Top 10 Things to Do in Haiti
Whenever someone asks me for a Haiti bucket list, I have trouble keeping it to ten, because this country packs an absurd amount into one small island. My trips have taken me from a hilltop fortress that still smells of history to turquoise coves that look invented. This list is the set of experiences I would not skip on a repeat visit, ranked roughly by how much they stuck with me. Bring an adventurous spirit and a good pair of shoes, and work through these highlights.
1. Climb the Citadelle Laferriere
Start with the crown jewel. The Citadelle Laferriere is a massive stone fortress sitting on a mountain above Cap Haitien, built in the early nineteenth century to defend against a French return that never came. Reaching it means a steep hike or a horse ride up the muddy path, and the climb is part of the memory. Standing on its ramparts with the plains below is something I will never forget. Combine it with the nearby ruins of Sans Souci palace.
2. Wander Sans Souci Palace Ruins
Just down the mountain from the Citadelle, Sans Souci feels like discovering a lost royal palace in the jungle. Built for King Henri Christophe, the roofless halls and overgrown archways make it one of the most atmospheric ruins I have walked through anywhere, not just in the Caribbean. Go early in the day to beat the heat and have the place almost to yourself.
3. Explore Jacmel’s Arts Scene
On the south coast, Jacmel is Haiti’s creative heart. Its winding streets hold artists’ workshops, galleries, and the famous ornate ironwork made from recycled oil drums. I spent a full afternoon just drifting between studios and came home with a painting that still hangs on my wall. If you can time a visit to the winter carnival, Jacmel’s is legendary for its papier mache masks.
4. Relax on Ile a Vache
For an easy beach escape, catch a boat to Ile a Vache, a sleepy island off the southwest coast. The water here is the clearest turquoise I saw anywhere in Haiti, and the pace is gloriously slow. I kayaked the shallows, hiked the hilltop for the view, and ate fresh fish at dusk. It is the closest Haiti comes to a classic Caribbean island escape.
5. Swim at Bassin Bleu
Hidden in the hills above Jacmel, Bassin Bleu is a chain of natural rock pools filled with impossibly blue water. Reaching it involves a walk through forest and a scramble over rocks, and climbing in is bracing since the water runs cold. On a hot day it is pure relief, and the waterfalls between pools make it one of the most scenic swims I have ever found.
6. Climb for Views of Port au Prince Bay
To put the country in perspective, hike one of the hills ringing the capital. On a clear day you can see the whole sweep of Port au Prince bay and the mountains behind it. I did this at sunrise once, and the city waking below me with the bay turning gold is a postcard moment. Hire a local guide for the trail, both for safety and for the stories.
7. Taste Haitian Street Food
Haitian food deserves hand claps, and the street is where it shines. I still crave griot, the crispy fried pork eaten with pikliz, a wicked spicy pickled slaw, plus fried plantains and the rice and beans called diri ak pwa. Eat where locals cluster, drink plenty of water, and let your taste buds lead you from stall to stall.
8. Visit the Barbancourt Rum Distillery
Haiti is rightly proud of Barbancourt rum, distilled from local sugarcane. I visited the distillery outside Port au Prince to watch the process and taste the aged reserves. Even if tours are not running on your dates, a proper aged Barbancourt is a fine souvenir for anyone who appreciates spirits.
9. Shop for Art in Croix des Bouquets
This town outside the capital is the center of Haiti’s famous metalwork art. Craftsmen hammer recycled steel drums into detailed cutout sculptures that decorate houses worldwide. Watching the process in person was fascinating, and the prices undercut the galleries in the capital nicely. Bring cash and be ready to bargain.
10. Ride the Mountain Roads South
Transport is supposed to be a chore, but the mountain road between Port au Prince and the south coast is a highlight in itself. The switchbacks climb through pine forests with ocean glimpses, and the air cools beautifully as you rise. I chose my driver carefully and took the ride slowly, and it turned what should have been a commute into one of the most scenic drives of my life.
Haiti hands you ten unforgettable experiences and then asks why you limited yourself to ten. These are the ones I would defend to anyone, but the real magic of the country is in exploring further, chasing the roads and the conversations that lead you somewhere unexpected.
