Destinations

Photo Journal: Cayes-Jacmel

July 26, 2021 by Anton Lau

wooden boat with two fishermen setting out nets — Sardine fishing in Petavie, Cayes-Jacmel
Photo: Franck Fontain

Photo Journal: Cayes-Jacmel

Just fifteen minutes outside of Cyvadier, by the city of Jacmel, is where you’ll find the small town of Cayes-Jacmel. A peaceful beachside haven with enough modern comforts to enhance its quaint, provincial feel, Cayes-Jacmel should be on everyone’s list for some tropical R and R.

Spend 15 minutes in any street or neighborhood in Port-au-Prince and chances are you’ll run into some young children— adults, too, sometimes —playing soccer. The same goes for any town outside the capital. Cayes-Jacmel’s sandy beaches turn into a fun, tropical turf.

five haitian boys playing soccer on sandy beach — Boys playing football on the beach in Ti Mouillage, Cayes-Jacmel
Photo: Franck Fontain

Transportation in the towns outside of Port-au-Prince can be very different from what it’s like in the capital. Cayes-Jacmel and its surrounding cities— Cyvadier and Marigot —are where you’ll see a lot of people riding behind motorcycle drivers, and on tap-taps. Motorcycle drivers outside of Port-au-Prince are much more affordable, especially if you are in a rush, or just looking for a breeze.

Being a province, even outside of the major city of Jacmel, is no deterrent to life in Cayes-Jacmel. Barbershops, nail studios, and hair salons pepper the sides of the road. Their chairs see the faces of residents looking to elevate their looks for the weekend, for a meeting in town, or because it’s Sunday, and they’re preparing for the week ahead.

interior of haitian barbershop with clients getting a haircut — ‘Greg Dizay’ barbershop in Gros Roche, Cayes-Jacmel
Photo: Franck Fontain

For the visual traveler and the avid Facebook updater, the scenery on the way to and around Cayes-Jacmel will be a treat. The city runs along the side of the clear blue water, where waves rhythmically crash all day and all night long. There are many picturesque pictures stops along the way!

street with tiny colofully painted building with palm trees and ocean — Lotto bank in Cayes-Jacmel
Photo: Franck Fontain

Another thing that is easily accessible in and around Cayes-Jacmel: souvenirs! Hats, necklaces, bracelets, and even sandals are almost always on display in little wooden stalls, by the side of the road, or even carried by individual vendors, ready for you to purchase and take home to keep a piece of Haiti with you.

older haitian woman in white shirt wearing a stack of straw hats — A woman selling hats in Kabik
Photo: Franck Fontain

Cayes-Jacmel being right on the water means that beach access is a given at many restaurants, bars, and clubs. Le Cam’s is a popular place to eat in Cayes-Jacmel; a favorite of many Port-au-Princians and a few expats, it offers a nice, gradual entry into the water that is family and beginning-swimmer friendly.

restaurant area with thatched roof by the beach — Le Cam’s restaurant in Kabik
Photo: Franck Fontain

If you are looking for a more accessible, popular-with-the-locals option, Ti Mouillage is a great place to go. The beachside restaurant and bungalow sits on the edge of some of Haiti’s finest sand and bluest waters. It is another favorite makeshift field for young boys in the area to play soccer after school in the afternoon.

three haitian boys playing football on beach — Boys playing football on the beach in Ti Mouillage, Cayes-Jacmel
Photo: Franck Fontain

Young boys and girls in cities outside of Port-au-Prince enjoy their days and afternoons differently, and many times, participate in their home life differently, too. Many are helping parents in the kitchen as soon as they can repeat ingredients back to them, and almost each one has a warming childhood story about when a parent sent them to get something at the corner store.

haitian girl walking on sidewalk with chicked in hand — A girl walking with a chicken, Cayes-Jacmel
Photo: Franck Fontain

A lot of the young boys who play soccer on the beach or in their neighborhoods dream of being part of their local team when they’re a little older, to play at the Cayes-Jacmel stadium. A lot of regional soccer championships are hosted there, as well as large weekend parties and events.

large football stadium on the haitian coast with tropical forest and mountains — Football game at Tèren Masak, Cayes-Jacmel Stadium
Photo: Franck Fontain

The stadium is not too far away from the Raymond-Les-Bains beach, where the sunsets rival the grilled fish and fried plantains in how exclusive and deliciously amazing they are. Raymond-Les-Bains is really well known for weekend parties, patron saint festivals, and really good, tasty fish. Make sure to ask your waiter to see the different sizes available the day you visit!

sunset over beach with tables, parasols and palm trees — Sun setting over Raymond les Bains beach, Cayes-Jacmel
Photo: Franck Fontain

Cayes-Jacmel stands in harmony with and independently of Jacmel, a city full of history and culture. Cayes-Jacmel is what every tropical trekker’s dreams are made of: golden sunsets, slow living by the beach, and small community moments that bring you closer to locals.

How Haitian Are You? Try This Cultural Quiz!

April 13, 2021 by Anton Lau

bright colorful haitian truck loaded with cabbage — Truck loaded with cabbage
Photo: Kolektif 2 Dimansyon (K2D)

How Haitian Are You? Prove Yourself with This Cultural Quiz!

Whether you were born and live in Haiti, are part of the diaspora, or are not Haitian at all, this quiz is the perfect way to find out just how much you know about Haiti!

Haiti has a lot of history, so much to show and so much to tell. Do you know some not so common Haitian facts or want to prove to your Haitian grandmother that you know some Kreyòl? Maybe you’ve visited Haiti so many times you feel Haitian in your heart and want to test what you know. That’s why we’re here! Take this quiz to find out just how Haitian you are!

Let’s test how Haitian you are!

<section><h2><span style="font-size:36px;"></span><h1 style="text-align:center;">How Haitian Are You? Prove Yourself with This Cultural Quiz!</h1></h2><p></p></section><section><h2><h2>What does Louisiane Saint Fleurant & Prosper Pierre Louis have in common?</h2></h2></section><section><h3><h2><strong>What is Krik Krak?</strong></h2></h3></section><section><h3><h2>The Haitian artist Georges Liautaud is famous for his artworks made from what material?</h2></h3></section><section><h3><h2><strong>What is placed on top of the palm tree in the Haitian coat of arms?</strong></h2></h3></section><section><h3><h2><strong>Which famous pirate once lived on the Haitian Island </strong>Île-à-Vache?</h2></h3></section><section><h3><h2>What is the nickname of former Haitian president Jean-Bertrand Aristide?</h2></h3></section><section><h3><h2>Which period did Élie Lescot serve as President of Haiti?</h2></h3></section><section><h3><h2>Konparèt is a local speciality from?</h2></h3></section><section><h3><h2><strong>What is Clairin(Kleren)?</strong></h2></h3></section><section><h3><h2><strong>Akasan is a Haitian dish made from…</strong></h2></h3></section><section><h3><h2><strong>What is the name of the biggest lake in Haiti?</strong></h2></h3></section><section><h3><h2>Why is the endangered Haitian Solenodon considered one of the most unique and rare mammals in the world?</h2></h3></section><section><h3><h2>What is Saut-Mathurine?</h2></h3></section><section><h3><h2>Why is Jacmel nicknamed ‘The City of Lights’?</h2></h3></section><section><h3><h2>What is a person from Cap-Haïtien called?</h2></h3></section><section><h3><h2>What is ‘rada’ and ‘petwo’?</h2></h3></section><section><h2><h2><strong>Are you sure you’re not Dominican?</strong></h2></h2><p></p></section><section><h3><h2></h2><h2><strong>Don’t feel bad!</strong></h2></h3><p>You’re Haitian by association</p></section><section><h3><h2><h3><em>Piti piti zwazo fè nich li</em></h3></h2></h3><p><h3>Little by little, you can progress in life.</h3></p></section><section><h3><h2></h2><h3><em>Haiti is in your blood</em></h3></h3><p>Shhh you’re haitian don’t let them tell you otherwise</p></section><section><h3><h2></h2><h3><em>Pa mal</em></h3></h3><p>You must be of Haitian descent!</p></section><section><h3><h3>Yon vyewo li ye wi</h3></h3><p>You’re pretty Haitian!</p></section><section><h3><h2>Ekselan!!</h2></h3><p>A true Zoe is in our presence!</p></section>

If these questions were a bit too challenging and you still need to brush up on some more simple facts, stick around and check out our “Test Your knowledge – How many facts about Haiti do you know?” Quiz! If you want to access your inner Captain Morgan try our “Can You Place 12 Haitian Cities on the Map?” Quiz!

Created by Zachary Warr.

Published April 2021.

Our recommendations

Top Birdwatching Sites in Haiti

March 31, 2021 by Anton Lau

two black birds on grass splashing water — Mèl Dyab / Greater Antillean Grackle at Pic la Selle (Quiscalus niger)
Photo: René Durocher

Top Birdwatching Sites in Haiti

Four spots to see Haitian birdlife at its best

The Hispaniola (Haiti & Dominican Republic) territory is home to over 300 kinds of birds of which 28 are endemic. The Haitian territory on its own is home to over 245 non-migratory birds of which 36 are only found in Haiti. Added to that are the sub-species specific to Haiti’s islands such as La Gonâve, La Tortue, Les Cayemittes and Île-à-Vache. A variety of migratory birds coming from North America to winter in Haïti, which makes the winter months a great escape from the cold for birds and birdwatchers alike.

Birdlife International recognizes ten different Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas in Haiti, plus one Endemic Bird Area, making Haiti a top spot for birdwatching.

Here’s a non-exhaustive list of where, when and how to enjoy a diverse selection of beautiful birds on your next trip to Haiti.

smaller yellow bird on a tree branch — Ti Tchit Dèyè Jon / Yellow-rumped Warbler at Wynne Farm
Photo: René Durocher

1. Wynne Farm

Wynne Farm is a gorgeous ecological reserve located in the mountain town of Kenscoff. Wynne Farm is dedicated to environmental protection through education. It was founded in 1956 by civil engineer Victor Ainsley Wynne with the goal of conserving Haiti’s rich biodiversity and building a more sustainable Haiti. Bird-watching is one of the farm’s experiences on offer, alongside an extensive list of activities such as yoga, camping or bee keeping. At an altitude of 6000 ft, Wynne Farm Ecological Reserve extends over 30 acres of land and is perfect for birdwatching, specifically for Haitian birds that prefer dense forests.

grey and yellow bird on a tree branch — Zwazo palmis / Palmchat
Photo: René Durocher

2. Parc National la Visite

Further out of Kenscoff you’ll find Parc National La Visite, a perfect place to experience Haiti’s green life while hiking and trailing near some of Haiti’s most protected species. Starting from Furcy you can hike through the park and up to Seguin through a steep but rewarding path. Once there, you have the option to go back to Furcy or walk down to Jacmel which makes for a beautiful day of hiking ending in one of Haiti’s most beautiful cities. This park has been described as a refuge, often the ultimate refuge for the country’s mountain birds. Species such as the La Selle Thrush or the Red-legged Thrush can be seen on this hike. There are over 74 species of birds living in the park, making it a top destination for bird watching.

foggy forest with ferns and oldgrowth trees — Macaya National Park
Photo: Claudio Contreras / Haiti National Trust

3. Macaya National Park

Established in 1983 The Macaya National Park is one of Haiti’s protected natural spaces. Described as a global biodiversity hotspot, Macaya is home to many endangered and endemic species of plants, birds and other Haitian wildlife. It is in the Massif de la Hotte in the South Department, bordering the department of Grand’Anse. This national reserve is home to 220 species of birds including the Antillean Mango and the Hispaniolan Trogon. The Macaya National Park is also home to some of the most beautiful scenery in Haiti and to some breathtaking waterfalls (and not far from Haiti’s largest waterfall, Saut-Mathurine).

black crow on a large stone — Ti kaw / Palm crow at Pic la Selle
Photo: René Durocher

4. Forêt des Pins

This top hiking spot is in the South-East department of Haiti and stretches between the border of Haiti and the Dominican Republic. It offers access to a wide range of birds that live in forests and prefer pine trees. Hiking through this forest offers a view of both countries and a characteristically Hispaniolan landscape. Check out our guide to safely hiking in the protected Forêt des Pins.

Haiti’s efforts to extend and reinforce protection of its green spaces is an ongoing movement. The activity of birdwatching continues to send the message that these species are valued and their habitat must be protected.

For an extensive resource on birding in the Caribbean, including an up-to-date list of professional birding tour guides based in Hispaniola, see The Caribbean Birding Trail’s website.

Written by Kira Paulemon.

Published March 2021

Top things to see in Haiti

Photo Journal: Saint-Marc

March 17, 2021 by Anton Lau

sunlight breaking through a tropical jungle — Saint-Marc, Haiti
Photo: Mélissa Jeanty

Photo Journal: Saint-Marc

Tucked between the mountains along the Western coast in the Artibonite Department lies the port city of Saint-Marc, teeming with motorcycle taxis, market vendors, and traces of historical French architecture.

As is the case in all of Haiti’s cities, Saint-Marc is traffic-heavy. Motorcycles zoom between cars, tap-taps, and buses to get everyday customers to their destinations: some to school, some to work, some to wherever the next errand of the day is located.

haitian bus and motorcyle with passanger — Street traffic in Saint-Marc
Photo: Melissa Jeanty

The colors and tones of the everyday moving portraits of the streets find themselves in a lot of the locally-made art. Small scale models of tap-taps and buses can be purchased at local artisans’ shops to take home with you as a reminder of the island, each of them featuring one of the many phrases and isms that are so common on the sides of these vehicles.

handpainted wooden toy bus souvenir — Local artists capitalize on the culture for souvenirs
Photo: Mélissa Jeanty

The accessibility of public transportation coupled with the fact that Saint-Marc is a port city, nestled right on the shoreline of Haiti means that there is widespread access to public beaches. The scenic views of the ocean lapping at the soft sand while palm trees sway above are enough to make anyone pull over for a cold Prestige with a view!

sand beach lined with palm trees in saint-marc — Locals enjoy public access to many of the beaches in Saint-Marc
Photo: Mélissa Jeanty

If you are in town without a car, you’re in luck: tap-taps pass through Route Nationale 1 all day long, and can take you in either direction for a measly fare. This means that a determined visitor could organize to go to the beach and come back to the city center— all in a day. If you’ve heard fantastic tap-tap tales from your friends, be prepared to hear your own.

colorful haitian public bus with passangers — Tap-taps are the primary form of transportation for locals
Photo: Mélissa Jeanty

Saint-Marc has the added charm of being a provincial city, as well. Visitors don’t need to go far after a beer if they would like to take a break from the city sights and sounds. Peaceful plains with gorgeous views on goats, cows, and horses grazing the fields are always a short while away.

two haitian girls walking with a pack of goats in nature — Two women herd their drove of goats as the sun sets
Photo: Mélissa Jeanty

The city of Saint-Marc is extremely walkable and much safer, compared to Port-au-Prince. Colorful front doors and walls line the narrow streets filled with passersby. The experience of roaming its streets is comparable to walking through Panama’s Casco Viejo.

haitian girl walking in front of old colonial style house — A teenage girl walks home from the market in Saint-Marc
Photo: Mélissa Jeanty

Everything you need is exactly right where you need it, whether in the city center or on Route Nationale 1. If you’re thirsting for fresh coconut water, vendors have wheelbarrows filled with coconuts at the ready. Armed with machetes, they will be more than happy to chop one open for any customer.

haitian man with coconuts in wheel barrow — A local vendor sells fresh coconut along Route Nationale 1
Photo: Mélissa Jeanty

These same streets are home to remnants of French architecture on downtown Saint-Marc storefronts, weathered by years of resilience. Predating Haiti’s independence in 1804, the country’s architectural history is still markedly present in many of its cities.

details of old colonial brick house with metal door — Historical architecture is reflected on buildings throughout the city
Photo: Mélissa Jeanty

Much of Haiti’s workforce is guided not by the time on a clock but by the rhythm and movement of the elements around them. Most are up before sunrise, and many stay out to work just until after sundown. Resilience has become one of the Haitian people’s trademark character traits, and even the smallest parts of their day are representative of that.

haitian man walking during sunrise in saint-marc — A man walks home after a long day’s work
Photo: Mélissa Jeanty

After all, isn’t that what keeps us all going? The will to stick to a plan just another day, another month, or another year. Haitians have long ago learned that motivation alone won’t get them far; the discipline to be consistent, to put in the same effort every day, is what gets you some place— and every day, you pledge to do better.

bags of haitian fruits and vegetables packed on top of bus — Tap-taps transport people and goods along the main highway
Photo: Mélissa Jeanty

Explore Haiti’s Art & Culture

10 of Haiti’s Coolest Independent Hotels

March 5, 2021 by Anton Lau

hotel veranda with small pool and hammock — Chic Chateau, Cayes-Jacmel
Photo: Anton Lau

10 of Haiti’s Coolest Independent Hotels

Soak up the beach vibes in one of these exclusive small-scale stays

Haiti’s best boutique hotels

Somewhere between the comfort of a traditional hotel and the down-to-earth coziness of a bed and breakfast, independent hotels offer you the chance to connect to the local community and really immerse yourself in the local landscape. But with dozens of boutique hotels in Haiti, where to start? We’re here to help you decide which hotel is best for you!

facade of gothic style gingerbread hotel with palm trees — Hotel Oloffson, Port-au-Prince
Photo: Anton Lau

1. Hotel Oloffson

Located in the historic heart of downtown Port-au-Prince, Hotel Oloffson is an example of a classic Haitian gingerbread mansion. Everything about the Oloffson feels classic and luxurious; steeped in history: from the abundant flora growing around the cascading stairs to the slatted wooden balcony and gothic arches, the hotel doors are a portal to Haitian time immemorial. Throughout the walls of the Oloffson, Haitian art from today and decades prior frames moments shared at the bar, the restaurant, or the balcony tables. From the hotel’s location, all the cultural activities of downtown Port-au-Prince are a short taxi ride away — just ask your bartender or receptionist.

Book your stay at Hotel Oloffson

small hotel with thatch roof in tropical forest — Chic Chateau, Cayes-Jacmel
Photo: Franck Fontain

2. Chic Chateau

In Petavi, Chic Chateau is an eco-luxe bed-and-breakfast where guests are treated to an authentically local experience of Haiti and Cayes-Jacmel in particular. Each of the three suites offers an uninterrupted ocean view, perfect to watch the sunrise or sunset. Guests rave about the breakfast, and if you wake up here on a Sunday you’re in for a treat: the Chateau serves up a farm-to-table soup joumou (traditional Haitian pumpkin soup). Have a couple of days to spare? Treat yourself to refreshing dips in the ocean, with the beach just a stone’s throw away. Everything at the Chateau has been thoughtfully designed by the host, Janet, to make sure guests have a stay in secluded Petavi as environmentally responsible as it is relaxing.

Book your stay at the Chic Chateau

beach with lounge chairs and mountains — Cormier Plage beach, Cap-Haïtien
Photo: Franck Fontain

3. Cormier Plage

The northern coast of Haiti has vistas galore. Cormier Plage is one of those vistas, and should you be in the area, we strongly suggest you consider it. With 34 rooms, the resort offers a kind of intimate stay that still feels indulgent. Enjoy easy and exclusive access to the Cormier beach for a midday swim, or plan a visit to the Citadelle Laferrière, Amiga Island, or the Dondon Minguet grotto with the hotel administration. Cormier Plage is just a 15-30 minute drive from the colonial city of Cap-Haïtien.

Book your stay at Cormier Plage

facade of old colonial hotel painted white and bright blue — Hotel Florita, Jacmel
Photo: Mikkel Ulriksen

4. Hotel Florita

In the heart of Jacmel, Hotel Florita offers a peek into nineteenth-century Haitian life. Built in 1888, the hotel has stood the test of time and wears it with a proud patina: from the unmistakable blue-and-white entrance to the dark hardwood floors and exposed beams, everything about the hotel brings to mind the kind of magical realism that can only be found in Haiti. Featuring 11 rooms and a guest house, Hotel Florita boasts an old-timey charm that evokes an era when moonlight gazing on a bedroom balcony or dances on the hardwood living area floor were standard fare. Don’t miss your chance to try an ultra-local authentic Haitian meal, and the best rum sour Haiti has to offer!

Book your stay at Hotel Florita

hotel building with balconies and green palm trees — Village des Dattes Hotel, Gonaïves
Photo: Jean Oscar Augustin

5. Village des Dattes

Located in Gonaïves, the birthplace of Haitian independence, Village des Dattes offers a quaint, scenic stay in the middle of abundant greenery and wildlife. Fresh produce, traditional dishes, and local specialties shine at Fitz Resto, where guests can enjoy Haitian cuisine in a serene atmosphere. The colorful suites are a vibrant contrast to Village des Dattes’ soft natural surroundings, and a comfortable place to rest and reset amid palm trees swaying in the seaside breeze.

Book your stay at Village des Dattes

beach area with azure colored ocean and sitting area — Boukan Guinguette, Môle Saint Nicolas
Photo: Boukan Guinguette

6. Boukan Guinguette

In the historic city of Môle Saint Nicolas in Haiti’s far northwest, Boukan Guinguette is the perfect stay for explorers at heart. Choose from a stay in a classic beach bungalow, or beachfront camping in a fully-furnished tent. Strongly inspired by Môle Saint Nicolas’ simplistic architecture, the bungalows offer a peaceful stay where visitors will be lulled by the soft wish-wash of waves crashing on the beach. While you’re here, take advantage of massages offered on site, or choose your own adventure: go snorkeling, kitesurfing, stroll the beach or hike up the hillsides! Boukan Guinguette has it all, and well worth the trip to Môle Saint-Nicolas.

Book your stay at Boukan Guinguette

aerial view of hotel buildings with a large pool and garden area — Manoir Adriana Hotel, Jacmel
Photo: Mikkel Ulriksen

7. Manoir Adriana Hotel

Made famous by René Depestre’s novel Hadriana Dans Tous Mes Rêves (Hadriana in All My Dreams), Manoir Adriana Hotel’s double doors open onto the early twentieth century in Jacmel. Traditional tiles adorn the floors, and solid wood furniture rests awaiting guests. Balconies on every floor look out over the large, sprawling pool, the bay of Jacmel, and the street life just below. Wooden stairs direct you to the guest suites, each filled with the charm that weaves through the arches of Jacmel’s doorways and around the corners of its streets. Experience some of the homely hospitality of Jacmel, and the mysticism in Depestre’s work that haunts every corner of Manoir Adriana.

Book your stay at Manoir Adriana Hotel

hotel resort on haitis coast with private beach sourounded by forest — Marquis Paradise, Labadie
Photo: Marquis Paradise

8. Marquis Paradise

If you’ve heard of Labadie beach before, the first thing that may come to mind is the Royal Caribbean cruise that stops there. What we suggest you think of is Marquis Paradise; an exclusive oasis in Labadie with only five suites, ensuring attention to detail in every room. Here, you can enjoy home-cooked meals prepared by a private chef, and a twin-motor boat available for your use. Air and boat sightseeing packages are also available, as are guided mountain hikes in Labadie. The beachfront swimming pool is the perfect place to enjoy stunning sunsets and sunrises -maybe with a cocktail or two. Marquis Paradise is a first-class find in Haiti’s north.

Book your stay at Marquis Paradise

hotel courtyard with pool and dining area — Villa Bambou, Port-au-Prince
Photo: Villa Bambou

9. The Inn at Villa Bambou

Even in the busy center of downtown Port-au-Prince, there are a couple of peaceful oases where you can rest your feet and your mind. In the quiet, leafy neighborhood of Pacot, the Inn at Villa Bambou features eight rooms, Spanish revival architecture and sprawling views of palm trees overlooking the city. Highlights include lunch or dinner at the Ginger Balcony, a dip in the inn’s luxurious pool, and a stroll in the lush traditional Haitian garden. The Inn at Villa Bambou is the perfect place to stay if you’re looking for proximity to the city by day and a peaceful sleep by night.

Book your stay at Villa Bambou

wooden hotel building in the middle of a tropical forest — Haiti Surf Guesthouse, Cayes-Jacmel
Photo: Haiti Surf Guesthouse

10. Haiti Surf Guesthouse

Tucked up in the mountains of Cayes-Jacmel, the Haiti Surf Guesthouse is an ideal getaway for nature-lovers. Close enough to the sun for magnificent morning sunrises, and close enough to Kabik for a swim whenever your heart desires, the Guesthouse provides an intimate, restful, and blissful escape. The jungle-flanked pool is a great way to start and end any day, and the beautiful tropical cabins are warm, shady and breezy all year round. Once you’re refreshed, the city of Jacmel is just a quick taxi ride away, full of things to do and see, and a great base for day trips. Opportunities for adventure are rife here — just ask your hosts!

Book your stay at Haiti Surf Guesthouse

Written by Kelly Paulemon.

Published March 2021

Explore Haiti’s wildlife and nature

Parc de Martissant

December 10, 2020 by Editor

lush green garden area with path — Parc de Martissant
Photo: FOKAL

Parc de Martissant

This park houses gorgeous flowers, medicinal plants and the Haitian home of the ‘matriarch of black dance’.

Created in 2007 by joining together four huge estates, the Parc de Martissant provides public oasis where people can relax, share skills and culture. Students and tutors from nearby schools are often found wandering in the park, reading or chatting together. The second central aim of the park is to preserve Haiti’s beautiful native flora.

Year round, the garden is bursting with tropical sights and smells: pink and yellow frangipani, hibiscus, red ginger (or ginger lily), spider lily, the exotic ‘lobster-claws’ flower and dozens of others we didn’t know the name of.

Stroll through lush rolling lawns, roped paths, feature trees, flower guilds and wooded groves circumscribed by stone walls, natural amphitheatres and outdoor galleries as well as three separate groups of buildings, most notably the Katherine Dunham Center.

building with futuristic designed roof in public park — Katherine Dunham Cultural Center, Port-au-Prince
Photo: FOKAL

The Katherine Dunham Center

The Center was once the residence of African-American dancer and choreographer Katherine Dunham, the ‘matriarch of black dance.’ In 1935, Dunham obtained travel fellowships to the Caribbean to further her studies on dance and vodun – or vodou – leading her straight to Haiti.

Here, she spent an extensive amount of time researching, learning, and developing her own dance method. After Dunham passed away in 2006, her property was transformed into a cultural center, and now features an iconic library, whose five buildings – built to emulate movements of dance – were designed by Mexican architects Raúl Galvan Yañez and Winifred Jean Galvan. This library is a hive of activity for students and fans with cultural activities, public readings and more each week.

garden area with rosemary and other herbs — The Medicinal Garden, Parc de Martissant
Photo: Ray Ginald / FOKAL

The medicine garden

The Centre is also where you’ll find guides willing to show you around Parc de Martissant’s extensive garden of medicinal plants. The tour is very detailed, and guides are always more than happy to answer questions, but visitors are free to walk around and observe by themselves if they prefer.

Depending on the time of year, some of the plants are blossoming or yielding fruit. The medicinal plant garden sits adjacent to a community produce garden, whose bounty is gathered whenever it is ripe and made available to the local community.

old concrete swimming pool without water in a tropical garden — Habitation Leclerc, Parc de Martissant
Photo: FOKAL

Habitation Leclerc

Elsewhere in the park’s 17 acres, you’ll find a former luxury hotel called Habitation Leclerc. In the sixties and seventies, the villas with private pools of Habitation Leclerc was a point of reference for the jet-setting elite of the world.

artwork sculpture haning from tree with pink flowers — Art installation by Pascale Monnin at Parc de Martissant
Photo: Valérie Baeriswyl

The earthquake memorial

The third major installation of Parc de Martissant is the January 12 2010 Memorial. It was built on the former residence of Haitian architect Albert Mangonès – the sculptor behind the Marron inconnu or Nèg mawon statue at Champ-de-Mars.

Erected in 2012, the memorial is a symbolic resting place for the souls of those who passed away during the 2010 earthquake. Residents of Martissant planted ylang ylang trees on the perimeter of the memorial and every afternoon the trees’ scent is released throughout the area at a similar time to that of the deadly earthquake in 2010.

The memorial also features a permanent art installation by Haitian artist Pascale Monnin. Skulls made from iron and cement covered in mirror shards hang from a giant tree, twisting and swinging in the wind. Monnin shaped and crafted these skulls based on the faces of residents of Martissant. From the early hours of morning into the late afternoon, they catch and reflect the Caribbean sunlight.

How to visit

The best time to visit the park is in the morning. The ravaging heat of Martissant will not yet be in full effect, and the park is still waking up.

The park is designed with an organic flow in mind – while there isn’t always designated seating, there are low walls or stairs where visitors often sit and hang out.

Guided tours at Parc de Martissant are paid. Children under 6 years of age enter free of change; those between 7 and 18 years old pay 25 gourdes, and people over 18 years of age pay 50 gourdes. The spaces that are currently open for touring are the January 12 2010 Memorial, the Katherine Dunham Cultural Center, and the medicinal plant garden.

If you are planning to visit the center, it is worth noting that the guided tours are in Haitian Creole – therefore, having a bilingual friend or guide to tag along is a good idea! If you visit during the summer, you will greatly benefit from making a reservation in advance, as the tour guides tend to be quite busy during that time of the year with group excursions.

Written by Kelly Paulemon.

Published December 2020

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start your day
the Haitian way

Go on a self-guided
tour of Haiti’s Gingerbread houses

Go on a self-guided
tour of Haiti’s Gingerbread houses