CabaretCabaret 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
Palace
National Palace (Haiti)
Former presidential palace in Port-au-Prince, now destroyed
Lake
Étang Saumâtre
Largest lake in Haiti, saline lagoon near Port-au-Prince
Church
Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption, Port-au-Prince
Former cathedral in Port-au-Prince, severely earthquake-damaged
Lake
Trou Caïman
Freshwater lake near Port-au-Prince, recreational site
Island
Caye Sable
Extremely small Haitian island, one of most densely populated
Cabaret Bucket List
Don't Miss
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.
Hidden Gems
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.
Day Trips
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.
Nearby Cities #
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.
Dry Season
Sunny days, lower humidity, great for beach time and exploring nearby Port-au-Prince; evenings can be pleasantly cool compared with the wet season.
Wet Season
Hot, humid afternoons with frequent heavy showers; rural roads get muddy and some coastal activities are disrupted, but vegetation is lush and waterfalls swell.
Hurricane Season
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.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Ideal | 19° - 32° | 25° | 16 mm | mostly sunny | 66% | 1.9 m/s | 1.7 very high | 11.0h |
| February | Ideal | 19° - 32° | 25° | 28 mm | mostly sunny | 64% | 2.0 m/s | 2.0 extreme | 11.4h |
| March | Excellent | 20° - 32° | 26° | 44 mm | some cloud | 64% | 2.0 m/s | 2.4 extreme | 11.9h |
| April | Excellent | 21° - 32° | 27° | 86 mm | some cloud | 64% | 1.9 m/s | 2.6 extreme | 12.4h |
| May | Good | 22° - 32° | 29° | 167 mm | partly cloudy | 67% | 1.9 m/s | 2.6 extreme | 12.9h |
| June | Very Good | 22° - 33° | 30° | 114 mm | partly cloudy | 67% | 2.0 m/s | 2.6 extreme | 13.1h |
| July | Very Good | 22° - 34° | 30° | 98 mm | some cloud | 64% | 1.8 m/s | 2.7 extreme | 13.0h |
| August | Very Good | 22° - 34° | 31° | 126 mm | some cloud | 66% | 2.1 m/s | 2.7 extreme | 12.6h |
| September | Very Good | 22° - 34° | 30° | 137 mm | some cloud | 68% | 1.9 m/s | 2.4 extreme | 12.1h |
| October | Very Good | 22° - 33° | 29° | 112 mm | partly cloudy | 71% | 1.7 m/s | 2.1 extreme | 11.6h |
| November | Very Good | 21° - 32° | 27° | 55 mm | some cloud | 70% | 1.8 m/s | 1.7 very high | 11.2h |
| December | Ideal | 19° - 32° | 25° | 18 mm | mostly sunny | 67% | 1.7 m/s | 1.6 very high | 10.9h |
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
Budget
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.
Mid-Range
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.
Luxury
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.
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.
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.