What to see, where to stay and the best time to visit Port-au-Prince, Haiti.
Photo: Edouard MIHIGO / Pexels
Port-au-Prince is the capital of Haiti, a coastal city of about 987,310 people. Much of what visitors come for sits in the hills above the centre. In Pétion-Ville you can see art at Galerie Monnin and Galerie Nader, walk around Place Saint-Pierre and browse the market. Higher up are Fort Jacques in Fermathe and the Observatoire de Boutilliers. Kenscoff suits hikers who want cooler air. The best months to go are January and February.
Most sights take between 30 minutes and 2 hours each. Several sit close together in Pétion-Ville, so you can group them into 1 day. Add time for Fort Jacques, the Parc Historique de la Canne à Sucre in Tabarre, or slow hiking days in Kenscoff.
Pétion-Ville
A long-running gallery showing Haitian painting and sculpture, from naive-style market scenes to modern work. It is one of the best places to understand why Haitian art is collected worldwide. Check the current security situation and whether it is open before you go.
Pétion-Ville
A family-run gallery with a large collection of Haitian paintings by well-known and newer artists. Staff can explain the main styles and schools. Confirm it is open and travel with a trusted local driver.
Pétion-Ville
The main square of Pétion-Ville, with the Saint-Pierre church on one side and street vendors selling paintings nearby. It gives a quick feel for daily life in the hillside district. Go with a local contact, as conditions change quickly.
Pétion-Ville
A busy local market selling fruit, vegetables, spices and household goods. It is a real working market, not a tourist stop, so go with someone who knows it.
Boutilliers, above Pétion-Ville
A lookout high in the hills with a wide view over the city and the bay. People come for the view, especially in clear morning light. The road up passes through areas affected by insecurity, so ask locally before going.
Fermathe
A stone fort built after independence on a ridge in the mountains above the city, with views across the valley. The cooler air and pine slopes make a change from the hot city below. The Kenscoff and Fermathe area has seen gang attacks, so check the situation first.
Tabarre
A former sugar estate turned into a museum and park, with old mills, a steam locomotive and gardens. It explains the history of sugar and rum in Haiti. Confirm it is open, as the area has been affected by unrest.
Average weather and our month score, from 10 years of climate data.
| Month | High / low | Rain days | Sunshine | Sea temp | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best month: January | 31°C / 22°C | 4 days (16 mm) | 10.4 h/day | 28°C | 6.4/10 |
| Best month: February | 32°C / 22°C | 4 days (30 mm) | 11.3 h/day | 28°C | 6.3/10 |
| March | 32°C / 23°C | 9 days (58 mm) | 11.6 h/day | 28°C | 5.4/10 |
| April | 32°C / 24°C | 11 days (74 mm) | 11.7 h/day | 29°C | 3.1/10 |
| May | 33°C / 25°C | 9 days (79 mm) | 11.4 h/day | 29°C | 3.0/10 |
| June | 35°C / 26°C | 7 days (33 mm) | 11.7 h/day | 30°C | 2.9/10 |
| July | 36°C / 26°C | 6 days (33 mm) | 11.5 h/day | 30°C | 2.5/10 |
| August | 35°C / 26°C | 10 days (79 mm) | 11.3 h/day | 31°C | 2.0/10 |
| September | 35°C / 26°C | 11 days (63 mm) | 10.9 h/day | 31°C | 2.0/10 |
| October | 33°C / 25°C | 12 days (87 mm) | 10.3 h/day | 31°C | 2.4/10 |
| November | 32°C / 24°C | 9 days (52 mm) | 10.2 h/day | 30°C | 5.3/10 |
| December | 32°C / 23°C | 4 days (18 mm) | 10.5 h/day | 29°C | 6.2/10 |
Highs of 31.4°C, 4.3 rain days and only 16 mm of rain. Dry, sunny weather gives a good score of 6.4, one of the year's best.
Highs of 31.6°C and 4.4 rain days, with 11.3 hours of sun. Still dry and warm, with a good score of 6.3.
Highs of 31.8°C, but rain days nearly double to 8.6. An ok month with a score of 5.4 as the drier season ends.
Highs of 32.2°C and 11.4 rain days bring 74 mm of rain. Wetter, hotter weather drops the score to 3.1.
Highs climb to 33.3°C, with 9.4 rain days and 79 mm of rain. Heat plus frequent showers keep the score low at 3.
Rain eases to 6.6 days, but highs reach 34.6°C and nights stay near 26°C. Strong heat keeps the score low at 2.9.
The hottest month, with highs of 35.5°C and lows of 26.4°C. Only 6.4 rain days, but the heat gives a low score of 2.5.
Highs of 35.1°C and 9.7 rain days with 79 mm of rain. Heat and rain together give one of the lowest scores, 2.
Highs of 34.5°C and 11.4 rain days. The sea is warmest at 31.3°C, but hot, wet weather keeps the score at 2.
The wettest month, with 12.1 rain days and 87 mm of rain. Highs of 33.3°C and frequent rain give a low score of 2.4.
Highs fall to 32°C and rain days drop to 8.6. Conditions improve to an ok score of 5.3.
Highs of 31.9°C, 4.3 rain days and just 18 mm of rain. The dry season returns with a good score of 6.2.
Climate averages 2015–2024 · Best time to visit Haiti →
The best areas to base yourself and who each one suits.
Good for business travellers, NGO staff
Delmas is a long commercial corridor between the airport side of the city and Pétion-Ville, with offices, shops and some guesthouses. It is practical if your work or meetings are there. Traffic is heavy, the streets are noisy, and safety varies a lot from one numbered section to the next, so ask locally about each block.
Good for longer stays, quieter evenings
Bourdon is a mostly residential hillside area on the road between central Port-au-Prince and Pétion-Ville. It is calmer than the main commercial streets and has some smaller guesthouses. Steep roads and the distance to most restaurants mean you will need a trusted driver to get around.
Good for families, quiet, cooler air
Laboule lies further up the mountain road above Pétion-Ville, with greener surroundings and cooler air than the city below. It feels more like a quiet suburb than a city district. The winding road up can be slow, and getting down to the city takes time, especially in traffic.
Good for nature lovers, hikers, slow travel
Kenscoff is a mountain town high above the capital, known for farms, pine-covered hills and noticeably cool nights. It suits travellers who want walks and fresh air rather than city life. It is a long drive from the airport and the city, and road access can be affected by both weather and the wider security situation.
Chunks of pork marinated in sour orange and spices, then fried until crisp. Locals eat it at street stalls and restaurants across the city, usually with fried plantain and pikliz.
Rice cooked with dried black mushrooms, which turn it dark grey and give it an earthy taste. It is often served at family celebrations and special Sunday meals.
A squash soup with beef, vegetables and pasta. Haitians eat it on New Year's Day, which is also Independence Day, so the soup is a symbol of freedom.
A spicy relish of shredded cabbage, carrots and hot peppers pickled in vinegar. You will find a jar on most tables, served next to fried meat and plantain.
Crisp fritters made from grated malanga root mixed with herbs and spices. They are a popular street snack, sold hot by vendors and at family gatherings.
A fried pastry filled with spiced meat, chicken or smoked herring. Street vendors sell it in the morning, and many locals eat it as a quick breakfast.
January and February are the best months to visit Port-au-Prince. They score 6.4 and 6.3 out of 10. Rain is low, with about 4.3 to 4.4 rain days and 16 to 30 mm a month. Highs stay near 31.4 to 31.6°C. You also get 10.4 to 11.3 hours of sun a day. December is also good, with 18 mm of rain.
August is hot and fairly wet, so it scores only 2 out of 10. Highs reach 35.1°C and nights stay at 26.3°C. There are about 9.7 rain days and 79 mm of rain. The sea is very warm at 30.9°C, and you still get 11.3 hours of sun a day. This suits travellers who cope well with strong heat.
October is the rainiest month in Port-au-Prince. It has about 12.1 rain days and 87 mm of rain. April and September are also wet, with 11.4 rain days each. In contrast, January and December have only 4.3 rain days. Even in October, there are about 10.3 hours of sun a day.
July is the hottest month, with highs of 35.5°C and lows of 26.4°C. June and August are close behind, at 34.6°C and 35.1°C. Nights rarely cool down much in these months. The sea is warmest in September, at 31.3°C. In January, highs are lower, at 31.4°C, with lows of 22.1°C.
Most sights take about 1 hour each. In Pétion-Ville, Galerie Monnin, Galerie Nader and Marché de Pétion-Ville each need about 1 hour. Place Saint-Pierre takes 30 minutes–1 hour. Fort Jacques in Fermathe and Parc Historique de la Canne à Sucre in Tabarre need 1–2 hours each. Observatoire de Boutilliers, above Pétion-Ville, needs about 1 hour.
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