Haiti Travel Guide - Getting Around

There are scheduled routes, operated by Caribintair, between Port-au-Prince and Cap-Haïtien, Hinche and Jérémie. Reservations should be double-checked as delays and cancellations are common. Planes may be chartered.

Sailing trips can be arranged from Port-au-Prince to beaches around the island. Glass-bottomed boat trips over Sand Cay Reef are available. Cargo ships operating between Jérémie, Cap-Haïtien and Port-au-Prince can take passengers between these ports.

Traffic drives on the right. There are all-weather roads from Port-au-Prince to Cap-Haïtien and Jacmel.

Bus: Services depart from Port-au-Prince to Cap-Haïtien, Les Cayes, Jacmel, Jérémie, Hinche and Port-de-Paix on an unscheduled basis.

Taxi: Station-wagons (camionettes) run between Port-au-Prince and Pétionville, as well as some other towns.

Car hire: Available independently in Port-au-Prince and Pétionville, or through hotels and the airport. Petrol can be very scarce outside Port-au-Prince. All hired cars’ registration numbers begin with ‘L’.

Documentation: An International Driving Permit is required.

Bus: Tap-taps, which run within Port-au-Prince with a standard rate for any journey, are colourful but crowded; travellers are advised not to use these.

Taxi: Unmetered, with fixed route prices, otherwise fares agreed in advance. Taxi licence plates begin with the letter ‘P’. Shared taxis (publics) are the cheapest form of taxi service in the towns. Drivers can be hired for tours by the hour or the day with price negotiated. Taxi drivers do not expect tips.