Fort Liberte Haiti Travel Pictures

Haiti Border Bridge Riviere Massacre

This bridge crosses the Massacre River at Dajabon, DR to Ouanaminthe, Haiti. There are no hotels in Ouanaminthe, but tap taps run from here into Cap-Haitien. On the Haiti side, vendors were selling bottles of the renowned Barbancourt rum, reputed to be the world's finest. The price varies depending on the quality -- the number of stars on the label -- but is around $10 USD per 750 ml (25 ounces) bottle. The fees (at the time I was here) to cross from the DR to Haiti (and back, each way) were $40 USD for the Haitian portion and 650 DOP (about $20 USD) for the DR portion.

Highway to Cap-Haitien

The marked contrast between the lush and tidy Dominican Republic and the poverty of Haiti shows dramatically at the border crossing. The DR seems positively First World compared to the bleakness of Haiti. The paved roads to Dajabon, in the Dominican Republic, gave way to this typical Haiti road at Ouanaminthe. I found this very disorienting, as if I'd crossed not only the geographical/political border, but also a border that divided the modern era into pre-Industrial Revolution times. These young boys by the highway were running out with small buckets of gravel and sand they were using to fill potholes, in the hope that passing drivers would show their gratitude with a tip.

Highway near Fort Liberte

This is as good as it gets, and it is much better on the stretch of the highway shown here than it was in others. It's 70 kilometres (43 1/2 miles) from Dajabon to Cap-Haitien, but it takes several hours, if the roads are good, and not washed out from rains. (See more Haiti highway.) The Dominican Republic had paved roads, North American bank branch offices (I changed money at a Scotiabank in Dajabon) and Codatel offices with pay phones. Haiti didn't. There's no way you can stay in your lane on the right hand side of the road; you drive slowly, and try to avoid pot holes and washouts by meandering from one side to the other, and sometimes into either ditch.

Fort Liberté

Fort Liberté is sited on the north coast of Haiti, on a peninsula that allows sweeping views to the horizon. The fortress dates back to 1756, and was built by the French. The town was the venue for a world anti-slavery meeting in the 1860s, says my guidebook.

Fort Liberte sea wall

The fort lies mostly in ruins, and though it would be interesting to wander through, I never got the chance. With the driver quite some distance away and out of sight, and the persistent children who came rushing up to beg, I didn't want to go further from sight by heading down into the ruins. It was just too isolated. I was told there was an orphanage near here that welcomed visitors, but I couldn't make arrangements at the time.

Fort Liberte fortifications

A closer look at the fortifications along the sea wall.

Fort Liberte Children

A wide field lies between the fort and the road, and this is where my driver had parked, still some distance from the fort. As I got out of the van to get a closer look, he told me to be quick, and pointed to a group of kids in the distance who were running full tilt to come to us. I did manage a few photos before they mobbed me, grasping at my bags and camera, and asking in several languages for money and my earrings. They were quite clear they wanted pesos or dollars only, not Haitian gourdes.

Fort Liberté Photo Op

These youngsters spoke Creole, and a bit of French and Spanish; as border kids, they learn to beg in many languages. It was quite touching how the oldest girl fussed over the younger ones, smoothing their hair and wiping off their faces before posing them for the photo that they insisted I take. Please don't offer them candy or sweet treats, I was advised: Hungry children in many poor, hot countries already have sugar canes to chew on. Cavity-causing sugar cane and candies are empty nutrition; you are only adding to their plight.

Fort Liberté municipal building

This colourful building is close to the arch (below). I recall it being a town building with a small museum. partly laid new interlocking-style brick walks in this area gave evidence of the town's getting a bit of a makeover. From here, it's 18 kilometres (11 miles) from Dajabon. Leaving Haiti, the border guard was smiling and winking at me while chatting with my driver in Creole. Before allowing us to enter the DR, the Dominican guards sprayed our van with an insecticide, all around the outside bottom panels and tires. It smelled like malathion. I am not sure which made me more nervous.

Fort Liberté Archway

This archway is much photographed by those who travel this route. The mounds of earth beside the road were being used to install a new brick paver sidewalk.

Paradis Hotel in Ouanaminthe Haiti

Jean Cleantus Junior (see Comments section below) sends this photo of the Hotel Paradis in Ouanaminthe, Haiti, that he took on a recent visit to the area.

This view is from the front of the hotel, at street level.

Ideal Hotel view of swimming pool

This second Jean Cleantus Junior photo of the Ideal Hotel shows the back view with the swimming pool.

Thanks, Jean!

You can visit Jean's web site at ftliberte-googlepages

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More Haiti Travel Pictures and Travel Information

• Haiti Country information here.

• Haiti Highway From Dajabon Dominican Republic to Cap-Haitien Haiti

• Labadie (Labadee) Haiti Village on Haiti north shore near cruise ship stop

• Cap-Haitien Haiti's second largest city

• Haiti art Artworks and crafts in oil paintings, metal sculpture,leather and wood

• Haiti travel story Road trip from Puerto Plata DR to Cap-Haitien
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