Haiti Flag
Why visit Haiti?
Appeals to the adventurous traveler with interest to a developing country known for their African influenced dance, beaches, casinos, fine arts, folk paintings, historic sites, nightclubs, rugged landscape, shopping, voodoo culture and water sports.
Abaka Bay & Resort, La Hafte, Haiti. Photo Credit: Claudia Altamimi/Pixaby
At a Glance
- Souvenirs to Buy: Copper jewelry, hand embroidered clothing, mahogany carvings, music, oil paintings, wrought iron sculpture, and voodoo goods.
- Local Cuisine to Try: Achards (pickled vegetables). Bouillon (soup). Djondjons (rice dish). Grillot Cochon Avec Banane Pesee (pork chop dish). Griyo (fried pork). Pâté Haïtien (snack). Pois du Riz Coles (rice dish). Poul Lakay (spicy chicken). Soupe au Jiroumon (pumpkin soup). Taso (grilled goat).
- Local Drink to Try: Akasan (soft drink). Clairin (spirit). Cola Couronne (soft drink). Cola Lacaye (soft drink). Prestige (beer). Rhum Barbancourt (rum).
Photo Credit: Donna Wickerham/Pixabay
History
- In 1789, slavery was abolished. Former slave, Toussaint Louverture crowned himself King Henri Christophe I.
- In 1802, Napoleon sent troops to retake the island. Captured by the French, Louverture was taken to France for trial.
- In 1803, Louverture died of exposure and TB.
- In 1804, the first Caribbean country to gain their freedom.
- In 1914, British, German, and U.S. entered forces, the U.S. Marines stationed until 1934.
- In 1957, Francois Duvalier (Papa Doc) was elected president. Upon his death his son, Jean Claude (Baby Doc) was the predecenter.
- In 1886, Jean Claude (Baby Doc) was driven out of the country. Seeking refuge in France.
- During 1980, Jean Aristide, President was thrown out of power by the military.
- Late 1994, the U.S. forced the military to give up power and stayed to help the country establish order.
Photo Credit: gamble34/Pixabay
Fun Facts
- Voodoo is a highly developed ritual estimating nearly half the population practice: elements of magic, dance, music and drumming. Open ceremony consisting of three drums: boula, mamman and segon.
- The flavor to Grand Marnier and Cointreau liquors is sun drying orange peels.
- Rhum Barbancourt Distilleries use sugarcane juice instead of molasses.
- Birthplace (1969) to Nel Ust Wyclef Jean (aka: Wyclef Jean), Actor & Musician. A member of the New Jersey hip hop group the Fugees.
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One of the highest unemployment rates in the Western Hemisphere (around 70%), its people are known for their work ethic and were instrumental in the building of the Panama Canal.
- Prestige is brewed by Brasserie Nationale d'Haiti and owned by Heineken.
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Labadee is Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines (RCI) private beach on the northeast coast.
Citadelle Laferrière (aka: Citadelle Henri Christophe or Citadelle), Nord, Haiti. Photo Credit: Pixabay
Special Holidays/Occasions
- Annual Events: (January) Port-au-Prince International Jazz Festival, Rara, (February) Carnival, (March) Krik? Krak! Festival, (July) Jacmel Film Festival, (August) Carifesta, and (November) Paris Rum Fest & Festival.
- Holidays: New Year's Day, Independence Day, Ancestry Day, Shrove Tuesday, Good Friday, Agriculture & Labor Day, University Day, Haitian Flag Day, Feast of Corpus Christi, Feast of Assumption, Dessalines Day, All Saints' Day, All Souls Day, Battle of Vertières Day, Discovery Day, and Christmas Day.
Good to Know
- Political upheavals and natural disasters have kept them off of Tourism mainstream.
- Tropical storms with floods and mudslides have killed many locals.
- Literacy levels are low, around 50%.
- The best beaches are on the South Coast along the Southern Peninsula and North Coast. Otherwise, dark volcanic sand.
- To inspire you, read Lydia Bailey (1947) and The Comedians (1966).
- A movie that may inspire you The Comedians (1967).
- Prone to beggars, frequent delays, poor roads and power outages.
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Doux doux (pronounced doo-doo) means Sweetheart in Creole.
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Don't expect world-class snorkeling and scuba diving, as the country's reefs have been devastated by overfishing.
- Iron Market (Port-au-Prince) offers a wide selection of local goods.
Labadee, Haiti. Photo Credit: kbmars/Pixabay
This international destination requires:
- A valid passport with six months of validity upon return and one blank page for entry stamp.
- Tourist VISA not required for visits under 90 days.
Hurricane Season is June - November, Haitis impact usually around August - October.
- Coolest Season: December
- Humid & Hottest: August
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Peak Season: November - March
- Shoulder Season: April - June
Your Must-See & Do
- Historical Sites: Bassin Bleu, Cathédrale de Milot, Cathédrale Notre-Dame du Cap Haitien, Champ de Mars, Citadelle Laferrière, Fort Picolet and Grotte Marie Jeanne.
- Museums: Bureau d'Ethnologie, Haitian Heritage Museum, Musée du Panthéon National, National Museum of Art and Sans-Souci Palace.
- Popular Attractions: Cap Haitien, Cascade Touyac, Citadelle, Iron Market, Kokoye Beach, Port-au-Prince and Wynne Farm Ecological Reserve.
Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Photo Credit: David Mark/Pixabay
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All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Subject to change without notice.
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