Haiti · Local picks
100+ Places to Visit in Haiti
More than a hundred hand picked historic sites, beaches, restaurants, galleries, markets and stays across Cap-Haïtien, Milot, Jacmel, Port-Salut, Île-à-Vache and Port-au-Prince. Places in and around the capital are marked unconfirmed while the security crisis continues, so always check current advice and local conditions first.
Places to Visit in Cap-Haïtien
Arts and Culture
- Cathédrale Notre-Dame de l'Assomption (Place d'Armes)
The cream coloured cathedral on the main square, the heart of the old town and its festivals. - Vertières Monument (Vertières)
The memorial to the 1803 battle that sealed Haitian independence, busiest on 18 November. - Bois Caïman (Morne-Rouge)
Site linked to the 1791 ceremony that launched the slave uprising, a powerful place for history lovers.
Things to Do
- Place d'Armes (Old town)
The main square, shaded and lively, ringed by colonial era houses with painted balconies. - Le Boulevard (Seafront)
The seafront promenade where families stroll at sunset and vendors sell grilled corn and juice. - Old town gingerbread streets (Rues 17 to 24)
A grid of two storey houses with wooden balconies and shutters, best explored on foot in the morning. - Labadie village (Labadie)
A fishing village of painted houses beside the cruise enclave, reached by road and water taxi. - Labadie water taxis (Labadie wharf)
Small boats shuttle between Labadie and nearby beaches, a fun and easy way to explore the coast.
Nature and Outdoors
- Fort Picolet (Pointe Picolet)
Ruined colonial fort guarding the harbour mouth, with cannons and wide views across the bay. - Plage Paradis (Cormier coast, by boat)
A crescent of sand reached only by boat, with calm water and seafood lunches. - Cormier Beach (Route de Labadie)
Sheltered beach with gentle water, easy for families and a short drive west of the city. - Belly Beach (Labadie)
Public beach beside Labadie village with simple bars, boats and grilled fish. - Amiga Island (Off Labadie)
A tiny sandy cay offshore, an easy boat hop for snorkelling and a lazy afternoon.
Stays
- Hotel Roi Christophe (Rue 24, old town)
A colonial building with a courtyard garden and pool, a classic base in the centre. - Habitation des Lauriers (Carénage hills)
Hillside hotel with terraces looking over the bay and the old town rooftops. - Cormier Plage Resort (Cormier)
Beachfront hotel on its own cove, a relaxed base for swimming and boat trips. - Hotel Mont Joli (Carénage)
Long running hotel on the hill with a pool, views and a restaurant popular with returning visitors.
Restaurants
- Lakay Restaurant (Boulevard)
Seafront favourite for griot, lambi and grilled chicken, with music on busy evenings. - Fritay vendors on the Boulevard (Seafront)
Evening stalls frying plantain, griot and akra, the classic Haitian street supper. - Habitation des Lauriers terrace restaurant (Carénage hills)
Dinner with the lights of the bay below, good for a quiet evening. - Cormier Plage beach restaurant (Cormier)
Fresh fish and lobster lunches with your feet almost in the sand. - Hotel Mont Joli restaurant (Carénage)
Reliable Haitian and international dishes and a terrace with a breeze.
Bars and Nightlife
- Seafront terrace bars (Boulevard)
Open air bars along the bay where locals meet for Prestige beer and konpa music. - Hotel Roi Christophe courtyard bar (Rue 24, old town)
A calm courtyard for a rum sour under the trees.
Shopping and Markets
- Marché Cluny (Rue 8, city centre)
The city's sprawling main market of produce, spices and household goods, best with a local friend. - Boulevard craft sellers (Seafront)
Paintings, metal art and carvings sold along the bay, good for small gifts.
Events
- Vertières Day (Vertières)
National holiday on 18 November with ceremonies and parades marking the decisive battle. - Fête Notre-Dame (Old town)
The city's patronal festival in mid August with processions, music and street food.
Places to Visit in Port-Salut
Nature and Outdoors
- Grotte Marie-Jeanne (Port-à-Piment)
One of Haiti's largest cave systems, an adventurous trip far to the southwest. - Pointe Sable (Port-Salut)
A long golden beach with calm water and fishermen pulling in nets. - Saut-Mathurine (Camp-Perrin)
Haiti's largest waterfall, plunging into a deep pool you can swim in when calm. - Pic Macaya National Park (Massif de la Hotte)
Cloud forest with rare frogs, orchids and birds, for serious hikers with a guide. - Gelée beach (Les Cayes)
A popular beach just outside Les Cayes, crowded with families during the August festival. - Pointe Sable sunset (Port-Salut)
The sun drops straight into the sea here, a simple and lovely end to the day.
Stays
- Auberge du Rayon Vert (Port-Salut)
Small hotel steps from the beach, a relaxed base for the south coast.
Restaurants
- Pointe Sable beach grills (Port-Salut)
Lobster and fish grilled over wood and served with plantain and pikliz. - Auberge du Rayon Vert restaurant (Port-Salut)
Seafood dinners near the beach as the sun drops into the sea.
Bars and Nightlife
- Beach bars at Pointe Sable (Port-Salut)
Weekend bars with music where families and friends gather by the sea.
Shopping and Markets
- Les Cayes market (Les Cayes)
The busy market of the south's main city, full of produce, spices and fabric.
Arts and Culture
- Cathédrale Notre-Dame des Cayes (Les Cayes)
The main church of the southern city, at the centre of its religious festivals.
Things to Do
- Port-Salut coastal walk (Port-Salut)
Walk the beaches west of town past palms and fishing boats. - Les Cayes wharf (Les Cayes)
The busy waterfront where boats leave for Île-à-Vache and fishermen sell the day's catch.
Places to Visit in Fort-Liberté
Arts and Culture
- Fort Dauphin (Fort-Liberté bay)
A star shaped colonial fort on a peninsula in a huge, quiet bay east of Cap-Haïtien. - Fort Labouque (Fort-Liberté bay)
A small ruined fort at the mouth of the bay, reached by boat with a local fisherman.
Things to Do
- Fort-Liberté bay (Fort-Liberté)
One of the largest natural bays in the Caribbean, ringed by small forts and mangroves.
Places to Visit in Milot
Arts and Culture
- Citadelle Laferrière (Bonnet à l'Évêque)
The largest fortress in the Americas, built after independence and crowned with cannons and views. - Sans-Souci Palace (Milot)
The grand ruined palace of King Henri Christophe, with staircases and arches climbing the hill. - Site des Ramiers (Above the Citadelle)
Quiet ruined outworks beyond the Citadelle that few visitors bother to reach. - Chapelle Royale de Milot (Beside Sans-Souci)
The domed royal chapel next to the palace, still used by the town's parish. - Citadelle cannon galleries (Bonnet à l'Évêque)
Long vaulted galleries still lined with bronze and iron cannons and piles of cannonballs.
Things to Do
- Horse ride up the Citadelle path (Milot)
Local handlers lead horses up the steep paved path, a fun option for kids and tired legs. - Milot town walk (Milot)
A short wander through the town's streets and church square after the crowds leave.
Nature and Outdoors
- Citadelle summit views (Bonnet à l'Évêque)
On a clear morning you see across the northern plain to Cap-Haïtien and the sea.
Shopping and Markets
- Milot craft stalls (Near the Sans-Souci entrance)
Metal art, paintings and wooden carvings sold by local artisans at the foot of the climb.
Places to Visit in Jacmel
Stays
- Hotel Florita (Rue du Commerce)
A restored coffee merchant's mansion with high ceilings and balconies in the old town. - Hotel Cap Lamandou (Cyvadier road)
Clifftop hotel with a pool facing the sea, a romantic base for a few nights. - Cyvadier Plage Hotel (Cyvadier)
Garden hotel above its own small cove, popular with families for swims and seafood.
Bars and Nightlife
- Hotel Florita bar (Rue du Commerce)
An atmospheric old town bar for a rum punch in a historic house.
Restaurants
- Cyvadier Plage restaurant (Cyvadier)
Fresh grilled fish and lambi on a terrace above the cove. - Hotel Cap Lamandou restaurant (Cyvadier road)
Dinner by the pool with the sound of the sea below. - Raymond-les-Bains fish shacks (Raymond-les-Bains)
Simple beach kitchens grilling fish and serving bannann peze at plastic tables. - Jacmel street fritay (Old town)
Evening stalls of griot, akra and plantain near the squares, cheap and filling.
Things to Do
- Historic quarter (Rue du Commerce and Place Toussaint Louverture)
Iron balconies, warehouses and mansions from the coffee era, best explored slowly on foot. - Mosaic seafront promenade (Bord de Mer)
A seafront walk decorated with colourful mosaics made by local artists, lovely at sunset. - Cayes-Jacmel village (Cayes-Jacmel)
A quiet coastal village east of town with fishing boats and simple seafood. - Jacmel wharf (Bord de Mer)
Watch fishing boats land their catch at the old wharf in the early morning.
Arts and Culture
- Marché en Fer de Jacmel (Old town)
The town's iron market hall, buzzing with produce sellers and everyday life. - Cathédrale Saint-Philippe et Saint-Jacques (Old town)
Jacmel's historic cathedral near the market, a landmark of the old town. - Papier-mâché workshops (Old town)
Artists shaping carnival masks and animals by hand, busiest in the weeks before carnival.
Shopping and Markets
- Artisan galleries on Rue Sainte-Anne (Old town)
Paintings, masks and metal art bought straight from the people who make them.
Nature and Outdoors
- Bassin Bleu (Hills north of Jacmel)
Turquoise pools linked by waterfalls, reached with a local guide and a short scramble. - Raymond-les-Bains (East of Jacmel)
A long beach with food shacks and weekend crowds, Jacmel's favourite day at the sea. - Ti Mouillage (Cayes-Jacmel)
One of the prettiest beaches on the southeast coast, with palms and clear water. - Plage de Cyvadier (Cyvadier)
A small, sheltered cove below the hotel, good for a calm swim. - Marigot beach (Marigot)
A fishing village beach further east, quiet on weekdays and good for fresh seafood.
Events
- Carnaval de Jacmel (Old town and seafront)
A parade of extraordinary papier-mâché masks and satirical characters, usually in February.
Places to Visit in Île-à-Vache
Stays
- Port Morgan (North shore)
A small hotel on a sheltered bay, the classic base for island stays.
Restaurants
- Port Morgan restaurant (North shore)
Lobster and fish dinners on the water with a calm evening view.
Bars and Nightlife
- Port Morgan bar (North shore)
A sunset drink over the bay, the island's gentle evening ritual.
Nature and Outdoors
- Abaka Bay beach (Abaka Bay)
Soft sand and clear water on the island's best known beach.
Things to Do
- Mangrove boat trip (Island coast)
Small boats explore the mangroves, fishing villages and quiet coves. - Village walk (Madame Bernard and Cayes-Coq)
A walk on car free paths between villages, meeting island life at its own pace. - Boat crossing from Les Cayes (Les Cayes wharf)
The short sea crossing to an island with no cars is part of the adventure.
Shopping and Markets
- Madame Bernard market (Madame Bernard)
The island's weekly market, where villagers trade fish, produce and goods.
Places to Visit in Port-au-Prince
Things to Do
- Champ de Mars (Downtown)
The capital's central square beside the site of the National Palace.
More to Explore
We are still checking these with fresh sources, so confirm opening times before you go.
- Habitation Jouissant (Carénage, Cap-Haïtien)
Small hotel high on the hill with gardens and sweeping views over the bay. - Hotel Beck (Bel Air, Cap-Haïtien)
Old fashioned hotel in the hills with a garden and a calm, budget friendly feel. - Kanaval in Cap-Haïtien (Boulevard, Cap-Haïtien)
Carnival floats and bands fill the seafront in years when national carnival is held here. - En Bas Saline (Limonade, Cap-Haïtien)
The likely site of La Navidad, the first Spanish settlement, a quiet stop for history fans. - Lakou Lakay (Milot, Milot)
Cultural centre known for Haitian meals, drumming and folk dance with local families. - Lakou Lakay kitchen (Milot, Milot)
Home style Haitian cooking served family style after the climb, when open. - La Jacmelienne sur Plage (Seafront, Jacmel)
Beachfront hotel on the bay with simple rooms close to the old town. - Manoir Alexandra (Old town, Jacmel)
A grand historic mansion that hints at Jacmel's wealthy merchant past. - Ciné Institute (Jacmel, Jacmel)
The film school that put Jacmel on the creative map, sometimes hosting screenings. - FOSAJ art centre (Old town, Jacmel)
Fondation Sant d'Art de Jacmel, an artists' foundation with exhibitions and workshops. - Parc National La Visite (Seguin, Jacmel)
High pine forest and limestone plateaus reached on a long hike, for experienced trekkers. - Dan's Creek Hotel (Port-Salut, Port-Salut)
Simple hotel near the water with a garden and seafood restaurant. - Fête Notre-Dame de Gelée (Les Cayes, Port-Salut)
A big August festival on the beach with pilgrims, music and food stalls. - Fort des Oliviers (Les Cayes, Port-Salut)
Old coastal fort ruins outside Les Cayes, a quiet historic stop. - Abaka Bay Resort (Abaka Bay, Île-à-Vache)
Bungalows on one of the island's best beaches, in a quiet setting. - Musée du Panthéon National Haïtien (Champ de Mars, Port-au-Prince)
The national history museum, with revolution relics and an anchor linked to Columbus. - Marché en Fer (Downtown, Port-au-Prince)
The iconic iron market with minaret style towers, rebuilt after the 2010 earthquake. - Centre d'Art (Port-au-Prince, Port-au-Prince)
The art centre that launched Haitian painting onto the world stage in the 1940s. - Atis Rezistans (Grand Rue, Port-au-Prince)
Sculptors who turn scrap and found objects into startling art. - Musée d'Art Haïtien (Champ de Mars, Port-au-Prince)
A collection of Haitian painting and sculpture beside the Collège Saint-Pierre. - Galerie Monnin (Pétion-Ville, Port-au-Prince)
A long established gallery of Haitian painting and metal art. - Hotel Montana (Pétion-Ville, Port-au-Prince)
A hillside hotel rebuilt after the earthquake, with views over the city. - Hotel El Rancho (Pétion-Ville, Port-au-Prince)
A large hotel with a pool, historically a hub for visitors and events. - Karibe Hotel (Juvénat, Pétion-Ville, Port-au-Prince)
A business hotel with gardens and a pool in the hills. - Rebo Espresso Bar (Pétion-Ville, Port-au-Prince)
Haitian coffee roasted and brewed in a modern café setting. - Quartier Latin (Pétion-Ville, Port-au-Prince)
A long running restaurant with garden seating and live music on some nights. - Fort Jacques (Fermathe, Port-au-Prince)
A mountain fort from the independence era with views over the capital. - Observatoire de Boutilliers (Boutilliers, Port-au-Prince)
A lookout high above the city with panoramic views at sunset. - Croix-des-Bouquets metal artists (Noailles, Croix-des-Bouquets, Port-au-Prince)
A village of artisans hammering oil drums into intricate metal art. - Rhum Barbancourt distillery (Damien, Port-au-Prince)
Home of Haiti's best known rum, made since 1862. - Fête Gede (Grand Cimetière, Port-au-Prince)
The early November days of the dead, when Vodou honours the Gede spirits. - Kanaval (Champ de Mars, Port-au-Prince)
National carnival before Lent, with konpa bands and floats in years it can be held. - Kaliko Beach Club (Côte des Arcadins, Port-au-Prince)
A beach resort on the coast north of the capital. - Wahoo Bay Beach (Montrouis, Port-au-Prince)
A beach club on the Côte des Arcadins with clear water and snorkelling. - Moulin sur Mer (Montrouis, Port-au-Prince)
A seaside resort built around an old sugar mill, with a small museum.