Jacmel

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

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

Hotel Cyvadier Plage

June 19, 2020 by Anton Lau

hotel pool with palm trees and sea view — Pool area at Hotel Cyvadier Plage
Photo: Hotel Cyvadier Plage

Hotel Cyvadier Plage

A few minutes outside the city of Jacmel, Cyvadier Hotel is the perfect seaside escape for the nature lover in all of us.

First Impressions

Among all the cities of Haiti, the city of Jacmel is recognized for its hospitality and as being a haven of peace. For a good stay, the Cyvadier Hotel offers modern comfort in a prime location. The hotel’s seafront access is ideal if you are looking for a picture-perfecr tropical vacation without the typical busyness of the Arcadins’ coast.

Rooms

The Cyvadier Hotel is a charming small hotel which has 28 tastefully furnished rooms that embellish a rustic, Caribbean style with modern accents; some have a terrace which offers a beautiful view where you can bask in watching the sunset facing the sea. The whole establishment has access to WiFi.

What’s for breakfast?

Breakfast is served every day at the Cyvadier Hotel, and includes all of the standard stops of a Haitian breakfast. From fresh, seasonal fruit, to eggs, baked goods, and freshly brewed coffee and steeped tea, it can all be enjoyed by the sea, or in your room, on request – it’s entirely up to you.

How about lunch and dinner?

The restaurant at the Cyvadier Hotel benefits from being a seaside one: fresh seafood is served there every day! From lobster to grilled fish, the menu is an ode to the bevy of creatures that grace the sea. Standard Haitian cuisine is also hard-and-fast on this menu; you’ll find staples like conch and roasted chicken, as well as the delicacy that is Haitian pain patate – a sweet potato dessert.

Is there a bar?

Lounge around by the pool and take in the view as you sip away from the hotel’s restaurant drinks’ menu which also covers wines, champagnes, liquors, local beers, and cocktails made to order.

Activities and amenities

You’ll want to make a stop at the Cyvadier massage parlor, where for an hour or two, you can experience hot rock massages, deep tissue massages, and even a detox cleanse during your stay. If an adventure is what excites you, take advantage of Cyvadier Hotel’s boat excursions and paddle boarding.

Within a short walk you can find…

To hit the beach, the choices are nearly endless; you can either choose the private beach of the Cyvadier Hotel or the beach at Raymond-les-Bains (for a small visitors’ fee), where you will find charming seafood merchants. At Timouyaj Beach, big waves invite you to surf and the sand invites you to relax.

Need to know (before you go)

For those who are more attracted by the walks and the visits, Jacmel is very close, the mountains are accessible, and the sea is nearby. The city invites you to discover craftsmen and charming streets where art is always present and in an extraordinary profusion.

Getting there

For directions and bookings visit Cyvadier Hotel on Hotels.com

Looking for some cool things to do?

Gingerbread Houses

May 21, 2020 by admin

old colonial houses in coastal city — The Boucard House in Jacmel
Photo: Anton Lau

Gingerbread Houses

“an important architectural and cultural heritage, not just for Haiti but also for the international community.”

Gingerbread Houses are ornate turn-of-the-century buildings unique to Haiti. Like their edible namesake, Gingerbread Houses are famous for steep roofs and ornate details highlighted in vibrant, contrasting colours. They are architecturally fascinating for a number of reasons – not least because they’ve proven to be surprisingly resistant to earthquakes.

An iconic feature of urban communities around Haiti, these ageing architectural masterpieces have survived a century of turmoil and natural disaster, and are a compelling conservation opportunity. And they’ve just been formally recognised as one of the most important at-risk heritage sites in the world.

old colonial haitian house in tropical garden — Old gingerbread house on Rue 16 F, Cap-Haïtien
Photo: Mozart Louis

Where can you see Gingerbread Houses?

These stately relics are scattered throughout Port-au-Prince, but are concentrated in the neighborhoods of Pacot, Turgeau, Bois Verna, and Bas Peu de Choses. You’ll also find Gingerbread Houses in other cities around Haiti, including Jérémie, Jacmel, and Cap-Haïtien.

Who were they built for? What are they used for now?

Originally, Gingerbread Houses were built as the residences of powerful Haitian families, and many surviving examples have housed Haitian presidents. During the 1900s, some of these Gingerbread residences were acquired or built by Catholic institutions, which is why many of the Catholic schools and buildings you can see today are examples of the Gingerbread style.

During Haiti’s boom time as a fashionable travel destination in the 1950s and 60s (when the moniker “Gingerbread” was first introduced by American tourists), Gingerbread Houses were symbols of prestige, used as the seasonal residences of stars like Truman Capote, Noël Coward, Graham Greene and Katherine Dunham, who stayed at the Hotel Oloffson or bought Gingerbread Houses of their own.

Today, most of the investment in Gingerbread Houses comes from the arts. Organizations like Kolektif 509, FOKAL, Fondation Viviane Gauthier and Le Centre d’Art are restoring iconic Gingerbread Houses and opening them up to the public as spaces to preserve, practice and promote Haitian art forms.

colonial house decorative fretworkand latticework details — Gingerbread house in Turgeau
Photo: Franck Fontain

Architectural style

In 1895, three young Haitians travelled to Paris to study architecture, and adapted Parisian architecture to the Caribbean climate and living conditions. Together, these young architects refined the architectural style now known as “Gingerbread”, designing civic buildings and residences that combined French-inspired, Victorian Gothic grandeur with flamboyant colors and vivid decorative patterns – including vèvè symbols from Haitian Vodou.

Designed for Haiti’s tropical hot and humid weather, Gingerbread Houses feature tall ceilings, doors and windows as well as wrap-around verandahs, all decorated in a vibrant, distinctive style with elaborate details unique to Haiti. Most Gingerbread Houses were constructed using natural, flexible timber frames that have the innate ability to weather some of the Caribbean’s toughest storms (and as it turns out, even earthquakes).

Inside, they’re a mastery of climate-control, with high ceilings and tall turret roofs designed to draw hot air upwards and out of living rooms. Louvred shutter windows allow cool breezes in and keep moisture out. In the leafy suburbs of Pacot, Pétion-Ville and Turgeau, these majestic windows open out onto picturesque views of the city. Luxurious, extended front porches plunge onto stately grounds with manicured tropical gardens.

old colonial houses on city street in jacmel — Gingerbread houses on Rue Du Commerce, Jacmel
Photo: Anton Lau

Conservation

By the 21st century, many of these once-elegant, century-old structures had fallen into disrepair. Although the communities of people living in and caring for Gingerbread Houses had made substantive efforts to preserve them, political and economic conditions meant that only some of these iconic buildings could be adequately preserved.

As a whole, the historic Gingerbread House district of Port-au-Prince wasn’t getting the support it needed as an at-risk cultural heritage site. In 2009, the Haitian Leadership and Education Program (HELP) successfully brought Gingerbread Houses to the attention of the World Monuments Fund (WMF), in the hopes of generating support for the restoration of these irreplaceable treasures. In late 2009, Haiti’s Gingerbread Houses were chosen as one of the WMF’s 2010 World Monuments Watch list.

2010 earthquake

Less than three months later, the devastating earthquake of January 12, 2010 struck. The Haitian government made Gingerbread Houses a conservation priority. Now internationally recognised for their architectural and social significance, local and global cultural heritage organizations mobilized quickly to assess the damage. By early February, teams were touring Gingerbread House sites to inspect and evaluate. Though many suffered serious damage, their traditional construction proved surprisingly earthquake-resistant, and very few of them collapsed.

In fact, less than five percent of Gingerbread Houses collapsed completely, compared with forty percent of modern, conventionally-constructed buildings. Architects are now trying to analyse what makes the fragile-looking, intricate Gingerbread Houses so seismically resistant, in the hopes of designing future homes in Haiti to be more resilient.

2020 World Monuments Watch

In November 2019, the Gingerbread district of Port-au-Prince was chosen as one of 25 globally-important sites on the WMF 2020 World Monuments Watch, a list of exceptional sites that “marry great historical significance with contemporary social impact.”

The Gingerbread district was selected from more than 250 applications, after a series of in-depth reviews by an independent panel of international experts in heritage preservation.

“The chosen locations are determined not only by their architectural value, but also by their impact on communities around the world,” said Bénédicte de Montlaur, CEO of WMF. “These remarkable sites demand sustainable, community-driven solutions that bring people together and combine conservation and social change”

Being on the 2020 Watch list means that local stakeholders working to preserve Port-au-Prince’s Gingerbread district will now receive crucial funding from the WMF and its international financial partners. Hopefully, the hard work of local conservation teams will now have an even bigger impact.

A compelling conservation opportunity

Port-au-Prince’s historic Gingerbread Houses embody Haiti’s cultural heritage in a nutshell: rich and incredibly valuable as a cultural and economic resource for contemporary Haitians and future generations to thrive – but also endangered, under-documented and underfunded.

Make a difference by visiting Port-au-Prince’s Historic District today. If you’re lucky, you might get to meet the communities of artists and conservationists working to revitalize these extraordinary treasures.

old colonial houses lined on street with ocean in background — Old gingerbread houses on Rue Stenio Vincent in Jérémie
Photo: Anton Lau

Go on a self-guided tour of Gingerbread houses

Open to the public in Port-au-Prince

Villa Kalewès – 99 Rue Gregoire, Petion-Ville. Easily recognizable by the rich gingerbread color of its fairy-tale wooden walls and icing-like white lace edging. One of the most important Gingerbread structures in Petionville, Villa Kalewès remains both in-use and, lucky for us, open to the public. Villa Kalewès isn’t open every day, so make sure to visit during an advertised event or call head to check.

Maison Dufort – 9 2eme Rue du Travail, Turgeau, Port-au-Prince. Open to the public 9am – 4pm. Maison Dufort was extensively restored by nonprofit FOKAL (Foundation Connaissance et Liberté) between 2012 and 2018. To find out more, ring 2813-1694 or email studiofokal@fokal.org. Voyages Lumière run guided tours in French and English.

Gingerbread restaurant – 22 Rue 3, Port-au-Prince. Open 11am to 10pm Monday thru Saturday. Closed Sundays.

Hotel Oloffson – Ave Christophe, 60, Port-au-Prince. A working hotel, Hotel Oloffson also has a restaurant where non-guests are welcome for lunch (US $12-15) and dinner (US $15-25), as well as a famously good live Vodou rock show every Thursday night. Originally built as the residence of an influence family, Hotel Oloffson has been a presidential residence, a US military hospital (during the 20-year US occupation of Haiti from 1915 to 1935) and a hotel since 1936. Glorified in Graham Greene’s 1966 novel The Comedians.

Le Centre d’Art / Larsen Family House – 22 rue Casseus, Pacot, Port-au-Prince. In late 2019, this house was purchased from the Larsen family and will become the new home of Le Centre d’Art. The old premises of Le Centre d’Art, at 58 rue Roy, were damaged beyond repair during the 2010 earthquake.

Maison Gauthier – In the heart of the historic Gingerbread district, Maison Gauthier “represents both the life of the celebrated doyenne of Haitian folkloric dance, Viviane Gauthier, and one of the finest examples of gingerbread architecture in Haiti.” In 2015 the Fondation Viviane Gauthier was established to restore the villa and maintain it as a place to teach and promote Haitian folkloric dance.

Open to the public outside Port-au-Prince

In Jacmel it’s possible to see inside a Gingerbread House at Hotel Florita, Hotel Manoir Adriana, Sant d’A Jakmel and Alliance Francaise.

In Cap-Haitien it’s possible to go inside Hotel Roi Christophe and Alliance Francaise.

Not open to the public

The Peabody House – hidden from view by dense tropical gardens, the Peabody House is near the corner of Rue Pacot and Rue Malval in Pacot, Port-au-Prince.

The Cordasco House (also known as Villa Marimar / Le Petit Trianon) – a 19th century gothic Gingerbread mansion in Pacot, Port-au-Prince.

Villa Castel Fleuri – Avenue H. Christophe, Port-au-Prince. Briefly home to the President of Haiti, Villa Castel Fleuri suffered extensive damage during the 2010 earthquake.

Le Manoir – Avenue John Brown, Port-au-Prince. Has remarkable roofs and turrets constructed with decorative pressed metal roof shingles.

The Patrice Pamphile House – 4 Rue Casseus, Turgeau, Port-au-Prince. Extensively damaged by the 2010 earthquake.

Maison Chenet, also restored by nonprofit FOKAL between 2012 and 2018.

The Bazin House on Rue du Travail Deuxième, Port-au-Prince.

The house of Jean-Richard Montas – 79 Avenue H. Christophe, Port-au-Prince.

Gingerbread House built by Tancrede Auguste – 32 Lamartiniere, Port-au-Prince.

Wood-frame house – 24 Avenue Lamartiniere, Port-au-Prince.

A charming example of a smaller and simpler Gingerbread House – 26 Rue 7

A large and elaborate Gingerbread House, still surrounded by its original
spacious property, at 9 Rue Bellvue, Port-au-Prince.

Gingerbread House – 51 Avenue Christophe, Port-au-Prince.

Gingerbread House at 59 Lavaud 3, Port-au-Prince.

Gingerbread House at 14 Rue Marcelin, Port-au-Prince.

Gingerbread House at 32 Lamartiniere, Port-au-Prince.

Gingerbread House at the Episcopal University, 14 Rue Légitime, Port-au-Prince.

Gingerbread House at 22 Rue Pacot, Port-au-Prince.

College de Jeunes Filles, at 10 Lavaud, Port-au-Prince.

old colonial house on city street with traffic — Gingerbread house in Jacmel
Photo: Anton Lau

Written by Kira Paulemon.

Published May 2020

Explore Haiti’s History & Heritage

Photo Journal: Marigot

April 14, 2020 by admin

aerial view of port with boats and people — Port of Marigot, Haiti
Photo: Franck Fontain

Photo Journal: Marigot

One hour east of the seaside city of Jacmel, the municipality of Marigot sits right between the edge of the water and an important element of everyday people’s lives.

Marigot’s farmers’ market is a salient feature of the village. An important pulse point, the market only operates on Saturdays. Boats arriving from Anse-à-Pitre dock at the port hours before the sun rises over the village.

large wooden boat with haitians on the open ocean — Boat arriving from Anse-à-Pitres to Marigot
Photo: Franck Fontain

The boats are a great way to kill two birds with one stone. On the one hand, they carry goods to Marigot, and on the other, because road conditions are awful, they facilitate the transportation of passengers.

group of haitians stading on wharf with boats — People waiting on the wharf in Marigot
Photo: Franck Fontain

These boats carry people heading to or from places like Savane Zonbi, Thiotte, Anse-à-Pitres, or the Dominican Republic.

large wooden boats with haitians docking on beach — Boat from Anse-à-Pitres docking in Marigot
Photo: Franck Fontain

The scene at the port is both very Haitian and extremely picturesque. Nimble and hardworking men move packages off the boats and onto the docks.

man standing on boat pulling a large rope — A man mooring a boat in Marigot
Photo: Franck Fontain

Wading through water up to their chests, they balance very large sacks of coal, heavy coolers stuffed with fish, and even stacks of packed cardboard boxes on their heads.

two haitians weighing fish at market — People working at the fish market in Marigot
Photo: Franck Fontain

From the docks, all these packages are loaded onto trucks headed to other cities, but– careful! These workers move fast, and need you to be out of their way. There’s no time to waste!

a fish market in haiti with many people — The fish market in Marigot
Photo: Franck Fontain

The coolers of fish are taken to the nearby fish market; an open building located just a short walk from the wharf. This is where fish is weighed and priced.

People unloading goods from the boats
Photo: Franck Fontain

As any farmers’ market in Haiti, haggling is a must, and commotion is everywhere; from fish vendors to other merchants crisscrossing the building.

to haitian men sitting on a stony beach with boats — Two men watching the boats being unloaded
Photo: Franck Fontain

Large amounts of fish and seafood in Marigot regularly make their way to plates in Port-au-Prince, as middlemen come to stock up for the capital’s restaurants every week.

aerial view of coastal village with market area and boats — Sun rising over the port of Marigot
Photo: Franck Fontain

Explore Haiti’s Art & Culture

Kaskad Pichon

January 25, 2020 by admin

large haitian waterfall splashing into natural pool with people swimming — Kaskad Pichon waterfalls, Belle-Anse
Photo: Franck Fontain

Kaskad Pichon

Kaskad Pichon is a stunning waterfall located in the commune of Belle-Anse, in the South-East Department of Haiti. The waterfall is notoriously hard to get to, but worth the adventure.

Belle-Anse commune is home to soft, sandy beaches, and Kaskad Pichon (French: Cascade Pichon) is the crowning jewel of its inland treasures. A cluster of three separate basins, each crowned by glorious waterfalls, Kaskad Pichon is sustained not by rainfall, but an underground lake.

The waterfall runs through three separate basins: Bassin Chouket, where wild mint grows and perfumes the banks of the pool, Bassin Dieula and Bassin Marassa.

The Haitian Kreyol proverb “dèyè mòn gen mòn” reflects the Haitian landscape – “behind mountains, there are more mountains”. Once in a while, though, in between these mountains, you’ll stumble upon a hidden gem (and travellers who’ve been here before know that Haiti is full of them). One such hidden gem is Kaskad Pichon, a waterfall that is as stunningly beautiful as it is notoriously hard to get to.

Visiting Kaskad Pichon might have you snapping pictures the entire time, or putting your phone down in awe — up to you, really! However you decided to take it in, a visit to Kaskad Pichon is an intimate wilderness experience that you’ll remember for years to come.

Three travellers wading in the Kaskad Pichon waterfalls, Haiti — Travellers exploring the Kaskad Pichon waterfalls, Haiti
Photo: Franck Fontain

Getting to Kaskad Pichon

Kaskad Pichon is remote, and to get there, adventurers need to be prepared to drive (or hire a chauffeur), ride a motorcycle, and hike.

The drive to Belle-Anse, the main town of the area, is quite a trip in and of itself, on a gravel road that passes through floodplains, riverbeds, and up steep hillsides. If you drive from Marigot the trip to Belle-Anse should take about two or three hours. The town of Belle-Anse is interesting enough to spend a morning exploring, or at least stopping for lunch to re-energize before the most rugged part of the adventure.

From Belle-Anse, you’ll need to drive to Pichon, and from there it’s another hour’s drive to Kaskad Pichon. A motorcycle ride from Pichon to the waterfall should cost you about 1,000 HTG per person (roughly US $11).

The ride up to the waterfall is part of the experience – clinging for dear life on the back of a bike, you’ll be driving through some of the most pristine wilderness Haiti has to offer, with mile upon mile of sandy white beach unwinding below the path up the mountainside. If you can plan for it with your motorcycle drivers, we highly recommend you make a quick swim stop en route to take in the beauty offered by Haiti’s south. It’s also a great opportunity to uncover some extremely instagrammable spots – you might want to plan in a little extra time for that.

After an hour-long motorcycle ride, you’ll have to hike, following a guide, for roughly 40 minutes, before reaching the waterfalls.

Written by Kira Paulemon.

Published January 2020

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Jacmel

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

From Our Land to Your Home

1. Hotel Oloffson

2. Chic Chateau

3. Cormier Plage

4. Hotel Florita

5. Village des Dattes

The Birds of Haiti on Your Wall

6. Boukan Guinguette

7. Manoir Adriana Hotel

8. Marquis Paradise

9. The Inn at Villa Bambou

10. Haiti Surf Guesthouse

The Most Beautiful Places to Visit in Haiti

Explore Haiti’s wildlife and nature

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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!

Haitian Cultural Traditions You Didn’t Know About

Our recommendations

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Hotel Cyvadier Plage

First Impressions

Rooms

What’s for breakfast?

How about lunch and dinner?

Is there a bar?

Activities and amenities

Within a short walk you can find…

Need to know (before you go)

Getting there

Hotel Cyvadier Plage

Citadelle Henri

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Gingerbread Houses

“an important architectural and cultural heritage, not just for Haiti but also for the international community.”

The Birds of Haiti on Your Wall

Where can you see Gingerbread Houses?

Who were they built for? What are they used for now?

Architectural style

Conservation

a touch of haitian wisdom

2010 earthquake

2020 World Monuments Watch

a touch of haitian wisdom

A compelling conservation opportunity

Go on a self-guided tour of Gingerbread houses

Open to the public in Port-au-Prince

From Our Land to Your Home

Open to the public outside Port-au-Prince

Not open to the public

Citadelle Henri

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Photo Journal: Marigot

One hour east of the seaside city of Jacmel, the municipality of Marigot sits right between the edge of the water and an important element of everyday people’s lives.

Citadelle Henri

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Kaskad Pichon

start your day the Haitian way

Getting to Kaskad Pichon

The Birds of Haiti on Your Wall

Find Kaskad Pichon

Your pocket guide to Cap-Haïtien

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Plan Your Trip

Destinations

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a touch of
haitian wisdom

a touch of
haitian wisdom

start your day
the Haitian way