travel on a budget

8 Cheap and Free Things to Do in Haiti

June 23, 2019 by admin

people sitting on chairs reading next to a library bus — BiblioTapTap, Port-au-Prince
Photo: FOKAL

Caribbean on a Budget: 8 Cheap and Free Things to Do in Haiti

Situated in the heart of the Caribbean between Jamaica and the Dominican Republic, Haiti has over a thousand miles of coastline with dozens of destination-worthy beaches. While some of them charge entry fees to cover maintenance costs, most are free to wander onto for a day of sun-bathing and swimming.

Beyond gorgeous beaches, Haiti offers a wealth of wildlife, nature, arts and culture for backpackers on a budget. Here’s our guide to free things to do in Haiti, all accessible to fresh-off-the-plane first-time visitors!

People relaxing, Champ de Mars, Port-au-Prince, Haiti — People relaxing, Champ de Mars
Photo: Franck Fontain

01. Hang out at Champ-de-Mars

The daily life of downtown Port-au-Prince happens in the streets, and Champ-de-Mars is the centre of that life – the beating heart of Haiti’s capital city. Enjoy a morning stroll, get some budget-friendly street food, browse artisan stalls, kick back with an ice-cold Prestige and drink in the activity all around you.

Afternoons here buzz with conversation and music playing from sound systems around the park. On weekdays, white-collar Haitians funnel into Champ de Mars on their lunch breaks from local banks, hotels, government offices and the university.

For free, you can see several statues of Haiti’s founding fathers including Alexander Pétion, Henri Christophe, Jean-Jacques Dessalines, and Toussaint Louverture. The highlight is Marron Inconnu, the iconic statue of the unknown slave blowing a conch-shell trumpet.

Sculpted by Haitian sculptor Albert Mangonès, the statue represents a runaway slave on one knee, arching back to blow into the conch-shell trumpet. In his free hand, he holds a machete; around his ankle is a broken chain. In Haitian history, the sound of blowing into a conch was used to announce a slave’s – or a group of slaves’ – freedom. The statue represents Haiti’s independence from the French, and the world’s first successful black revolution.

Colorful paper mâché animal masks worn by participants in the carnival at Jacmel, Haiti — Paper mâché at Carnaval in Jacmel
Photo: Franck Fontain

02. Get into the Carnival spirit

If you happen to be in Haiti during Carnival season (the months of January or February until March, depending on when Mardi-Gras lands), pre-carnival Sunday activities are a great way to end your weekend.

Whether you are staying in downtown Port-au-Prince, Cap-Haïtien, Jérémie, or Jacmel you can check out free-roaming rara bands, folks in costume, and festive music throughout the city. Think New-Orleans-during-Mardi-Gras-ambiance!

Street art on the outside of the Alliance Francaise hotel and restaurant in Jacmel, Haiti — Alliance Francaise in Jacmel, Haiti
Photo: Amanacer / Emily Bauman

03. Join a free event at Alliance Française in Jacmel or Cap-Haïtien

The city of Jacmel is chock-full of things to do and see, and the centre of it all is Alliance Française in the heart of the city. A cultural center with a branch in Cap-Haïtien as well, Alliance Française hosts musical events, as well as various talks.

Check out the upcoming events near you to find free events and courses where you can dance the night away, brush up on your French, or even try your hand at some Kreyòl!

04. See a play at Festival Quatre Chemins

During the month of November (with small overlaps in October and December), Port-au-Prince is swept up by the Festival Quatre Chemins. A month-long series of conferences and plays, Festival Quatre Chemins is where actors and playwrights come together from around Haiti and across the world to inject fresh life into Haiti’s performing arts scene. Most of the events are free!

jazz concert on big stage in front of large sitting crowd — PAPJazz festival in Port-au-Prince
Photo: Josué Azor

05. Listen to jazz for free at PAPJazz

Between the months of January and February, Haiti’s capital city is completely overtaken by music in the form of the Port-au-Prince International Jazz festival! More commonly known as PAPJazz, the festival features jazz acts from several countries around the world, as well as Haitian artists blooming in the field. Bars and restaurants throughout the capital turn into venues, and usually either expect you to buy a meal or drinks, or charge a small entry fee. Travellers on a budget should know about the shows held at Quisqueya University — entry there is free!

Waterfall plunges into a stony pool at Kaskad Boukan — Waterfall, Kaskad Boukan
Photo: Verdy Verna

06. Go hiking in Fermathe (don’t miss Cascade Boukan)

Perhaps the best nature hike from Port-au-Prince is to Cascade Boukan, a waterfall in the hills of Fermathe. Get ready to work your lower body muscles as you climb up a summit and then descend to Boukan Valley via a narrow and sometimes steep pass, with the sound of the falls rushing louder as you go.

It’s a decent hike to get there and while not especially difficult, we strongly recommend hiking with someone who knows the way. If you need to hire a guide to take your group, a reasonable price is around 250-500 HTG – less than USD $6.

07. Visit the gallery at Alliance Française, in Jacmel

When not hosting a concert or conference, Alliance Française keeps its doors open to show off some of the most beautiful art in Jacmel. Alliance Française’s popular restaurant is on the top floor, and there is no entrance fee to the gallery which leads up to the restaurant – visitors are welcome to come and browse. The paintings in the gallery change from time to time, so regular visitors will be rewarded by new works.

08. Relax with a book at BiblioTapTap

Backpacking light around the Caribbean with no room for books? Pa gen pwòblèm! – no problem! An initiative launched by the National Book Directorate, BiblioTapTap is a free mobile library that drives through Port-au-Prince and stops at public squares.

If you are staying in Port-au-Prince, you can catch it at Champ-de-Mars, Place Saint-Pierre, or in Delmas 4. It’s as easy as saying hello, having a bit of conversation, and enjoying a book of your choosing at the BiblioTapTap table in the shade.

Written by Kelly Paulemon.

Published June 2019

Top things to see in Haiti

Money & costs in Haiti

December 10, 2018 by Editor

Two hands exchanging Haitian gourdes paper money — Haitian gourdes
Photo: Mikkel Ulriksen

Money & costs in Haiti

Where can you change money in Haiti? How much is a bottle of beer, a burger or a bus trip? Find out here!

You’re standing at the carousel in the Toussaint Louverture International Airport, and your thrilling getaway in Haiti is finally about to kick off. There’s a lot to think about: did you confirm your ride to your hostel? Which restaurant did you decide on? Does that sad handle going around the carousel by itself belong on your luggage?

If you read our guide to getting to Haiti, you knew to bring USD$10 to pay the tourist fee due when you land. Nice work!

Before you rush out to meet the festive heart of the Caribbean, don’t forget to get out cash. Changing currency can be confusing, so allow us to break it down for you – you’ll be a change-chucking champion in no time!

The basics

Haiti’s currency is the Haitian gourde. You’ll often see it abbreviated as HTG or GDES – both mean the same thing. You should see prices displayed in HTG wherever you go, as the Haitian government made it law in March of 2018 that all prices in all businesses in Haiti should be reflected in HTG. This is a sign that the local economy is regaining ground, and that more and more travellers from around the world are seeking out these warmer climes.

If you do have US bills – small ones – keep some of them with you too as you can still use them in many places with a high volume of visiting customers.

There are a few bills and coins for you to get familiar with – and they’re all very colorful, which makes it fun and interesting.

Two women exchanging Haitian gourdes paper money for garlic at a street market — Haitian gourdes
Photo: Franck Fontain

Bills, bills, bills

There are two different coins and seven bills currently in use in Haiti.

The coins are:

1 HTG – the physically) smaller of the two coins.
5 HTG – the larger, more common coin.

The bills are:

10 HTG – the smallest bill, a light, grey-ish purple.
25 HTG – the vintage one! It’s the only bill still in circulation that hasn’t been redesigned.
50 HTG – this pink bill features François Capois.
100 HTG – the blue bill, featuring Henri Christophe on one side, and Citadelle Laferrière on the other.
250 HTG – yellow and brown, this bill features Jean-Jacques Dessalines on one side, and Fort Décidé on the other.
500 HTG – Haiti’s only green bill! It features Alexandre Pétion one one side, and Fort Jacques on the other.
1,000 HTG – the most colorful bill, with president Hypollite on one side, and Marché Vallière on the other.

The confusing “Haitian Dollar”

Sometimes, while bargaining for artwork, or while shopping in farmers’ markets, you will hear prices discussed in “Haitian dollars” or simply “dollars.” Usually, this doesn’t mean American dollars. Confused? Not to worry!

One Haitian dollar is equal to 5 Haitian gourdes. So 20 Haitian dollars for a pile of oranges is actually 100 HTG, 10 Haitian dollars for a motorcycle ride in Pétion-Ville is actually 50 HTG, and so on.

Woman holding bills of Haitian gourdes — Haitian gourdes
Photo: Mikkel Ulriksen

Changing money

The best place to change US dollars or any other currency to Haitian gourdes is at a bank. Their rate is fairly stable. If you are caught in a bind, supermarkets will gladly offer to change US dollars for you, as well, at a slightly higher rate.

How much for…?

Here’s the thing about shopping – for anything – in Haiti: there aren’t really any prices set in stone. The items that do have a set price are either extremely affordable, or ridiculously expensive.

When it comes to the basics, like food and drinks, it will depend on where you go. Supermarket prices tend to vary, but stay in the same range. A large 2-liter bottle of Coca-Cola might only vary by 15 to 25 HTG at three different supermarkets. If you’re going to the farmers’ markets, you can expect more standard prices there. A large mamit (an empty tin of tomato paste used as a measuring tool) of dry, white rice will most likely be the same price from six different vendors in the same market.

You can expect to pay around 125 HTG for a large (1.5 liter) bottle of water, about the same for a bottle of imported beer, and around 400 HTG for a mid-range bottle of wine.

When dining out, expect to pay about 70 HTG for a soda, 220 HTG for a coffee, and 600 HTG for a meal.

For things like transportation, costs depend on two things: the first is where you’re going, and the second is the price of gasoline that day. If there has been a recent gas price increase, transportation costs usually bear the brunt of that. To avoid surprises and ensure you carry enough change, it’s good to speak to a local and jot down the current prices for any destinations you may have during your stay.

Things like arts and crafts seen in the streets come with wiggle room for haggling. In some tourist destinations, the salespeople can be pretty forward – take your time to get a sense of what things are worth. If you are in Pétion-Ville by Place Saint-Pierre or at Champ-de-Mars, you will be blinded by walls of paintings stretching as far as the eye can see, and the artists there are more understanding and will generally settle on a decent price that works for both parties.

It’s good to have a local with you during these haggling sessions, because they may be more informed about the general cost of things in a specific area.

With this comprehensive beginners’ lesson, we hope you’ll have a smoother time navigating Haiti and all the beauty it has to offer – and get the most for your gourde!

Colorfully-painted paper mache animals lined up on a shelf — Artisan gift shop in Jacmel
Photo: Franck Fontain

Written by Kelly Paulemon.

Published December 2018

Top things to see in Haiti

Getting around: Public transport in Haiti

December 6, 2018 by Editor

Colorful bus driving through rolling hills — Bus driving from Abricot to Port-au-Prince
Photo: Anton Lau

Getting around: public transport in Haiti

Haiti’s inter-country infrastructure is reasonably well-developed, with most towns and tourist destinations connected via a network of roads to the major cities of Port-au-Prince, Jacmel, Jérémie and Cap-Haitien. In Haiti, you will come across many different types of public transportation, including buses, tap-taps and motos.

With so many ways to get around, public transport in Haiti can be daunting, but we’ve got you covered.

Extravagantly painted public bus in Port-au-Prince, Haiti — Bus in Port-au-Prince
Photo: Franck Fontain

Carry change

First up, be sure to carry change with you – specifically Haitian Gourdes (HTG). Big bills won’t cut it here as tap-tap and bus drivers will have a hard time giving you change out of so much money. Instead, make sure you’re well stocked on bills of 10, 25, 50, and at most, 100 HTG, as well as 5 HTG coins.

This will get you around quickly and efficiently, save you time waiting for change from the driver and the flustering experience of being told they can’t break your bill.

Busses

Buses and minibuses (tap-taps) are the cheapest way to get around Haiti.

The 5 main private bus companies Capital Coach, Haiti Trans, San Souci Tours, Caribe Tours, and Terra Bus all have comfortable 52-seat buses with air-conditioning.

Caribe Tours and Terra Bus specialise in taking passengers back and forth to Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic.

San Souci Tours connects Port-au-Prince to Gonaïves, Plaisance, Limbé, Cap-Haïtien and Ouanaminthe. They generally stop once around midway, where you can stretch your legs, get something to eat and drink, and recharge your cellphone. To ensure you get a seat, make a reservation in person the day before, and arrive at the departure point two hours before the scheduled departure time.

Haiti Trans connects Port-au-Prince to Cap-Haitien, and Capital Coach is great for getting from one side of sprawling Port-au-Prince to the other.

Tap-taps

Literally “Quick-quick”, these cheerfully-painted minibuses follow a predetermined route, connecting suburb to suburb and taking you out to towns around the country.

Watch our video on how to take a tap tap!

Let’s recap:

From where you’re staying, make your way to the nearest tap-tap or bus station. If it’s too far away, find out (from your host or local guide) if they pass by your way – if they do, it’s easy to flag them down and they’ll be happy to fit you on as long as you can physically squeeze in.

You’ve spotted a tap-tap coming your way! Quick, hail them to stop. Now, because many tap-taps and buses use the same roads, the first thing you’ll want to say to the driver is, “Bonjou, [insert destination here]?” Let’s say you were headed to downtown Port-au-Prince from Delmas; you might want to go to the National Museum of the Haitian Pantheon. You’d hail a bus, and say, “Bonjou, Nazon?” Although Nazon is not the final destination of that bus, it is the area through which it will go.

The driver will either motion you to climb aboard, or tell you he won’t be going through Nazon. Once you find the bus or tap-tap you need, hop on and find yourself a seat. Passengers do get very cozy, as drivers try to get a maximum of people on board a minimal amount of space. If you do bump into anyone, a quick “Padon!” will save you some harsh looks.

Once you reach your destination, let the driver know by saying in a loud and clear voice, “Mèsi!” Once you get off the bus, you can hand them the cash through the window, and if there is any change to be handed back, they will do so.

Moto driver in Pestel, Haiti — Moto driver in Pestel
Photo: Mikkel Ulriksen

Motos

Motos are privately owned motorcycle taxis. They function well as a replacement for regular cabs, which you won’t find in Haiti. Moto drivers are widely available and ready to take you anywhere.

These motorcycle taxis are great for short trips. Longer rides can be dangerous as they don’t offer helmets. If your driver is going too fast for you, it’s ok to ask him to slow down.

Avoid having more than one passenger per moto since this increases the chance of an accident. It is crucial to carry small notes so you can tender the correct fare, as the drivers are often reluctant to give change. Just like the tap-taps, you pay your moto driver once you’ve reached your destination.

Want to learn how to moto like a local? Read our guide here.

Taxis

If you appreciate comfort, you might prefer to see the sights in the back of an air-conditioned car than in one of the more widespread forms of public transport. However, you won’t find any yellow cabs to flag down in Haiti – instead, you’ll have to book a private driver in advance through a travel agent, hotel, or tourism desk.

Boats

Public water taxis are common and comparatively cheap in Haiti’s north and south for getting between towns or landmarks not connected by roads. There are also private boat operators who will offer to take you, but don’t get the two confused – the private boat taxis are much less affordable.

Extravagantly painted taptap taxi in Port-au-Prince, Haiti — Taptap in Port-au-Prince
Photo: Franck Fontain

How much does public transport cost in Haiti?

Here’s the thing. Because Haiti doesn’t have a unified public transportation system, prices vary depending on where you go, and on how much gasoline costs at a given moment in time. For example, in November of 2018, you could get around from Delmas to Champ-de-Mars for 25 HTG, or from Pétion-Ville to Thomassin for 20 HTG, but this information could change at any time.

It’s always best to ask your host or any locals you may know what the going rates are for different routes. That way, you’ll make sure you get a fair rate, and that you always carry enough cash.

Happy traveling!

Written by Kelly Paulemon.

Published December 2018

Top things to see in Haiti

Flights & getting here

November 28, 2018 by Editor

Women in dresses crossing the airstrip to board a plane at Aerogare Guy Malary, Port-au-Prince, Haiti — Aerogare Guy Malary, Port-au-Prince, Haiti
Photo: Photo: Ricardo Lartigue

Flights & getting here

How to travel to Haiti for less

From reservation to relaxation, here’s our guide to getting to Haiti.

Airports

Haiti has two major airports. Toussaint Louverture International Airport is located in Port-au-Prince, the capital city located roughly in the middle of the country. This is probably your first stop in Haiti.

Cap-Haïtien International Airport, near coastal city Cap-Haïtien, is the gateway to the north of the island. The Cap-Haïtien airport mostly services flights between Port-au-Prince and Cap-Haïtien.

An airplane wing cuts through the clouds at sunset — Flight
Photo: Tom Barrett via Unsplash

Airlines

Airlines such as American Airlines, Air Europa, Air France, British Airways, Delta Airlines and JetBlue Airways offer flights at reasonable prices from different countries all over the world.

From America
Delta, JetBlue, and American Airlines are the main airlines with flights from the United States to Haiti – but keep in mind that these flights may include stops along the way, depending on how you make your travel arrangements.

From the Dominican Republic
Hot tip: a bargain flight into the Dominican Republic might be your cheapest way to get to Haiti. The island of Hispaniola is split down the middle, with the Dominican Republic on the eastern side and Haiti on the west. From the Dominican Republic, it is possible to take a short flight in an airplane, or to hop onto one of the many tourist bus companies based in Port-au-Prince, such as Terra Bus.

From Europe
If you are flying from Europe, Air France has regular flights to Haiti.

Non-stop flights
You can fly nonstop from Miami, Orlando, Atlanta, Fort Lauderdale and JFK. From other cities, it will depend on the airline and the specific flight. If you are flying to Haiti from New York with Delta Airlines, your flight will inevitably have at least one stop along the way – either in Atlanta, Georgia, or in Miami, Florida, as Delta has stopped direct flights between New York and Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Flying from Canada is more or less the same, although it’s always good to confirm with your airline of choice.

From Europe, some routes will be called “direct” – technically correct because you don’t change planes or even leave your seat – but do need to make a stopover on the way.

Three people sitting in front of a computer to choose flights — Friends choosing flights
Photo: John Schnobrich via Unsplash

Find the best-value flights

Airfares to the Caribbean are generally quite stable. Prices peak around December and January, but sudden hikes outside of that are unlikely.

A return flight from Florida starts at about USD$250. A roundtrip from New York will set you back about $400. A round trip from London is about USD$850 (£660 or €750). All these prices are looking at February travel booked a few months in advance – they will be lower or higher depending on when you want to fly and how far in advance you are planning your trip.

Want to visit Haiti on a budget? Book in advance and choose the shoulder months of November, February and March.

Look for the best value flight packages that meet your needs, and then keep your eyes peeled for sales from the airline that offers the route/package you want to take.

Woman relaxes in a pool at Le Plaza Hotel, Haiti — Relaxing in the pool at Le Plaza Hotel, Port-au-Prince, Haiti
Photo: Amanacer / Emily Bauman

When is the best time to travel?

Cost-wise, flight prices peak in December and January when demand is highest. This is also when flights are most regular, and depart from a higher number of airports across the world – some airports fly to the Caribbean weekly during the peak periods but not at all during the rest of the year.

For more advice on when to fly, see our article on when to travel to Haiti.

Avoid excess baggage fees

Be mindful of baggage fees. Some airlines allow one checked bag for free, and charge you for any extra bags, whereas some airlines will charge you for any and all checked bags. If you need to add checked luggage to your ticket, it’s much cheaper to do it at the time of booking or over the phone a few days before your flight.

Border crossings and VISA regulations

If you’re American, you’ll be glad to know American citizens can stay in Haiti Visa-free, for three-month periods at a time. The same is true for Canadians, and virtually all European and Asian passport holders (Visas are only required for citizens of Syria, Libya, Iran, Vietnam, Yemen, and Chechnya).

Citizens of the Dominican Republic, Panama, or Columbia will need to travel on a current US, Canadian or Schengen Visa to enter Haiti.

When you arrive in Port-au-Prince, you’ll need to pay a tourist fee of USD$10. It’s not much – but to make the process easier, do remember to get some USD notes before you get on the plane. You’ll be asked for the fee before you clear customs or reach a currency exchange bureau.

Getting to your hotel

If you are staying at a hotel or with a host in Haiti, make sure that your transportation arrangements are made ahead of time, for a smooth transition from the airport to your final destination.

Your hotel or host should be able to help you book transit, and you can even request a driver to be waiting for you at the airport.

Written by Kelly Paulemon.

Published November 2018

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travel on a budget

Caribbean on a Budget: 8 Cheap and Free Things to Do in Haiti

01. Hang out at Champ-de-Mars

From Our Land to Your Home

02. Get into the Carnival spirit

03. Join a free event at Alliance Française in Jacmel or Cap-Haïtien

Discover Sacred Vodou Symbols!

04. See a play at Festival Quatre Chemins

05. Listen to jazz for free at PAPJazz

06. Go hiking in Fermathe (don’t miss Cascade Boukan)

From Our Land to Your Home

07. Visit the gallery at Alliance Française, in Jacmel

08. Relax with a book at BiblioTapTap

Haitian Cultural Traditions You Didn’t Know About

Top things to see in Haiti

Paradise for your inbox

Money & costs in Haiti

Where can you change money in Haiti? How much is a bottle of beer, a burger or a bus trip? Find out here!

From Our Land to Your Home

The basics

Bills, bills, bills

Changing money

How much for…?

Discover Sacred Vodou Symbols!

Haitian Cultural Traditions You Didn’t Know About

Top things to see in Haiti

Paradise for your inbox

Getting around: public transport in Haiti

Carry change

a touch of haitian wisdom

Busses

Tap-taps

Motos

The Birds of Haiti on Your Wall

Taxis

Boats

How much does public transport cost in Haiti?

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

Top things to see in Haiti

Paradise for your inbox

Flights & getting here

How to travel to Haiti for less

Airports

Airlines

start your day the Haitian way

Find the best-value flights

When is the best time to travel?

Avoid excess baggage fees

From Our Land to Your Home

Border crossings and VISA regulations

Getting to your hotel

Your pocket guide to Cap-Haïtien

Top things to see in Haiti

Paradise for your inbox

Plan Your Trip

Destinations

Information

Company

Plan Your Trip

Destinations

Information

Company

Select Language

a touch of
haitian wisdom

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

start your day
the Haitian way