Haiti — Travel Tips
Social Conventions
Informal wear is acceptable, although beachwear should be confined to the beach or poolside. Only the most elegant dining-rooms encourage guests to dress for dinner.
International Travel
Getting There By Air
There are good connections with the USA, the French West Indies and France. American Airlines (website: www.aa.com) operates daily flights from London to Port-au-Prince via New York. Air Canada (website: www.aircanada.ca) operates flights from London to Port-au-Prince via Montréal or Toronto at weekends.
Departure Tax
None.
Main Airports
Port-au-Prince (PAP) (Mais Gaté) is 13km (8 miles) from the city. To/From the airport: Taxis are available to the city. Facilities: Snack bar, duty-free shop, bank, bar and car hire.
Cap-Haïtien (CAP) is Haiti’s second international airport and is approximately 10km (6 miles) from the town. To/from the airport: Taxis are available.
Getting There By Water
Main ports: Port-au-Prince, Cap-Haïtien and Labadee.
Getting There By Road
There are bus services from the Dominican Republic.
Duty Free
Overview
The following goods can be imported into Haiti without incurring customs duty:
• 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 1kg of tobacco.
• 1L of spirits.
• Small quantity of perfume or eau de toilette for personal use.
In addition, Haitian nationals and foreign residents may bring in, once a year and for their personal use, new goods with a total value not exceeding US$200.
Prohibited Imports
Coffee, matches, methylated spirits, pork, all meat products from Brazil and the Dominican Republic, drugs and firearms (except sporting rifles with relevant permit).
Internal Travel
Getting Around By Air
There are scheduled routes, operated by Caribintair, between Port-au-Prince and Cap-Haïtien, Hinche and Jérémie. Reservations should be double-checked as delays and cancellations are common. Planes may be chartered.
Getting Around By Water
Sailing trips can be arranged from Port-au-Prince to beaches around the island. Glass-bottomed boat trips over Sand Cay Reef are available. Cargo ships operating between Jérémie, Cap-Haïtien and Port-au-Prince can take passengers between these ports.
Getting Around By Road
Traffic drives on the right. There are all-weather roads from Port-au-Prince to Cap-Haïtien and Jacmel.
Bus: Services depart from Port-au-Prince to Cap-Haïtien, Les Cayes, Jacmel, Jérémie, Hinche and Port-de-Paix on an unscheduled basis.
Taxi: Station-wagons (camionettes) run between Port-au-Prince and Pétionville, as well as some other towns.
Car hire: Available independently in Port-au-Prince and Pétionville, or through hotels and the airport. Petrol can be very scarce outside Port-au-Prince. All hired cars’ registration numbers begin with ‘L’.
Documentation: An International Driving Permit is required.
Getting Around Towns and Cities
Bus: Tap-taps, which run within Port-au-Prince with a standard rate for any journey, are colorful but crowded; travelers are advised not to use these.
Taxi: Unmetered, with fixed route prices, otherwise fares agreed in advance. Taxi license plates begin with the letter ‘P’. Shared taxis (publics) are the cheapest form of taxi service in the towns. Drivers can be hired for tours by the hour or the day with price negotiated. Taxi drivers do not expect tips.
