Image by Cultura Travel / Philip Lee Harvey / Getty Images

Haiti

The most common phrase in Haiti might surprise you. It’s 'pa gen pwoblem,' and it translates to 'no have problem.' Haitians use it in a dizzying array of contexts: responding to thank-yous, asserting well-being, filling awkward silences. Despite Haiti’s well-documented struggles, exacerbated lately by natural disasters, proud Haitians use the phrase sincerely, conveying an uncanny ability to live in the moment and appreciate what they do have, which is quite a lot.

Tranquil beaches, tumbling waterfalls and pine-tree-capped mountains dot the varied and striking landscape, easily rivaling the natural beauty found anywhere else in the Caribbean. The world’s only successful slave rebellion happened here, and the music, art and culture that came with it make Haiti entirely unique. As those who come to assist Haiti often learn, an encounter with the soul of this fascinating, beautiful country often benefits a traveler just as much.

Explore Haiti

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Top attractions

These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Haiti.

  • Fortress

    Citadelle Laferrière

    Haitians call the Citadelle the eighth wonder of the world and, having slogged to the 900m summit of Pic Laferrière (or ridden horseback for US$15), you…

  • Arts Center

    Grand Rue Artists

    While most of Haiti’s artists are represented in the rarefied air of Pétionville’s galleries, a collective of sculptors and installation artists produces…

  • Island

    Île-à-Rat

    Your basic paradise, this tiny island offers white sand, a lush core of trees, and turquoise water where snorkelers encounter centuries-old cannon and…

  • Waterfall

    Bassin Bleu

    Tucked into the mountains 12km northwest of Jacmel, Bassin Bleu is a series of three cobalt-blue pools linked by waterfalls that make up one of the…

  • Museum

    Museum of the People

    This small jumble of a museum attached to the mission is worth a stop on your way up to Kenscoff. There are taxidermied specimens of Haitian fauna …

  • Historic Site

    Sans Souci

    Built as a rival to Versailles in France, Henry Christophe’s palace of Sans Souci has lain abandoned since it was ruined in the 1842 earthquake. The years…

  • Museum

    Musée du Panthéon National

    This modern, mostly subterranean history museum, set below gardens, hosts a permanent exhibition chronicling Haiti’s history, from the Taínos and slavery…

  • Waterfront

    Promenade du Bord de Mer

    Installed by ex-President Michel Martelly, this kilometer-long boardwalk along Jacmel's waterfront has become popular with locals as a spot to socialize…

  • Market

    Marché de Fer

    Several of Haiti’s cities have iron markets, but Port-au-Prince’s is the original and the best. Constructed in 1889, the exuberant red-metal structure…

  • Square

    Place d'Armes

    Cap's pretty main square, bordered on the southern side by the Notre-Dame cathedral on Rue 18, has a dark past. François Mackandal, leader of a pre…

  • Cave

    Grotte Marie Jeanne

    About 45 minutes north of Port Salut, this massive cave is the largest and most impressive in Haiti. Visitors today can tour three areas of the cave, one…

  • Historic Building

    Maison Dufort

    This recently restored gingerbread home is the first of its kind to be not only preserved by a nonprofit, but also opened to the public. The creamy-yellow…

  • Museum

    Musée Colonial Ogier-Fombrun

    On the grounds of hotel Moulin sur Mer, Musée Colonial Ogier-Fombrun and its old sugar mill are housed in a restored colonial plantation. It’s definitely…

  • Village

    Cayes Jacmel

    From the small fishing village of Cayes Jacmel, about 14km east of Jacmel, the beach spreads a further 3km to Plage Ti Mouillage, a gorgeous white-sand…

  • Beach

    Anse d'Azur

    About 5km northwest of Jérémie is this gorgeous sandy bay with a sunken German U-boat and several caves that any Caribbean country would envy. A return…

  • Museum

    Parc Historique de la Canne à Sucre

    At the outbreak of the Haitian Revolution, the Plaine du Cul-de-Sac was one of the richest parts of St-Domingue. Little remains of this period, but one…

  • Fort

    Fort Jacques

    Fort Jacques was erected during the burst of fort-building following independence in 1804. It was built by Alexandre Pétion and named after Jean-Jacques…

  • Park

    Champs de Mars

    A series of parks split by wide boulevards that collectively make up the Place des Héros de l'Indépendence, with the former site of the demolished Palais…

  • Beach

    Cyvadier Plage

    This beach is about 10km east of Jacmel, down a small track leading from the Cayes Jacmel road. The beach is part of the Cyvadier Plage Hôtel. The small…

  • Beach

    Plage Publique

    This beach is tucked in between the Kaliko Beach Club and Wahoo Bay, and offers basic facilities, food sellers, sound systems and booze – it’s a great…

Top experiences

Whether it’s a guided tour of a historic landmark, private tasting of local delicacies, or an off-road adventure — explore the best experiences in Haiti.

  • Activities