North and Central America and Caribbean

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 Travel insurance.

If things do go wrong when you are overseas then this is How we can help.

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
 

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

 

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.