Travelling & Living Overseas

North and Central America and Caribbean

Haiti Flag of Haiti

Still current at: 20 July 2008
Updated: 30 June 2008


This advice has been reviewed and reissued with an amendments throughout.  The overall level of the advice has not changed.

(see travel advice legal disclaimer)                    

Travel advice for this country

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Travel Summary

  • We advise against all but essential travel to Haiti, because of the threat to personal security.  There are incidences of violence and kidnappings for ransom, which have included foreign nationals,  taking place mainly in Port-au-Prince.   In April 2008 there were sporadic violent demonstrations and riots over the high price of basic food.  See the Political Situation section of this advice for more details.
  • The hurricane season in Haiti normally runs from June to November.  See the Natural Disasters section of this advice and Tropical Cyclones for more details.
  • There is no British Embassy in Haiti and public operations at the British Consulate office in Port-au-Prince have been suspended since July 2005, due to the security situation.  Visa and consular enquiries should be directed to the British Embassy in the Dominican Republic .  See the General (Representation in Haiti) section of this advice for more details.
  • 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 strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You should check any exclusions and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. See the General (Insurance) section of this advice and Travel Insurance for more details.

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 Terrorism Abroad.

Crime

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 not to walk in the streets during the day; and especially at night; not to leave property in vehicles and to 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. It is not advisable to go out after dark in down town Port-au-Prince. Some areas should be avoided whenever possible such the “bidonvilles” (slum areas) of Martissant, Cite Soleil district of the Carrefour.

The security situation is better in cities outside the capital, with the exception of Gonaives and to a lesser extent, Cap Haitien.  The areas of Petionville and Bourdon are inhabited by  expatriates and, although  regarded as relatively safe during daylight hours, care should be taken at night.

Across Haiti, pickpockets and theft of valuables are common.

Security guards are recommended for long-term foreign residents.

Kidnapping

Kidnapping for ransom and armed robbery have increased in 2008.  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 Victims of Crime Abroad.

Political Situation
Haiti Country Profile

Rene Preval was inaugurated as President in May 2006.  Violence flared at the time of the Presidential elections, but was followed by successful municipal and local elections in December 2006.
 
The political situation in Haiti is continuing to improve tentatively, but remains fragile and supported by UN forces.  There has been an increase in popular demonstrations over the high price of basic foods in early April 2008.  Demonstrations have turned violent in the past and although government buildings and institutions have been principal targets they can spread quickly or flare up anywhere in any city.  You are advised to avoid any demonstrations or civil disturbances and leave the area immediately should you get caught up in one.

Local Travel

We advise against all but essential travel to Haiti due to the threat to personal security, especially in the captal of Port-au-Prince.  However, for those who have to be in Haiti extreme caution should be exercised.  If you do decide to travel around the country  we advise that you should take the following precautions:
  • You should travel with a knowlegable and reliable guide
  • You should avoid all public transport and only use rented cars with a local driver from a reliable agency (Dynamic Car Rentals, Budget etc)
  • You should be aware that the security situation in Haiti can change at short notice
The port of Labadie on the north coast of Haiti continues to be a frequent stop for cruise ships.
 
Internal flights between the capital and some provincial towns are available.

Road Travel

A UK driving licence is only valid for two months in Haiti.

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.  Roads are often unlit and it is not uncommon after dark to encounter cars, trucks or motorcycles driving without lights.  Drivers pay little regard to the laws of the road and you should drive therefore drive with extreme caution at all times.  Standards of car maintenance are also low.

For more general information see Driving Abroad.
   
Air Travel

Internal flights between the capital and some provincial towns are available.  Please note that the Government of Haiti's National Office of Civil Aviation (OFNAC) has grounded all national operations of Caribintair Airlines due to safety concerns.

If travelling to the Dominican Republic the route between Santo Domingo and Portu-au-Prince is operated by Caribair Airlines; a separate Santo Domingo based company.

For more general information see Airline Security.

Local laws and customs

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

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

Medical facilities are very limited in Haiti and they offer 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, other intestinal problems and hepatitis are common to Haiti.  You should drink or use only boiled or bottled water and avoid ice in drinks.  If you suffer from diarrhoea during a visit to Haiti you should seek immediate medical attention.

Dengue fever is common to Latin America and the Caribbean and can occur throughout the year. In 2007 there was a marked increase in the number of reported cases of dengue across the region.  There have been outbreaks of both malaria and dengue fever in Port au Prince and the Cotes des Arcadins area.

In the 2006 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic the UNAIDS/WHO Working Group estimated that around 180,000 adults aged 15 or over in Haiti were living with HIV; the prevalence rate was estimated at around 3.8% 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 HIV and AIDS.

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) and NHS Scotland’s Fit for Travel or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.

For more general health information see Travel Health.

Natural disasters


Hurricanes

The hurricane season in Haiti normally runs from June to November.  There have been several hurricanes in recent decades causing loss of life, major damage and severe flooding. 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 Tropical Cyclones.


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

The Caribbean plate runs off the north coast of Haiti and slight earth tremors occur occasionally.  There have been no major earthquakes in recent times.

General

Insurance
 
We strongly 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.

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 and public operations at the British Consulate office in Port-au-Prince have been suspended since July 2005, due to the security situation.  Visa and consular enquiries should be directed to the British Embassy in the Dominican Republic.
 
Communications
 
Telephone and e-mail communications in Haiti are sparse and erratic.
 
Money
 
You can exchange American Dollars cash or travellers' cheques for local currency in commercial banks.  Other foreign currencies cannot normally be exchanged.  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.

Travel advice for this country

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contacts

Dominican Republic, Santo Domingo, British Embassy

Address:

British Embassy
Ave 27 de Febrero No 233
Edificio Corominas Pepin
Santo Domingo

Telephone:

Telephone: (001) (809) 472 7111 Embassy
(001) (809) 472 7575   Consular
(001) (809) 472 7054  Trade  

(001)  (829) 726 0753 Emergencies outside office hours (mobile)  

Email:    brit.emb.sadom@codetel.net.do

Fax:

Facsimile:     (001) (809) 472 7190  
(001) (809)  472 7574 Consular

E-mail:  brit.emb.sadom@codetel.net.do

Email: brit.emb.sadom@codetel.net.do

Office hours:

GMT:
Mon-Thurs: 1200-2030
Fri: 1200-1700

Local Time:
Mon-Thurs: 0800-1630
Fri: 0800-1300

Website: http://www.britishembassy.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPage&c=Page&cid=1168350332874