Americas · Caribbean

Haiti

Republic of Haiti

Flag of Haiti
Local Time
--:--:--
UTC-05:00
🏛️ Capital
Port-au-Prince
👥 Population
11,867,032
📐 Area
27,750 km²
💱 Currency
Haitian gourde (G)
🗣️ Languages
French, Haitian Creole
📞 Calling Code
+509
🕐 Time Zones
UTC-05:00
🌐 Region
Americas / Caribbean

About Haiti

Haiti is the Caribbean's most complex, resilient, and historically significant nation — a place that has been deeply misunderstood by the world even as it produced one of history's most extraordinary acts of human courage. The first Black republic in the world, born from the only successful slave revolution in history, Haiti carries a weight of meaning and a depth of cultural pride that colors every interaction and every landscape. The country's northern mountains, jade-green and terraced with small farms, descend to the Citadelle Laferrière, a monumental fortress that stands as one of the greatest architectural achievements in the Americas and a symbol of freedom won by sheer determination.

Port-au-Prince, the capital, is a city of contrasts where art, music, and entrepreneurial energy thrive alongside profound poverty and urban density. The Pétion-Ville neighborhood perched above the capital offers galleries, restaurants, and a vibrant social scene that surprises many visitors who arrive expecting only hardship. Haiti's art movement — a tradition of extraordinary naïve painting and iron sculpture that has attracted collectors worldwide — is one of the most distinctive and original in the entire Caribbean, and navigating the studios and galleries of Port-au-Prince is a genuine artistic adventure.

The northern coast around Cap-Haïtien remains the country's most accessible and rewarding region for visitors, with the magnificent Citadelle and Palace of Sans-Souci nearby, pristine beaches on the offshore island of Labadee, and a city whose colonial atmosphere and community spirit offer a different face of Haiti entirely. Traveling here requires careful research, local guidance, and a spirit of open engagement — but those who make the effort are met with a warmth, cultural richness, and human intensity that few Caribbean destinations can match.

History & Background

Haiti's history is one of the most dramatic in human civilization. The island of Hispaniola was home to the Taíno people when Columbus arrived in 1492, and within decades the Taíno had been virtually annihilated by disease and violence. The western third of the island became the French colony of Saint-Domingue, which by the late 18th century was producing roughly 40 percent of Europe's sugar and coffee, worked by nearly half a million enslaved Africans under conditions of extreme brutality. The revolution that began in 1791 under leaders including Toussaint Louverture and Jean-Jacques Dessalines lasted 13 years, defeated both British and Napoleonic French forces, and culminated in independence on January 1, 1804 — an event that sent shockwaves of terror and inspiration around the slaveholding world.

The price of independence was enormous and ongoing. France demanded 150 million francs — later reduced to 90 million — as compensation for slaveholders' "losses," a debt Haiti paid until 1947. The United States refused to recognize Haitian sovereignty for 58 years and occupied the country from 1915 to 1934. The Duvalier family dictatorship (1957–1986) ruled through terror and killed tens of thousands. The catastrophic 2010 earthquake killed more than 200,000 people and devastated Port-au-Prince. Despite these accumulated tragedies, Haiti's spirit of revolutionary independence and cultural creativity has never been extinguished, and its contribution to global art, music, and the history of human freedom remains profound.

Culture & People

Haitian culture is among the most vibrant, original, and spiritually complex in the Caribbean. At its heart is Vodou — not the Hollywood caricature, but a rich syncretic religion that blends West African Yoruba and Fon spiritual traditions with Catholic imagery, creating a living cosmology of ancestral spirits called lwa who mediate between humans and the divine. Vodou ceremonies, conducted by houngans and mambos (priests and priestesses), involve drumming, dancing, offerings, and spiritual possession, and remain a central part of life for millions of Haitians. Understanding and respecting Vodou is essential to understanding Haiti.

Haitian Creole — a French-based creole developed by enslaved people as a common language — is the language of daily life and the truest expression of Haitian identity, spoken by all 11 million citizens. The country's artistic traditions are world-renowned: the Centre d'Art in Port-au-Prince, founded in 1944, launched a painting movement whose vivid, detailed canvases depicting Vodou spirits, everyday life, and lush tropical landscapes have entered major museum collections globally. Rara festivals — street processions with bamboo trumpets, drums, and dancing that fill the roads during Lent — express a joyful, communal spirit that is quintessentially Haitian.

Food & Cuisine

Haitian food is hearty, boldly seasoned, and deeply satisfying — a cuisine that has developed largely independently from the rest of the Caribbean and has its own distinct character. The foundation of most Haitian meals is rice and beans, but the way they are combined and seasoned varies beautifully. Riz et pois — rice cooked with kidney beans in coconut milk — is a daily staple eaten with grillot (crispy fried pork), pickled scotch bonnet pepper relish called pikliz, and fried plantains. The combination of rich pork, tangy pickled cabbage and carrots, creamy coconut rice, and sweet plantains is one of the most satisfying plates in the Caribbean.

Soup joumou — a rich, golden pumpkin soup loaded with beef, pasta, and root vegetables — is the national dish of liberation, eaten every January 1st to commemorate independence since it was once forbidden to the enslaved. Today it is a UNESCO-recognized symbol of cultural heritage and a dish eaten year-round by Haitians at home and in the diaspora. Akra, fried malanga (taro) fritters seasoned with scotch bonnet pepper, are a beloved snack eaten across the country. Barbancourt rum, aged in Limousin oak and considered one of the finest rums in the Caribbean, is the drink of national pride and makes an extraordinary evening sipping rum on any veranda.

Top Attractions

  • Citadelle Laferrière — A UNESCO World Heritage mountain fortress built after independence to defend against French re-invasion, one of the greatest architectural achievements in the Americas and a powerful symbol of freedom.
  • Palace of Sans-Souci — The ruins of King Henri Christophe's magnificent royal palace at the foot of the Citadelle, a UNESCO site evoking Haiti's brief and brilliant kingdom era.
  • Jacmel — A charming southern coastal city of 19th-century gingerbread houses and iron balconies, famous for its arts scene, papier-mâché Carnival, and beautiful bay beaches.
  • Port-au-Prince Art Scene — Galleries across Pétion-Ville and the Centre d'Art showcase Haiti's extraordinary naïve painting tradition and iron sculpture movement, among the most original art forms in the Caribbean.
  • Bassin-Bleu — A series of turquoise natural swimming pools cascading through limestone gorges in the mountains above Jacmel, one of Haiti's most beautiful natural sites.
  • Pic Macaya National Park — A remote cloud forest reserve in the southern peninsula protecting extraordinary biodiversity, including rare orchids, Haitian solenodon, and dozens of endemic bird species.

Practical Travel Tips

  • Work only with vetted local guides and tour operators — independent travel in Haiti, particularly in Port-au-Prince, is not recommended for first-time visitors due to security concerns.
  • Register with your country's embassy or consulate upon arrival and keep their emergency contact number saved in your phone at all times.
  • Carry Haitian gourdes (HTG) in cash for all purchases; credit cards are rarely accepted outside top hotels, and ATMs in functional condition are scarce.
  • Photography requires sensitivity — always ask permission before photographing individuals, and be particularly discreet near Vodou ceremonies, which are sacred spaces.
  • Cap-Haïtien and the northern region are considerably safer and more visitor-friendly than Port-au-Prince — consider basing yourself there for the Citadelle and northern beaches.
  • French is used in formal contexts and education; Haitian Creole is the language of daily life — learning a few Creole greetings is warmly received and opens doors.
  • Monitor foreign government travel advisories closely before and during your trip; the security situation can change rapidly and varies significantly by region.

Visa Overview

Citizens of most countries can enter Haiti without a visa for short tourist visits, typically for stays of up to 90 days. This includes nationals of the United States, Canada, the European Union, and the United Kingdom. A valid passport, a return ticket, and proof of accommodation may be required by immigration officers on arrival. Some nationalities do require a visa, so confirming current requirements with the Haitian embassy or consulate in your country before travel is advisable. Entry requirements can be subject to change based on the political and administrative situation.

Getting Around

Toussaint Louverture International Airport in Port-au-Prince connects Haiti to North American and Caribbean destinations. Cap-Haïtien also has a smaller international airport with limited connections. Within Haiti, tap-taps — brightly decorated shared trucks or minibuses — are the main form of public transport, cheap but very crowded. Private taxis, arranged through hotels, are safer for tourist use. Domestic flights connect Port-au-Prince with Cap-Haïtien and a few other regional towns. Road travel can be slow due to poor road conditions; hiring a vehicle with a local driver is strongly recommended for any overland journey.

Safety Notes

Haiti currently presents serious security concerns, particularly in Port-au-Prince, where gang activity, kidnapping for ransom, and violent crime affect many neighborhoods. Multiple foreign governments have issued "do not travel" advisories for Haiti or specific areas. The security situation has been deteriorating since 2021 and remains highly fluid. If you do travel, work exclusively through vetted local operators, avoid all travel after dark, stay in secure accommodation, and maintain close contact with your embassy. The northern region around Cap-Haïtien is generally more stable but warrants the same cautious approach.

Live Exchange Rates

Current exchange rates for currencies used in Haiti.

Haitian gourde (HTG) G
Updated: 2026-08-21
⌕
Currency CodeRate
1INCH 0.085869
AAVE 0.000077
ADA 0.037272
AED 0.028038
AFN 0.503835
AGIX 0.122232
AKT 0.014554
ALGO 0.087031
ALL 0.605074
AMD 2.783767
AMP 19.162018
ANG 0.013773
AOA 7.007997
APE 0.057890
APT 0.013259
AR 0.003703
ARB 0.083654
ARS 11.430599
ATOM 0.005045
ATS 0.089861
AUD 0.010709
AVAX 0.001053
AWG 0.013666
AXS 0.007858
AZM 64.893379
AZN 0.012979
BAKE 10.204228
BAM 0.012772
BAT 0.114635
BBD 0.015269
BCH 0.000034
BDT 0.933855
BEF 0.263438
BGN 0.012772
BHD 0.002871
BIF 22.723353
BMD 0.007635
BNB 0.000012
BND 0.009699
BOB 0.088161
BRL 0.039662
BSD 0.007635
BSV 0.000473
BSW 20.444539
BTC 0.000000
BTG 0.016242
BTN 0.730893
BTT 26,944.903934
BUSD 0.007634
BWP 0.102615
BYN 0.023247
BYR 149.623636
BZD 0.015376
CAD 0.010515
CAKE 0.004615
CDF 17.502107
CELO 0.112750
CFX 0.169604
CHF 0.006102
CHZ 0.578275
CLP 7.044733
CNH 0.051328
CNY 0.051323
COMP 0.000402
COP 23.444248
CRC 3.469940
CRO 0.142248
CRV 0.026742
CSPR 2.897216
CUC 0.007634
CUP 0.202297
CVE 0.720114
CVX 0.004449
CYP 0.003822
CZK 0.157555
DAI 0.007635
DASH 0.000231
DCR 0.000620
DEM 0.012772
DFI 14.169681
DJF 1.359844
DKK 0.048821
DOGE 0.092950
DOP 0.446667
DOT 0.009027
DYDX 0.067252
DZD 1.014346
EEK 0.102180
EGLD 0.002555
EGP 0.388431
ENJ 0.290738
EOS 0.109232
ERN 0.114518
ESP 1.086577
ETB 1.244246
ETC 0.001094
ETH 0.000003
EUR 0.006530
EURC 0.006553
FEI 0.007633
FIL 0.010234
FIM 0.038828
FJD 0.016773
FKP 0.005595
FLOW 0.262724
FLR 1.097524
FRAX 0.007693
FRF 0.042837
FTT 0.035104
GALA 4.703031
GBP 0.005595
GEL 0.019854
GGP 0.005595
GHC 846.756663
GHS 0.084676
GIP 0.005595
GMD 0.566209
GMX 0.001099
GNF 67.118289
GNO 0.000062
GRD 2.225254
GRT 0.505021
GT 0.001060
GTQ 0.058273
GUSD 0.007646
GYD 1.598455
HBAR 0.102960
HKD 0.059877
HNL 0.204818
HNT 0.041948
HOT 21.593502
HRK 0.049204
HT 0.162365
HUF 2.381316
ICP 0.003201
IDR 135.469305
IEP 0.005143
ILS 0.022917
IMP 0.005595
IMX 0.069030
INJ 0.001611
INR 0.730893
IQD 10.015680
IRR 10,493.311693
ISK 0.927350
ITL 12.644734
JEP 0.005595
JMD 1.209239
JOD 0.005413
JPY 1.213555
KAS 0.265211
KAVA 0.179850
KCS 0.001015
KDA 1.564049
KES 0.988145
KGS 0.668388
KHR 30.730706
KLAY 0.282903
KMF 3.212776
KNC 0.070051
KPW 6.870475
KRW 10.547754
KSM 0.002390
KWD 0.002354
KYD 0.006350
KZT 3.489246
LAK 172.043657
LBP 685.294608
LDO 0.022488
LEO 0.000821
LINK 0.000709
LKR 2.521931
LRC 0.941120
LRD 1.386200
LSL 0.122940
LTC 0.000159
LTL 0.022548
LUF 0.263438
LUNA 0.164918
LUNC 143.136027
LVL 0.004590
LYD 0.048407
MAD 0.070626
MANA 0.108271
MBX 0.358670
MDL 0.131227
MGA 32.656683
MGF 163.283417
MINA 0.162867
MKD 0.402675
MKR 0.000005
MMK 16.030319
MNT 27.478076
MOP 0.061673
MRO 3.048345
MRU 0.304834
MTL 0.002804
MUR 0.356132
MVR 0.118026
MWK 13.251781
MXN 0.129326
MXV 0.014704
MYR 0.030878
MZM 487.253780
MZN 0.487254
NAD 0.122940
NEAR 0.004323
NEO 0.003845
NEXO 0.009607
NFT 27,453.391991
NGN 10.308556
NIO 0.281110
NLG 0.014391
NOK 0.071250
NPR 1.169977
NZD 0.012798
OKB 0.000071
OMR 0.002938
ONE 10.230364
OP 0.078823
ORDI 0.001824
PAB 0.007635
PAXG 0.000002
PEN 0.025598
PEPE 2,368.929815
PGK 0.034238
PHP 0.470894
PI 0.083823
PKR 2.120817
PLN 0.028195
POL 0.094452
PTE 1.309240
PYG 46.029518
QAR 0.027790
QNT 0.000123
QTUM 0.009380
ROL 342.930148
RON 0.034293
RPL 0.004688
RSD 0.766235
RUB 0.632089
RUNE 0.017007
RVN 2.520489
RWF 11.235344
SAND 0.173252
SAR 0.028629
SBD 0.061185
SCR 0.107208
SDD 458.175517
SDG 4.581755
SEK 0.072302
SGD 0.009699
SHIB 1,537.911060
SHP 0.005595
SIT 1.564960
SKK 0.196737
SLE 0.174831
SLL 174.830642
SNX 0.035863
SOL 0.000086
SOS 4.365579
SPL 0.001272
SRD 0.288710
SRG 288.709868
SSP 42.905121
STD 161.334431
STN 0.161334
STX 0.051412
SUI 0.010312
SVC 0.066802
SYP 99.255434
SZL 0.122940
THB 0.250696
THETA 0.046961
TJS 0.070625
TMM 133.469223
TMT 0.026694
TND 0.022130
TOP 0.018386
TRL 366,848.226265
TRX 0.022577
TRY 0.366848
TTD 0.051788
TUSD 0.007647
TVD 0.010709
TWD 0.243141
TWT 0.018581
TZS 20.198175
UAH 0.340998
UGX 28.394466
UNI 0.002011
USD 0.007635
USDC 0.007634
USDD 0.007636
USDP 0.007645
USDT 0.007636
UYU 0.306333
UZS 90.425403
VAL 12.644734
VEB 593,382,745.380504
VED 5.917382
VEF 591,738.179046
VES 5.917382
VET 1.468417
VND 198.797960
VUV 0.905276
WAVES 0.037073
WEMIX 0.038380
WOO 0.657573
WST 0.020739
XAF 4.283701
XAG 0.000112
XAU 0.000002
XAUT 0.000002
XBT 0.000000
XCD 0.020669
XCG 0.013773
XCH 0.005276
XDC 0.266321
XDR 0.005575
XEC 1,099.948334
XEM 16.641145
XLM 0.041289
XMR 0.000018
XOF 4.283701
XPD 0.000006
XPF 0.779291
XPT 0.000004
XRP 0.005943
XTZ 0.034072
YER 1.809966
ZAR 0.122940
ZEC 0.000013
ZIL 3.018353
ZMK 144.855104
ZMW 0.144855
ZWD 2.762931
ZWG 0.203311
ZWL 508.018280

No currencies match your search.

Cities in Haiti 275
Browse all cities and towns
Acul-du-Nord Anse-a-Galets Anse-à-Galets Anse-à-Pitres Anse-à-Veau Anse-d'Hainault Anse-d'Hainault Anse-Rouge Aquin Aquin Arcahaie Aubry Bahon Baie-de-Henne Bainet Banane Bannique Baradères Bas-Limbé Bassin-Bleu Belladère Belle-Anse Beraca Bois Neuf Bombardopolis Cabaret Camp-Marie Cange Cap-Haitien Cap-Haïtien Capotille Caracol Carice Carrefour Carrefour Cavaillon Cayes-Jacmel Cerca-la-Source Chalon Chansolme Chardonnières Cité Soleil Colline des Chênes Commune Anse-à-Foleur Commune Anse-à-Galets Commune Anse-à-Pitres Commune Anse-à-Veau Commune Anse-d'Hainault Commune Arcahaie Commune Arniquet Commune Bahon Commune Baie de Henne Commune Bainet Commune Baraderès Commune Bassin Bleu Commune Beaumont Commune Belle Anse Commune Bombardopolis Commune Bonbon Commune Borgne Commune Boucan Carré Commune Cabaret Commune Cap-Haïtien Commune Capotille Commune Caracol Commune Carice Commune Cavaillon Commune Cayes-Jacmel Commune Cerca Carvajal Commune Cerca-la-Source Commune Chambellan Commune Chansolme Commune Chardonnieres Commune Corail Commune Cornillon Commune Coteaux Commune Côtes-de-Fer Commune Croix-des-Bouquets Commune d’Aquin Commune d’Ennery Commune Dame-Marie Commune de Belladère Commune de Dessalines Commune de Grand Gosier Commune de Milot Commune de Saint-Louis-du-Sud Commune de Saint-Marc Commune de Saint-Michel-de-l'Attalaye Commune de Verrettes Commune des Gonaïves Commune Desdunes Commune Dondon Commune Ferrier Commune Fonds-Verettes Commune Fort-Liberté Commune Ganthier Commune Grand Saline Commune Grand-Goâve Commune Hinche Commune Île-à-Vache Commune Jacmel Commune Jean Rabel Commune L'Estere Commune La Chapelle Commune La Vallée de Jacmel Commune La Victoire Commune Lascahobas Commune Les Anglais Commune Les Irois Commune Limonade Commune Maissade Commune Maniche Commune Marigot Commune Marmelade Commune Miragoâne Commune Mirebalais Commune Môle-Saint-Nicolas Commune Mombin-Crochu Commune Mont Organisé Commune Moron Commune Ouanaminthe Commune Perches Commune Pestel Commune Petit-Goâve Commune Petit-Trou-de-Nippes Commune Petite Rivière de l'Artibonite Commune Petite-Rivière-de-Nippes Commune Pignon Commune Plaine du Nord Commune Plaisance Commune Pointe-à-Raquette Commune Port-à-Piment Commune Port-Salut Commune Quartier-Morin Commune Ranquitte Commune Roche-à-Bateau Commune Roseaux Commune Saint-Jean-du-Sud Commune Saint-Louis-du-Nord Commune Saint-Raphaël Commune Sainte-Suzanne Commune Saut-d'Eau Commune Savanette Commune Terrier Rouge Commune Thiotte Commune Thomassique Commune Thomazeau Commune Thomonde Commune Torbeck Commune Trou-du-Nord Commune Vallières Corail Côteaux Croix-des-Bouquets Croix-des-Bouquets Dame Marie Dame-Marie Delmas Delmas Derac Dérac Deschapelles Desdunes Desdunes Dessalines Dessalines Dlemeche Dondon Ennery Étroits Fond-des-Blancs Fonds-des-Nègres Fonds-Parisien Fonds-Verrettes Fort-Liberte Fort-Liberté Ganthier Gonaives Grand-Bassin Grand-Goâve Grand-Gosier Grande Caille Grande Riviere du Nord Grande-Rivière-du-Nord Grande-Saline Gros-Morne Gros-Morne Hinche Hinche Île de La Tortue Jacmel Jacmel Jean-Rabel Jeanton Jeremie Jérémie Kenscoff L'Artibonite L'Asile La Chapelle Lascahobas Lascahobas Le Borgne Leogane Léogâne Les Anglais Les Cayes Les Cayes Les Gonaïves Liancourt Limbe Limbé Limonade Maïssade Mapou Marchand Déssalines Mare-Rouge Marigot Marmelade Milot Miragoane Miragoâne Mirebalais Mirebalais Môle-Saint-Nicolas Mombin-Crochu Mont-Organisé Moron Ouanaminthe Ouanaminthe Perches Pestel Pétion-Ville Petionville Petit Goave Petit-Goâve Petit-Trou-de-Nippes Petite-Rivière-de-l'Artibonite Pignon Pignon Plaisance Pointe-à-Raquette Pont-Sondé Port-à-Piment Port-au-Prince Port-au-Prince Port-de-Paix Port-de-Paix Port-Salut Quartier-Morin Ranquitte Saint-Louis-du-Nord Saint-Louis-du-Nord Saint-Louis-du-Sud Saint-Marc Saint-Marc Saint-Michel-de-l'Atalaye Saint-Michel-de-l'Attalaye Saint-Michel-du-Sud Saint-Raphael Saint-Raphaël Sainte Anne Tabarre Terre-Neuve Terrier-Rouge Thiotte Thomassique Thomazeau Thomonde Tilory Trou-du-Nord Trou-du-Nord Vallières Verrettes Verrettes

Visa Requirements

Check what visa a citizen of Haiti needs to enter any country.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the capital of Haiti?
The capital of Haiti is Port-au-Prince.
What currency does Haiti use?
Haiti uses the Haitian gourde (G) as its official currency.
What language is spoken in Haiti?
The official language(s) of Haiti include French, Haitian Creole.
What is the population of Haiti?
Haiti has a population of approximately 11,867,032 people.
What region is Haiti in?
Haiti is located in Americas, specifically in the Caribbean subregion.
What is the international calling code for Haiti?
The international dialing code for Haiti is +509.
What time zones does Haiti observe?
Haiti observes the following time zone(s): UTC-05:00.
What is the current time in Haiti?
The local time in Haiti is currently --:--. This time applies to the primary time zone.
What is the total area of Haiti?
Haiti covers a total area of 27,750 km².
How many states or provinces does Haiti have?
Haiti is divided into 16 states or provinces.
What are the public holidays in Haiti in 2026?
You can view the complete list of public holidays for Haiti in 2026 on the Holidays 2026 page.
What are the visa requirements for citizens of Haiti?
Visa requirements for citizens of Haiti vary by destination. Use our Visa Requirements Checker below to look up requirements for any destination country.