle of Vertieres |
| Fri 25 Dec 2026 | Christmas Day |
| Fri 1 Jan 2027 | National Independence Day · New Year's Day |
| Sat 2 Jan 2027 | Ancestry Day |
| Sun 7 Feb 2027 | Carnival |
| Mon 8 Feb 2027 | Shrove Monday |
| Tue 9 Feb 2027 | Fat Tuesday |
| Fri 26 Mar 2027 | Good Friday |
| Sun 28 Mar 2027 | Easter Sunday |
| Sat 1 May 2027 | Agriculture and Labour Day |
| Tue 18 May 2027 | Flag Day and University Day |
| Thu 27 May 2027 | Corpus Christi |
| Sun 15 Aug 2027 | Assumption Day |
| Sun 17 Oct 2027 | Death of Dessalines |
National holidays only. Dates based on lunar calendars can move by a day or two depending on official announcements.
Useful phrases in Haitian Creole
| English | Haitian Creole | Say it |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | Bonjou | bon-ZHOO |
| Thank you | Mèsi | meh-SEE |
| Please | Tanpri | tahn-PREE |
| Excuse me | Eskize m | es-kee-ZAY-m |
| How much is this? | Konbyen sa a koute? | kohn-BYEN sah ah KOO-tay |
Know before you go
- Prices are often quoted in 'Haitian dollars' (one equals five gourdes) rather than gourdes, so always confirm which unit is meant before agreeing a price.
- Bring clean, small US dollar notes: hotels and drivers accept them widely, while card payments and ATMs can be unreliable outside the larger hotels and towns.
- Check the FCDO travel advice before booking and again before departure, and arrange airport pick-ups, drivers and guides in advance through reputable contacts.
Haiti travel FAQs
When is the best time to visit Haiti?
The best time to visit Haiti is generally Dec–Feb. Peak months are January, February and December. Average highs in Port-au-Prince range from 31°C to 35°C across the year.
How much does a trip to Haiti cost per day?
Roughly £50 a day on a tight budget, £110 mid-range and £220+ for comfortable travel, per person including accommodation, food and local transport. Flights are extra.
What currency is used in Haiti?
Haitian gourde (HTG).
What plug type does Haiti use?
Type A and B sockets at 110V. UK visitors need a travel adapter — UK Type G plugs will not fit.
Which side of the road do they drive on in Haiti?
Traffic drives on the right in Haiti, unlike the UK.
Is tap water safe to drink in Haiti?
Not safe — drink bottled or treated water.
Do I need a visa for Haiti?
For British passport holders, the FCDO says: You do not need a visa to visit Haiti for up to 90 days. Entry rules change, so check the official FCDO entry requirements for Haiti before you travel: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/haiti/entry-requirements
What vaccinations do I need for Haiti?
TravelHealthPro recommends Hepatitis A, Tetanus and Typhoid for most travellers, with Chikungunya, Dengue, Hepatitis B, Measles, Rabies and Tuberculosis sometimes advised depending on your trip. Make sure routine UK vaccinations are up to date and see a travel health professional 6–8 weeks before you go.
