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Getting around: public transport in Haiti

Bus driving from Abricot to Port-au-Prince

Photo: Anton Lau

Haiti’s inter-country infrastructure is reasonably well-developed, with most towns and tourist destinations connected via a network of roads to the major cities of Port-au-Prince , Jacmel , Jérémie and Cap-Haitien . In Haiti, you will come across many different types of public transportation, including buses, tap-taps and motos.

With so many ways to get around, public transport in Haiti can be daunting, but we’ve got you covered.

Bus in Port-au-Prince

Photo: Frank Fontain

Carry change

First up, be sure to carry change with you - specifically Haitian Gourdes (HTG). Big bills won’t cut it here as tap-tap and bus drivers will have a hard time giving you change out of so much money. Instead, make sure you’re well stocked on bills of 10, 25, 50, and at most, 100 HTG, as well as 5 HTG coins.

This will get you around quickly and efficiently, save you time waiting for change from the driver and the flustering experience of being told they can’t break your bill.

Buses and minibuses (tap-taps) are the cheapest way to get around Haiti.

The 5 main private bus companies Capital Coach , Haiti Trans, San Souci Tours , Caribe Tours , and Terra Bus all have comfortable 52-seat buses with air-conditioning.

Caribe Tours and Terra Bus specialise in taking passengers back and forth to Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic .

San Souci Tours connects Port-au-Prince to Gonaïves , Plaisance, Limbé, Cap-Haïtien and Ouanaminthe. They generally stop once around midway, where you can stretch your legs, get something to eat and drink, and recharge your cellphone. To ensure you get a seat, make a reservation in person the day before, and arrive at the departure point two hours before the scheduled departure time.

Haiti Trans connects Port-au-Prince to Cap-Haitien, and Capital Coach is great for getting from one side of sprawling Port-au-Prince to the other.

Literally “Quick-quick”, these cheerfully-painted minibuses follow a predetermined route, connecting suburb to suburb and taking you out to towns around the country.

Watch our video on how to take a tap tap!

How to take a tap tap - Visit Haiti

Let's recap:

From where you’re staying, make your way to the nearest tap-tap or bus station. If it’s too far away, find out (from your host or local guide) if they pass by your way - if they do, it’s easy to flag them down and they’ll be happy to fit you on as long as you can physically squeeze in.

You’ve spotted a tap-tap coming your way! Quick, hail them to stop. Now, because many tap-taps and buses use the same roads, the first thing you’ll want to say to the driver is, “ Bonjou , [insert destination here]?” Let’s say you were headed to downtown Port-au-Prince from Delmas; you might want to go to the National Museum of the Haitian Pantheon . You’d hail a bus, and say, “ Bonjou , Nazon ?” Although Nazon is not the final destination of that bus, it is the area through which it will go.

The driver will either motion you to climb aboard, or tell you he won’t be going through Nazon. Once you find the bus or tap-tap you need, hop on and find yourself a seat. Passengers do get very cozy, as drivers try to get a maximum of people on board a minimal amount of space. If you do bump into anyone, a quick “ Padon! ” will save you some harsh looks.

Once you reach your destination, let the driver know by saying in a loud and clear voice, “ Mèsi! ” Once you get off the bus, you can hand them the cash through the window, and if there is any change to be handed back, they will do so.

Moto driver in Pestel

Photo: Mikkel Ulriksen

Motos are privately owned motorcycle taxis. They function well as a replacement for regular cabs, which you won’t find in Haiti. Moto drivers are widely available and ready to take you anywhere.

These motorcycle taxis are great for short trips. Longer rides can be dangerous as they don’t offer helmets. If your driver is going too fast for you, it’s ok to ask him to slow down.

Avoid having more than one passenger per moto since this increases the chance of an accident. It is crucial to carry small notes so you can tender the correct fare, as the drivers are often reluctant to give change. Just like the tap-taps, you pay your moto driver once you’ve reached your destination.

Want to learn how to moto like a local? Read our guide here .

If you appreciate comfort, you might prefer to see the sights in the back of an air-conditioned car than in one of the more widespread forms of public transport. However, you won’t find any yellow cabs to flag down in Haiti - instead, you’ll have to book a private driver in advance through a travel agent, hotel, or tourism desk.

Boats taxis, Cap-Haïtien

Public water taxis are common and comparatively cheap in Haiti’s north and south for getting between towns or landmarks not connected by roads. There are also private boat operators who will offer to take you, but don’t get the two confused - the private boat taxis are much less affordable.

Taptap in Port-au-Prince

Photo: Franck Fontain

How much does public transport cost in Haiti?

Here’s the thing. Because Haiti doesn’t have a unified public transportation system, prices vary depending on where you go, and on how much gasoline costs at a given moment in time. For example, in November of 2018, you could get around from Delmas to Champ-de-Mars for 25 HTG, or from Pétion-Ville to Thomassin for 20 HTG, but this information could change at any time.

It’s always best to ask your host or any locals you may know what the going rates are for different routes. That way, you’ll make sure you get a fair rate, and that you always carry enough cash.

Happy traveling!

Written by  Kelly Paulemon .

Published December 2018

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Things to do in Haiti in a 1-week itinerary

By Joan Torres Leave a comment Last updated on April 25, 2024

Dreamy landscapes and beaches, world-class architectural delights and the most authentic West African culture in the heart of the Caribbean.

Few travelers know about any of the places to visit in Haiti, yet this is truly the most unique destination in the Americas, packed with exciting sites offering thrilling backpacking adventures.

After spending 10 traveling around the country, here’s a comprehensive 7-day , safe itinerary containing the best things to see and do in Haiti.

For all practical information including visas, safety, local culture, etc., check our travel guide to Haiti .

In this Haiti itinerary, you will find:

Table of Contents

• Accommodation
• Day 1 – Traveling from Santo Domingo to Cap-Haïtien
• Day 2 – Exploring Cap-Haïtien
• Day 3 – Day trip to Citadelle la Ferrière
• Day 4 – Hiking to Labadee
• Day 5 – Travel from Cap-Haïtien to Port au Prince
• Day 6 – Port-au-Prince
• Day 7 – Mirelabais and Dominican Republic
• More Information

our recommended travel insurance for Haiti

IATI Insurance is one of the very few that covers travel in Haiti.

🏨 Accommodation: where to stay at the places you visit in Haiti

Where to stay in santo domingo.

Near the station for buses to Haiti: Torres Apart Studio

Although this place is nothing special, it’s relatively well-priced and ideally located next to the bus terminal for buses going to Haiti.

In the Zona Colonial, near tourist sites: La Puerta Roja Guest House

Cheap, and very well located. This beautiful guest house is an excellent place to stay.

Where to stay in Cap-Haïtien: Habitation des Lauriers

This is the best place to stay in Cap-Haïtien. The rooms are basic and a bit expensive, but that’s what you always get in Haiti, and this accommodation offers the added benefit of having staff who speak English. You can also pay by card and exchange money.

The views are amazing too, overlooking Cap-Haïtien.

Where to stay in Port-au-Prince: Allamanda Hotel

Pétionville is the safest area in the capital, and the only place where you should book a hotel.

This one is one of the best choices in town.

🛖 Things to do with Haiti in a 7-day itinerary

Here’s everything you can visit in Haiti in 1 week.

Map of things to do in Haiti

Day 1 – Traveling from Santo Domingo to Cap-Haïtien

I overlanded into Haiti from Dominican Republic and that’s what most travelers do, so our Haiti itinerary will focus on this area.

In any case, remember that both Port-au-Prince and Cap-Haïtien have an international airport with connections to different cities in the USA – especially Miami – but flights tend to be more expensive than any flight into Santo Domingo.

The best way to travel from Dominican Republic to Haiti is by taking the direct bus that runs from Santo Domingo to Cap-Haïtien via Santiago de los Caballeros.

A bus also goes to Port-au-Prince, but this Haiti travel itinerary will instead focus on the other route.

Step 1: Head to the bus terminal at least one day before your intended date of departure

The bus company going to Haiti is called Caribbean Tours , and the terminal is located here .

Buses to Cap-Haïtien depart in the morning, between 7am and 8:30am.

Tickets do sell out, so try to get there at least one day before to book your ticket and find out the actual time of departure.

A one-way ticket costs 30-35 USD. This can be paid in Dominican Pesos too.

Step 2: On the day of departure, go to the terminal to catch the bus and pay the respective border fees

To exit Dominican Republic by land, some border fees apply and you must pay these before boarding the bus.

Border fees cost 37 USD, and must be paid in USD.

If you don’t have US dollars on you, there’s a money exchange office on the first floor of the bus terminal, where they will exchange your Dominican Pesos into USD at a pretty fair rate.

Note that the office will most likely be closed by the time you get there, so make sure to buy your $ the day before.

The bus journey officially takes 7 – 8 hours although it can easily take up to 12. Factors for potential delays include border crossing mishaps, but also bus breakdowns.

The bus has a pretty long stopover in a city called Santiago de los Caballeros.

They do also serve a meal on board consisting of Dominican-style grilled meat and rice, which I found to be particularly awful.

Step 3: Dominican Republic-Haiti border crossing

The border is a bit chaotic but there’s an attendant/tour leader on the bus who will probably guide you through, including paying the mentioned border fees.

On the Haitian side, some locals will offer to help you with filling out the forms – looking for a tip – but just ignore them.

Step 4 – Arriving in Cap-Haïtien

The bus will drop you at this terminal .

I arrived at around 7pm, when it was already dark. Actually, it was really dark, since the street lights weren’t on, which happens pretty much all over Haiti.

At the station, you’ll find plenty of motorbike taxis but the hotel I stayed at, Habitation des Lauriers, is just 1.7km from here, so I decided to walk.

Day 2 – Exploring Cap-Haïtien

Cap Haïtien is the second most important city after Port-au-Prince, housing the top tourist attractions in all Haiti.

Furthermore, from a historical perspective, the area is far more significant than the capital, for the following reasons:

• It was here in Cap-Haïtien – in Bord de Mer de Limonade, just outside of the city – where Colombus built the first settlement ever in the New World.
• The area was the epicentre of the slaves’ revolt against their French overlords.
• Cap Haïtien served as the French headquarters during colonial rule.

From the Habitation des Lauriers hotel, you get the best views of the city’s skyline, so there isn’t a better place to start your day.

Other than that, Cap-Haïtien is a pleasant city to walk around while checking out some pretty cool local markets and old colonial French architecture.

Things to do in Cap-Haïtien

Place d’Armes & Notre Dame Cathedral: the central square with its respective cathedral, colonial buildings and gingerbread houses.

Iron Market: East of Place d’Armes, the Iron Market covers several streets of the city grid. It’s a bustling, fascinating market, something you won’t see anywhere else in the Americas, and very similar to local markets in West Africa.

Around Place de la Résistance: This is a pretty random place that won’t be mentioned in any guidebooks, but at the entrance to the city, just before reaching the bridge, there’s a huge outdoor market, one that tourists never see and the best place in Haiti for people-watching. This market is located almost right on the beach, and it reflects the typical images we see of Haiti on the news: absolutely massive piles of rubbisha being dragged away by the ocean waves.

Half-day trip from Cap-Haïtien: Bois Caïman

Bois Caïman is one of the most important places in Haiti .

On 14th August 1791, a group of black slaves from the sugar plantations of Cap-Haïtien and nearby areas gathered at a site called Bois Caïman to perform a Vodou ceremony, while also planning a mass uprising that quickly turned into the Haitian Revolution which freed the country from its French overlords.

Bois Caïman is located 10km from Cap-Haïtien.

How to visit Bois Caïman

If you want to do it the backpacking – hard – way, first take a tap tap towards Vaudreuil. From there, it’s a 2km walk to the actual village, but you can also catch a taxi motorbike.

In the village, there’s a painting and memorial of the Haitian Revolution and you can visit the actual cave where the Vodou ceremony took place, and where rituals are still held.

Day 3 – Day trip to Citadelle la Ferrière

In my opinion, Citadelle la Ferrière is the most beautiful place to visit in Haiti.

Less than 20km from Cap Haïtien, there’s a place called Milot, a rural town home to an absolutely astonishing fortress built on top of a mountain with superb views of the mountains around the region.

This is the largest fortress in the whole American continent, and a symbol of Haiti’s independence, built by black slaves who had gained their freedom – the first of its kind – and the reason Citadelle la Ferrière is today a UNESCO World Heritage site , and the most famous place to visit in Haiti.

It was built in the 19th century, commissioned by Haitian revolutionary Henri Christophe, and aiming to at thwart potential French invasions.

How to get to Citadelle la Ferrière

1 – Take a tap tap to Milot

The tap tap station for Milot is located here .

It costs around 100 Gourdes per person.

2 – Arriving in Milot and ticket office

Upon arriving in Milot, you will be approached by particularly intense young men on their motorbikes wanting to take you up to the Citadel. They won’t leave you alone.

The ticket office for going up to the fortress is 10-15 minutes away from the tap tap drop-off point.

The guys on the motorbikes will most likely follow you all the way there, insisting on taking you to the top.

The entrance fee to the Citadel is 1000 Gourdes.

3 – Going up to the Citadel.

Going to the top of the Citadel on foot is possible, but it would take a few hours.

Instead, you can hire someone to take you there on a motorbike, and a round-trip ticket should cost no more than 1000 Gourdes but you’ll probably have to bargain a bit.

Motorbikes can’t make it all the way to the top, so the last 1 or 2 kilometres must be done on foot. Lazier travelers can opt to ride a horse too.

Day 4 – Hiking to Labadee

Many travelers agree that Labadee is the most beautiful place to visit in Haiti.

Labadee is the bit of coast west of Cap-Haïtien, on the other side of the small peninsula.

This is the best stretch of coast in the country, not only for its white-sand beaches and crystal-clear waters, but also because it’s impeccably clean and plastic-free, something hard to find in Haiti.

Labadee is in fact a pretty laid back settlement, more notably known for being home to a tourist resort named after the village.

This resort is an essential part of the itinerary for many Caribbean cruises sailing past the islands.

But don’t worry, the resort is a bit far from the village and nobody is allowed to enter unless they are a cruise passenger. Moreover, cruise passengers are either not interested in leaving the resort or they just think it’s too dangerous.

Actually, you won’t even notice there’s a resort here unless you climb one of the hills or come from Cap-Haïtien on foot.

How to visit Labadee

The 10km hike that follows the coast from Cap-Haïtien to Labadee is an excellent day trip, and one of the best things to do in Haiti.

By the way, you can also get there by motorbike taxi, but you’ll be missing a lot of things on the way.

To hike to Labadee, you’ll first have to climb a hill through a slum, so there are no marked streets either, and it’s easy to get lost. In my experience, however, locals were pretty helpful in pointing me in the right direction.

You need to start climbing somewhere around here .

Once you leave the slum, you’ll get to the main road, and then you just need to follow the trail.

Things to do in Labadee

As mentioned, Labadee is a small settlement. There’s a small centre, the commercial area where locals gather and you can get a drink.

From there, local boats depart to different beaches and settlements in the peninsula. A one-way ride costs the equivalent of 1 or 2 USD.

I took the boat to a beach named Belly Beach. There’s a bar here, where you can order drinks and seafood. It wasn’t busy when I was there, and everyone was either wealthy Haitians or crew members from the cruise ship.

Day 5 – Travel from Cap-Haïtien to Port au Prince

I recommend visiting Port-au-Prince only if you have a good local contact, otherwise, I think it’s too dangerous to go.

Everyone in Cap-Haïtien will think that you are crazy wanting to travel to Port-au-Prince.

Maybe they’re right, I don’t know.

They will even say it’s not possible to travel there by land, declaring that road access into the capital is controlled by the gangs.

I actually believed them, so I decided to flew in instead.

Domestic flights are run by a local airline called Sunrise Airways, and the Cap-Haïtien – Port-au-Prince route is a short 30-minute flight.

However, it was after booking my ticket that I learn from my local contact in Port-au-Prince that buses do run regularly between the major cities, although they take a different route.

In any case, remember that the bus journey takes around 9 hours.

Day 6 – Port-au-Prince

Remember that there is basically a civil war going on in Port-au-Prince. Some places like Pétionville are safe but to go further afield, you must go with someone who knows their way.

The capital of Haiti is one of the most chaotic cities I’ve ever been. It is said that the city’s infrastructure can only accommodate a quarter of its total population, and what existing infrastructure there is isn’t great either, built in a city that has been crumbling since the earthquake in 2010 .

Port-au-Prince is dusty and extremely noisy, with piles of rubbish and extreme poverty filling all the streets.

To be completely honest, this isn’t a destination for most travelers although Against the Compass readers may find a certain appeal in its chaos, art scene and particular nightlife.

Port-au-Prince is an unmissable place to see in Haiti, and it’s sure not to disappoint you.

By the way, when visiting Port-au-Prince, you must stay only in Pétionville, the safest area in the city, and the only place where you can walk around freely. A good place to stay is Allamanda Hotel .

Things to do in Port-au-Prince

Pétionville: Originally a residential suburb in the mountains, Pétionville flourished after the 2010 earthquake, becoming the most prominent neighbourhood in Port-au-Prince, housing the best restaurants and hotels. This is a safe area to walk around, and one where you can enjoy a lively market, a beautiful street where they sell pieces of local art, and numerous bars and restaurants.

Atis Rezistants: A workshop where they create art out of trash, mainly Haitian Vodou-related pieces. This was one of the most interesting places to visit in Haiti.

The National Pantheon Museum : Among other things, this museum features the anchor from Santa Maria , the largest boat used during Christopher Columbus’ expedition to the New World, back in 1492. Remember that the first place there ever set foot on was in today’s Haiti.

Check our travel guide for more information.


Cité Soleil: The poorest slum in all of the Americas and one of the largest in the world.

How to visit Cité Soleil

The most infamous place to visit in Haiti is Cité Soleil.

Cité Soleil is perhaps the most dangerous place in the Americas, and far more dangerous that infamous destinations such as Syria , Yemen or Afghanistan . The reason is that today, Cité Soleil is a battlefield for gangs trying to kill each other on an almost daily basis.

Despite the current situation, however, I did visit Cité Soleil with the help of a local fixer who personally knows the gangs controlling the area, and I actually had the chance to meet the sub-chief of G-PEP.

They showed me around the slum, we had a few beers with some gang members then left after 2 hours.

2 things I want to highlight:

Firstly, that I’ve never felt so intimated in my life as, the time I visited Cité Soleil. Upon arriving at the main gang checkpoint to enter the slum, a group of extremely young Haitians came running towards us, but as soon as they saw our fixer, they all calmed down.

It’s important to highlight that unlike checkpoints in Iraq for example, these Haitians do actually use their guns every other day.

Second, kindly note that I won’t be sharing my fixer’s contact details as I don’t want Cité Soleil to become a playground for backpackers since eventually, someone will get shot and I really don’t want to be involved. Street shootings do occur every every day and stray bullets are a thing.

Day 7 – Mirelabais and Dominican Republic

Unless you wish to keep exploring Haiti beyond what is included in this Haiti travel itinerary, on day 7 of the tour, I recommend going back to Dominican Republic.

However, instead of getting a direct bus to Santo Domingo, I recommend doing it the backpacking way through Mirebalais and the Belladères border , so you can to see another, more rural side to the country.

Step 1: Get a bus to Mirelabais.

Buses run all day long, starting early in the morning. The station is located here .

Step 2: Get on a tap tap to Lascahobas.

You can find a taxi to take you to the border, but we couldn’t find a public tap tap .

Step 3: Get a final tap tap to the actual border.

No secrets, you’ll easily find the necessary transportation.

Step 4: Cross the border on foot.

On the Haitian side, you don’t have to pay any exit fees but on the Dominican side, a fee of 10 USD applies. I found this border to be very corrupt, so make sure you pay at the official stall, and get an actual receipt. The police may ask for it later.

Step 5: Bus from Elias Pina to Santo Domingo.

Elias Pina is a 20-minute walk from the border, maybe a bit more. There’s not much to see in this town, but it has a lively market and a very local feel. It’s easy to find transportation to Santo Domingo but you might want to spend the night here, or travel somewhere else instead. One piece of advice, however: I took the last bus to Santo Domingo, departing at 6pm. The ride was long and they dropped me off in the middle of the night at a very, very sketchy area of Santo Domingo, where muggings are not uncommon.

❗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 Travel Guide

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Travel Guide to Cap Haitien and my Experience Crossing the Border From The Dominican Republic To Haiti

Haiti which came from the word ‘Ayiti’ literally means ‘The Land of the Mountains’ which is true enough because they are the most mountainous area in the Caribbean. During the 18th Century when it was still under the control of the French Empire, they were the richest colony and was given the name ‘The Pearl of Antilles’. More than the beautiful island, the breathtaking mountains, underground caves, and waterfalls, Haiti has a history rich enough to be worth the visit for.

In my quest to visit every country in the world, I just landed in one of the most unusual destinations for tourists– Haiti. This has been my 121st country ever since we’ve started traveling and it’s very heartwarming to see it for myself. I’ve read a lot of bad things about this country but unlike most people, I try to see what’s beyond what I’m reading. More than these nasty headlines, I know they have a good side, just like everybody else. I know there’s something else in this country other than what the rest of the world perceives it to be.

A lot of people warned me not to go because it’s DANGEROUS. Is it really?

They think I’m crazy for visiting countries like Iraq, Venezuela , Somaliland and now a trip to Haiti…  but nobody can stop me! I will visit every single country in the world! 🙂 I was supposed to travel solo but my good friend Kelly of Sailing Satori was up for some adventure so she decided to join me. Here’s our adventure in crossing the border to Haiti.

Table of Contents

HOW DO I GET TO HAITI?

By land: Fly direct to Santiago or Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic, go to the Caribe Bus Tours terminals in Santiago or Santo Domingo and catch the bus to Cap Haitien. Make sure to arrive a few hours before the bus departure to get your ticket. You can’t book it online.  This will roughly take you around 6 hours which includes the Immigration procedures in both countries. Another option is to get a car rental to cross the border, make sure they’ll allow you to cross the border with the car.

By sea: The only option to get here by sea is by joining a cruise with Celebrity Cruises or the Royal Caribbean Cruise Line– they both have a private port in Labadee, Haiti which is just a 12.5 km. drive from Cap Haitien.

By air: Fly directly to Aeroport International Toussaint Louverture which is located in Haiti’s capital, Port Au Prince. They also have domestic flights

CROSSING THE BORDER FROM THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC TO CAP HAITIEN, HAITI

The Dominican Republic and Haiti share a common border so, from Luperon where we are currently based, we traveled to Santiago by bus to cross the border and to reach Cap Haitien. It took us literally the whole day– we left the boat at 7 AM, reached the immigration and border control at 3 PM, and arrived at our hotel around 5:30 PM Haiti time.

It’s easy to buy the bus ticket, we went to Caribe Tours terminal in Santiago because you can’t book the ticket for this journey online. When you arrive, they’d ask for your passport to add on their system and will charge you $27 for the one-way ticket but additional $25 for the exit tax of Dominican Republic and entry tax in Haiti. You can’t buy the return ticket here because you need to buy it in the office in Cap Haitien.

The bus was filled with 12 people, including me and Kelly. We actually thought it would be full so we got in a little early. The bus was rather basic and the 27$ fare comes with a free lunch. Good thing there was a lot of space since we were able to take an entire row each and we had a comfortable journey. They have two crews on the bus – first is the driver and the other one is the lady who handles the food & paying the taxes at the immigration.

When we arrived at the border, the bus stopped first at the Dominican Republic immigration. Everyone would have to go down the bus to get the exit stamps themselves. The only requirement is just the passport and the fully filled up immigration blue form (the bus company would give you this). Then the lady collected all of the passports for the taxes (I think when you fly out of the country, the airport tax is already added on your flight ticket) then the bus crossed the bridge with two gates that separate both countries. In Haiti side, we also had to go down of the bus then go in line.. the immigration officer gave us a form to fill up to enter & exit the country. You have to keep the exit paper with the immigration stamp! We also didn’t expect that upon entering we have to pay an extra $10 for the exit tax!

On our way back to the Dominican Republic, we only paid $35 ($25 for the ticket and the $10 Border Tax) to enter DomRep!

QUICK FACTS ABOUT CAP HAITIEN

Name: They had quite a lot of name changes but people often call them the Le Cap or Au Cap

Languages:  French and Creole but you’ll meet a lot in the city who speak English & Spanish

Currency: Gourde

IS IT SAFE TO TRAVEL AROUND HAITI?

I can’t answer for the whole country but I definitely felt safe in Cap Haitien, the reason for this is that we stayed at a really good hotel called Satama Hotel who also toured us around through their own travel agency called Destination Creole . They took all the necessary precautions, took us to nice places, and assured us that our safety is their priority.

Because of them, not once did we feel threatened or scared. The locals we met were in fact very friendly. I felt very secure the entire time we were there so my answer would be yes for Cap Haitien but make sure you stay at a good hotel and book your tour with a trusted agency.

Always take necessary precautions, refrain from walking alone at night, and beware of pickpockets and snatchers. This applies not only to Haiti but to whichever country you may be.

The bus was filled with 12 people, including me and Kelly. We actually thought it would be full so we got in a little early. The bus was rather basic and the 27$ fare comes with a free lunch. Good thing there was a lot of space since we were able to take an entire row each and we had a comfortable journey.

WHERE TO STAY IN CAP HAITIEN

I think the biggest factor why we felt safe in Haiti is because we chose a very good hotel so if ever you’re visiting, you really have to book a good hotel in a good location.

We stayed at Satama Hotel for 3 nights– a brand new and luxurious hotel perched up the mountains of Cap-Haitien. The owner, Mr. Gael, was kind enough to host us and not only that– he also showed us around with Destination Creole , their own tour agency.

MY EAT LIST (WHERE TO EAT AND WHAT TO EAT IN CAP HAITIEN)

If you know me personally then you know I love eating! That’s one of the reasons why I actually travel and gained a lot of weight in the last 4 years. Hahaha. You should also not leave the country without trying their local rum and beer (only 50 Haitian Gourde or 120 Gourde above in restaurants). Here are some food and restaurants that made it on my Eat List:

Cap Deli Haiti – I’m not being biased just because the co-owner is a Filipino but because the food is really good! We tried their pizza and also the seafood platter while drinking their Rum sour and beer! The place looks very cute on the outside and so cozy on the inside esp they have a rooftop terrace where they do Friday Karaoke night. Haha. Thank you, Kuya Adrian!

LOLO Restaurant – Gael, the owner of Satama Hotel highly recommended this restaurant to us and there’s no better way to know good places than from the locals. Our favorite is the freshly made pasta and pesto as well as the pizza with yummy pork toppings (which tastes like the Pinoy food Sisig! YUM!). Through Gael, we were also able to meet Lolo, the owner of the restaurant! 😉

Lakay Restaurant –  One of the best restaurants in Cap Haitien is this restaurant but I didn’t go there because our time was pretty limited, check out their reviews online though! I’ve heard their pizza is everybody’s favorite.

5 AMAZING THINGS YOU CAN DO IN CAP HAITIEN

Destination Creole made sure we see the best in Cap Haitien. Again, thanks to Gael and his brother Stephan, the General Manager of Destination Creole for arranging the tours for us and making sure we experience the best out of our 4-day trip to Haiti. Here are some lovely things we did around which I highly recommend you do too!

• Explore the historical Citadelle Laferrière or Citadelle Henry Christophe and the Sans Souci Palace- This is the largest fortress on the western hemisphere located on top of the mountain and you’ll be surprised that all of this was built by hand. The way going up is steep so we decided to ride a horse. Seeing this magnificent architecture up close, seeing the view from above, and hearing its history from our local guide gave me chills. It’s that interesting.

• Join the Amiga Island Tour- The sun is out and so should you. You’ll be totally rewarded with the Caribbean vibes as you take a boat to this beautiful island, enjoy the sun and the sand, grab your drinks, and swim/snorkel to the coral reef just a few yards from the beach. We were supposed to do this tour but the weather didn’t cooperate. Good thing Destination Creole always have a Plan B. They took us to their beach hotel/ resort ( Cormier Plage ) instead and had some really good rum starting at 11 AM. Haha!

• Walk around town and explore the Rue Market, the Cathedral Notre Dame, and feel the distinguished “Havana” vibe at the city center- One of the best things we did with them is just to walk around town and see the colorful buildings in the market and the buy things from the local vendors. We instantaneously bought a nice hat which looks stunning for our sailing life. Haha

• Take a Daytrip to Cadras aka The Paradise Bay- Experience luxury as you step out of the patio which leads to a bright and beautiful sea as you go to the Paradise Bay. The surrounding mountains make it even more breathtaking!

• Try the local rum and the local bars- The locals sure know how to party and they know how to make good drinks that come with the excellent cuisine. Our favorite is the Rum Sour and Rum Punch (anything rum) and their award-winning local beer called Prestige! 🙂  

Overall, we had an absolutely good time at Cap Haitien thanks to Satama Hotel and Destination Creole who have been such gracious hosts! I don’t think our experience will be the same without them. It was indeed a very insightful trip from the Dominican Republic and I am happy to prove myself right, there are so many good things about Haiti and their people which is worth crossing the border for ♡

FAQS ABOUT CAP HAITIEN AND HAITI IN GENERAL

1) What kind of clothes should I wear in Haiti?

Anything as long as it’s not too revealing. 

2) Is it safe to drink tap water?

No. I highly suggest you bring a reusable bottle so you can always refill it with the water provided by your hotel.

3) Is there electricity?

Of course! Haha.

4) What is the currency used?

The Haitian Gourd but a lot of people are using USD here.

5) How much is a beer in Haiti?

If you buy it at supermarkets or small stores you can get it for 50 Gourds per bottle but restaurants sell it for 100 Gourds.

6) Is it okay to wear open shoes like sandals, flip-flops, etc?

Of course yes unless you’ll go to the market or mountains! haha!

7) Can they speak English?

Their native language is French and Haitian Creole but a lot of people speaks English. You’ll also meet a Haitians here who used to live in the United States or Europe and just returned a few years ago.

8) What is their religion?

Christianity and Vodou have been both recognized as their official religion.

9) Do I need a visa to enter Haiti?

For Filipinos, it’s visa-free. This is the same for residents of the USA and Europe. Please check with the Embassy if you do not fall under any of these.

10) What do they ask for at the border if I don’t need a visa?

Just your passport which must have a remaining validity of 6 months past your stay. If you’re arriving by air, they require you to fill-up a landing card (which you shouldn’t lose) and you will be asked to present your return/forward ticket.

11) Do they have a wifi?

Yes! This isn’t a different planet you guys!

12) Can I wear my bikini at the beach?

13) Do I need to have any vaccines before visiting Haiti?

Nothing is required but make sure to check with your doctor if you are in a good state to travel.

14) What’s the weather like?

It is warm and humid almost all year round. It’s a tropical country.

15) When is the best time to visit?

All year long but avoid the month of August as it is the hurricane season.

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4 thoughts on “ Travel Guide to Cap Haitien and my Experience Crossing the Border From The Dominican Republic To Haiti ”

Good evening! Hope my mail finds you well.

Considering the pandemic situation can I travel to Haiti now?

Please advice which is the best route to travel to Haiti?

I understand that you have available services, can you assist me with my ticket requirements and hotel bookings.

Thank you in advance and looking forward to a positive response.

Kind regards, Lani Davies

Amazing trip you done bless you and you see nobody crosses the borders like that for like that need whatever is necessary to cross getting everything ready because that’s from one country to another.

Hello! I am traveling to Dreams Punta Cana for a week (Jan 12 – 19). I love animals and want to see monkeys, but not “trained” monkeys. I don’t want to ATV or ride horses or binge drink on a catamaran or hang out with screaming kids, but I want to see the natural eco-beauty. Help? What do you recommend? Everything looks so touristy.

Of the two, would you go to Higuey or Santo Domingo? Thank you!!

PS I have a friend who lives in Milot near Cap Haitien, and I dream of going to Haiti for a visit! I met him in the vendors’ market while visiting Labadee from a cruise ship.

I’m so inspired! Pls! Add me! I’m from Somaliland! I wish I could show you more! @mercy_of_Allah_needed on Instagram ??

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Written by Kach Umandap

Founder of Two Monkeys Travel Group. Since 2013, Kach has visited all the 7 continents (including Antarctica) and 151 countries using her Philippines Passport. In 2016, she bought a sailboat and went on sailing adventures with her two cats - Captain Ahab & Little Zissou in the Caribbean for 2 years. She now lives in Herceg Novi, Montenegro where she's enjoying her expat life and living on a gorgeous Stonehouse. She writes about her experiences traveling as a Filipina traveler with a PHL Passport. Also tips on backpacking trips, luxury hotel experiences, product reviews, sailing & adventure travel.

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Last update on June 18, 2024, 4:10 pm

Local May 15, 2022 | 8:09 am

Caribe Tours stops its trips to Haiti due to insecurity

Last Sunday, a Metro bus, another company that travels from the Dominican Republic to Haiti, was hijacked in the Croix-des-Bouquets commune on the outskirts of Port-au-Prince.

Caribe Tours, one of the two companies that offer passenger transport services between the Dominican Republic and Haiti, decided to paralyze its operations  due to insecurity in Haiti,   where a bus leaving Santo Domingo was hijacked last Sunday.

”  Caribbean Tours has paralyzed travel to Haiti for the moment (…) we held a meeting with the DNI (National Department of Investigations), and they are preparing the place to get security from the Haitian Police,” he said this Friday to Efe, the executive vice president of that company, Paúl Guerrero.

He assured that talks are being held between the two countries’ foreign ministries, in which the Dominican embassy in Haiti and the Haitian legation  in Santo Domingo also participate.

“We will have a meeting (with Dominican authorities) next week to determine what is going to be done,” added the executive, who recalled that the Haitian Police “frustrated” the hijacking of a bus belonging to a company from that country.

The Caribe Tours company made  four daily trips from Santo Domingo to Port-au-Prince and one from the Dominican capital to Cap-Haïtien (north, Haiti’s second-largest city).

Last Sunday, a Metro bus, another company that travels from the Dominican Republic to Haiti,  was hijacked in the Croix-des-Bouquets commune  on the outskirts of Port-au-Prince.

Eight Turkish citizens, eight Haitians, and the Dominican driver traveled in the vehicle. The Haitian National Police assured that the group was kidnapped by the  400 Mawozo  armed gangs, one of the most powerful of the many in that country.

In that same area, the Dominican diplomat Carlos Guillén Tatis was kidnapped on April 28 and remained in captivity for four days before being released.

The Dominican Republic announced that  it does not negotiate with “terrorists” and that in “no way” will it pay for the ransom  of any of its citizens kidnapped in Haiti.

This was expressed in a press conference by the Vice Minister of Consular and Immigration Affairs, Jetzel Román.

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