Getting around Haiti

Haiti is not a place to get around casually right now. Canada and the United Kingdom both advise their citizens against all travel: armed carjacking is common, criminal groups put up improvised roadblocks to extort or kidnap motorists, and public transport is often disrupted by blocked roads and security incidents. Canada's advice is to avoid all public transport, above all the trucks converted into buses known as tap-taps, and it names Cap-Haïtien's international airport as the best way in and out while regular international flights to Port-au-Prince are suspended. If you must move by road, travel with people who know the ground that day.

How it works

Roads and roadblocks

Armed carjacking is common and criminal groups often use improvised road blocks to extort or kidnap motorists. Armed gangs have set up roadblocks along Route Nationale 2 from Martissant to Miragoâne, and road travel between cities is strongly advised against.

Tap-taps and public transport

Public transport is unsafe and unreliable: vehicles are often in poor condition or overloaded, and services are often disrupted by blocked roads and security incidents. Canada's advice is to avoid all public transport in Haiti, most specifically the trucks converted into buses known as tap-taps.

If you must drive

Keep the fuel tank at least half full, because fuel supplies are frequently disrupted; carry a phone and emergency numbers, because roadside assistance is deficient; avoid driving at night or in bad weather, even in the city; and watch for pedestrians and stray animals on the road.

Flying in and out

Domestic and international flight options are extremely limited. There are no regular international flights to or from Port-au-Prince until further notice, and Canada names the international airport at Cap-Haïtien as the best option for leaving the country.

Official sources

Car and scooter hire