Haiti Travel Guide

• Port-au-Prince & environs: market visits, contemporary art and craft shopping, museum tours, neighbourhood walks around Pétionville and NGO/consular business.
• Northern coast and Cap-Haïtien: visit Citadelle Laferrière and Sans-Souci Palace, explore colonial Cap-Haïtien, coastal drives and local seafood.
• Southern peninsula and Jacmel: gallery hopping in Jacmel, festival and carnival events, beach time near Les Cayes and small-island excursions.
• West and northwest ports: coastal fishing towns, local markets, short boat trips and rural market days.

Most international visitors arrive at Toussaint Louverture International Airport (PAP) in Port‑au‑Prince; Cap‑Haïtien International Airport (CAP) serves northern Haiti. Since November 2024 gang gunfire has repeatedly shut Port-au-Prince airport to commercial flights, most recently in late 2025, and US airlines have been barred from Haitian airspace at times. Cap-Haïtien has kept flights to Florida and the north-east US, mainly with Sunrise Airways. The UK government reports that the Dominican Republic land border is closed to travellers, subject to change at short notice.

Typical daily spend $20-60/day in safer, functioning areas; Port-au-Prince and tourist circuits are pricier and security costs can raise budgets.

• Hostel dorm bed: 500-1,000 HTG
• Basic guesthouse room: 1,200-3,000 HTG
• Mid-range hotel: 3,000-9,000 HTG
• Upscale hotel: 12,000-30,000 HTG
• Market or street-stall meal: 100-300 HTG
• Bottle of local beer: 150-300 HTG
• Organised tour or activity: 500-2,000 HTG
• Taxi across town: 300-1,200 HTG

For current prices on hundreds of everyday items, see Numbeo’s Haiti cost of living, a crowd-sourced database that is updated often.

Ways to save

• Use cash wisely: Carry US dollars and change into gourdes for local purchases; avoid relying on cards outside major hotels.
• Travel in daylight with trusted drivers: Organise movements through your hotel, embassy or verified operators to reduce exposure to unsafe routes.
• Buy basics locally: Street food and markets are cheap and plentiful where safe, but prioritise bottled water and sealed goods.

Full trip budgets are in Haiti Itineraries.

The currency is the Haitian gourde (HTG), though US dollars are commonly accepted in tourist and business transactions. Cash is dominant and necessary outside major hotels and some shops in Port-au-Prince; ATMs exist but can be unreliable, so carry backup cash.

• Tipping: Tipping is customary: about 10-15% in restaurants when service is good, and small tips for hotel staff, guides and drivers; cash is preferred.
• Cards & Cash: Major hotels, some restaurants and a few ATMs accept Visa and Mastercard, but many businesses prefer cash and may price in USD. Card acceptance is limited outside the capital and in lower-end establishments.
• ATMs & Mobile Payments: ATMs are available in Port-au-Prince and larger towns but may run out of cash or be offline; expect to rely on cash and bring spare USD for emergencies. MonCash (a local mobile-money service) is widely used domestically for transfers and payments.

Respect for elders, family networks and Creole cultural expression shapes daily interactions; Vodou traditions are integrated into community life and deserve polite recognition. Locals are often forgiving of well-meaning mistakes, but always ask before photographing people or religious ceremonies and follow local guidance.

Haiti’s connectivity is concentrated in Port‑au‑Prince and major towns, where mobile networks and limited fixed broadband serve most users. Coverage and speeds are variable, with frequent outages or slowdowns outside urban centres. Mobile data is typically the most practical option for travellers.

• Electricity: 110V, 60 Hz; plug types A, B.

No - Haiti is high risk for most visitors due to violent crime, gang activity, kidnapping and political instability.

Staying healthy is difficult in Haiti: limited healthcare, waterborne disease risk and disrupted services after disasters make preparation essential.

Haiti’s culture is shaped by its revolutionary history, African heritage and Creole language, with strong traditions in music, visual arts and ritual life. Travelers will notice vibrant community life, public music and markets, and persistent references to independence and ancestral memory.

Haiti’s rich cultural heritage and ongoing recovery efforts mean travelers should prioritize heritage protection, local livelihoods and respectful engagement with spiritual and community life.

• Respect Heritage & Local Guides: When visiting northern sites such as the Citadelle Laferrière and nearby attractions, hire knowledgeable local guides and follow site rules to protect heritage and ensure economic benefits for local communities.
• Support Local NGOs & Artisans: Buy crafts in Jacmel and other artisanal hubs and support reputable organizations working on health and development such as Partners In Health to help long-term recovery and services.
• Cultural Sensitivity Around Vodou: Vodou is an important spiritual practice in Haiti; always ask permission before attending or photographing ceremonies, and approach beliefs with respect and curiosity.
• Be Careful with Water & Health Infrastructure: Access to safe water and medical services can be limited-use treated or bottled water, follow local guidance on health precautions, and travel with solid local contacts and guides.

Long-term living in Haiti attracts people drawn to its culture, low-cost lifestyle, or humanitarian work. Expats include NGO staff, aid workers, and some remote workers willing to manage limited infrastructure and security concerns.

Long-Term Visas: Residency and long-stay permits exist, but applications are handled case-by-case by Haitian immigration.

Working There: Working legally requires a work permit sponsored by a local employer or entity.

Cost of Living: Living costs lower than in North America, but imported goods and secure housing can be pricey.

Health & Wellness: Healthcare is limited outside Port-au-Prince; private clinics available, evacuations common for complex care.

Banking & Finance: Haitian gourde is official currency, US dollars widely accepted; opening local accounts needs ID and proof of address.

Taxes: Income earned in Haiti is subject to local taxes; foreigners working locally must comply with Haitian tax rules.

Popular Places to Live in Haiti

The choice comes down to whether you want the capital’s services, a coastal artist town, or quieter provincial life. For services and medical access, choose Port-au-Prince; for lower cost and coastal culture, pick Jacmel or Cap-Haïtien, accepting tradeoffs in infrastructure.

• Port-au-Prince - Fastest access to services and expat networks, suits professionals, tradeoff is congestion and security complexity
• Jacmel - Creative, coastal town good for slower life and arts, tradeoff is limited high-quality medical options
• Cap-Haïtien - Historical northern city with calmer pace, suits regional travel and culture, tradeoff is fewer amenities
• Les Cayes - Southern coastal access and beaches, quieter daily life, tradeoff is very limited services and clinics

Haiti has a very small remote-work scene concentrated around NGOs, aid workers, and a few creative expats. Reliable infrastructure and an active nomad community are limited, so remote workers need contingency plans.

Nomad Visa: No dedicated nomad visa - standard tourist stays and formal residency or work permits are the workaround.

Long Term Rentals: Long-term rentals concentrated in Port-au-Prince and a few coastal towns, furnished options limited outside the capital.

Internet: Internet patchy outside cities; mobile 3G/4G in urban zones, fibre in parts of Port-au-Prince.

Monthly Cost: Monthly cost varies widely, lower than North America but import costs and secure housing raise expenses.

Coworking: Coworking options are minimal; most remote workers use hotels, cafés, or private office space.

Fitness & Wellness: Fitness and wellness facilities limited outside the capital; private gyms and clinics concentrated in Port-au-Prince.

Community: Small expat and humanitarian community, few digital-nomad-specific groups, networking through NGOs practical.

Time Zone: UTC-5 (Eastern Standard Time), aligns with parts of North America for several hours.

Popular Nomad Hubs in Haiti

Choices are mainly between the capital for services and coastal towns for a quieter pace. Port-au-Prince provides most amenities; coastal cities offer lower cost but fewer services and less reliable internet.

• Port-au-Prince - Administrative and service hub, suits NGOs and professionals, tradeoff is congestion and security concerns
• Jacmel - Artistic coastal town, good for creatives and slower life, tradeoff is limited infrastructure and internet
• Cap-Haïtien - Northern city with colonial charm, suits history lovers and regional travel, tradeoff is fewer services
• Les Cayes - Southern coastal access, quieter pace and beaches, tradeoff is even fewer amenities and medical options