Car hire in Haiti
Renting a car in Haiti is a great way to add some adventure to your trip. While roads are notoriously rough, signage sparse and driving conditions challenging, having your own vehicle is the only real way to get out into the countryside and explore hidden beaches and natural wonders. On this site, you can compare car hire prices from Budget, Hertz, Sixt and many other top international car rental agencies.
Car hire driving tips in Haiti
People don’t travel to Haiti unless they’re in search of a real Caribbean adventure. Car rental isn’t cheap in Haiti so book online well in advance to get the best deal and lowest rates. Port-au-Princeis the most convenient place to pick up car hire, especially at the airport where most of the agencies have offices. It’s suggested to pay a little more to secure a four-wheel drive vehicle as the roads on the island are almost all pot-holed and rugged.
Need to know essentials
Driving licences: either an International Driving Permit or a driving license from your home country is acceptable in Haiti.
Which side does Haiti drives on: the right.
Speed limits:
Highways and dual carriageways (outside urban areas): 120kph
National or provincial roads: 110kph
Local roads: 80kph
Urban roads: 50kph
Alcohol limits: although drinking and driving is technically illegal in Haiti, alcohol limits are not clearly stated and the law is rarely enforced.
Driving age: there is no minimum age to drive in Haiti though rental firms may insist on drivers being at least 21 years old.
Seatbelts: are not required to be worn but wearing them is highly recommended given the challenging road conditions.
Mobile phones and GPS: it is legal to drive while using a mobile phone in Haiti. A GPS can be a real life saver as most roads are poorly signed. This popular add-on is available from most rental companies and is well worth the money.
Cost of fuel in Haiti: unleaded petrol (95 and 98 octane) and diesel prices in Haiti are considerably higher than in the UK given the fluctuating pump prices.
Car hire and fuel payment: to rent a car in Haiti, you will need to produce a valid credit card or cash deposit to act as a security against unforeseen late fees and damages not covered by insurance. The petrol stations in Haiti rarely accept credit cards so be sure to have enough cash on hand.
Insurance: car insurance is not a common concept in Haiti, but most rental companies will include some form of basic liability coverage with the vehicle. Extra coverage is a good idea; just be sure the insurance company used by the office is a well-known, reputable agency.
Traffic and parking: unfortunately, Haiti is rather notorious for its traffic jams in urban areas. On country roads, traffic takes on many different forms including broken down vehicles, livestock and people walking along the roads. Driving may be a challenge in Haiti, but is not impossible for drivers with patience and skill. Parking is a veritable free-for-all in Haitian towns so just make sure your car is locked and not in a place that someone else could claim as their own.
Our travel editor’s recommended drives
Southern Coast –Haiti’s southern coast has some real gems, including colourful Victorian towns like Jacmel and impressive national parks such as Park Macaya. The roads here are better than in most of the country, and there’s plenty of spots to stop off and take a break.
Cap Haitien – the country’s second city is a much more relaxing alternative to the capital, providing the perfect base for excursions to the striking mountaintop Citadel and the idyllic beach of Plage Labadie.
The Southern Claw – cloud forests, jagged rock formations and some of the best bird-watching on the island is on the menu in this wild corner of Haiti, known as the Claw. This rugged road leads to the dream-like hamlet of Jeremie, the ‘City of Poets’.
Saut-Mathurine –Haiti’s most photogenic waterfall is well worth the four-wheel drive effort to get here as its remote location has protected it against development and other ugly human intrusions.
Haiti travel tips
Earthquakes aside, Haiti is arguably the most adventurous place to travel in the Caribbean. Its rare mix of gritty, urban society and incredible nature offer plenty for the intrepid traveller to chew on. The best spots are well off the beaten track, requiring a car to reach. But part of the adventure in Haiti is getting where you’re going, and this is one destination that offers a truly eye-opening experience.
Haiti weather and tourist seasons
Haiti’s climate is pure tropical, with warm temperatures throughout the year accompanied by intermittent rainfall. Location dictates any minor variation in the weather. Along the coast, it is rather humid but in the interior hill resorts, temperatures are often much cooler. Hurricane season runs from June to September, bringing the potential for major storms and tricky driving conditions. There’s no particular tourist season, but December and February are popular months to visit.
Haiti contact numbers (+509)
Emergency services – 114
Emergency Medical – 118
Emergency Police – 114
British Consular Emergency Services – 509 3744 6371
British Embassy – 509 3744 6371
US Embassy – 509 229 8000
Canadian Embassy – 509 2812 9000
Holidays and festivals
Haiti has a solid calendar of national holidays and religious days, but without question the big event in this country is Carnival. Island-wide festivities begin in February and involve copious amounts of dancing, music, singing and parades, with colourful floats in virtually every town and city in the country. The centrepiece of Haiti’s calendar is reason enough to plan to trip here, as the celebrations are legendary. Just before Easter is another big event, Rara, which is another Carnival-like festival filled with traditional dance, music and fun.
Money matters
Haiti effectively uses three different currencies. The gourde, which comes in notes and coins, is the official currency although many businesses price items in the unofficial Haitian dollar. US currency is also widely accepted. Travellers cheques can only be cashed in banks but credit cards are accepted at most shops in large cities. ATMs are not reliable in Haiti, so plan to bring enough cash or travellers cheques with you. Banks generally open Monday to Friday from 09:00 to 13:00 and 15:00 to 17:00, with some large banks opening on Saturday mornings.
Health and safety
Haiti has serious health problems, especially since the 2010 earthquake. Visitors are highly advised to get a full regime of vaccinations against diphtheria, typhoid and hepatitis. Nasty diseases like cholera occasionally break out in urban areas so be sure to only drink bottled water and eat fully cooked food. Dengue fever and malaria also make regular appearances but can largely be avoided by covering your skin at sundown and sunup. Buying health insurance for your trip is highly recommended in the event of any serious health problems that require emergency evacuation.
Fitting in…
Greetings are perhaps the most important thing to Haitians, so be sure to go out of your way to say hello to everyone you pass. Haggling is another big component to social life, so expect to bargain with Haitians for everything. Modesty is important as well, so reserve public displays of affection and skimpy clothing for private settings.
Visas for Haiti
Citizens of the EU, the UK, the US, Canada and Australia do not need a visa for stays of up to 90 days. A passport valid for six months after the date of entry is the only requirement, so make sure there is plenty of time left on your passport. Travellers from other countries should contact their nearest Haitian embassy for up-to-date visa information.
Electricity
The voltage in Haiti is 220-110 Volts, 60 Hertz. Flat pronged plugs are the most common, so it’s advised that travellers from the UK and Europe bring a universal plug converter with them.
Business hours
Although the 2010 earthquake greatly disrupted regular schedules of business throughout the country, shops are typically open Monday to Friday from 08:00 to 12:00 and 13:00 to 16:00 and Saturdays from 08:00 to 12:00. The business environment is still tenuous so be prepared for sporadic hours of operation at both government offices and private shops.
Helpful phrases
Bonjou – Good morning
Souple - Please
Mesi – Thank-you
Wi/non – Yes/no
Komon ou ye? – How are you?
Eskize mwen – Excuse me
Resources online
