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Welcome to Haiti

A land with a soul

Plan your holiday to Haiti

Haiti up-close

When is the best time to visit Haiti?

Haiti Up Close

7 Haitian Artists to Follow on Instagram Now

With Art X Ayiti’s help, we've rounded up seven unique Instagram accounts highlighting Haitian artists here in Haiti and across the Haitian diaspora.

Food & Drink

Where to Eat in Cap-Haïtien

Here are the best restaurants in Cap-Haïtien, according to a local. Don't miss this one local ingredient you have to try!

How to Attend a Vodou Ceremony in Haiti

Skulls, sequins and gunpowder smoke - here’s a glimpse inside a modern Haitian Vodou ceremony. Find out how to attend and what to expect.

People gathered at a Vodou ceremony

Photo: Pierre Michel Jean

Looking for some cool things to do?

Jump into saut-mathurine – haiti’s biggest waterfall.

The south coast is full of hidden treasures waiting to

Where to go dancing in Port-au-Prince

With the sun sinking into the horizon over Bay du

Top Birdwatching Sites in Haiti

Four spots to see Haitian birdlife at its best

Skulls, sequins and gunpowder smoke - here’s a glimpse inside

Vodou Pilgrimage to Saut d’Eau

Every year, this one-of-a-kind Vodou pilgrimage brings together crowds of

La Maison Dufort: Defining Haitian Architecture in Port-au-Prince

Take a glance at Maison Dufort in the heart of

Cap-Haïtien City Guide

Cap-Haïtien is Haiti’s second largest city, popular with travellers because

Your Ultimate Guide to Carnival in Haiti

Unleash your inner party spirit with our ultimate guide to

Explore the Waterfall and Grottoes of Bassin Zim

Bassin Zim is a spectacular natural landmark in Haiti, with

Day-trip to Haiti’s prettiest lake

About three hours north-east of Port-au-Prince, Lake Péligre is Haiti’s

Adventure awaits

Travellers exploring the Kaskad Pichon waterfalls, Haiti

Photo: Franck Fontain

Summer activities and tips!

Food & drink

Have you tried these 7 Haitian summer flavors?

Destinations

Jacmel City Guide

Things to do

Gelée Beach

Jacmel is Haiti's second-largest city. Read our guide to find

Close to Les Cayes in southern Haiti, Gelée Beach offers

This 200 year-old fortress site is cared for by the

Have You Tried These 7 Haitian Summer Flavours?

Whet your appetite and test your knowledge of Caribbean cuisine

Travel to Haiti for less

Aerogare Guy Malary, Port-au-Prince, Haiti

Photo: Ricardo Lartigue

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Ten things to know about visiting Haiti

Dec 28, 2015 • 5 min read

Haiti has been missing in action from the Caribbean tourism scene for years, but now it's stepping out from the shadows and proudly declaring itself one of the most distinctive and exciting countries for visitors to the region. Here are ten things you need to know.

Citadelle and Sans Souci

Haiti 's greatest gift to the world was its revolution, when it freed itself from slavery and French rule to become the world's first independent black republic. The  Citadelle la Ferrière is the revolution's most inspiring testament: a fortress that commands the jungle and farmland below from its mountain-top perch. At its foot sit the ruins of Sans Souci palace, a Versailles-in-the-tropics confection built by the revolutionary leader Henry Christophe. Together they comprise Haiti's sole Unesco World Heritage site and one of the Caribbean's truly unmissable attractions; with recent investment in visitor facilities, including a new museum, the attractions have never looked so good.

Jacmel and Carnival

The old coffee town of Jacmel on the south coast is Haiti's handicrafts capital. It's also home to the country's hottest carnival celebrations every February, when half the country seems to descend upon the town for a weekend of partying. Artisans spend half the year preparing, creating giant colorful papier-mâché sculptures for the parade, while other community groups re-enact traditional (and anarchic) street theater, all to a constant beat of Haitian rara music. You can recreate the carnival vibe at any time of year with a papier-mâché mask of your own from Jacmel's eclectic Moro  boutique.

Of all the Caribbean nations, perhaps none has a richer tradition of visual arts than Haiti. In Port-au-Prince even the heavily pimped-out and painted public transport (known locally as 'tap-taps') look like mobile art displays. The country first burst onto the international arts scene with its painters of the 1940s, and the capital abounds in galleries . But art isn't just on canvas: check out the Vodou-cyberpunk of the Grand Rue Artists , and the intricately carved and beaten metal work of the artisan village of Croix des Bouquets, just outside the capital.

Haiti makes a big point of being a unique Caribbean destination, but we shouldn't forget that it also has what attracts so many visitors to the region in the first place: fantastic beaches. Here, they have the added advantage of not having been over-developed by big-box resorts. The pick of the bunch is Port Salut on the south coast, with its miles of creamy sand and barely a tourist towel in sight – just a handful of private guesthouses and beach bars serving up rum and fish. The island of Ile-a-Vache, a short ferry ride from the city of Les Cayes, has a couple of small resorts offering a truly pampered beach-side escape.

Port-au-Prince

Port-au-Prince is a loud and hectic city. It's still recovering slowly from the 2010 earthquake, but don't expect to see any rubble – that was long cleared away. Instead, focus on its many positives. Its two biggest attractions are the national museum, Musée du Panthéon National , also known as Mupanah, and the Marché de Fer . Mupanah holds items from Haiti's history, from the anchor of one of Christopher Columbus's flagships to memorabilia from Papa Doc Duvalier. The Marché de Fer (Iron Market) is a bright Asian-influenced structure holding a busy market: shop here for everything from spices and art to Vodou paraphernalia. When you're done downtown, head up the hill to the restaurants and art galleries of the upscale neighborhood of Pétionville.

Natural wonders

The name Haiti means 'mountainous country' in the tongue of its original Taino Indian inhabitants, and within its endlessly folded landscape are hidden some of Haiti's most beautiful natural wonders. This is a country rich in waterfalls, many of which offer not just spectacle but great places to swim and picnic. Most famous are the falls at Saut d'Eau, which also attract a large number of Vodou and Catholic pilgrims every July to take its sacred waters. Equally beautiful are the cobalt-blue cascading pools of Bassins Bleu near Jacmel. Close to Port Salut you can also explore the spooky caves of Grotte Marie-Jeanne.

Food & drink

Haitian cuisine is built on the foundations of rice with beans and sauce ( diri ak sos pwa ). Add a side order of plantain, some fried or stewed meat and top it off with healthy serve of pikliz (a pickled slaw with chili) to give it a bit of bite. There's plenty of fresh seafood on the coast of course (and Haiti has a lot of coast). For dessert, the choice of fresh tropical fruit can seem endless, although the mangoes are particularly delicious in season. For drinks, Barbancourt rum is smooth to sip and great in cocktails; if you're just after a quick cooler you can do no better than a frosty Prestige beer.

In the last couple of years the international hotel chains have started to see the value of investing in Haiti – Hilton is soon to follow the Best Western and Marriott groups in opening in Port-au-Prince. But for now, most hotels in Haiti are locally run and operated, keeping your tourist dollars circulating in the local economy. Accommodation remains relatively expensive in Haiti compared to the rest of the Caribbean.

Getting there & around

Port-au-Prince is the main gateway into Haiti, with plenty of flights from the USA, but the recent opening of Cap-Haïtien airport to international flights means that arriving in the capital is no longer essential. Haiti is a small country, and an internal flight between these two main cities takes barely 30 minutes. You'll see more by bus, and although public transport had traditionally been something of an endurance test, new bus companies are taking advantage of the improved highway network to offer comfortable and competitive coach routes between the major destinations. Still, once you get off the beaten track, rough local tap-tap buses and pick-ups are often the only option, so be prepared to squeeze in!

It would be remiss to ignore the fact that Haiti carries something of a reputation that might worry the more hesitant traveler. The reality behind the hype is somewhat different. Haiti is far less violent a country than neighboring Dominican Republic or Jamaica, both of which host vibrant tourist industries. We'd advise keeping away from political demonstrations (as you would in many countries), but instead heed the number of adventure- and package-tour operators now returning to the country. Haiti is a country more than ready to welcome tourists looking for the next travel frontier.

This article was refreshed in August 2017.

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WE DO IT SAFE & WE DO IT BEST

VISIT Cap Haitian

Cap Haitian, often referred to as the crown jewel of Haiti’s northern coast, is a destination that beckons travelers with its rich tapestry of history, culture, and breathtaking natural landscapes. As the city where the seeds of Haiti’s independence were sown, it offers an unparalleled glimpse into the past with its well-preserved historical sites, such as the imposing Citadel Laferrière and the elegant Sans Souci Palace, which stand as testaments to the resilience and spirit of the Haitian people.

Beyond its historical allure, Cap Haitian is also a gateway to some of the most stunning natural wonders in the Caribbean, including pristine beaches and the serene beauty of Amiga Island, known for its captivating shades of blue. The city’s vibrant marketplaces, rich culinary scene, and the warmth of its people add layers of richness to the visitor’s experience, making Cap Haitian not just a place to visit, but a world to discover. Whether you’re a history enthusiast, nature lover, or culture seeker, Cap Haitian offers a unique blend of attractions that promise an unforgettable journey.

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How to travel to Haiti (2024)

By Joan Torres 10 Comments Last updated on April 8, 2024

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.

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

eSIM card for browsing when traveling in Haiti

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😍 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 .

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.

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.

🇭🇹 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.

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.

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.

🪪 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.

🚑 Travel Insurance for Haiti

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• Many different plans for all types of travelers
• Avaiability of low, basic plans
• Covers senior citizens too
• Readers of this blog can get an exclusive 5% discount .

⛅ 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.

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.

3 – Attending a voodoo ceremony

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

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.

5 – The coast around Labadee

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

🛫 How to get to Haiti

Remember to get travel insurance for Haiti IATI Insurance is one of the very few that covers travel in Haiti+ COVID-19 5% discount if purchasing via this link

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.

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.

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 = 135 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.

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.

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.

📸 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.

💬 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.

🍻 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

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10 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.

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Explore the list of top ranked local tour guides in Haiti. Get tour activities offered by tour companies and independent travel guides in Haiti.

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Rolling from the soaring heights of the Citadelle la Ferrière to the shimmering beachfronts of the northern departments, the recently-rebuilt Port-au-Prince capital and post-colonial fortresses of Cap-Haitien, Haiti promises something of a more authentic and raw experience of the Caribbean than many of its touristic neighbours. Just take the earthy coffee depots and colourful homes of Jacmel in the south, or the aromatic Creole come jerk chicken stalls that bubble up on the city streets, offering an enticing mixture of French, European, Arawak and South American flavours. This less-visited half of Hispaniola Island has worked hard to recover from the devastation caused by the 2010 earthquake, and consequently has now started to court the touristic crowd in earnest. Today the beach stretches of Île à Vache are on the up with shiny new all-inclusive hotels, while Port Salut beckons with secluded coves and BBQ eateries. Along with it’s vibrant history, culture and people, Haiti tour guides also proudly showcase some of the region’s more edgy and adventurous gems, going from the wilderness jungles of Tortuga Island to the primeval reaches of the Macaya National Park’s rainforests.

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Haiti – 4 days tour

NOTE: at the moment our tours to Haiti are suspended due to the security situation.

Let me know when Haiti opens up again for tourism

4 day – cap-haïtien tour.

Discover magical Haiti for yourself and see that it has more to offer than the images you only know from television. There is a rich culture with plenty of room for music, religion (voodoo) and art. You can experience this all over the country, from city buses to graffiti. In this four-day tour you will get to know some of the country’s highlights.

General info

Day 1 – Cap-Haïtien

• Flight to Cap-Haïtien.
• Upon arrival we’ll start with our city tour of the second biggest city of the country.
• Walking tour of the old town of Cap-Haïtien, which will include the Notre Dame and Heros de Vertieres Monument.
• Overnight stay in Cap-Haïtien.

Day 2 – Cap-Haïtien – Milot

• Visit Vertières – the site of the resounding battle against the French.
• Drive to Milot.
• We visit the Sans Souci Palace. This palace was the royal residence at the time of Haiti’s independence.
• Walk to the Citadelle LaFerriere, Haiti’s most famous fortress. From here you have a beautiful view over the surroundings. This UNESCO fortress was built to protect against the French.
• Lakou Lakay – here we will watch a voodoo dance show.

 Day 3 – Cap-Haïtien – Labadie

• Boat to the beaches of Labadie.
• Visit the small island of Amiga.
• Relax on the beach with a barbecue.

Day 4 – Cap-Haïtien

• Airport drop off.
• End of the tour.

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• The Caribbean Travel Guide

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.

• 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 Cuisine

Bassin Bleu

Port-Au-Prince

The Sans Souci Palace

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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Young Pioneer Tours

Haiti Voodoo & Revolution Tour

This year YPT is again bringing back one of our favourites, the Haiti Voodoo and Revolution Tour.

On this tour you will experience the unique voodoo culture of Haiti, taking in rituals around the country including on the site of the original slave revolts as well as the annual festival at Saut d’Eau outside of Port-au-Prince.

If that’s not interesting enough, Haiti is a country steeped in revolutionary history being the first country to see slave uprising and rebellion against colonialism freeing itself of French rule. It of course has a chequered history in the modern period with links to Chavez’s Venezuela and its own regimes of Papa Doc and Baby Doc.

You will relax on Caribbean beaches sipping the locally distilled clairin, similar to rum, and sample street food and wander the busy markets of this Caribbean nation. On our Group B extension you’ll explore the UNESCO sites in Cap Haitien of Sans Souci Palace and the Citadelle Laferriere.

Haiti’s history has also been peppered by natural disaster, not least the 2010 earthquake which devastated the country, and you will see some of the remnants of this as well as how local people are rebuilding their lives and their country. This is a complete tour of one of the most epic countries in the Americas.

Wednesday 12 th July – Port-au-Prince

• Arrival into Port-au-Prince at your convenience and transfer to our centrally located hotel
• Meet at 4:00pm in the hotel lobby to meet your YPT guide and fellow travellers
• Begin early evening walking tour to explore some of the famous graffiti in the city and the unique taptaps – painted trucks and buses – very cool photo opportunities
• Take a ride in one of these taptaps to the restaurant where we’ll grab dinner of local Haitian fare and a cold beer or sample a crémas, a local drink of coconut and vanilla
• Overnight in Port-au-Prince

Thursday 13 th July – Port-au-Prince – Fermathe – Kenscoff – Port-au-Prince Morning

• After breakfast we’ll begin further exploring the capital with our first stop being the famous ‘gingerbread houses’, large mansion type buildings that look like they’re from Victorian England and the most stunning architecture in Haiti
• Head onto the Champ de Mars, the capital’s largest park for a bit of people watching. The park is also the Square of the Heroes of Independence where national parades used to be held
• See the site where the National Palace, the president’s residence, used to stand until it was destroyed in the 2010 earthquake, as well as the cathedral which was also reduced to rubble
• Visit the Statue of the Unknown Slave, testament to Haiti’s history as a slave colony and its revolutionary liberation war. We’ll also see the statues of the first emperor and king and of course a certain Christopher Columbus
• After lunch we’ll be going to the Pantheon National History Museum to learn more about Haiti’s revolutionary past
• Stop by St Trinity Episcopal Church for photos before we head to Boutillier viewpoint for great views of the city
• We’ll go further into the hills and drive to Fermathe where we visit a self-aid shop and a market village in Kenscoff commune.
• Visit Fort Jacques, built over 200 years ago in honour of Jean-Jacques Dessalines, leader of the Haitian Revolution and first leader of independent Haiti
• After a long day of exploration we’ll grab dinner and drinks

Friday 14 th July – Saut D’eau Festival Morning

• After breakfast we’ll drive out to Saut d’Eau commune (about a 2 hour drive)
• The waterfall here is one of the key sites of pilgrimage for Catholics and voodoo practitioners alike, and today is part of the festival of Our Lady of Carmel
• It was here that the Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel is said to have appeared on a palm tree, and just to add to the coincidence the voodoo loa, or spirit, Erzulie Dantor also appeared here
• Picnic lunch in Saut d’Eau
• Watch the Eucharistic rites and voodoo rituals before the locals bathe in the falls asking for favours from their gods on one of the most stunning days you will ever experience
• Drive back to Port-au-Prince
• We’ll head for a quick dinner and then in the evening watch a RAM concert in the Oloffson Hotel, Haiti’s most famous mizik rasin band who play a weekly show here

Saturday 15 th July – Croix des Bouquets – Port-au-Prince Morning

• After breakfast we head to the Plaza de Hugo Chavez, the former Venezuelan leader was treated as a hero by the Haitians after his criticism of the American occupation of Haiti “in the name of aid”, and of course maybe due to generous gifts of oil
• Visit the Marché de Fer, the Iron Market, which may have been damaged by fire in 2008, destroyed by the 2010 earthquake and then again ravaged by fire in 2018, but which has been restored and is a public market of historical heritage
• Grab lunch around the market
• Head to Fort Dimanche, a former prison notorious for torture during the reign of Francois Duvalier, or Papa Doc as he was popularly known
• Explore the Grand Cemetery with its vast network of necropolises and raised tombs
• Visit the Atis Rezistans, self-taught artists whose work is based on junkyard, survivalist recycling
• From here we head to the Noailles Artistic Village to see more local artists at work
• We’ll try to find a Voodoo Ceremony. An incredible experience that shows you what Haiti’s most famous for!
• Dinner and overnight in Port-au-Prince

Sunday 16 th July – Port-au-Prince – Jacmel  Morning

• This morning we head to Jacmel on the south coast
• We’ll stop at Baby Doc’s tomb, the ruler who led Haiti after his father’s death, and who was deposed and lived in exile before returning to his fate
• Visit to the Blue Basin
• The Blue Basin is a stunning series of pools with clear blue water set along the river and waterfalls linking them together
• Take a dip in the water!
• After lunch we’ll continue our ride to Jacmel
• On arrival we’ll check into our hotel before going out for dinner and drinks
• Overnight in Jacmel

Monday 17 th July – Jacmel Morning

• In the morning we’ll grab a coffee and pastry in one of the New Orleans style coffee houses in Jacmel
• Stop by the Manoir Alexandre, once the grandest building in Jacmel and now under restoration
• Visit the historic Jacmel Cathedral before we move on to the former home of Simón Bolívar, it was here that he stayed before assembling his army to eventually liberate and create Gran Colombia
• Head to the Jacmel local market where we’ll also grab lunch
• Visit a local artist residence and galleries to see how the thriving Jacmel art scene differs from Port-au-Prince
• In the afternoon we’ll head to Cyvadier beach and relax with the locals and go for a dip
• Dinner of creole food and drinks with a beach view

Tuesday 18 th July – Jacmel – Leogane – Port-au-Prince – Cap Haitien (Group A Tour Concludes) Morning

• After breakfast we’ll drive out of Jacmel towards Port-au-Prince
• On the way we’ll stop at Leogane, a coastal commune which was the epicentre of the earthquake in 2010 which destroyed almost the whole settlement. Much of Haiti’s history has seen natural disaster and here we see how the rebuilding effort has gone
• Upon arrival in Port-au-Prince we’ll say goodbye to those from Group A , YPT can assist with airport transfers or extra accommodation as needed
• Group B continue on to the airport to catch our 3:00pm flight to Cap Haitien
• Upon arrival we’ll check in and head for dinner with drinks in town
• Overnight in Cap Haitien

Wednesday 19 th July – Cap Haitien – Milot Morning

• In the morning we head to Milot a short drive away from Le Cap
• Visit the Sans-Souci Palace, one of the most famous sights in all Haiti
• This was the royal residence of King Henri I, Henri Christophe, and is over 200 years old, built to prove to the French and foreigners alike the ability of the black race
• King Henri is said to have shot himself with a silver bullet on the grounds of the palace after being crippled by a stroke, whereupon he was buried in the citadelle
• Which is our next stop, the Citadelle Laferrière, a fortress on top of a mountain, built to guard against French invasion, a UNESCO heritage site and all-round impressive place
• Grab lunch in Milot
• Visit the Lakou Lakay Cultural Centre and then we will watch a voodoo dance
• Drive back to Cap Haitien
• Dinner and overnight

Thursday 20 th July – Labadie – Cap Haitien Morning

• After breakfast we go on a city tour of Le Cap taking in the Heroes Monument of Vertières, the last battle of the Haitian Revolution, and the site of the actual battle
• Visit the Bois Caiman, site of voodoo rituals performed at the beginning of the slave revolt
• We jump on a boat for the short sail to Labadee
• We’ll have a lunch of freshly caught lobster or fish
• Labadee is a privately run resort beach where we can lap up the Caribbean feeling
• While rum may be the main drink in the region, we check out a clairin distillery – clairin is the locally produced distilled spirit, made in the same way as rum, and made from cane sugar
• We’ll head out for a dinner of seafood and drinks in town to celebrate our last night in this amazing country

Friday 21 st  July – Cap Haitien – Port-au-Prince

• Board a morning flight back to Port-au-Prince where the tour will conclude – YPT are able to assist you with any onward travel or accommodation

The 2010 Haiti Earthquake and Effects on Tourism

Haitian Revolution: A YPT Guide

Papa Doc and Baby Doc: Haiti’s Vodou Dynasty

Voodoo in Haiti

• Tour Extensions

Want to extend your YPT adventure? Join one of our great tour extensions

• Start Date : July 12th 2023 End Date : July 18th / 21st 2023
• Price : $2195 / $2795
• Duration: 7 / 10 days

Tour Highlights

• Watch voodoo rituals and take part in the annual voodoo festival at Saut d’Eau before sitting on the beach sipping the local spirit clairin
• Explore Haiti’s unique history of uprising and revolution as well as natural disaster and delve deep into local culture in Port-au-Prince, Cap Haitien and Jacmal cities
• Visit the Sans Souci Palace and Citadelle Laferriere, UNESCO heritage sites and stunning examples of Haitian architecture built in the post-revolutionary period two-hundred years ago

Inclusions and exclusions

• Accommodation in on twin-share basis • All transport to complete itinerary • Breakfast and lunch • All entrance fees unless otherwise stated • English speaking local guide and YPT guide

• International flights to/from Haiti • Visa if required (YPT can provide visa support) • Single Supplement ($300/$550) • Dinners • Personal spending • Tips for the local guide and driver

We have expert guides ready to help answer any questions you may have.

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What to know about the crisis of violence, politics and hunger engulfing Haiti

A long-simmering crisis over Haiti’s ability to govern itself, particularly after a series of natural disasters and an increasingly dire humanitarian emergency, has come to a head in the Caribbean nation, as its de facto president remains stranded in Puerto Rico and its people starve and live in fear of rampant violence. 

The chaos engulfing the country has been bubbling for more than a year, only for it to spill over on the global stage on Monday night, as Haiti’s unpopular prime minister, Ariel Henry, agreed to resign once a transitional government is brokered by other Caribbean nations and parties, including the U.S.

But the very idea of a transitional government brokered not by Haitians but by outsiders is one of the main reasons Haiti, a nation of 11 million, is on the brink, according to humanitarian workers and residents who have called for Haitian-led solutions. 

“What we’re seeing in Haiti has been building since the 2010 earthquake,” said Greg Beckett, an associate professor of anthropology at Western University in Canada. 

What is happening in Haiti and why?

In the power vacuum that followed the assassination of democratically elected President Jovenel Moïse in 2021, Henry, who was prime minister under Moïse, assumed power, with the support of several nations, including the U.S. 

When Haiti failed to hold elections multiple times — Henry said it was due to logistical problems or violence — protests rang out against him. By the time Henry announced last year that elections would be postponed again, to 2025, armed groups that were already active in Port-au-Prince, the capital, dialed up the violence.

Even before Moïse’s assassination, these militias and armed groups existed alongside politicians who used them to do their bidding, including everything from intimidating the opposition to collecting votes . With the dwindling of the country’s elected officials, though, many of these rebel forces have engaged in excessively violent acts, and have taken control of at least 80% of the capital, according to a United Nations estimate. 

Those groups, which include paramilitary and former police officers who pose as community leaders, have been responsible for the increase in killings, kidnappings and rapes since Moïse’s death, according to the Uppsala Conflict Data Program at Uppsala University in Sweden. According to a report from the U.N . released in January, more than 8,400 people were killed, injured or kidnapped in 2023, an increase of 122% increase from 2022.

“January and February have been the most violent months in the recent crisis, with thousands of people killed, or injured, or raped,” Beckett said.

Armed groups who had been calling for Henry’s resignation have already attacked airports, police stations, sea ports, the Central Bank and the country’s national soccer stadium. The situation reached critical mass earlier this month when the country’s two main prisons were raided , leading to the escape of about 4,000 prisoners. The beleaguered government called a 72-hour state of emergency, including a night-time curfew — but its authority had evaporated by then.

Aside from human-made catastrophes, Haiti still has not fully recovered from the devastating earthquake in 2010 that killed about 220,000 people and left 1.5 million homeless, many of them living in poorly built and exposed housing. More earthquakes, hurricanes and floods have followed, exacerbating efforts to rebuild infrastructure and a sense of national unity.

Since the earthquake, “there have been groups in Haiti trying to control that reconstruction process and the funding, the billions of dollars coming into the country to rebuild it,” said Beckett, who specializes in the Caribbean, particularly Haiti. 

Beckett said that control initially came from politicians and subsequently from armed groups supported by those politicians. Political “parties that controlled the government used the government for corruption to steal that money. We’re seeing the fallout from that.”

Many armed groups have formed in recent years claiming to be community groups carrying out essential work in underprivileged neighborhoods, but they have instead been accused of violence, even murder . One of the two main groups, G-9, is led by a former elite police officer, Jimmy Chérizier — also known as “Barbecue” — who has become the public face of the unrest and claimed credit for various attacks on public institutions. He has openly called for Henry to step down and called his campaign an “armed revolution.”

But caught in the crossfire are the residents of Haiti. In just one week, 15,000 people have been displaced from Port-au-Prince, according to a U.N. estimate. But people have been trying to flee the capital for well over a year, with one woman telling NBC News that she is currently hiding in a church with her three children and another family with eight children. The U.N. said about 160,000 people have left Port-au-Prince because of the swell of violence in the last several months. 

Deep poverty and famine are also a serious danger. Gangs have cut off access to the country’s largest port, Autorité Portuaire Nationale, and food could soon become scarce.

Haiti's uncertain future

A new transitional government may dismay the Haitians and their supporters who call for Haitian-led solutions to the crisis. 

But the creation of such a government would come after years of democratic disruption and the crumbling of Haiti’s political leadership. The country hasn’t held an election in eight years. 

Haitian advocates and scholars like Jemima Pierre, a professor at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, say foreign intervention, including from the U.S., is partially to blame for Haiti’s turmoil. The U.S. has routinely sent thousands of troops to Haiti , intervened in its government and supported unpopular leaders like Henry.

“What you have over the last 20 years is the consistent dismantling of the Haitian state,” Pierre said. “What intervention means for Haiti, what it has always meant, is death and destruction.”

In fact, the country’s situation was so dire that Henry was forced to travel abroad in the hope of securing a U.N. peacekeeping deal. He went to Kenya, which agreed to send 1,000 troops to coordinate an East African and U.N.-backed alliance to help restore order in Haiti, but the plan is now on hold . Kenya agreed last October to send a U.N.-sanctioned security force to Haiti, but Kenya’s courts decided it was unconstitutional. The result has been Haiti fending for itself. 

“A force like Kenya, they don’t speak Kreyòl, they don’t speak French,” Pierre said. “The Kenyan police are known for human rights abuses . So what does it tell us as Haitians that the only thing that you see that we deserve are not schools, not reparations for the cholera the U.N. brought , but more military with the mandate to use all kinds of force on our population? That is unacceptable.”  

Henry was forced to announce his planned resignation from Puerto Rico, as threats of violence — and armed groups taking over the airports — have prevented him from returning to his country.  

Now that Henry is to stand down, it is far from clear what the armed groups will do or demand next, aside from the right to govern. 

“It’s the Haitian people who know what they’re going through. It’s the Haitian people who are going to take destiny into their own hands. Haitian people will choose who will govern them,” Chérizier said recently, according to The Associated Press .

Haitians and their supporters have put forth their own solutions over the years, holding that foreign intervention routinely ignores the voices and desires of Haitians. 

In 2021, both Haitian and non-Haitian church leaders, women’s rights groups, lawyers, humanitarian workers, the Voodoo Sector and more created the Commission to Search for a Haitian Solution to the Crisis . The commission has proposed the “ Montana Accord ,” outlining a two-year interim government with oversight committees tasked with restoring order, eradicating corruption and establishing fair elections. 

For more from NBC BLK, sign up for our weekly newsletter .

CORRECTION (March 15, 2024, 9:58 a.m. ET): An earlier version of this article misstated which university Jemima Pierre is affiliated with. She is a professor at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, not the University of California, Los Angeles, (or Columbia University, as an earlier correction misstated).

Patrick Smith is a London-based editor and reporter for NBC News Digital.

Char Adams is a reporter for NBC BLK who writes about race.

Simple Flying

Us to end haiti evacuation flights next week.

Only US citizens with proper identification will be permitted to board the flights.

• US to end Haiti evacuation flights on April 12.
• Eligible citizens need proper documents and the Crisis Intake Form.
• Currently, Cap-Haitien (CAP) is the safe airport for evacuation flights.

The United States government will end evacuation flights from Haiti next week on April 12, 2024, according to a report by CBS News . The US has been evacuating its citizens due to ongoing gang violence in the country. Eligible for evacuation flights are US citizens with proper documentation who have completed the Crisis Intake Form .

The background

Since March 2024, the US Department of State has been organizing charter flights from Haiti in response to the increasing gang violence in the country. These charter flights have been operating from Cap-Haïtien International Airport (CAP), located approximately 120 miles (193 km) from Port-au-Prince, the capital of Haiti.

Operations from the capital's airport, Toussaint Louverture (PAP), were not possible due to unsafe conditions in the city. According to the US embassy in Haiti , the only safe airport for conducting charter evacuation flights is Cap-Haïtien International Airport (CAP), where GlobalX, the US charter airline, was operating.

US Organizes Haiti Evacuation Flights As Violence Continues

The Miami-based charter airline has a fleet of 16 aircraft at an average age of 19.2 years. The airline's fleet comprises nine Airbus A320-200s, six Airbus A321-200s, and an Airbus A319 jet, according to ch-aviation data.

Level 4 travel advisory

In response to the escalating gang attacks, many flights to the country have been suspended. Additionally, the US Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs has placed Haiti under a Level 4 travel advisory. According to the US Department of State, Level 4 is the highest advisory level "due to the greater likelihood of life-threatening risks."

"There are reports of heavy gunfire and disruptions to traffic near Port-au-Prince airport. The US Embassy is temporarily halting travel of official US personnel to the airport and instructing any US personnel at the airport to remain there. Avoid the area. As a reminder, our travel advisory for Haiti is Level 4 - Do Not Travel."

The US Embassy in Haiti added:

"The security situation in Haiti is unpredictable and dangerous. Travel within Haiti is conducted at your own risk. The US government cannot guarantee your safety traveling to airports, borders, or during any onward travel. You should consider your personal security situation before traveling anywhere in Haiti. Only attempt to depart Haiti or travel within Haiti if you believe it is safe for you to do so."

Limited traffic at Haitian airports

The airport in Cap-Haïtien has opened periodically for departing flights, although availability is minimal. According to Flightradar24.com data, the traffic at CAP airport is limited, with just six scheduled departures on April 7, 2024.

Meanwhile, traffic from the country's capital airport, Toussaint Louverture (PAP), is extremely limited. According to Flightradar24.com, the airport had only two scheduled departures on April 7, 2024, with one of them being canceled.

What are your thoughts on this? Feel free to share in the comments section.

Creation of transitional council that will select Haiti’s next prime minister is imminent, US says

The Associated Press

April 10, 2024, 4:59 PM

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SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — The creation of a transitional council responsible for choosing Haiti’s next leaders is imminent, a U.S. diplomat said Wednesday during a heated forum about Haiti’s spiraling crisis .

The nine-member council could be formally established in Haiti as early as this week, Brian A. Nichols, U.S. assistant secretary for Western Hemisphere affairs, said at a New York-based event organized by the Council on Foreign Relations.

Officials are eager to see the council in place as Haiti staggers under a power vacuum, with the prime minister locked out of a country suffering relentless gang violence that has choked the Port-au-Prince capital and surrounding communities, forcing more than 53,000 people to flee the area in recent weeks .

Haiti’s main seaport and airport remain closed, cutting off critical aid as experts warn that hunger and illnesses are skyrocketing.

“There is no greater humanitarian crisis in the world today than what is going on in Haiti,” Nichols said.

Gangs began attacking key government institutions across Port-au-Prince on Feb. 29, opening fire on the main international airport that remains closed and storming police stations and Haiti’s two biggest prisons, releasing more than 4,000 inmates.

The U.N. Human Rights Office has called the situation “cataclysmic,” noting more than 1,550 people have been killed and more than 800 injured as of late March.

The creation of the transition council, which will have seven members with voting powers to choose Haiti’s next prime minister and Cabinet, is not expected to immediately solve the country’s deep-rooted troubles.

Nichols said there’s not just “one single thing” needed to solve the country’s problems.

During the hourlong forum, Nichols came under fire by Monique Clesca, a Haitian writer and member of the Montana Group, a coalition of civil, business and political leaders that was awarded a position on the transitional council.

She criticized the U.S. for having supported Prime Minister Ariel Henry, who she accused of being incompetent and responsible for the country’s deteriorating conditions. Henry was installed as an interim leader with the backing of the international community following the July 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moïse .

Haiti’s most powerful gangs also have opposed Henry, noting that he was not democratically elected, and he has promised to resign once the council is created .

“You dropped him like a hot potato,” Clesca told Nichols as she questioned why the U.S. ever supported Henry in the first place. “If we are going forward … we have to think about that policy. Was it bad? What can we learn from it? Can we admit that there was a failure?

The country’s gangs started launching large-scale attacks against government targets while Henry was in Kenya in February to push for the U.N.-backed deployment of a police force from the East African country . He has been locked out of the country since then, as the violence has forced the closure of major ports of entry.

Panelists in New York were asked why the gangs that control 80% of Port-au-Prince were not involved in negotiations or the creation of a transitional council.

“Having a broad, inclusive dialogue among all segments of society is certainly something that is worth doing,” Nichols said, but he said that the interest of the gangs “cannot be put ahead of ordinary, law-abiding citizens.”

He said solutions are needed to target why people join gangs in the first place. “There has to be access to education and job opportunities and training programs,” he said.

Clesca added that there’s a need to change social identity so that it focuses more on school and jobs.

Also on the panel was Garry Pierre-Pierre, founder of the Brooklyn-based online news site The Haitian Times. He alleged that Haitian politicians and the country’s elite have long secretly backed gangs to serve their interests, and he lamented that the Haitian diaspora has not been adequately consulted amid the crisis.

“Security is a short-term problem that can be dealt with,” he said. “But stitching back Haitian society, that’s going to be a real challenge.”

Copyright © 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.

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US government’s charter flights out of Haiti to end soon

I f you’re a U.S. citizen in Haiti and still looking to escape the violence in Port-au-Prince, there are only a few days left to do so with assistance from the U.S. government.

Potential travelers in Haiti have been notified that U.S. government charter flights are not expected to continue after Friday, April 12, the State Department said.

The end of the U.S. government flights means American citizens, especially those still in Port-au-Prince, will have limited options for leaving the country. All international flights out of Port-au-Prince remain canceled.

Miami-based American Airlines, which flies between Miami and Port-au-Prince’s Toussaint Louverture International Airport, has suspended its daily service through Wednesday, April 17.

JetBlue Airways, which last week had suspended flights through Friday, April 5, now says that cancellations will continue through at least Wednesday, May 15. The airline flies between the Haitian capital and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport and John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York.

Spirit Airlines, the only major U.S. carrier that flies into both Port-au-Prince and Cap-Haitien, has suspended flights into both airports until further notice. Spirit operates daily service out of Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International.

For now, the only direct commercial connection between Haiti and South Florida is onboard Sunrise Airways, a Haiti-based airline. The airline has flights between Cap-Haitien’s Hugo Chavez International Airport and Miami International Airport scheduled for April 8-11 and April 13-14. The carrier is also looking to start service between Cap-Haitien and Panama, St. Maarten and Guadeloupe’s Pointe-a-Pitre as of Monday, April 15, however, customers should check the website for the schedule.

Both Port-au-Prince’s international and domestic airports have been closed for more than a month, along with its main seaport, following attacks by an alliance of armed groups. During one of the attacks, several airplanes belonging to Sunrise Airways were struck by bullets, leaving the carrier and all of the major U.S. carriers to announce a cancellation of commercial flights as of March 4.

As a result, the U.S., Canada and France have put up helicopters and charter flights at the disposal of their nationals seeking to leave Haiti.

So far, more than 300 U.S. citizens have taken advantage of the flights. Some individuals were transported on helicopters to the neighboring Dominican Republic, while others were taken to the northern port city of Cap-Haitien, where they then boarded the U.S. government charter after signing a promissory note to pay.

In a message sent out this week by the U.S. embassy to Americans still in Haiti, potential travelers were informed that the helicopter flights are offered when the security situation permits it. Because flights may not always be available on the same day, travelers should be prepared to arrange their own lodging in Cap-Haitien.

Haitian authorities have not said when they expect the capital’s airports to be operational. Both are currently being secured by the Haiti National Police and soldiers with the Armed Forces of Haiti, who, working together, have managed to repel attacks. However, the situation remains tense.

In the last week, armed groups have continued to loot and burn both public and private infrastructure and target critical infrastructure like police stations and the National Palace.

In its latest update, the United Nations warned that the humanitarian situation continues to worsen. Ambulances and workers with the National Ambulance Center are still unable to access gang-controlled areas, and gunfire in the Champ-de-Mars, located across from the palace, and in the Delmas neighborhood has disrupted mobile clinics, the U.N. said. The global body also reported that suspected cases of cholera, the deadly waterborne disease, is now being reported in all of Haiti’s regional departments, with some communities reporting active outbreaks.

Late Friday, members of a presidential council charged with creating a path forward out of the crisis said that they had finalized a political agreement among their seven voting members and two observers. The document, once signed, is expected to be sent to the Caribbean Community, which will then transmit it to outgoing Prime Minister Ariel Henry so that his council of ministers can sign and the council can be formed.

Henry, who was forced to resign by Washington amid the turmoil, has said he will step aside once the council has been installed.

©2024 Miami Herald. Visit miamiherald.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

What is happening in Haiti?

The Caribbean country of Haiti - the western half of the island of Hispaniola - has been blighted by a succession of catastrophes, from an earthquake in 2010 which killed nearly a quarter of a million people, to an outbreak of cholera, a president's assassination and rising gang violence.

By Claire Gilbody Dickerson, news reporter

Monday 25 March 2024 15:51, UK

More than 33,000 people have fled their homes in Haiti's capital of Port-au-Prince, UN officials say, amid ongoing gang violence which has plunged the crises-stricken nation into yet more chaos.

But tens of thousands remain trapped in the city , where heavily armed gangs now control more than 80% of the territory.

More than 200 gangs are believed to operate in Haiti, with nearly two dozen concentrated in Port-au-Prince and surrounding areas, the Associated Press reports.

We take a look at what has happened in the past month and what led to Haiti's seemingly perpetual state of crisis.

The latest wave of violence started on 29 February, with gunmen targeting police stations and the main international airport, which remains closed.

They also stormed Haiti's two biggest prisons and released more than 4,000 inmates.

More on Haiti

Haiti gang boss will take part in talks if invited - but warns foreign forces will be treated as 'invaders'

A vortex of violence and poverty - starving families take shelter from Haiti capital's battlefield

Vigilantes defending Haiti neighbourhood 'tooth and nail' against gang attacks

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The violence was seen as a protest against unelected Prime Minister Ariel Henry, who had pledged to stand down in February but later said security had to be re-established before he could leave his post.

Haiti has fallen short of holding parliamentary elections since October 2019, while the senate's term expired in January last year, meaning there has been no official from either the House or Senate since.

The gunfire started as Mr Henry visited Kenya to discuss the deployment of a multinational security mission in Haiti, backed by the United Nations, to help local police as they are overwhelmed by gangs.

Locals, however, are wary of yet another foreign intervention considering the troubled history with different countries meddling in its affairs.

According to former police officer and gang leader Jimmy Cherizier, also known as Barbecue, the "battle" being waged by the criminal groups was aimed at removing the prime minister and "changing the whole system".

The fighting led to the prime minister's resignation, but gangs demanding he be ousted have continued their attacks in several communities.

When did Haiti's political turmoil start?

The Caribbean country's current state of upheaval can be traced back to September 2019, when tens of thousands took to the streets of Haiti to demand former president Jovenel Moise's resignation.

Opposition leaders had been calling for Mr Moise to step down saying his legal term had expired, a claim the former leader contested.

The former president was assassinated in 2021 , when armed men broke into his Port-au-Prince bedroom on the night of 7July and fatally shot him. Mr Moise's wife was also injured in the raid.

Background to conflict

In 1804, Haiti became the first Caribbean state and the second in the Western Hemisphere (after the US) to gain independence from its colonisers, in Haiti's case France.

But since then, Haitians have been plagued by a series of catastrophic events, including an almost 29-year dictatorship by father-and-son duo François and Jean-Claude Duvalier, known as "Papa Doc" and "Baby Doc", lasting until 1986.

Read more: Vigilantes defending Haiti neighbourhood 'tooth and nail' Prominent Haitian gang leader shot dead by police

The Caribbean nation was then left reeling from the devastating impact of an earthquake in January 2010 which saw about 220,000 people killed, according to the UN.

Haiti went on to suffer an outbreak of cholera which claimed the lives of about 10,000. The outbreak is believed to have been caused by infected sewage as UN peacekeepers travelled to Haiti following the earthquake.

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Panic in Haiti's capital as wild shooting fills streets

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Augusnel Tour. “We do it Safe & We do it Best”.

• Use of SCUBA equipment
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• Pancade, T-shirts, Badge, Logo and more.
• Cap Haitien Airport, Cap-Haitien Haiti
• Labadee Haïti, QQP4+F95, Labadie, Haiti
• Wheelchair accessible
• Stroller accessible
• Service animals allowed
• Near public transportation
• Infants must sit on laps
• Infant seats available
• Transportation is wheelchair accessible
• Surfaces are wheelchair accessible
• No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
• Most travelers can participate
• This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
• This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
• For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.

• 111simplya 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Amazing experience We had an amazing experience with Augusnel, we felt very safe at all time. He was very patient and answered all questions we had. Read more Written March 27, 2024
• vgrossmann2016 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Fascinating and safe solo trip Based on my research about Haiti, I had some apprehension about visiting, but I learned that many tourists, including Royal Carribean cruise passengers were safely visiting Cap-Haitien in the north. As an added layer of security, I hired a private guide. For my visit, I booked with Augusnel Tours. We planned a full three days where I experienced the beaches as well as cultural and historic sites, and I visited the most popular bars and restaurants. On our first day, Augusnel picked me up from the airport, and we visited the Laferriere Citadel and the Palace of Sans-Souci. Then we had a nice lunch of chicken and black beans and rice in a hotel near the palace. The countryside we drove through was stunning! On the second day we took a boat ride to Amiga Island and then visited Cadras Beach. The lunch on the island was great—grilled lobster, fish, conch and plantains. I swam while at both beaches. The water was lovely. Afterwards, I asked Augusnel to take me to visit Satama Hotel and Roi Christophe Hotel. I had a Prestige beer while at the Satama with a beautiful view of the pool and harbour. On our final day, we visited the Heroes Monument of Vertieres that commemorates the last battle of the Haitian revolution. Then we visited the building in Bois-Caïman where the slaves planned their revolt against the French under the guise of having a voodoo ceremony. Then we visited Fort Liberte, the cleanest city in Haiti. We had a wonderful lunch at a hotel where I enjoyed a delicious fish in sauce with rice and plantains. Afterwards, we toured the fort that was occupied by the French and was damaged during an earthquake. Haiti’s independence was declared there in 1803. Our final activity of the day was a city tour of Cap-Haitien. We visited Notre Dame Cathedral, the Cathedral Square, the market and Cap Boulevard filled with popular bars and restaurants like Lakay, Boukanye, Gwog, and Cap Deli. Augusnel was punctual each day and a safe and skillful driver. I learned a great deal about the country during our time together. We kept in contact through What’s App, and he made sure that I safely saw everything that I wanted to see. I would recommend Augusnel as a guide without reservation if you would like to visit Cap-Haitien. He also offers his guiding services in Port-au-Prince. I’m very glad that I visited Haiti. It was a fascinating experience. Read more Written December 28, 2023
• ngge2023 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles 11/7 Vibes My entire team and I had my Birthday well spent with the crew of Augusnel Travel Haiti in Cap Haitian Amigos Island. #11/7 Vibes -Great food. -Easy Ride on the native Woden boats -Great Staff Read more Written November 16, 2023
• everythingmimie 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Best tour guide in Cap-haitian. My family and I had a great time with Augusnel Tour. He was very professional and care for ours safety. He make us feel home instantly, he was very patient with us since I was traveling with my two years old, he make his schedule flexible for us. I will recommend his tours without hesitation, you won’t regret and you will have a safe and amazing time. Read more Written September 19, 2023
• Barry H 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Such a helpful, responsible, efficient guide. Haiti is challenged by a number of things right now. If you go you need a reliable, trustworthy, helpful guide. Augusne is it. He is so focused on customer service. I recommend him very very highly. Read more Written June 2, 2023
• J1545XWmichaeln 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Best Tour Guide in Cap Haitien Augusnel is the guy you need when visiting Cap Haitien. He was alway punctual and looking after us. We had a great time visiting UNESCO sites, remote island was pristine beaches, fresh seafood for lunch, city tour, etc. We'd definitely book would him again, when we return! Read more Written April 8, 2023
• LoveTravel569216 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Beautiful Okap I traveled to Cap Haïtien with my husband, we booked same day tourism services with Augusnel Tour Haiti. I can say it was the best money spent. For three days Augusnel took us on a local, historic tour, horseback riding up the mountain to the Citadelle, Sans-Soucis Palace, and swimming and eating on the beach at Amiga Island and Paradise Beach, Bois Caïman, and Vertière. His services were extraordinary, we will book him again. If you want a safe tour guide in Haiti, book Augusnel Tours. It was also Spring break therefore there were plenty of events happening around the city; he knew exactly which restaurants to take us too for lunch and dinner for us to enjoy a safe, but fun evening, without large crowds. My husband and I are appreciative of the services we received, we will book again. Read more Written April 2, 2023
• Gabriel12054 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Great tours and great experience. Augusnel Tour are the best. They were very attentive and communicative during our trip. They provided great suggestions and took care of the finest details. We felt in great hands the whole time and we had the best experience. Read more Written March 5, 2023
• Chris M 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Cap Haitian Tour The citadel and palace tour was very good. Thank you for a safe and wonderful experience. We also enjoyed the lunch and church in Cap Haitian. Thank you again. Read more Written March 4, 2023
• Iamlisainc 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Augusnel Tour Haiti made my vacation Epic I used Augusnel Haiti Tour services and absolutely enjoyed my visit to Cap-Hatien. The tour guides made sure I and our group visited places that would have been too time consuming and pricey to book individually. The rate was reasonable, the knowledge of history was excellent, the food, and professionalism was fantastic. The staff felt like part of the group. They accompanied us at all times to ensure we felt safe and attended to. I will definitely revisit Haiti and utilize their services. Read more Written July 29, 2021
• Wladimir T 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles He does it best, he does it safe ! I finally have time to seat down and make this review. I went to Haiti for my birthday with my girlfriend and I couldn’t wish better. It’s Important to mention that none of us are Haitian and little did we know about it if nothing at all to be honest. I think I found Augusnel Tour Haiti on here and decided to look up their page on Instagram which was the beginning of the adventure. I got in contact with them on Instagram then we continued communicating on WhatsApp. Augusnel the tour guide and owner of the company was of great when it came to making an itinerary etc. We quickly visited Port Au Prince on the first day and had the chance to have a great view of the city from Observatoire Boutillier located in Petionville. Once we left the observatoire we caught a charter flight to make it to Cap Haitian. For our first night Augusnel had a romantic dinner organized for us and we ended the night at one of the local lounges. Second day in Haiti we visited the Citadelle, Sans Soucis Palace, Ile a rat. I have to mention that Ile a Rat was sumptuous felt special being on a private island and enjoy the water, the white sand, Barbancourt and freshly caught fish, crabs, and prawns. I can keep going on, but I don’t want to make this review any longer. I left Haiti with great memories and became friends with Augusnel and Benson our driver. Don’t hesitate to visit Haiti with Augusnel Tour Haiti because They do it best, they do it safe ! Read more Written May 7, 2021
• rachaelhz 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Perfect getaway This was a great tour with a great guide! Had an amazing time. Didn’t have to worry about a thing. Was picked up from my hotel in Cap & I especially loved the motorcycle to the top of the Citadelle. I wanted to spend extra time exploring the Palace & my guide didn’t rush me. He was amazing, friendly, organized & even helped take amazing photos. Price was reasonable compared to others. He’s well known in the community. Hit them up Read more Written March 4, 2021

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