At a glance
- Best for
- Diaspora family visits, art and history, only with trusted local support
- Nearest airport
- Toussaint Louverture International, with commercial service suspended or restricted
- Time needed
- Only as long as essential under current conditions
- Best time
- Check current advice before any visit
- Getting around
- Only with trusted, pre arranged drivers
- Good base for
- Pétion-Ville and the hills above the city, when conditions allow
The situation now
Since 2021, armed groups have expanded across Port-au-Prince, and by 2025 they controlled most of the capital and the main roads in and out. Hundreds of thousands of people have been displaced. Shootings, kidnappings for ransom, carjackings and attacks on neighbourhoods, hospitals and government buildings have been widely reported. A Kenyan led multinational mission, later succeeded by a UN backed gang suppression force, has worked alongside the Haitian police. Conditions change quickly, and you should read your government's latest advice before any decision. The **US State Department**, the **UK Foreign Office** and **Global Affairs Canada** all advise against all travel to Haiti, and their ability to help citizens in Port-au-Prince is very limited.
The airport
**Toussaint Louverture International Airport** has had commercial flights suspended for long periods after aircraft were hit by gunfire in late 2024, and the US Federal Aviation Administration has restricted US airlines from flying there. Check the current status with your airline and your government before assuming any flight. Most visitors to Haiti now fly into Cap-Haïtien instead.
The city's culture and history
When it is safe again, Port-au-Prince has much to offer. The **Champ de Mars** is the central square, beside the site of the National Palace, destroyed in the 2010 earthquake. The **Musée du Panthéon National Haïtien (MUPANAH)**, below the square, holds the anchor said to be from Columbus's Santa María and the history of the revolution. The **Marché en Fer**, the iron market with its minaret style towers, was rebuilt after the earthquake. The city's art scene is legendary: the **Centre d'Art**, galleries in **Pétion-Ville**, and the sculptors of the **Grand Rue** who turn scrap into striking art. Many of these institutions are in areas now affected by violence and have closed or reduced activity, so do not plan visits without current local advice.
Pétion-Ville and the hills
**Pétion-Ville**, in the hills above the city, has long been the base for hotels, restaurants and galleries, and the cooler mountain areas of **Fermathe** and **Kenscoff** beyond it have pine forests and views. Both have seen attacks and displacement, and conditions can change from one street to the next.
If you must go
Some diaspora visitors still travel to the capital for family emergencies, funerals or essential business. If you must go, register with your embassy, buy insurance that explicitly covers Haiti and includes evacuation, arrange every movement through trusted people who know the current situation, vary your routines, avoid travelling at night, keep a low profile, and do not display money, jewellery or phones. Share your plans with family abroad and agree regular check in times. Have a plan for leaving if conditions worsen.
Food and the spirit of the city
Port-au-Prince gave Haiti much of its food culture: **griot**, **diri kole ak pwa** (rice and beans), **legim** (vegetable stew), **soup joumou** on Independence Day, and **fritay** from street vendors. Families in the diaspora often remember it as a city of music, from **konpa** dance nights to rara bands at Easter. That spirit survives in the people, even in hard times.
For safer regions to explore, read about Cap-Haïtien and the Citadelle and Milot, or contact us with questions.
Questions about Port-au-Prince
Is Port-au-Prince safe to visit?
No, not at present by the assessment of most governments. Gang violence, kidnapping and unrest are widespread, and the US, UK and Canada advise against all travel to Haiti.
Are flights to Port-au-Prince operating?
Commercial service has been suspended or heavily restricted for long periods, and US airlines face restrictions from the FAA. Check with your airline and government for the current position.
Where should I fly instead?
Most visitors now fly into Cap-Haïtien in the north, which has had more regular international service.
Can diaspora visit family in the capital?
Some do, for essential reasons, with trusted local arrangements. Register with your embassy, buy insurance that covers Haiti and evacuation, and keep movements to a minimum.
Facts checked . Fees, schedules and entry rules change, so always confirm the latest with the official source.
