By Bjørn Watne
Bjørn is a Norwegian who lives most of his life out of a suitcase between the Nordics and Asia; his list of TCC territories is only surpassed by his airline miles.
Travel to Haiti on July 9, 2024, was a concern not only because of a hurricane looming on the horizon, but also from the political storms ravaging the country from the inside.
Obtaining intel about the situation on the ground isn’t easy with limited media coverage, and most local people are inactive on social media. Cap-Haïtien in the north is considered a safe space as the gangs from Port-au-Prince don’t have a presence there. Avoid the capital of Port-au-Prince where there are riots and turbulence. Even Cap-Haïtiens stay away from the capital.
When to go
The country lies in the hurricane belt; June to November is susceptible to storms. Hurricane Beryl was close by in July.
Getting there
There are many flights from Florida to Haiti. The cheapest option was Spirit Airways from Fort Lauderdale (FLL), which was $120 one way.
Money
USD is the primary currency and credit cards are accepted at established hotels and restaurants.
Arrival and getting around
Upon arrival, fill out an entry and tax form and pay a few US dollars for the entry tax. Tourists are generally waived through customs.
It is recommended to book an airport taxi in advance from your hotel. The fare should be around $30. My guide Rosch was waiting for me.
Places to stay
The Habitation des Lauriers in Cap-Haïtien costs approximately $65 per night for an economy double room. À la carte breakfast is included in the price, and the hotel offers stunning views of the city as it’s perched up on the cliffside overlooking the downtown area and the port.
Food and drink
A night on the town was perhaps the last thing I had expected to do in Haiti, but now that I did, it’s highly recommended.The road that runs parallel to the sea northeast of the city is called “The Boulevard,” and here you will find plenty of nice clubs and restaurants that serve up local and international cocktails and dishes. Lakay was my favorite restaurant for dining and Boukanye offered live music and delicious cocktails.
Things to see and do
I was driven northwest of Cap-Haïtien to the village of Labadie. A local charter boat took us around the many secluded beaches situated here. A nearby beach resort offered food and drinks for purchase and the beach itself was beautiful if one wanted to go for a swim.
The sea-to-summit access to the UNESCO-listed Citadelle Laferrière is an adventure. We switched from car to motorcycle to horseback before finally arriving at the citadel. The views from the top were stunning; the citadel looked like something out of a fantasy novel. The absence of any other foreign person made it quite the experience.
Sans-Souci Palace was the residence of Haiti’s only king, Henri Christophe An aerial view of the (who built the citadel.) Citadelle Laferrière. While the palace was worse for wear, it was still a great place to behold. It was not too difficult to imagine what it had looked like when the buildings, gardens, ponds and fountains were well maintained.
The tour ended with a visit to downtown Cap-Haïtien. It was a nice city walk visiting some freedom monuments and the central cathedral.
Resources
- Habitation des Lauriers
https://www.hotelhabitationdeslauriers.com/fr
WhatsApp: +509 37 25 9836 - Rosch Pierre
jsanderly59@gmail.com
WhatsApp: +509 32 96 9276
