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Thatched huts over turquoise water on rocky coast

Haiti travel guide

Caribbean coast and Creole culture for experienced independent travellers

Best: Jan, Feb

Photo: Holger Wulschlaeger / Pexels

Capital
Port-au-Prince
Languages
French, Haitian Creole
Currency
Haitian gourde
Time zone
UTC-05:00
Plugs
Type A, B · 110 V
Driving
On the right
Emergency
114 / 115 / 116

Why visit Haiti

Haiti is a Caribbean country of 27750 km² where French and Haitian Creole are spoken. It suits experienced independent travellers who plan carefully and want a coastal trip. The capital, Port-au-Prince, and the cities of Cap-Haïtien and Les Cayes all sit on the sea. The best months to go are January and February. The honest limitation is that this best-weather window is short. Outside it, conditions are less reliable, so check current travel advice before you book.

  • Go in January or February

    January and February are the best months to visit Haiti. If you have a choice, plan your trip for this window. Check your government's latest travel advice before you book, as conditions can change.

  • Three main cities on the coast

    All three of Haiti's main cities sit on the coast. Port-au-Prince, the capital, has 987310 people. Cap-Haïtien and Les Cayes are much smaller, so you can compare one large city with two quieter ones on the same trip.

  • Cap-Haïtien as a smaller base

    Cap-Haïtien is a coastal city of 190289 people, about a fifth the size of the capital. It suits travellers who want sea views without the scale of Port-au-Prince.

  • Two languages, French and Creole

    Haiti has two official languages, French and Haitian Creole. If you speak some French, you can read signs and menus. Learning a few Creole phrases helps with everyday conversations.

  • A compact country to explore

    Haiti covers 27750 km², so distances between places are fairly short. It shares the UTC-05:00 time zone with the US East Coast, and plugs are types A and B at 110 V, the same as in North America.

Is Haiti right for you?

Great for

  • Winter-sun trips in December to February, with about 5 to 6 rain days and highs near 31°C
  • Sun-seekers at any time of year, with 10 to 11.5 sun hours a day
  • Travellers who speak French or Haitian Creole, the two main languages
  • Coastal city trips, as Port-au-Prince, Cap-Haïtien and Les Cayes all lie on the coast

Less ideal for

  • Heat-sensitive travellers in July and August, when highs reach 34°C and nights stay near 24°C
  • Trips in May or September to October, with 20 to 23 rain days and up to 143 mm
  • Travellers wanting cool evenings, as lows rarely drop below 20°C in any month

Haiti right now: September

0.9/10
Avg high
33°C
Avg low
24°C
Rain days
23

Averages for Haiti.

Weather by month

The climate data covers Haiti as a whole rather than one city (2015–2024), and January and February are the best months, with highs of 31–32°C, only 4.7–6.2 rain days and 19–26 mm of rain. Avoid April to November, when rain falls on 13 to 22.5 days a month, peaking at 143 mm in May, and July highs reach 34.5°C.

Average highs and lows in Haiti by month January: high 31°C, low 20°C , 5 rain days . February: high 32°C, low 20°C , 6 rain days . March: high 32°C, low 21°C , 11 rain days . April: high 32°C, low 22°C , 18 rain days . May: high 32°C, low 23°C , 21 rain days . June: high 33°C, low 24°C , 18 rain days . July: high 35°C, low 24°C , 18 rain days . August: high 34°C, low 24°C , 20 rain days . September: high 33°C, low 24°C , 23 rain days . October: high 32°C, low 23°C , 21 rain days . November: high 31°C, low 22°C , 13 rain days . December: high 31°C, low 21°C , 5 rain days . 31°C 20°C JAN 5d 32°C 20°C FEB 6d 32°C 21°C MAR 11d 32°C 22°C APR 18d 32°C 23°C MAY 21d 33°C 24°C JUN 18d 35°C 24°C JUL 18d 34°C 24°C AUG 20d 33°C 24°C SEP 23d 32°C 23°C OCT 21d 31°C 22°C NOV 13d 31°C 21°C DEC 5d
Best months Other months (low–high) Nd = rain days

Haiti (country average) · averages 2015–2024

Best time to visit Haiti: month-by-month weather →

Sample itineraries

7 days

One week across Haiti's three coastal cities

  1. Day 1–2

    Port-au-Prince

    Start in the capital, home to 987,310 people. Check your government's current travel advice before booking, and plan each day with a trusted local contact rather than going out alone.

  2. Day 3–5

    Cap-Haïtien

    Move on to Cap-Haïtien, a coastal city of 190,289 people. Take it slowly: walk near the water, eat where locals eat, and learn a few words of Haitian Creole.

  3. Day 6–7

    Les Cayes

    Finish in Les Cayes, the smallest city on this route with 151,696 people. Keep the last days quiet by the coast and carry Haitian gourdes for small purchases.

10 days

Ten days in Haiti at a slower pace

  1. Day 1–2

    Port-au-Prince

    Arrive in the capital and get set up: local currency, a phone plan and adapters for type A or B plugs at 110 V. Read the latest travel advice first, as conditions can change.

  2. Day 3–6

    Cap-Haïtien

    Spend the longest stop in Cap-Haïtien, a coastal city of 190,289 people. The extra days let you rest, explore on foot with a local guide and practise some French or Haitian Creole.

  3. Day 7–9

    Les Cayes

    Head to Les Cayes, a coastal city of 151,696 people. Use this stop for unhurried days by the sea and simple local meals, keeping plans flexible.

  4. Day 10

    Port-au-Prince

    Return to the capital for your departure. Keep this day light, confirm onward plans early, and save the emergency numbers 114, 115 and 116 on your phone.

Food to try in Haiti

Soup joumou

A squash soup with beef, vegetables and pasta. Haitians eat it on New Year's Day, which is also Independence Day, to mark freedom from French rule. UNESCO lists it as intangible cultural heritage.

Griot

Pork marinated in citrus juice and spices, then boiled and fried until crisp. It is a favourite at parties and family meals, usually served with fried plantain and pikliz.

Diri ak djon djon

Rice cooked with dried black djon djon mushrooms, which turn it dark grey. It is a dish for Sundays and special occasions, and is closely linked to northern Haiti.

Pikliz

A sharp, spicy relish of shredded cabbage, carrots and hot Scotch bonnet peppers pickled in vinegar. It sits on almost every table and cuts through fried food like griot.

Akra

Crisp fritters made from grated malanga, a starchy root, mixed with herbs and chilli. You find them as street food and as a snack at gatherings, often eaten with pikliz.

Rum and clairin

Haitian rum is made from sugar cane juice. Barbancourt is the best-known brand. Clairin is a strong, unaged cane spirit made in small local distilleries and sold cheaply across the country.

Know before you go

  • Plugs and voltage: Haiti uses plug types A and B, with flat pins as in North America. The supply is 110 V. Check that your chargers and devices accept 110 V, and bring an adapter if your plugs are a different shape.
  • Driving side: Traffic in Haiti drives on the right. If you come from a country that drives on the left, take extra care at junctions and when overtaking.
  • Emergency numbers: Haiti lists three emergency numbers: 114, 115 and 116. Save all three in your phone before you arrive, and ask your host which one to call for police, fire or medical help.
  • Currency: The local currency is the Haitian gourde. Plan how you will get local cash before you travel rather than relying on finding it after arrival.
  • Language: The official languages are French and Haitian Creole. A few basic phrases in either language will help with everyday contact, especially outside the capital, Port-au-Prince.
  • Phone calling code: The international calling code for Haiti is +509. Use it when you save local numbers, such as your accommodation, in your phone.
  • Time zone: Haiti is in the UTC-05:00 time zone. Check the time difference with home before booking calls or connecting flights.

Haiti: frequently asked questions

When is the best time to visit Haiti?

January and February are the best months to visit Haiti. They score 6.5 and 6 out of 10, the highest of the year. Rain is low, with 19 mm over 4.7 rain days in January and 26 mm over 6.2 days in February. Daytime highs stay around 31 to 32°C, nights cool to about 20°C, and you get 10 to 11 hours of sun a day.

Is Haiti good to visit in August?

No, August is the worst month to visit Haiti. It scores 0.4 out of 10, the lowest of the year. It is hot and wet, with highs of 34.1°C, lows of 24.1°C and 115 mm of rain over 19.5 rain days. If you can choose, go in January or February instead.

When is the rainy season in Haiti?

The wet period runs from April to October, and our data rates all of these months as ones to avoid. May is the wettest month, with 143 mm of rain. September has the most rain days, at 22.5. November is still fairly wet, with 70 mm over 13 days. From December, rain drops to 19 mm over 4.7 days.

Is December a good time to go to Haiti?

December is an OK time to visit Haiti, with a score of 5.5 out of 10. It is one of the driest months, with 19 mm of rain over 4.7 rain days. Highs reach 31.2°C and lows fall to 20.7°C, with about 10.4 hours of sun a day. January and February score a little higher.

What plugs and voltage does Haiti use?

Haiti uses plug types A and B, and the voltage is 110 V. Before you go, check the label on your chargers and devices. If they do not accept 110 V, you will need a voltage converter as well as a plug adapter.

What currency and languages are used in Haiti?

The currency is the Haitian gourde. The official languages are French and Haitian Creole. The capital is Port-au-Prince, and the time zone is UTC-05:00. The country calling code is +509, and the emergency numbers are 114, 115 and 116. Cars drive on the right.

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