Things to do

Soak up spectacular views over the bay from the heights of Boutillier

L’Observatoire at Boutillier

Photo: Anton Lau

Spectacular Views

Situated less than an hour from downtown Port-au-Prince, on the uppermost reaches of the ranges beyond Petion-Ville, amid cool mountain glades and forests of palms and towering native conifers, Boutillier is one of Port-au-Prince's premier tourist attractions with spectacular views over the city, day or night.

The heights of Boutillier are home to roadside booths where artists sell their art as souvenirs, similar to the street-side craft markets in Place St. Pierre, Champs des Mars or Grande Rue, but the place that most travellers go to enjoy the view is restaurant L’Observatoire.

L’Observatoire

The terrace of L’Observatoire boasts a phenomenal panoramic view of Petion-Ville and Port-au-Prince - taking in rolling green hills, the entire capital city, the turquoise expanse of bay Port-au-Prince, and the mountain ranges on the opposite shore. Run by two sisters, L’Observatoire offers decent Haitian fare with some standouts: the best things on the menu are the freshly-pressed juices, traditional coffee, lobster burgers, and Pain Patate - a traditional Haitian dessert made from sweet potatoes and flavoured with rum-drenched raisins. Speaking of rum, the bar does excellent cocktails, and you probably won’t need more than one! L’Observatoire is also one of the few places in port-au-prince you can comfortably order vegetarian meals right off the menu. Expect to pay New York prices here - you’re paying for the view and it’s the best in the city. Remember, though, that you’re on island time - you’ll have plenty of time to enjoy the view while you wait for you food, so grab a table - and a cocktail - and settle in to wait.
Sunset over Boutilliers, Haiti

View from Boutillier

Photo: Franck Fontain

Romantic Getaway

As one of the most romantic spots in the city, you might expect L’Observatoire to have an extensive wine list - don’t. There’s a house white and a house rose, and last time I checked no red at all - but you can get red wine anywhere - how many places can you order a cocktail made with locally-distilled rum and sip it while leaning against a railing and looking over what feels like half the Caribbean?

The night-time view up here is even better than the sunset: the dark mountains plunge down onto the bay, and city lights cascade down their sides, pulling you towards the heart of the city. Just remember to bring a sweater or a blanket! It’s super romantic to have to lend or borrow a jacket to/from your date but keep the cool mountain air in mind so you don’t have to call off your night just as the view really gets magical.
Nighttime view of Port-au-Prince from Boutilliers

Nighttime view from Boutilliers, Port-au-Prince, Haiti

Photo: Ricardo Lartigue

When to go

New Years

 

A spectacular choice for new years’ celebrations. The young and old, tourists, expats and locals, all come here to celebrate new beginnings at the top of the world. An incredible place to count down to midnight, surrounded by friends when the city lights up in fireworks.

 

When you have a date

 

Nothing says romantic evening like the view Boutilier.

Getting there

If you are driving up from Pétion-Ville, go up Kenscoff road until you reach the fork of Laboule 12. From there, the drive to Boutilier is one of the most scenic urban stretches Haiti has to offer. Trees flank the road, and most of the homes are gated estates, with a few neighborhood boutiques here and there.

After a while, the road is unpaved and the homes give way to green rolling hills, from which you have a spectacular vantage point on the hills of Laboule and Pelerin. It turns back to asphalt after a few minutes, and again, winds between homes, small boutiques, and stretches of lush mixes of forest and farmland.
Written by Kelly Paulemon.   Published October 2018

Find Boutillier

External Links

Find Boutillier

External Links

4 reasons why Haiti is an adventure

The jungles, jagged coastlines and wild white-sand beaches of Haiti were made for adventure travel, and the list of thrills is longer than the Chaîne de la Selle mountain range and bigger than Lake Azuéi. Haiti is a place not many tourists go, but where adventure-seekers thrive. It’s a place for the brave and curious.

Travellers exploring the Kaskad Pichon waterfalls, Haiti

Photo: Frank Fontain

Looking for some cool things to do?

  • Destinations

    Top destinations for December and January in Haiti

    In December and January, rain is rare and gorgeous weather is almost guaranteed. Here are the very best places to be in Haiti during your vacation.

    Read more
  • Art & Culture

    9 Instagram accounts that will make you want to visit Haiti

    Haiti is as Instagrammable as it gets, and here are nine Instagram accounts that will make you want to start planning a visit.

    Read more
  • Art & Culture

    The broken heart of Port-au-Prince: Champ de Mars

    A series of public squares divided by large boulevards, Champ de Mars is a cluster of markets, businesses and theaters. At the centre of it all is the empty space where the Palais National used to be.

    Read more
  • Art & Culture

    PAPJAZZ

    Every year in January, Haiti’s must-visit Jazz festival transforms Port-au-Prince into one of the Caribbean’s leading music festivals, with over 10 venues across the capital - some of which offer free entry.

    Read more
  • Destinations

    Cap-Haïtien City Guide

    Cap-Haïtien is Haiti’s second largest city, popular with travellers because of its proximity to world-class beaches and UNESCO heritage sites.

    Read more
  • Art & Culture

    Festikap Kite Festival

    New Year's Eve plans in Haiti, but not sure what to do? Pa gen pwoblèm! Just an hour from Jacmel, La Vallée's Festikap is the place to be!

    Read more
  • Art & Culture

    Port-au-Prince City Guide

    Just a two-hour flight from Miami, Port-au-Prince is the capital of Haiti. Here's our guide to the best places to eat, drink, explore, shop and relax.

    Read more
  • Featured

    Soup Joumou – the taste of freedom

    This once-forbidden stew now symbolises independence. Find out what makes Soup Joumou so special, and where to find some to try while you’re in Haiti.

    Read more
  • Art & Culture

    The Peabody House – A Gingerbread Palace

    The delightful Peabody House is Haiti’s most famous example of gingerbread houses - a celebrated architectural form unique to the Caribbean.

    Read more
  • Adventure travel

    Labadee Beach

    Labadee beach is one of the crowning jewels of Haiti, with fine sands and crystal-clear blue water that attracts cruise ships from around the world.

    Read more