Port-au-prince Travel Guide

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Sitting Area Above Restaurant

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The capital city of Port-au-Prince is the largest in Haiti and also is one of the cities tragically damaged by the powerful earthquake of 2010. Regardless of the tragedies Haiti and Port-au-Prince have faced throughout the years, its people refuse to give up or be kept down. They are in fact some of the most uplifting people you will ever meet and are true survivors. Use this Port-au-Prince Travel Guide to navigate through the city where locals always greet you with a smile and a friendly 'How are you?'

The Must Knows

The official languages of Port-au-Prince are French and Creole. Some English is spoken but it would be best to at least brush up on your French if you know any.  The official currency is called a Gourde, and there is 1 health issue in the area - typhoid fever. The best times to travel to Port-au-Prince are from January to April when you will experience the most comfortable weather conditions. However, off-season times would work as well as prices would be cheaper but not all attractions may be available to visit and the climate is much more humid and hot.

Attractions

There are so many things to do and see in the city of Port-au Prince. Here is a list of some of the more popular tourist attractions:

  • The Delfly Mansion, a beautiful gingerbread style home of 19th century French architecture, designed by a local Haitian architect.
  • The Museum of Haitian Art, where some of the most prized paintings and sculptured arts of the world are housed.
  • The Iron Market, a bargaining vendor market where locals sell foods and other goods (you must barter prices for items with the vendors).
  • Bassin Bleu, a breathtaking oasis of clear water pools adjoined to nearby waterfalls. You can arrive at this location either by car or if you're more adventurous, on horseback.

Where to Stay


You will find an abundant number of lodgings in Port-au-Prince and they are all in a good price range. If you are looking to stay right in the city itself, there are 3 hotels downtown: the Oloffson Hotel, the Park Hotel and the Coconut Villa which, all which average between $60 and 70 nightly. If you have a rental car or another means of dependable travel (bus, taxi), there are the Petion-ville Hotels including the El Rancho, Prince, and Kinam which are all just a short way from downtown and offer more of a residential resort atmosphere in addition to a local casino, golf course and cost between $50 and $200 nightly.













Port-au-Prince feels like a small town. In reality it has more than four million inhabitants and it's by far the largest city of the country. The fact remains that there are mostly two-story buildings and only two “skyscrapers” (both less than 20 stories).

Port-au-Prince was a place to be avoided until recently. With an average of 35 kidnappings a week and frequent exchanges of fire between police until early 2007, United Nations troops and, now, less active and depleted criminal gangs that dominated the city's coastal slums, this is a location that still requires caution, but is reasonable to visit with proper guidance.

The Petionville area of the city is far more secure, with nightlife and business proceeding with an air of normalcy that is a stark contrast to other parts of this city.

 

Contributors

April 10, 2010 change by suegabel

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