Haiti Travel Information, Tips & Travel Pictures

The Republic of Haiti takes up one third of the Caribbean island of Hispaniola. Haiti's seven mountain ranges are squeezed into a land mass about the size of the U.S. state of Maryland or the Canadian province of Nova Scotia

Travellers to Haiti can take full advantage of technology: Flashlights that use LED bulbs, and don't need batteries, solar powered lights, solar powered batteries and radios (See Travel Safety Tips). Consider a personal water purification system to save on bottled water, or if you will be on the road.

What to wear in Haiti Generally, Haiti has tropical weather year round, though it can be chilly in rainy weather. Female visitors generally dress modestly; longer loose-fitting skirts or loose-fitting slacks, no skimpy tops, no heavy makeup, no flashy jewellery. Everyone: Cotton or breathable fabrics recommended (polyester, nylon etc can set up a terrific rash; jeans draw attention and are hot). Closed shoes are advisable to keep feet clean and protected. Try to blend in, not stick out. See also Travel Packing for more suggestions.

Maps of Haiti Find a Dominican Republic Haiti map.

Languages French and Creole are the official languages, though there are some English-speaking and French-speaking staff at the larger hotels. For Creole, get a copy of the Haitian Creole Dictionary Phrasebook (new) and Creole Made Easy , plus a work book and pronunciation guide.

Books about Haiti For my travel guide, I used an older edition of the Lonely Planet Dominican Republic and Haiti guide book. There are a number of good books about Haiti to read before you travel, but some can be hard to get through. For insight on Haiti history and conditions, I recommend Paul Farmer's The Uses of Haiti. An easier read is Mountains Beyond Mountains by Tracy Kidder, about the work that Paul Farmer does in Haiti and elsewhere. On a different note, with a bit about voodoo and a lot of interesting neurotoxin information to perhaps explain zombies is The Serpent and The Rainbow, by Canadian author Wade Davis.

Do I need a Travel Visa for Haiti? Go to Haiti Embassy -- Citizens of only four countries require a visa; other nationals receive a tourist visa upon arrival. Double check with the Haiti embassy or consulate in your home country.

Currency - What money do they use in Haiti? Haitian Gourde (HTG) :: about 1 HTG = 3 US cents OR $1USD = 35 HTG (Rates may fluctuate; Haitians also use the term Haitian dollar :: about 7 Haitian dollars = $1 USD.

Haiti Tourism Try Haiti Tourism (site in French, but with English links. Support Haiti tourism -- let them know we think it's time for travel in Haiti once again!

Travel Health - do I need shots for Haiti? Always check with your local travel health clinic well before travel and be sure the usual vaccinations are current. Diseases like polio and tuberculosis do surface in Haiti, as well as the usual culprits like dengue fever and malaria. See travel tips vaccinations here.

Hotels - Where to stay in Haiti See hotels in Haiti (Roi Christophe, Cormier Plage resort, Mont Joli, Cap-Haitien; Norman's Place, Labadee, and Port-au-Prince and beyond.

Can I Phone to Haiti? See calling card page for information on calling TO Haiti for both cell phones and land lines. NOTE: Only for calls TO Haiti. Calls FROM Haiti are not available.
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