Haiti occupies the mountainous, forest-covered, western part of the island of Hispaniola (the second largest Antilles island after Cuba). In the east of the island is the Dominican Republic. In addition, the Île de la Gonâve in the gulf of the same name and the island of La Tortue in the north of Hispaniola belong to the state territory of Haiti.
Haiti is separated from Cuba by the Windward Passage (90 km) and from Jamaica by the Jamaica Channel (180 km). That country lies in the zone of the outer tropics between 18 ° and 20 ° north latitude.
Haiti climate
According to Cheeroutdoor, Haiti is located in the west of the island of Hipaniola in the Caribbean. The climate in Haiti is tropical hot and humid t. temperatures vary more during the day than between the seasons. The maximum temperatures are usually around 30 ° C, in summer (July / August) temperatures can rise to up to 35 ° C. Temperatures of 20 ° C are reached during the night. At higher elevations in Haiti, however, it can get significantly cooler, here the average annual temperatures are between 18 and 22 ° C.
The northeast trade wind almost always blows over Haiti, making the high temperatures on the coasts bearable.
The country has two rainy seasons : April to May and September to October, with most of the rain (up to 2,600 mm per year) falling in the south-west of the country. In the north it rains the least (approx. 500 – 900 mm precipitation per year).
Haiti is in the catchment area of tropical cyclones, the hurricane season is between June and October. The greatest probability of hurricanes in Haiti is in the months of August, September and October.
Best time to travel to Haiti
If you plan to go hiking, trekking, or driving, avoid the rainy season. In September 2004, Hurricane Jeanne killed 3,000 people and wreaked havoc in the region around the city of Gonaïves. There is no real tourist season, so Haiti could be an ideal travel destination during the drier periods July to September and the northern winter December to March, when most of the Caribbean islands are crowded with tourists. At this time the rains subsided for a few weeks. However, watch out for hurricane warnings in summer / fall.
It’s worth planning a visit to Haiti for Carnival (the three days leading up to Ash Wednesday) or Rara (the week leading up to Easter) when the music and dancing seem to be spontaneous. Avoid the weeks leading up to an election when violence can break out just as spontaneously.
Haiti arrival
Airplane: Lufthansa, Swiss International, Austrian and several American and British airlines fly to Haiti from Germany, Switzerland and Austria with stopovers in Paris, New York or London. American Airlines and Spirit Airlines fly from the USA, and Air Canada from Canada.
Air France flies from Paris via New York or Miami to Port-au-Prince. Lynx Air flies to Cap Haitien from Fort Lauderale.
Air Jamaica, Aerocaribbean and Air Caraibes fly to Haiti within the Caribbean.
Airports: the main international airport in Haiti is Aéroport International Toussaint Louverture (PAP). It is located 6 km northeast of the city. Taxis drive into town and rental cars can also be hired.
Haiti’s second international airport is Cap Haïtien (CAP), which is 3 km from Cap Haïtien. The only international flights land here from Florida (USA).
Ship: Several cruise lines call at Haiti, for example Royal Caribbean. The most important ports in the country are Port-au-Prince and Cap Haitien.
Buses Caribe Tours and Terra Bus run daily to Santo Domingo in theDominican Republic. From Cap-Haïtien there is a direct bus connection from Ayido Tours to Santiago in the Dominican Republic twice a week.
There are three border crossings into the Dominican Republic: between Malpasse and Jimani on the route betweenSanto Domingo and Port-au-Prince, between Ouanaminthe and Dajabon on the route between Cap-Haïtien and Santiago and between Belladere and Elias Pina.
Haiti – entry requirements
Passport:
is generally required for travel to Haiti. The passport must be valid for at least 6 months upon entry. A return or onward ticket is required for entry by plane.
Visa :
Citizens of EU countries, Switzerland and Turkey do not need a visa for tourist trips of up to 3 months. When entering Haiti, an entry form is filled out, which you must keep during the trip in order to show it again when you leave the country.
For longer trips in Haiti or business trips, a visa must be applied for at the responsible Haitian diplomatic mission abroad (see Haiti – important addresses).
A tax of around US $ 30 must be paid upon departure, this is not possible in Gourdes.
Transit :
Visitors who require a visa, who have the necessary onward travel documents, continue their flight within 24 hours and do not leave the transit area, do not need a transit visa.
Entry with children :
For accompanying children, the same visa requirements apply as for their parents. Every child needs a travel document that must be valid for at least 6 months when entering Haiti.
Germany: German child ID card or your own passport.
Austria: separate passport for children
Switzerland: separate passport for children
Vaccinations:
You can find detailed information on recommended and required vaccinations for travel to Haiti in the chapter Haiti – Health and Diseases.
