Port-Au-Prince

Introducing Port-Au-Prince

Let’s admit the obvious: Port-au-Prince doesn’t have the image of somewhere you’d visit purely for fun. A true Third World city just one hour by air from Miami, the city has a reputation for impoverished chaos that precedes it. But look behind this and something altogether different is revealed: one of the most vibrant and exciting cities in the Caribbean, with a fantastic arts scene, good restaurants and live music, and an irrepressible spirit. Like a bottle of local klerin rum, Port-au-Prince takes all the raw energy of Haiti and distils it down into one buzzing shot.

You should be prepared, however. Port-au-Prince’s infrastructure has never kept pace with its rapid growth. Electricity supply and garbage collection are massively inadequate, and whole districts flood whenever a hurricane blows through the Caribbean. The gap between the haves and have-nots is remarkable, with the poorest slums in the Americas overlooked from the cool hills of Haiti’s richest suburbs.

Amid all this, the streets are mobbed with colorful painted buses, street vendors, impromptu art galleries and music. The calm heart of the city is the Champs de Mars district, with its parks, museums and memorials to the country’s turbulent history. Nearby, many streets are still lined with instantly recognizable ‘gingerbread’ houses, while even the cathedrals stand as painted monuments to a rich artistic heritage. In the markets and cemeteries, the older spirits of Vodou come to the fore. Away from the hustle of the center is the suburb of Pétionville, where you’ll find another Port-au-Prince altogether with expensive restaurants and five-star hotels.

Port-au-Prince has many faces. Its poverty can be distressing, but witnessing the self-sufficiency and spirit of its people might be the most life-affirming experience you will have on your travels. It’s a chaotic, exhilarating and compelling place. We’d encourage you to jump right in.

Last updated: Oct 20, 2009