Haiti Up Close

Check out These 10 Amazing Haitian Birds

February 4, 2021 by Anton Lau

black and yeallow bird sitting on a branch among bright pink flowers — Bannann Mi Fran / Hispaniolan Oriole
Photo: René Durocher

Check out These 10 Amazing Haitian Birds

Did you know that you’ll see more Caribbean birds in Haiti than (almost) anywhere else? Which of these ten amazing Haitian birds have you seen?

Haiti is one of the Caribbean’s prime birdlife hotspots. Of the Caribbean’s 175 endemic species, 49 can be found in Haiti – the second-largest concentration of any nation in the Caribbean. Only Cuba, with 50, has more Caribbean birds on show. Haiti is also home to 28 species endemic to Hispaniola – more than any other island in the Caribbean. Birdlife International recognises ten ‘Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas’ in Haiti, and one Endemic Bird Area. Want to know more about Haiti’s wildlife? Read our list of Haiti’s most interesting animals here.

Here are ten Haitian birds to look out for on your birding adventure

hummingbird in air drinking nectar from pick flowers — Wanga Negès / Antillean Mango (Anthracothorax Dominicensis)
Photo: René Durocher

01. Wanga Negès

A relatively common hummingbird, Wanga Negès (or the Antillean Mango) is one of the most popular birds on the island, and is culturally important. Often found around beaches and in mountains of up to 2,500 m of altitude, this bird functions like other hummingbirds with a very large bill compared to its body, which is the reason behind it’s characteristic extremely fast flapping. The Wanga Negès is found throughout Hispaniola (both Haiti and the Dominican Republic).

bright yellow bird with black head in green vegetation — Ti Seren / Antillean Siskin (Carduelis Dominicensis)
Photo: René Durocher

02. Ti Seren

Also known as the Antillean Siskin, the Ti Seren is a small finch. Males are recognizable by their distinctive yellow body, black hood, yellow bill and yellow-green back. Females are less striking, with striped or spotted yellow-green head, back and wings, and pale yellow belly. They are most commonly found in and near forest-like environments, especially pine forest at altitudes between 1600 and 9800 feet. The Ti Seren is endemic to Hispaniola.

black bird with red spots eating fruit — Ti Kòk / Greater Antillean Bullfinch (Melopyrrha Violacea)
Photo: René Durocher

03. Ti Kòk

This bird is known in Haiti as Ti Kòk (which translates to small rooster). Also known as the Greater Antillean Bullfinch, it is mostly found in Caribbean islands such as Hispaniola, Jamaica, Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Island. The Ti Kòk is recognizable by the vivid orange-red eyebrows, throat and vent which stand out against a stark black body. It eats grains, fruits, flower petals and even molluscs.

04. Bannann Mi Fran

Another endemic, the Bannann Mi Fran or Hispaniolan Oriole is a species of icterid or “New World Blackbird”, a little smaller than the (unrelated) North American common blackbird at 20 to 22 centimeters. Like the Greater Antillean Bullfinch, this slender bird is black overall, with distinctive yellow patches on its shoulders, rump, and under-tail coverts. It has been reported that while they are endemic to Hispaniola, they also live on nearby islands like La Gonâve, La Tortue and Île-à-Vache. They can be found in dry forests; however, they seem to prefer palm trees alongside banana trees (hence its Kreyòl name).

two black birds on grass splashing water — Mèl Dyab / Greater Antillean Grackle (Quiscalus Niger)
Photo: René Durocher

05. Mèl Dyab

The Greater Antillean Grackle – or Mèl Dyab in Kreyòl – is a very social bird, endemic to the Greater Antilles meaning Cuba, Jamaica, Hispaniola (Haiti and Dominican Republic), Puerto Rico and occasionally the Caymans. It is often found near human habitation and is therefore a great, accessible bird if you’re looking for an easy species to tick off your checklist. This black bird with a long tail and beak is described as gregarious and noisy.

yellow bird on branch with green leaves — Ti Tchit Kou Jòn / Cape May Warbler (Setophaga Tigrina)
Photo: René Durocher

06. Ti Tchit Kou Jòn

The Cape May Warbler or Titchit Kou Jòn is a migrating bird common to the Antilles. Common throughout Haiti, you’ll find it in forest-like habitats, where it winters. It hunts insects, sips nectar and eats fruits. The Kreyòl name “Ti Tchit Kou Jòn” is indicative of its most interesting feature – its yellow-colored neck (Kou Jòn). Adult males usually have a richer yellow color while females of this kind lack the vivid yellow and are more often found with a yellowish-green rump.

yellow and grey bird with black head on tree branch — Kat-je Tét Nwa / Black-crowned Palm Tanager
Photo: René Durocher

07. Kat-je Tét Nwa

The Black-crowned palm tanager is a common endemic bird spread throughout the Haitian territory. You’ll find it in all sorts of places such as desert-like arid areas, pine forests and even beaches. A beautiful tricolor, the Black-crowned palm tanager has a black face and crown, contrasting white spots on the face and a completely white throat, and yellow-green wings. The Kat-je Tèt Nwa primarily eats fruits but also grains and insects.

yellow and grey bird sitting on bamboo — Ti Kit Fal Jòn / Yellow Throated Warbler (Setophaga Dominica)
Photo: René Durocher

08. Ti Kit Fal Jòn

Similar to the Black-crowned Palm Tanager, the Yellow Throated Warbler is a colorful bird, with, as the Kreyòl name suggests, a yellow throat, a black face and white eyebrows. They are small birds, usually found hunting insects in pine forests. The Yellow Throated Warbler hops along tree branches and can even cling to Spanish moss while it hunts for food.

tiny bird with green head and red feathers on wings — Kolibri Mòn / Narrow-billed Tody (Todus Angustirostris)
Photo: René Durocher

09. Kolibri Mòn, Chikorèt

The endemic Narrow-billed Tody is a very popular bird in Haitian culture, yet potentially faces extinction because of habitat loss. Its narrow beak, red throat and sides, and vivid green upperparts make it a remarkable bird to observe. This species likes higher, wetter woodlands, and so can be found in forested mountains and coffee plantations.

two emrald green birds together on tree branch — Kanson Wouj / Hispaniolan Trogon (Priotelus Roseigaster)
Photo: René Durocher

10. Kanson Wouj

The endemic Kanson Wouj or the Hispaniolan Trogon one of only two Trogon found in the Caribbean. Its red belly, emerald back and black head, with contrasting orange eyes and yellow bill, makes it one of Haiti’s most colorful birds. The Kanson Wouj is named after the bird’s red belly. Usually found in mountains, but occasionally in mangrove swamps.

Written by Kira Paulemon.

Published February 2021.

Explore more of Haiti’s Wildlife & Nature

How to Attend a Vodou Ceremony in Haiti

January 21, 2021 by Anton Lau

group of people standing around a candle and cosmogram drawn on floor — A Vodou ceremony
Photo: Pierre Michel Jean

How to Attend a Vodou Ceremony in Haiti

Skulls, sequins and gunpowder smoke – here’s a glimpse inside a modern Haitian vodou ceremony. Find out how to attend and what to expect.

There’s no doubt that Vodou is a powerful spiritual tradition. The world’s first free black republic was formed, at least in part, thanks to the uniting spirit of Vodou. Vodou was the common thread that united leaders in the Haitian revolution, despite their lack of a common language, tribal bonds or country of origin. In the space of just a few years, in a seemingly miraculous feat against the odds, an army of slaves threw off their chains, overthrew the French colonial government, beat Napolean’s navy, abolished slavery, and formed modern Haiti.

Today, perhaps not despite but because of these powerful roots, Vodou may just be the most maligned, feared and misunderstood spiritual tradition in the western world. It’s time to set the records straight. Perhaps the best way to help celebrate the freedom fighters and dispel the myths is to attend a Vodou ceremony in Haiti and see for yourself.

Here’s how.

drummer with open shirt and sweaty chest — A drummer at a Vodou ceremony
Photo: Franck Fontain

Find out about a Vodou dans

Sacred Vodou gatherings can be called by many names, most often a ceremony, ritual or dance. In Haitian Kreyòl, Vodou practitioners often refer to the event as a dance (dans). The terms dance and ceremony will be used interchangeably for the purposes of this guide.

Find out ahead of time who and what the dance will be for

It may be helpful to ask who the dance will be for and what purpose, if any, is intended. For example, is there a specific lwa (spirit) being evoked? If the ceremony takes place in early November, it will likely be held in honor of the Gede lwa and Day of the Dead. Remember that Petwo deities are the fiery, offense-oriented counterpart of the gentler, protective Rada deities. This can help anticipate the tone of the ritual.

If this is your first time attending a Vodou ceremony, it is recommended to attend a Rada dance, not least because you’re less likely to see animal sacrifice. For example, you could attend a springtime dance held to usher in a season of abundant harvest, good luck and good health. You may wish to begin with a Rada dance for Erzulie Freda, the goddess of love and sensuality, or La Sirène, the mermaid goddess of good luck, fertility and material abundance.

The rites, devotions and overall style of ceremony will vary greatly depending on which part of Haiti you are attending the dance in. For example, Papa Legba and the twin spirits known as Marassa are all recognized through particular rites with certain rituals, dances, drum rhythms, offerings, prayers and cosmograms drawn on the ground. But the specific interpretations of a Legba or Marassa dance in Cap-Haïtien will vary from one held in Jacmel. This is true for all rites and rituals across the different Vodou temples in Haiti.

Learn more about the different Vodou Gods & Goddesses here!

older haitian woman in a red dress with blue sequins — A woman at a Vodou Ceremony
Photo: Pierre Michel Jean

Expect to be there a while

A Vodou dance can last a long time. In Jacmel for example, the rum-fuelled drummers that launch a ceremony at dusk can be found still drumming at dawn – albeit with swollen and bruised hands. So like any dance you attend in a foreign city, bring plenty of water and relax expectations of a set time for when it will end. If you want an exit strategy mid-dance, go with someone who you trust will be flexible to go when you are ready, pay your respects to the host who invited you if possible, and you can simply leave when you’re ready.

exterior of vodou temple with handpainted wall depicting spirits — Vodou peristyle in Artibonite
Photo: Emily Bauman / Amanacer

What a vodou temple looks like

Vodou dances take place at a peristil: a temple, usually round, always with a pole in the center called the central pole (poto mitan) representing the navel of the universe. Many Vodou temples in Haiti are indoor-outdoor, while others are fully enclosed or completely open to the sky. Some sacred rituals take place at waterfalls like Sodo or near a sacred mapou tree, but for the purposes of this guide, we will assume you will attend a ceremony at a peristil.

At the center of the ceremonial space, you’ll see an altar. Bottles represent gifts and offerings. Machetes are symbols of honor and respect to entities in the spirit world.

Check your cultural baggage at the door

On the altar, you may also see skulls and other human remains. While the western world associates bones with death, necromancy and spooky halloween kitsch, it is important to know that skulls hold nearly the opposite significance in Vodou. Try looking at the skull and seeing the comforting presence of an ancestor, or the balance between life and death.

While western cultures tend to avoid death and displace it from the family home, keeping the dead close is a crucial part of cultures from Romania to Indonesia to Haiti. In Vodou, death is not to be hidden from daily life, but embraced in ceremonies as a way to more fully appreciate and celebrate life.

Ancestors and dead family members may be called on to join the dance. Those who have passed away come among the community once more to offer advice, and take part in the rituals. Rather than framing this as a haunting, think of it as a glorious family reunion.

When attending a Vodou ceremony it is a good idea to approach the experience with a blank slate, and a relaxed, open mind, ready to learn. Check your cultural baggage at the door and enjoy the ride of a totally new experience!

a group of vodou practitioners dressed in white — Dancing at a Vodou ceremony
Photo: Franck Fontain

Wear something nice, but not white!

What you wear matters! Business casual attire is appropriate. Avoid loud T-shirts or anything ratty or worn out. Men can dress in jeans and a short sleeve button-up shirt, and women jeans and a blouse. Aim for fancy but respectful clothing, and no lavish jewelry. Rural dances will generally be more casual.

Color is a key consideration. The purity of white is highly significant at the dance and is reserved for Vodou practitioners, so it’s best not to wear white to any Vodou ritual. Patterns and colors are acceptable – but be careful with colorful head scarves! Keep reading to find out why.

It’s helpful to remember that Haiti can be remarkably hot at nearly any time of year and even sometimes at night. Linen and cotton are your best friend, regardless of whether you plan to attend a ceremony in a city or rural environment.

Bring an offering

While a Vodou dance is no dinner party, it is appropriate to bring an offering of alcohol. Wine is not the hostess’ beverage of choice in this case. Ask if you can offer a liter or half gallon of unrefined rum, called kleren. You can buy it locally and inexpensively almost everywhere in Haiti, but the gesture is important and will be valued, particularly in rural settings. Kleren is the fuel of many Vodou dances, offered to the spirits and the sèvitè (servants of the spirits) alike. The drummers – who often play all night and into the dawn – will be especially appreciative.

a vodou priest and practitioner performing a dance — A ougan at a Vodou ceremony
Photo: Pierre Michel Jean

Beginning the dance

A series of prayers, sometimes Roman Catholic in origin, begin the ceremony. Vodou spirits who serve as gatekeepers are saluted with appropriate honors, offerings, and invocations. If invoking the fiery Petwo lwa, voudiwizans might use whip-cracks, whistles, gasoline and even lit gunpowder to get their attention.

Who leads the dance?

You will be able to identify the Vodou initiates (the men and women who will orchestrate the ceremony) by their all-white ceremonial garb. Most initiates wear traditional Haitian skirts in white, starched white blouses and a white handkerchief on the head. Some may wear colorful satin headwraps. The color of the headwrap is associated with the lwa being served that day, but it also indicates rank in the temple hierarchy.

Mambo or manbo is the name for a female Vodou priestess. Ougan is the name for a male Vodou priest. Mambo and ougan are figures of great authority and respect in the community, responsible for intervening in a wide range of societal hardships, from illness to family conflict, financial trouble or even just a string of bad luck. As intermediaries between the lwa and humans, they act as servants who restore health, harmony and balance.

Drumming is believed to create a passageway to the spirit world. It’s a rhythmic invitation to the lwa to attend the dance being held in his or her honor. Much like a radio station, when the drummers tune into the specific FM frequency of the lwa, it begins to broadcast on that channel. Each lwa has their own drum rhythm and associated dances, and there can be variations between traditions, as well – a Dahomey-descended drum rhythm is different from a Congo-descended drum rhythm. Initiates can spend lifetimes perfecting their repertoire.

cosmogram being traces on floor with hand holding a candle — A vèvè being drawn on the floor of a hounfour
Photo: Pierre Michel Jean

Vèvè cosmograms

Towards the beginning of the dance, initiated Vodou practitioners will trace a vèvè cosmogram on the floor with white powder. This takes immense skill, precision and training. These symmetrical vèvè are ancient and unique to each lwa.

Once it is traced in perfect symmetry on the floor of the temple, an essential element is in place permitting the lwa to descend. Like the unique drum rhythms, the unique cosmograms are call signs, drawing down a particular lwa. As well as the precisely-drawn vèvè on the ground, a sequined flag depicting the cosmogram is hung in a place of honor for all to see.

Learn more about the intricate art of Vodou symbols with our visual guide to the vèvè of Haitian Vodou.

Possession Trances

If the dance is a success, expect to see a possession trance. In creole the person possessed is known as the chwal (horse) that will be “ridden” by the lwa. Here’s how to identify a chwal:

You may see people with pupils dilated, people with spasmodic behaviour, seemingly out of control of their bodies doing the impossible like walking over flaming hot coals. There is no need to be alarmed when people give their bodies over to the lwa to be directed in this way. It means the ceremony is a success, and it represents a culmination of complex rites and practices that have survived hundreds of years of repression.

The trance is an opportunity for the spirit to perform healing through the possessed chwal. Blessings may take place, and it’s also a chance for the lwa to rebuke those in the community who need to smarten up and change their ways.

The possession trance may last for just a few minutes or for several hours. The chwal who has given his or her body in service to the lwa will most likely wake up exhausted, not remembering what has transpired.

people dressed in white dancing and drumming during vodou ritual — Drumming and dancing at a Vodou ceremony
Photo: Pierre Michel Jean

If you’re afraid of the devil or possession…

Put aside imagery from horror films like The Exorcist or associations of possession with demons. Instead, remember that people enter the possession trance willingly. No matter what happens, remember that Vodou is practiced to restore order, balance, health, and harmony in the lives of its followers.

Many non-practitioners both in Haiti and abroad have been taught to associate Haitian Vodou with evil, demonic possession and even satanism. This is rather silly and slanderous, as there is not even a satan figure in the Vodou pantheon of spirits who could be worshiped.

Vodou practitioners believe in a supreme god named Bondye or Gran Met who is all-powerful yet remains aloof. There is no devil counterpart to Bondye, and like the concept of “source” or “godhead”, he is not directly involved in human affairs. The multitude of lwa – spirits of the ancestors – serve as intermediaries, much more comparable to the saints of the Catholic church than demons.

Still afraid you might get spontaneously possessed? Read our article Haitian Vodou Revealed to learn why this won’t happen.

Animal sacrifice

To ask for good luck, the servants of the spirits may make a blood sacrifice. Animals like roosters, chickens, doves, pigs, and goats may be slaughtered during the ceremony. The offering can be more or less bloody depending on whether it is for a fiery Petwo bosu (bull) spirit offering compared to, say, a ceremony held in honor of the gentle rada Marassa twins.

For western travelers who have grown up aware of PETA campaigns and animal rights activism work, it may be difficult to fathom 5,000 year-old ancient rituals being practiced largely unchanged today. If you are concerned about your reaction to this ancient practice, ask for details in advance so you can decide whether or not to attend.

older haitian women dressed in pink with chair on head — Women at a Vodou ceremony
Photo: Pierre Michel Jean

Do your homework

Haiti’s National Museum in Port-au-Prince is a great place to see some of the oldest, most historic Vodou drums – some date back to the 1500’s! The Musée du Panthéon National Haïtien (MUPANAH) is located on the Champs de Mars Boulevard and features a collection showcasing the heroes of the independence revolution, and the tools they used to found modern Haitian culture.

Just around the corner from the National Museum is the Bureau of Ethnology, a museum dedicated entirely to Haitian Vodou! If possible, do visit at least one of these museums prior to your Vodou ceremony experience.

LGBTQ+ and Safe Spaces

Cross-dressing, trans identies, and all gender expressions are welcome in Vodou communities. Same-sex relationiships and behaviour are often accepted without question. No one bats an eye – in this space, at least, these minority identities are respected as servants of the goddess of love, Erzulie. Expect the dance to be a safe space. You may see men in women’s dresses and much stranger things.

haitian vodou practitioners during ceremony — A ‘Chire Aiyzan’ ritual being performed during a Vodou eremony
Photo: Pierre Michel Jean

100% Vodou

The truth is, that even some Haitians who follow the Protestant or Catholic traditions and attend mass on Sundays can be found seeking advice from a mambo or ougan during the week. In fact, a popular bumper sticker in Port-au-Prince reads “Haiti, 80% Protestant 100% Vodouisan.” For outsiders, this widely-accepted practice can be hard to understand. Yet when a family member falls ill or life situations get dire, this faith-flexibility is common. It’s part of the complex syncretism of Haitian culture, where things are multi-layered and far richer in meaning than they often seem on the surface. Some people might go so far as to argue that you cannot truly understand Haitian culture until you have taken part in a Vodou ceremony.

At the end of the day, no matter your race, religion, sexual orientation or country of origin, you will be accepted with grace and warmth at a Vodou ceremony. Everyone is respected and the protection, good luck, and wishes for good health are extended to all who attend.

What do you say? Maybe it’s time to dance…

Written by Emily Bauman.

Published January 2021.

Explore Haiti’s Art & Culture

QUIZ: Can You Place 12 Haitian Cities on the Map?

November 13, 2020 by Anton Lau

city street with people and old colonial houses — Street life in Jérémie
Photo: Tyler Welsh

QUIZ: Can You Place 12 Haitian Cities on the Map?

Are you a new visitor getting ready to explore Port-au-Prince, or an explorer ready for adventure in Dondon? Let’s test your knowledge of these 12 Haitian cities.

The cities of Haiti are as diverse as its cuisine. Whether you are only familiar with Port-au-Prince and Jacmel, or you have already made friends in Milot, this quiz is a good exercise to see how well you know the Haitian landscape. Can you tell us where on the map these 12 cities are located?

Start taking the quiz on the map below!

<section> <h2></h2> <h2>Can you place 12 Haitian cities on the map?</h2> </section> <section> <h2></h2> <h2><strong>Where is </strong>Cap-Haïtien?<strong> </strong></h2> </section> <section> <h3> <h2><strong>Where is </strong>Jérémie?<strong> </strong></h2> </h3> </section> <section> <h3> <h2><strong>Where is Milot?</strong><strong> </strong></h2> </h3> </section> <section> <h3> <h2><strong>Where is Zavane Zombi? </strong></h2> </h3> </section> <section> <h3> <h2><strong>Where is </strong>Gonaives?<strong> </strong></h2> </h3> </section> <section> <h3> <h2><strong>Where is </strong>Fond-des-Blancs?<strong> </strong></h2> </h3> </section> <section> <h3> <h2><strong>Where is </strong>Pointe Des Lataniers?<strong> </strong></h2> </h3> </section> <section> <h3> <h2><strong>Where is Thomonde?</strong></h2> </h3> </section> <section> <h3> <h2><strong>Where is </strong>Léogâne?<strong> </strong></h2> </h3> </section> <section> <h3> <h2><strong>Where is Tortuga?</strong></h2> </h3> </section> <section> <h3> <h2><strong>Where is </strong>Port Salut?<strong> </strong></h2> </h3> </section> <section> <h3> <h2><strong>Where is </strong>Anse-Rouge?<strong> </strong></h2> </h3> </section> <section> <h2></h2> </section> <section> <h3></h3> </section>       

Remember: there are no winners, and no losers — only opportunities to learn more about Haiti and to find new places to explore. Did you recognize any of the cities in the quiz? Which ones were you hearing of for the first time?

Written by Kelly Paulemon.

Published November 2020.

Our recommendations

Return to the Motherland

September 25, 2020 by admin

man sitting in the front of a small boat with ocean and mountains — Sunset in Baraderes
Photo: Mikkel Ulriksen

Return to the Motherland

If going back to your ancestral roots is something you value as a black traveler, Haiti should definitely be on your itinerary.

Filmmaker Hans Augustave once shared a quote from his tour guide in Haiti on social media which read, “If every Muslim should go to Mecca once in their life, every Black person should go to Haiti!”. History is forever marked by the fact that Haiti is the first black nation to gain its independence from colonizers in the world, and by doing so, an example was set for other nations to follow. That emancipation set the tone for a wave of black consciousness among slaves around the world and continues to this day to inspire many who attempt to break free from the patterns of dependency and reconnect with their land and culture of origin, specifically people of color.

Many of those living in the Haitian diaspora can relate to feeling like Haiti is a land so close, but ever so far away. Even if you haven’t bought a ticket to visit yet, you know of all the tales of your family’s hometown through the oral history shared by mothers, aunts, and grandmothers surrounding you – but there are gaps that this history cannot bridge.

This is the importance of a homecoming.

Whether you are connected to Haiti through your parents or otherwise, it should be on your list of top 5 places to travel to next for one simple reason: as a descendent of Haitians first, but also as a Black person, your heritage courses through the island. Just like the Year of Return for Ghana and many other West African countries, Haiti can be considered a home away from home.

view over a lush green valley from a mountain top — View of Port Français, Plaine-du-Nord
Photo: Mozart Louis

Why come back?

If you have family still living in Haiti that you keep in touch with, coming to Haiti will quickly show you that phone calls sometimes fall through. There’s nothing like hugging a cousin who always says “Hello!” before passing the phone to his mom, or seeing the uncle all the family stories feature, or getting to know neighbors who saw family leave, but who still remember the days of the past, and miss them dearly. Facing origins means facing home, too.

As any frequent traveler to Haiti will tell you, the experience begins when you get off the plane at the Toussaint Louverture international airport (if you’re landing in Port-au-Prince). From the sudden, warm heat that envelops you when you get off the plane, to the troubadour band playing outside the customs office, everything primes you for the experience of finally making it to the land of your elders.

Reasons to come back will surface all along your trip. You will find them in the sweet, tender, ripe flesh of Batis mangoes, or in the crispy, savory bits of fried pork eaten on late nights out with friends and family, in front of a street food vendor’s kitchen. If you come home during the summer, you’ll have the luxury of experiencing the island’s finest fresh produce, lively events – many of which happen closer to your neighborhood than you think, and peak season for cultural events happening in the capital city. Should you be in Haiti during the winter, reasons to come back will paint themselves in the vivid colors of the sunsets, in the playfulness of children’s faces under Christmas lights in Pétion-Ville, and in the hope that new year’s celebrations offer to everyone on the island.

If you are looking for reasons to come visit Haiti, your best bet is coming to see them for yourself.

haitian women carrying produce in baskets on their heads — Street vendors in Pétion-Ville
Photo: Franck Fontain

What does Haiti offer?

Besides its beautiful beaches and breath-taking hikes, every inch of Haiti is an open window on the history that has affected black lives around the world. If going back to your ancestral roots is something you value as a black traveler, Haiti should definitely be on your itinerary.

The celebration of the black identity can be found in historic sites such as Citadelle Laferrière or any other fort, as well as in the food, the dances, the cultural celebrations, music, and even the language! Haiti holds one of the most unique blends of African heritage and contemporary Latin American and Caribbean tastes and cultures.

people surfing on a coast with palm trees and sun setting behind mountains — Surfers on the beach in Kabik, Cayes-Jacmel
Photo: Verdy Verna

When to travel?

If you want to experience Haiti as the true home away from home that it can be, February is a time of the year when rhythm and spices are flowing all over the island. Carnival is a very Carribean affair, but to experience it in Haiti is a double-whammy; every Sunday, for about a month, then very intensely for 3 days, Haiti becomes a bubbling hub of celebration of Haitian music, dances, and colors. If one looks and experiences more deeply though, it’s an important period for the Vodou religion and community rooted in Benin and other West African countries.

During Kanaval and more specifically the pre-carnival period, those who practice or follow the religion take their celebrations to the streets under the form of raras and often are mixed up with regular citizens simply celebrating Kanaval. Rara is a dance and ceremonial form of expression rooted in Haitian identity, its presence in Vodou has served many historical moments such as the Bois Caïman Vodou ceremony which was pivotal in the declaration of Haitian independence.

Rara can also be experienced in November (hint: get away from the cold!) which is a culturally and historically rich month for Haiti as well. On November 2nd, the day of the dead is celebrated in both the Catholic community and the Vodou community meaning that there is a larger presence and visibility for these groups in the streets and in cemeteries. November also houses the anniversary of the Battle of Vertières which was pivotal to the Haitian Revolution.

There is something to be said about finally knowing and understanding where one is from. Haiti prides itself on being one of the warmest islands of the Caribbean, both in temperature, and in temperament. There are always the open arms of family, friends, and hosts who want nothing more than to share their favorite parts of home with you. If you considered planning a trip to Ghana, Nigeria or any other African country, consider starting with one of the most afro-affirmative Carribean countries in your journey to self-discovery. Depending on where you’re coming from, getting to Haiti can be more accessible or affordable, but regardless, it will always be an essential experience in the black traveler’s journey.

Written by Kira Paulemon.

Published September 2020

Explore Haiti’s Art & Culture

COVID-19: Is Haiti Reopening? Need to Know Before Go

August 26, 2020 by Anton Lau

costal area with ocean, mangrove forest and mountains — Mangrove in Baradères
Photo: Mikkel Ulriksen

Is Haiti Reopening? Here’s What You Need to Know Before You Travel

Is Haiti reopening? Can I travel there now? What are the restrictions and requirements? Here’s what you need to know about COVID-19 in Haiti

On March 19, 2020, Haiti’s health state of emergency went into effect to help brace the country against the Coronavirus pandemic. On June 30, the Toussaint Louverture International Airport went back into service, and just last Monday, July 27, the Prime Minister lifted the state of emergency.

COVID-19 testing and quarantine requirements for travelers

Haiti is requiring all international travelers to declare their COVID-19 status on a form distributed on all incoming flights, which travelers must submit to Customs upon arrival. All travelers flying into the country will get their temperature screened, and will be required to submit a valid address where they will be during their stay. The government has required a 14-day quarantine for all international travelers arriving in Haiti.

As of the publication of this article, the Toussaint Louverture International Airport in Port-au-Prince is still in service. The Cap-Haïtien International Airport is open as well, though functioning at a reduced capacity, as its COVID-19 measures are still under review and pending approval. The border between Haiti and the Dominican Republic has been open to car and foot traffic since July 1.

What countries are currently allowed to visit Haiti?

There is no specific bar to entry based on nationality or country of origin; for now, entry to Haiti seems reliant almost completely on availability of flights in the country of origin or country of connection. Once on the island, wearing a face mask is required in all places of business, and customers’ hands are sprayed with disinfecting solutions. Public transportation is still available, and wearing a face mask is strongly encouraged.

Written by Kelly Paulemon.

Published August 2020.

Explore Haiti’s wildlife and nature

Wildlife in Haiti

June 12, 2020 by admin

dolphin jumping off coast with palm trees — Dolphin jumping of the coast of Hispaniola
Photo: Shutterstock

Wildlife in Haiti

Here’s our guide to the animals that call this enchanting island home

Haiti’s position in the Caribbean favors a rich diversity in plant and animal life, despite decades of intensive deforestation during the twentieth century that have dramatically changed the landscape.

The effects of this exploitation can be seen from space, but down on ground level degradation has been halted, conservation is on the upswing and every year, the ecosystems that have remained intact attract nature and wildlife lovers to this side of the island.

While you’re in Haiti, you’ll have the chance to see some unique wildlife, including many birds, mammals and reptiles endemic to Hispaniola. Here’s our guide to the fauna and flora of this enchanting island.

butterfly perched on flower — White Peacock Butterfly
Photo: Shutterstock

Butterflies

There are over one thousand species of butterflies and moths on the island of Hispaniola, so ditch the glasshouse at the zoo and get out there to see some of these beauties for yourself. If you are in Haiti during the first half of the year through to the middle of the summer, you will spot the bright yellow butterflies which Haitians call Papillons de la Saint-Jean (St. John’s Butterflies, in English). Monarch butterflies make an appearance during the last third of the year.

Birdlife

Keen birders will get a lot out of a stay in Haiti. There are two species endemic to Haiti, and a further twenty-six endemic to Hispaniola – the island Haiti shares with Dominican Republic.

Hummingbirds, Todies, Orioles and Flamingoes are just a few of the magnificent birds you’ll have a chance to spot when you visit. To learn more, check out these 10 amazing birds of Haiti and read our guide about bird watching in Haiti.

group of stingrays swimming in shallow caribbean sea — Stingrays swimming in the Caribbean ocean
Photo: Shutterstock

Marine Life

From the beach or the bow of a water taxi or privately chartered boat, you can see porcupine fish, stingrays and the quizzically-named warteye stargazers and bridled burrfish! The central and south coasts of Haiti are famously shallow and gradual, and many species have evolved to hang out close to the shore where they’re easy to spot. This means that if you are staying at a beachside resort or visiting a public beach, there’s an excellent chance you’ll run into them.

Out in the waters of Petit-Goâve, as well as La Gonâve (specifically in the area of Anse-à-Galets), dolphins are known to make a special guest appearance!

hispaniolan solendon next to a large rock — The Hispaniolan Solenodon
Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Snakes and strange creatures

Snakes are fairly common, but you’ll be glad to hear that Haiti is one of the few places in the world with no snakes that are dangerously venomous to humans (although some do have venom for subduing small prey). Snakes have a long human-entwined history in Haiti, where they wow audiences at tourist destinations and patron saint festivals around the country, and at carnival, where they are often the stars of the show.

Speaking of venom, Hispaniola happens to be home to the world’s only known venomous mammal, the utterly bizarre solenodon, which has evolved snake-like venom-injecting teeth. Don’t worry though, like the snakes in Haiti, they aren’t dangerous to humans. These enigmatic creatures are critically endangered, but with pockets of them recently confirmed in Haiti as well as the Dominican Republic, internationally-supported conservation efforts are underway to keep these little monsters safe.

Want to discover Haiti’s wildlife?

This list of critters is far from exhaustive. To learn more, talk to your local friends, host, guide, or specialty birdwatching and wildlife tour operators.

Written by Kelly Paulemon.

Published June 2020.

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Haiti Up Close

Check out These 10 Amazing Haitian Birds

Did you know that you’ll see more Caribbean birds in Haiti than (almost) anywhere else? Which of these ten amazing Haitian birds have you seen?

The Birds of Haiti on Your Wall

Here are ten Haitian birds to look out for on your birding adventure

01. Wanga Negès

02. Ti Seren

03. Ti Kòk

04. Bannann Mi Fran

05. Mèl Dyab

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06. Ti Tchit Kou Jòn

07. Kat-je Tét Nwa

08. Ti Kit Fal Jòn

09. Kolibri Mòn, Chikorèt

10. Kanson Wouj

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How to Attend a Vodou Ceremony in Haiti

Skulls, sequins and gunpowder smoke – here’s a glimpse inside a modern Haitian vodou ceremony. Find out how to attend and what to expect.

start your day the Haitian way

Find out about a Vodou dans

Find out ahead of time who and what the dance will be for

Expect to be there a while

What a vodou temple looks like

Check your cultural baggage at the door

Wear something nice, but not white!

a touch of haitian wisdom

Bring an offering

Beginning the dance

Who leads the dance?

Vèvè cosmograms

Discover Sacred Vodou Symbols!

Possession Trances

If you’re afraid of the devil or possession…

Animal sacrifice

Do your homework

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LGBTQ+ and Safe Spaces

100% Vodou

A Visual Guide to Vodou Symbols

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QUIZ: Can You Place 12 Haitian Cities on the Map?

Are you a new visitor getting ready to explore Port-au-Prince, or an explorer ready for adventure in Dondon? Let’s test your knowledge of these 12 Haitian cities.

Start taking the quiz on the map below!

Citadelle Henri

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Return to the Motherland

If going back to your ancestral roots is something you value as a black traveler, Haiti should definitely be on your itinerary.

start your day the Haitian way

Why come back?

What does Haiti offer?

When to travel?

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

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Is Haiti Reopening? Here’s What You Need to Know Before You Travel

Is Haiti reopening? Can I travel there now? What are the restrictions and requirements? Here’s what you need to know about COVID-19 in Haiti

COVID-19 testing and quarantine requirements for travelers

What countries are currently allowed to visit Haiti?

A Visual Guide to Vodou Symbols

Explore Haiti’s wildlife and nature

Paradise for your inbox

Wildlife in Haiti

Here’s our guide to the animals that call this enchanting island home

The Birds of Haiti on Your Wall

Butterflies

Birdlife

Marine Life

Snakes and strange creatures

Want to discover Haiti’s wildlife?

Haitian Cultural Traditions You Didn’t Know About

Explore Haiti’s wildlife and nature

Paradise for your inbox

Plan Your Trip

Select Language

start your day
the Haitian way

a touch of
haitian wisdom

start your day
the Haitian way

A Visual Guide to
Vodou Symbols

start your day
the Haitian way

a touch of
haitian wisdom

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

A Visual Guide to
Vodou Symbols