Haiti is a truly fantastic, spellbinding country to visit with beautiful beaches, stunning mountain landscapes, plateaus, lush forest, plains and of course cities and towns filled with things to see and do. It is the third largest country in the Caribbean, and Haiti has a fascinating history with an extremely rich culture. Incredible music - the famous “compas” style which shares some similarities with Cuban music as well as jazz, impressive art, historical sites, the famous carnival or Mardi Gras held every year, a delicious cuisine which is influenced by Spanish cuisine and the friendly, welcoming people - Haiti really does seem to have it all.

Some facts for the visitor
Language: French and Haitian Creole
Population: estimated to be over 8,500,000
Capital city: Port-au-Prince
Total area: 27,751 square kilometres
Time zone: UTC/GMT -5
Currency: Haiti Gourde

Weather
Being in the Caribbean, the climate is hot, with some humidity. Generally you can expect temperatures of around 30 degrees Centigrade during the day and around 20 degrees Centigrade at night, although at higher elevations you can of course expect sometimes much lower temperatures. There are two rain seasons, one of which starts in April and continues into May, and the second which is in September and October. Mudslides may occur during the hurricane season of August and September. If you intend to do any off the beaten track type trekking, it is probably better to avoid these months. The weather can affect not only how easily you get around but also the services and facilities that are available.

Things to see and do in Haiti
Of course there is the bustling capital city of Port-au-Prince with a population of around one million people to explore. The Museum of Haitian Art and other museums, colorful markets and street vendors, churches, galleries, a cathedral, Defly Mansion, plus all the restaurants, shopping and entertainment you could want. For Haiti tourism is an important part of the economy. The Presidential Palace is located in the park Champs de Mars. On the North coast there are some lovely beaches, green mountains and Haiti’s incredible Citadelle, which overlooks Cap Haitian. Below the Citadelle is Christophe’s Sans Souci Palace. In the South you will find rain forest, more beaches, the national park Parc Macaya and even waterfalls. The town of Jacmel has a thriving art scene and Artists from all over the world visit.

Hotels in Haiti
As far as accommodation goes, hotels in Haiti range from modest to luxurious. Bear in mind that if you are planning to visit during the carnival, it is essential to book as far ahead as possible to ensure you get the standard of accommodation you desire, as hotels are heavily booked during this period. For further information on Haiti’s various hotels, see our Hotels in Haiti page.

Travel Advisory
As is the case virtually anywhere you may visit, it is always wise to be conscious of your own personal safety and security, and take the appropriate precautions.
Haiti is a wonderful country to visit, but it is advised that before you visit Haiti you check with your embassy or relevant government department to confirm the the security and current status in regards to Haiti tourism.