Is Haiti dangerous? Or is Haiti Safe? Show Despite the frightening media depictions of Haiti after the 2010 earthquake, Haiti has been a very common travel destination for many people over the years including Haitians visiting family, volunteers with aid organizations, and missionaries traveling with church groups. When it comes to violent crime Haiti actually compares very favorably to other Caribbean countries. For example, Jamaica is a very popular tourist destination but has a murder rate almost 8 times that of Haiti. Being in Haiti means dealing with many of the typical safety concerns that are present in all developing countries: BAD WEATHER and other NATURAL DISASTERS hit harder in Haiti because of its historically poor infrastructure. Hurricanes can be tracked at www.nhc.noaa.gov. And you can be tracked in the event of an incident by registering with your Embassy in Haiti. INFECTIOUS DISEASES can be managed. Prepare by getting all recommended vaccinations (Diphtheria, Tetanus, Polio, HepA, Typhoid, Cholera). Allow 1 month for vaccinations before your departure date because some series require 2 doses spread out over several weeks. Check the CDC website for more. MALARIA carried by mosquitoes, is present in Haiti. Several oral medications can be used to protect against malaria. Chloroquine is the most common. Malarone and Doxycycline are alternatives. KIDNAPPINGS were a serious problem in 2005 and 2006 but are much rarer today. Kidnapping-for-ransom occurs almost exclusively in Port au Prince. Avoid predictable routines (like leaving your workplace at the same time and taking the same route home every single day). MUGGINGS do occur in Haiti, especially at night and especially around the few ATM’s in Port au Prince. Avoid using ATM’s. Do not walk by yourself at night. Carry only essentials with you when possible. DEMONSTRATIONS in main streets and public spaces are a fairly regular occurrence in Haiti. The vast majority are peaceful but it is still best to avoid them. INFRASTRUCTURE PROBLEMS can make traveling in Haiti more dangerous. Bad roads, a lack of streetlights and traffic lights, as well as aggressive motorcycle and taptap drivers can contribute to the dangers. Rely on a trusted driver until you have been in the country for a while and can navigate alone. Make sure to ask about the traveler’s insurance policy held by your group or organization. At the end of the day, Haiti is an exceptionally welcoming and beautiful country. Be prudent and prepared for your time there and you will join the countless foreigners who safely travel to Haiti every year.
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The security situation in Haiti remains highly unpredictable, and following the assassination of President Moise on 7 July 2021, could worsen further. If you are in Haiti you should monitor local media and follow the advice of local authorities. The general security situation is unpredictable, and crime levels are high. There is usually an increase in criminality in the period leading up to the holiday season in December, the Carnival (in February or March) and the beginning of the school year (late August/early September). Theft, including armed robbery, purse snatching and pickpocketing, is common in Haiti. Criminal activity is especially prevalent in downtown Port-au-Prince, where armed gangs operate, and in Petion-Ville. The areas of Bel Air, Carrefour, Cité Soleil and Martissant have particularly high levels of criminality and gang activity. There is also a high level of criminal activity near the Haiti–Dominican Republic border. Armed robbery is common. Victims are often attacked in broad daylight by armed thieves on motorcycles. Some attacks have resulted in fatalities. Single women drivers stuck in traffic jams have been targeted by armed assailants. You should seek advice from local contacts or established organisations and make arrangements for your safety and security throughout your stay in Haiti. You should avoid travelling alone. Travel with others, especially those with reliable local knowledge. You should avoid displaying expensive items of jewellery and other valuables, and carrying large sums of money. Avoid parking your car on the street. Park inside secure car parks at venues such as restaurants, and avoid leaving alone if possible. When travelling by car, keep doors and windows locked. Avoid travelling at night. Extra care should be taken when visiting downtown Port au Prince. UK government officials use an armoured vehicle and close protection when travelling to, and through, this area. See Local travel Haitians, regardless of rank or social class, are at risk of being kidnapped. Although rare, there have been kidnappings involving foreign nationals, including missionaries, aid workers and children. Most victims have been released upon the payment of a ransom. In some exceptional cases, however, victims have disappeared or have been killed. You should be vigilant across the country, remaining alert to small groups of loiterers, especially near your place of residence. Keep doors and windows secure at all times and be wary of inviting anyone into your residence who you do not know or were not expecting. The long-standing policy of the British government is not to make substantive concessions to hostage takers. The British government considers that paying ransoms for the release of hostages increases the risk of further hostage taking. Avoid using banks or withdrawing money at public cash points where you may be observed and become the target of criminals. If necessary, make withdrawals from cash machines in supermarkets or hotels with security guards. Always be aware of your surroundings and who might be watching you. Gangs, often on motorbikes, target people making cash withdrawals or leaving banks, particularly those travelling on foot. Security guards are recommended at residential properties. Local travelThe FCDO advise against all but essential travel to Haiti due to the volatile security situation. UK government officials use an armoured vehicle and close protection when visiting Port-au-Prince. If you visit low income or slum areas you may attract unwanted attention. Foreigners are viewed as wealthy and may arouse envy. If you do enter these areas, do not travel on foot, take sensible precautions and go with someone who has local knowledge and can speak Kreyol. Avoid showing visible signs of affluence, such as expensive-looking jewellery or electronic equipment. Be cautious when photographing scenes in poor or urban areas, where people may feel exploited or insulted by being subjects of such activities, and ask for permission before photographing individuals. Remain cautious with new acquaintances offering friendship or hospitality. Be vigilant when travelling around and take the following precautions:
Travelling to and from Toussaint Louverture International AirportThere continue to be reports of robbers targeting people as they arrive at Toussaint Louverture International Airport and as they travel by road to and from the airport. Be especially vigilant when travelling from the airport to your accommodation, including when leaving the airport and at your end destination. Be cautious when claiming your luggage upon arrival and keep your valuables and identification on you. Carry only small amounts of cash and do not resist if you are threatened by robbers. You should avoid using taxis (see Local travel). Arrange secure transport, including a local driver, in advance through a local contact. You should avoid displaying expensive items of jewellery and other valuables, and carrying large sums of money. Road travelA UK driving licence is only valid for 3 months in Haiti. For longer stays, you will need a Haitian driving permit. The main roads (Route Nationales) between cities are in reasonable condition, though there are often sections that are potholed and/or untarmacked. Venturing off the main road will often require a sturdy 4x4 vehicle. Traffic signs are rare. The few traffic lights that are operational are mostly in urban centres. Flooding is common after heavy rainfall. Roads are often unlit and it is not uncommon after dark to encounter cars, trucks and motorcycles driving without lights. Pedestrians also walk in the middle of unlit roads. Many people drive while intoxicated, with their lights off or do not follow the rules of the road. Avoid driving at night or in bad weather, even in the city. You should drive cautiously at all times. Research your journey carefully before you set out, consult those with reliable local knowledge and have back up options if needed. Always keep your fuel tank at least half full, as fuel supplies can be disrupted. You should carry a mobile phone and a list of emergency contact numbers with you, as roadside assistance services are non-existent. Be aware that mobile phone coverage is intermittent in some rural areas, so consider using a satellite phone. Take extra care on the road between Haiti and the Dominican Republic. The Dominican side of the land border is currently closed. There are high levels of crime in areas near the border. Blockades at border crossings can quickly turn violent and make crossings difficult. If crossing the border by land, be prepared for long queues at the 4 crossing points which are only open between 8am to 5pm. Make sure you have all the correct vehicle documentation and cash to pay exit and entry fees. Long stretches of the route are isolated. Aim to complete your entire journey during daylight. Route Nationale 1 which runs north from Port-au-Prince, is subject to frequent, sudden and improvised blockades, such as burning tyres. You should monitor the local news and follow the advice of the local authorities before setting out on any journeys. Air travelA list of recent incidents and accidents can be found on the website of the Aviation Safety network. The FCDO can’t offer advice on the safety of individual airlines. However, the International Air Transport Association publishes a list of registered airlines that have been audited and found to meet a number of operational safety standards and recommended practices. This list is not exhaustive and the absence of an airline from this list does not necessarily mean that it is unsafe. Political situationThe political situation in Haiti is extremely fluid and unpredictable and demonstrations can become violent very quickly. You should avoid political rallies, demonstrations and crowds. There have continued to be sporadic, unpredictable and sometimes violent demonstrations, protests and roadblocks in Port au Prince and throughout Haiti since July 2018. The movement of goods and people into and within the country is often disrupted due to blocked roads and security incidents. As a consequence, there are sometimes fuel and food shortages. Demonstrations may often be accompanied by improvised road blocks (also see Road travel). Curfews and new security regulations can be announced at short notice. You should avoid all demonstrations, monitor local news and follow the advice of the local authorities. The following local FM radio stations broadcast in French and Kreyol: Radio Metropole 100.1; RFM 104.9; Radio Kiskeya 88.5; Radio IBO 98.5; Radio ONE 90.5; Radio Nationale d’Haiti 105.3; and Radio Pacific 101.5. CommunicationsMobile telephones are widely used and mobile data is available from some service providers (Digicel, Natcom). Signal reception varies greatly but is generally acceptable around Port-au-Prince and other cities. You can buy local SIM cards and prepaid cards in large towns. |
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