Cabaret City
City in Ouest, Haiti
A coastal commune west of Port-au-Prince, Cabaret draws people for low-slung beaches, fishing boats and seafood shacks. Day-trippers combine market browsing with swims, and the road provides access to Port-au-Prince's crafts and galleries.
Cabaret at a Glance#
Costs: $15-$35 per day (budget travel) - very inexpensive; basic guesthouses and street food.
Safety: Caution advised - stay alert - exercise caution after dark; petty crime and occasional unrest.
Best Time: November-March (drier months) - dry season is more comfortable and travelable.
Why Visit Cabaret?#
Set on the Gulf of Gonâve, this coastal town draws travelers looking for a low-key seaside atmosphere and contact with everyday Haitian life. Local seafood straight from the waterfront market and plates of griot with pikliz make the food scene memorable. Music is never far away - kompa and rara rhythms animate weekend squares - and the short drive to Port-au-Prince adds access to galleries and larger markets.
Best Things to Do in Cabaret#
Cabaret Bucket List#
Cabaret town market - Local market selling produce and crafts that reflects everyday community life.
Cabaret shoreline - Coastal stretch for strolling, local fishing activity, and observing sunset light.
Église paroissiale de Cabaret - Community church that serves as a local cultural and social gathering point.
Nearby coastal fishing villages - Small villages where fishermen mend nets and sell freshly caught seafood directly.
Local street-food stands - Neighborhood vendors offering haitian specialties like marinad and fritay near the market.
Community art stalls - Small-scale artisan booths showcasing regional crafts and painted woodwork.
Port-au-Prince - Haiti’s capital markets, museums, and artisan shops approximately one hour away.
Arcahaie - Nearby coastal town known for beaches and regional farming markets along the shore.
Best Time to Visit Cabaret#
Visit Cabaret in the dry season (November-April) when humidity eases and beaches are friendlier. Avoid the hurricane months (June-November) when storms and travel disruptions become likelier.
November - April
22-29°C (72-84°F)
Sunny days, lower humidity, great for beach time and exploring nearby Port-au-Prince; evenings can be pleasantly cool compared with the wet season.
May - October
24-31°C (75-88°F)
Hot, humid afternoons with frequent heavy showers; rural roads get muddy and some coastal activities are disrupted, but vegetation is lush and waterfalls swell.
June - November
25-31°C (77-88°F)
Increased storm risk and possible travel disruptions; best avoided for beach plans, though early and late season storms are less frequent than peak months.
Cabaret's climate is classified as Tropical Savanna - Tropical Savanna climate with consistently warm temperatures year-round. Temperatures range from 19°C to 34°C. Abundant rainfall (1001 mm/year), wettest in May with a pronounced dry season.
January
January is warm with highs of 32°C and lows of 19°C. The driest month with just 16 mm and mostly sunny skies.
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February
February is warm with highs of 32°C and lows of 19°C. Light rainfall and mostly sunny skies.
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March
March is warm with highs of 32°C and lows of 20°C. Moderate rainfall (44 mm).
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April
April is warm with highs of 32°C and lows of 21°C. Regular rainfall (86 mm).
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May
May is hot, feeling like 29°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (167 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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June
June is hot, feeling like 30°C. Significant rainfall (114 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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July
July is the hottest month, feeling like 30°C. Regular rainfall (98 mm).
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August
August is the hottest month, feeling like 30°C. Significant rainfall (126 mm).
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September
September is hot, feeling like 30°C. Significant rainfall (137 mm).
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October
October is hot, feeling like 29°C due to high humidity. Significant rainfall (112 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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November
November is warm with highs of 32°C and lows of 21°C. Moderate rainfall (55 mm).
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December
December is warm with highs of 32°C and lows of 19°C. Light rainfall and mostly sunny skies.
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How to Get to Cabaret#
Cabaret is reached via Port-au-Prince’s Toussaint Louverture International Airport (PAP). After arrival most visitors travel overland by shared minibus/tap‑tap or taxi; there is no passenger rail service in Haiti.
Toussaint Louverture International Airport (PAP): The main international gateway to Haiti, located near Port-au-Prince. From PAP to central Port-au-Prince taxis typically cost about USD 25-40 and take 20-40 minutes depending on traffic; shared vans/minibuses to the city can be cheaper (around USD 2-6) but schedules are informal.
(No other major scheduled airports close to Cabaret): For some southern or regional connections travellers change at Port-au-Prince and continue overland to Cabaret (see Bus section).
Train: Haiti has no regular national passenger rail network for public intercity travel; trains are not a practical option for reaching Cabaret.
Bus / Shared taxi (tap-tap): From Port-au-Prince take a shared minibus or tap-tap heading northwest toward Cabaret; travel time is about 45-75 minutes from downtown Port-au-Prince depending on traffic. Expect roughly USD 1-5 per person for shared transport; private taxis are faster but cost more (see airport taxi above). Local schedules are informal - ask at the station or hotel for current routes and departure points.
How to Get Around Cabaret#
Getting around Cabaret relies on road transport: shared minibuses (tap‑taps) and private taxis. For most visitors the cheapest approach is shared minibuses; private taxis or arranged transfers are better if you want reliability and safety.
- Taxi (metered/private) (USD 25-60) - Private taxis from Port‑au‑Prince (or PAP) are the fastest way to reach Cabaret if you want door‑to‑door service. Expect quicker, direct journeys but significantly higher fares (USD 25-40 from PAP to central Port‑au‑Prince, then a private transfer on to Cabaret will add cost). Always agree a price in advance or use a hotel-arranged car.
- Shared minibus / Tap‑tap (USD 1-5) - The most common local option: shared minibuses and tap‑taps run between Port‑au‑Prince and towns around the Ouest department. They’re very cheap (around USD 1-5) but can be crowded, slow and leave when full. Good for budget travellers comfortable with informal schedules.
- Private transfer / Shuttle (USD 40-80+) - Hotel or tour shuttles provide a more reliable (and pricier) option for arriving at small towns. Prices vary widely; book in advance if you want predictable pickup from PAP.
- Motorbike taxi / Local moto (USD 0.50-3) - Short local hops inside Cabaret or to nearby villages are often done by motorcycle taxis. Negotiate the fare before you ride; helmets are not always provided.
- Walking - Cabaret is compact enough to explore on foot for short trips between shops, markets and the waterfront. Some roads lack sidewalks and can be busy; stay cautious near traffic.
Where to Stay in Cabaret#
Cabaret / Port-au-Prince (nearby) - $20-80/night
Very limited guesthouse options in Cabaret itself; basic rooms and minimal online presence. Many travellers stay in Port-au-Prince for more reliable choices.
Port-au-Prince area - $40-120/night
Few boutique or mid-range hotels operate directly in Cabaret. For consistent amenities, book in Port-au-Prince and travel to Cabaret for day visits.
Port-au-Prince (secure districts) - $120+/night
No true luxury hotels in Cabaret; upscale stays are found in Port-au-Prince with full services, secure parking, and restaurants.
Where to Eat in Cabaret#
Breakdown of cuisine types found across Cabaret’s restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.
Shopping in Cabaret#
Shopping is basic and focused on everyday needs: small shops, produce stalls and occasional street vendors. You’ll find local foodstuffs and household goods rather than tourist boutiques. If you’re after crafts or souvenirs, you’ll typically need to pick them up in larger towns or cities nearby rather than in Cabaret itself.
Nightlife in Cabaret#
Nightlife in Cabaret is low-key - mostly local bars, informal gatherings and the odd live session when musicians are in town. There are no large clubs or organised nightlife districts. Evening activity tends to be community-centred, so expect a relaxed atmosphere and limited late-night options.
