Entry Requirements
Visa requirements for Haiti depend on which passport you hold. Check the Traveller visa tool to see whether your passport needs a visa and, if so, how long you can stay.
Check if you need a visa for HaitiEmergency Numbers
- Police
- 114
Currency
- Name
- Haitian Gourde
- Code
- HTG
- Symbol
- G
USD widely used alongside the Gourde. Cash economy. ATMs unreliable. Note: Haiti's security situation has deteriorated significantly since 2021 — armed gangs control significant portions of Port-au-Prince and much of the south. Most Western governments advise against non-essential travel. The north (Cap-Haïtien, Citadelle) is relatively more stable but check current advisories.
Power Outlets
- Outlet types
- Type A, Type B
- Voltage
- 110V
- Frequency
- 60Hz
Time Zone
EST (UTC−5) — EDT (UTC−4) in summer
Best Time to Visit
November–March is the cooler dry season. Citadelle Laferrière (a UNESCO World Heritage fortress built by the world's first Black republic — one of the most extraordinary structures in the Americas) and the Palace of Sans-Souci in the north are the primary historical sites. Check current security advisories carefully before planning any visit.
Tipping Customs
| Venue | Typical | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurants | 10–15% | — |
| Guides | $10–15 USD per day | — |
Dress Code
- Modest dress throughout
Social Etiquette
- Haiti was the first free Black republic in history — the Haitian Revolution (1791–1804) was the only successful slave revolt to lead to national independence, defeating Napoleon's army
- The Citadelle Laferrière is one of the great military monuments in the Americas — built at 900m altitude by 20,000 workers after independence to defend against French re-invasion
- Haitian art, music (kompas, rara), and Vodou (a genuine spiritual tradition, not the Hollywood caricature) are extraordinarily vibrant
- The 2010 earthquake (316,000 dead), the 2021 earthquake, the 2021 presidential assassination, and ongoing gang violence are successive crises that have devastated Haiti — engage with great empathy
Local Laws
Laws change. Verify current rules with your country's official travel advisory before departure.
- CRITICAL: Haiti's security situation is extremely dangerous — check your government's current advisory. Large portions of Port-au-Prince are controlled by armed gangs. The UN Security Council authorised an international security support mission in 2023.
- LGBTQ+ activity is not criminalised; public attitudes are conservative
Common Phrases
| English | Local | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Hello (Haitian Creole / Kreyòl) | Bonjou / Bonswa | bon-ZHOO / bon-SWAH |
| Thank you (Kreyòl) | Mèsi | MEH-see |
| How are you? (Kreyòl) | Kijan ou rele? | kee-ZHAHN oo REH-leh |
| No problem (Kreyòl) | Pa gen pwoblem | pah gen PWOH-blehm |
| Welcome (Kreyòl) | Byenveni | beeyen-VEH-nee |
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