North and Central America and Caribbean

• Travel Summary
• Safety and security
• Local laws and customs
• Entry requirements

• Health
• Natural disasters
• General
 

Travel Summary

• We currently advise against all but essential travel to Haiti. An earthquake measuring 7.1 on the Richter scale hit Haiti on 12 January 2010 causing major casualties and extensive damage to infrastructure, including buildings in the Port au Prince area.
  
  
• There is no British Embassy in Haiti. British Nationals in Haiti who require consular assistance should contact our Honorary Consul, Florence Boucard on 509 3744 6371, 337 Route de Dalmas or the British Embassy in Santo Domingo on 0018294727111.
  
  
• UK nationals in Port-au-Prince are advised that it is not safe to move in the city after dark.  We advise against all travel to the district of Cite Soleil.
  
  
• There have been a number of demonstrations in Port-au-Prince.  An incident on 8 March involved aid workers being detained and attacked with stones.  See Crime section of this Travel Advice.
  
  
• There is a low threat from terrorism.  But you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks which could be in public areas, including those frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
  
  
• We recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. See the General (Insurance) section of this Travel Advice.
  
  
• The hurricane season in Haiti normally runs from June to November.   You should pay close attention to local and international weather reports and follow the advice of local authorities. See the Natural Disasters section of this advice and our Tropical Cyclones page of our website.
  

Safety and security

Terrorism

There is a low threat from terrorism.  But you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks which could be in public areas, including those frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers. For more general information see our Terrorism abroad page.

Crime

There have been reports of a breakdown in law and order following the earthquake on 12 January. The Haitian authorities are in a state of disorganisation, and travellers should take extra care whilst travelling, particularly at night. There have been reports of attacks on travellers on the main road between Port-au-Prince and the border with the Domincan Republic. 

Following the earthquake, violent outbreaks are likely in areas where the immediate aid situation comes under extreme pressure.  Demonstrations have been reported around the Port-au-Prince area since the beginning of March.  On 8 March, aid workers handing out coupons for food distribution in a camp near Delmas 75 were detained and stones were thrown at them.  MINUSTAH military forces responded and the individuals were released without injuries.  You should avoid all large gatherings where possible, particularly where there is no security presence, and leave the area immediately should you get caught up in such a gathering.

There have been random shootings of civilians in incidents of street robbery.  Foreign nationals have also occasionally been caught in the crossfire of gang violence.

In Port-au-Prince you are advised to exercise caution during the day, and you are advised not to travel at night.  We advise against all travel to the district of Cite Soleil.  You should not to leave property in vehicles and  always travel with doors locked and windows up. You are advised to park close to any venues that you visit and not to leave a venue alone and always check your surroundings.

Across Haiti, pickpockets and theft of valuables are common.

Security guards are recommended at the homes of long-term foreign residents.

Kidnapping

Kidnapping for ransom and armed robbery reached a high during 2008.  Since then, the threat has reduced markedly but still exists.  These are usually targeted at Haitian nationals, although some foreign nationals have been held hostage and subsequently released.  The most vulnerable areas appear to be at venues following meetings and receptions where kidnappers target individuals as they return to their vehicles.

For more general information see our Victims of crime abroad page.

Political Situation

Haiti Country Profile

The political structures of Haiti have been badly disrupted by the recent earthquake. The Haitian government and its ministries are not fully functioning and it is likely that this situation willl continue for the weeks to come.  The UN are playing a critical role in supporting the Haitian government through this humanitarian crisis, and will continue to do so throughout the recovery period.

Generally, demonstrations occur in Haiti from time to time, sometimes with little warning. They can become violent and disrupt movement. Following the earthquake, violent outbreaks are likely in areas where the immediate aid situation comes under extreme pressure.  You are advised to avoid all demonstrations or large gatherings and leave the area immediately should you get caught up in one. You should continue to monitor local news reports.

Local Travel

We advise those travelling in Haiti to exercise a high degree of caution.  You should take the following precautions:

• You should travel with a knowledgeable and reliable guide
• You should avoid all public transport and only use rented cars with a local driver from a reliable agency (Avis, Budget etc)
• Ensure you have all supplies you might need for your stay, as fuel, food and water shortages are likely
• You should be aware that the security situation in Haiti can change at short notice

Road Travel

Road conditions have been badly affected by the recent earthquake.  Many roads, particularly near the epicentre of the earthquake, are difficult to use if not impassable. There are reports of attacks on those using the road between Port-au-Prince and the border with the Dominican Republic.  Fuel is also becoming in short supply.  Whilst the UN and others are working to maintain security and restore access, their priority will continue to be delivery of humanitarian aid to those most in need.  You should research your journey carefully before you set out and have back up options if needed.

The standard of both roads and driving is very poor in Haiti.  Many of the tarmac roads are in a state of disrepair whilst other roads, particularly in the countryside are little more than dirt tracks.  Drainage is poor and flooding is common after rainfall.  Roads are often unlit and it is not uncommon after dark to encounter cars, trucks or motorcycles driving without lights.  Drivers often pay little regard to the laws of the road and you should therefore drive with extreme caution at all times.  Standards of car maintenance are also low.

A UK driving licence is only valid for three months in Haiti.  Visitors who intend to remain in Haiti longer than this period should obtain an International Driving licence.

It is possible to drive between the Dominican Republic and Haiti but be prepared for long queues at the four crossing points to deal with the bureaucracy of customs and immigration.

A luxury bus service operated by Caribe Tours normally runs daily between Santo Domingo and Petionville (not Port au Prince) and vice versa. It is comfortable and the journey takes about six hours.

For more general information see our Driving Abroad page.

Air Travel

The recent earthquake on 12 January has caused enormous disruptions to the airport at Port-au-Prince and to all commercial air services operating from it.  This disruption is likely to continue for some time as priority is being given to international assistance efforts.

According to the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the Government of Haiti's civil aviation authority has been assessed a Category 2 which does not meet ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organisation) safety standards for the oversight of Haiti's air carrier operations. 

Internal flights between the capital and some provincial towns are available. For security reasons, staff from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office are not allowed to use the Haitian domestic airline  Caribintair for any official journeys.  You should take this into consideration when making travel plans.

For more general information see Airline security.

Local laws and customs

You are advised not to become involved with illegal drugs of any kind.  Pack all luggage yourself and do not be tempted to carry any items through customs for anyone else.  If you are caught in possession of drugs or suspected of drug trafficking at any point whilst in Haiti, you may be arrested and jailed for weeks or months before appearing before a magistrate.  Prison conditions in Haiti are very poor.  

You should always carry proof of your identity.  Keep a copy of the photopage of your passport and relevant visa stamp in case your documents are stolen.

Homosexuality is legal but not widely accepted.

For more general information for different types of travellers see our Your trip page.

Entry requirements

Visas

  British passport holders do not require a visa to visit Haiti for periods of up to 90 days.  For up-to-date advice, visitors are advised to contact the Haitian Embassy in Paris at Rue Théodule Ribot 10, 75827 Paris, France (telephone:  +33 01 47634778) before travelling.   You will be issued with a card on arrival at the airport, which you must keep and surrender to Immigration on departure.  

Passport Validity

  Passports must have at least six months validity remaining from the date of entry.  

Departure tax

  Departing tourists are currently required to pay 25 American dollars in departure taxes.  However, the Haitian authorities may change departure tax requirements without warning, so it is advisable to have some spare American Dollars and a little local currency available on departure.

Health

The earthquake on 12 January has caused considerable damage to local hospitals and impacted on healthcare provision.  Limited help is available at present though field hospitals have been sent as part of the international assistance effort.  Medical facilities are stretched to more than full capacity and resources have dwindled.  Humanitarian assistance being brought in to the country includes medical supplies and equipment.

Normal medical facilities are very limited in Haiti, offering a poor standard of care.  You should bring adequate supplies of essential medicines, especially for specific medical conditions such as diabetes, etc.

Malaria, dengue fever, parasitic infections, hepatitis, and other intestinal problems including typhoid fever are not uncommon in Haiti. You should drink or use only boiled or bottled water and avoid ice in drinks.  Rabies has been prevalent in recent years, particularly around the Port-au-Prince region.  If you are ill or bitten by an animal whilst in Haiti you should seek prompt medical advice.

In the 2008 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic the UNAIDS/WHO Working Group estimated that around 110,000 adults aged 15 or over in Haiti were living with HIV; the prevalence rate was estimated at around 2.2% of the adult population. This compares to the prevalence rate in adults in the UK of around 0.2%.  You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS. For more general information on how to do this see our HIV and AIDS page.

You should seek medical advice before travelling to Haiti and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up-to-date. For further information on vaccination requirements, health outbreaks and general disease protection and prevention you should visit the websites of the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) or NHS Scotland’s Fit for Travel or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.

For more general health information see our Travel health and Swine Flu pages.

Natural disasters

Hurricanes

The hurricane season in Haiti normally runs from June to November.  You should pay close attention to local and international weather reports and follow the advice of local authorities.  A series of hurricanes and tropical storms affected Haiti during the 2008 hurricane season, resulting in widespread flooding and substantial loss of life.  Recovery has been slow, with some communities being cut off by road for a considerable time.  Waterlogged ground was thought to be a contributing factor to the collapse of two schools, killing many children and adults, in Port-au-Prince in November 2008. 

If you are staying in Haiti when a hurricane occurs you should listen to information given on the television/radio stations and follow the advice of hosts or hotel management.  You should monitor local and international weather updates from the World Meteorological Organisation and the National Hurricane Centre. For more general information see our Tropical Cyclones page.

Emergency services are ill equipped to cope with a major disaster.  Should a hurricane strike Haiti, basic services - transport and communications -could be severely disrupted.

Earthquakes

An earthquake measuring 7.1 on the Richter scale hit Haiti on 12 January 2010.  Aftershocks were felt as recently as 20 January.  There are mass casualties and extensive damage to infrastructure, including to government buildings and many homes in the Port au Prince area.  Humanitarian assistance is being delivered to provide requirements from clean water and sanitation to food and shelter for the millions of people affected.  You should monitor local and international media reports and follow advice of international agencies and governments.

The Caribbean plate runs off the north coast of Haiti and slight earth tremors occur occasionally. 

General

Insurance

 We recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling.  This should cover medical evacuation by air ambulance.  You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. For more general information see our Travel insurance page.

If things do go wrong when you are overseas then this is our When Things Go Wrong page.

Consular registration

Register with our LOCATE service to tell us when and where you are travelling abroad or where you live abroad so our consular and crisis staff can provide better assistance to you in an emergency.  More information about registering with LOCATE can be found here.
 

Representation in Haiti

 There is no British Embassy in Haiti.  An Honorary Consulate is located at 337 Route de Delmas 72/73 opposite the ERF building and close to the Canadian Embassy – its hours of service are restricted.  If contact cannot be made then consular enquiries should be directed to the British Embassy in the Dominican Republic.  

Communications

Communications have been widely disrupted by the recent earthquake.  Mobile phone networks will not always work.  Landlines and internet networks are similarly affected.  Telephone and e-mail communications in Haiti are erratic.  Mobile telephones are widely used and roaming is available for some service providers (e.g.Orange, Codetel, Digicel).  Signal reception varies according to location but is improving, especially around Port-au-Prince. Local SIM cards and prepaid cards can be purchased at outlets throughout the main centres.  

Money

 You can exchange American Dollars cash or travellers' cheques for local currency in commercial banks.  Other foreign currencies may be exchanged at the discretion of the bank.  Some hotels and shops accept payment in American Dollars.  Most credit cards may be used in major hotels, and in some shops and businesses in the capital.  You are advised not to change money on the street.