The Best of Haiti Road Trip

From Port au Prince to Cap Haitien

July 12, 2018- August 6, 2018

Ah, Haiti. My country, my pride, my love. Being Haitian is truly a privilege, so let me transfer a bit of my knowledge to you with some cool tips to have the best Haitian trip experience of your life. This past summer, my husband and I had the opportunity to spend 3 weeks and 5 days in Haiti while embarking on mission experiences and discovering Haiti’s true gems. While giving back to our country it was imperative we make the most of our time to visit never before seen cities and Haiti’s historical landmarks.

Starting from Port au Prince, the capital of Haiti, to visiting the blue waters of Bassin Bleu in Jacmel, to enjoying the beach views in Labadee and climbing up the fortress of Citadelle in Cap Haitien. Our trip was nothing short of amazing and an humbling experience. What more can you ask from a country? Haiti of course has it’s pitfalls just like any other country but even during the civil unrest we put our faith in God and knew we had our journey planned out and it was simply magnificent to be enlighten by my culture!

If you want to have a truly amazing Haitian experience,  road trip is the main word! Nothing beats a road trip but I must warn you, many national roads in Haiti are not smooth, very rocky to be exact and let me just say “whew it was a tough.” Upon our arrivals to Haiti we always utilize our personal driver which we have gained a relationship with over the years and he takes us around and from there we discover every region by car. The only other mode of transportation around Haiti is flying into the capital Port au Prince or Cap Haitien airport. Other than that, a car ride or motorcycle is the most commonly way around the island. Let’s get right into it!

Table of Contents |14 Cities in 3 Weeks|

Week 1 July 12 - 19

July 12-13 Day |1-2| La Saline/Grand Goave (Mission Experience)

July 14 Day 3| Jacmel

July 15 Day 4| Private Island

July 16 Day 5| Petion-Ville

July 17-19 Day |6-8| Grand Goave

Week 2 July 20 - 27

July 20 Day 9| Road Trip to Cap Haitien

July 21 Day 10| Cap Haitien

July 22 Day 11| Milot

July 23 Day 12| Dajabon, Dominican Republic

July 24 Day 13| Labadee and Ile a Rat

July 25 Day 14| Cap Haitien

July 26 Day 15| Road Trip to Port de Paix

Week 3 July 28 - August 6

July 27-28 Day 16-17| Jean Rabel

July 29 Day 18| Mole Saint Nicolas

July 30 Day 19| Jean Rabel

July 31 Day 20| Port de Paix

August 1-5 Day 21-25| Ile de la Tortue (Mission Experience)

August 6 Day 26| Port au Prince

In this Haiti Road Trip Article, You Will Discover:

-The Best Places You Should Include In Your Trip To Haiti

-The Most Interesting Things To Do and See In Haiti

-Recommended Hotels That Are Perfect For Your Tour Of Haiti

HAITI ITINERARY DAY 1-2 | LA SALINE/GRAND GOAVE

Ah, we had just received clearance to travel to Haiti the day before and our second group still decided to join us for our mission experience in collaboration with All of Her, Incorporated. I believe everyone has heard the same thing after someone gets home from a mission trip: “ I got more out of it than they did.” In reality what we really mean is that we were impacted by the mission trip even more than the people we set out to impact. No matter where you’ve traveled it is usually a combination of intense poverty, incredible joy, unique culture and a powerful God. It is not ironic that we name our trips a “mission experience” instead of a “mission trip” it is because we know the experience that those who embark on this journey will receive more than what they expected and as an organization we want to sprinkle the mission with an experience of Haiti gems that you’ll never forget. For more information on joining us for a mission experience next summer 2019 visit justeinc.org

THINGS TO DO AND SEE IN LA SALINE/GRAND GOAVE: Bel Restaurant, Taino Beach Bar & Resto, Eglise Notre Dame de Petit Goave

RECOMMENDED HOTEL IN LA/SALINE/GRAND GOAVE:

Yveda La Difference Hotel

HAITI ITINERARY DAY 3 | JACMEL

One of the most beautiful waterfalls hidden within the mountains of Jacmel is a sight to see. This breathtaking gem truly exemplifies the beauty of Haiti. Bassin Bleu consists of three different pools of water that flow down from a natural waterfall, the furthest one being the most beautiful. Getting to Bassin Bleu, the waterfall itself is not incredibly difficult yet easy. Guides wait at the entrance to the trail to help those who need assistance. The only important part where a guide was needed is when you climb down the rope to reach the final pool, as the rocks are quite slippery and harder when you have a bags with you. The hike and short climb are well worth it when you see the glistening blue waterfall waiting at the end. Make sure you bring your bathing suit, water shoes and if you can’t swim rent a life jacket. If you are brave, your guide can help you climb the waterfall and you can jump in.

THINGS TO DO AND SEE IN JACMEL: Bassin Bleu, Beach Lakou Nouyok, Chantal Bar Resto

RECOMMENDED HOTELS IN JACMEL: Hotel de la Place, Hotel Florita

HAITI ITINERARY DAY 4 | PRIVATE ISLAND

From our hotel in Grand Goave, we took a motorized boat to head to a private island for a day of relaxation. It was roughly 15 minutes away. There we were able to enjoy the water and do yoga on the beach with John as our instructor. Many of us were able to complete movements that we didn’t even know we could do. The private island was the place to be by the end of the day amongst other locals and tourists.

THINGS TO DO AND SEE AT THE PRIVATE ISLAND: Relax, Order couch and fish from fisherman,

HAITI ITINERARY DAY 5 | PETION-VILLE

Petion-Ville is a suburb of Port au Prince in the hills. The city was name after Alexandre Sabes Petion, the Haitian general and president later recognized as one of the country four founding fathers. The hillside suburb town is filled with nightclubs, beauty salons, fitness gyms and restaurants.

THINGS TO DO AND SEE IN PETION-VILLE: Fort Jacques, Place Saint Pierre, Jalousie’s

RECOMMENDED HOTELS IN PETION-VILLE: Karibe Hotel, Best Western Premier Petion-Ville

HAITI ITINERARY DAY 6-8 | GRAND GOAVE

My husband and I spent a few extra days following the groups departure with the mission experience. We were able to partake in their field day activities and bond with the coordinators on site. It was truly enlightening to see the kids wanting you to interact and join their daily activities. They really made us feel welcomed and definitely were not afraid of the camera. The set up of everything was amazing and we truly appreciate the Casimir family for taking us in as family.

HAITI ITINERARY DAY 9 | ROAD TRIP FROM GRAND GOAVE TO CAP HAITIEN

We got picked up at 5AM to make our journey to Cap Haitien to meet with my father in law, who flew in from Turks and Caicos just to accompany us. Our driver was taking locals so we stopped in Port au Prince for an hour then we hit the road. We got to experience this drive with the locals which was interesting to say the least. We arrived to Cap Haitien with several stops by 2 PM.

HAITI ITINERARY DAY 10 | CAP HAITIEN

Cap-Haitien, Haiti is the second largest city and the capital of Northern Haiti. This city offers great attractions for tourists and is a simple reach from the Dominican Republic but a distance away from Port au Prince. As many of you know Cap Haitien holds a special place in our hearts forever not only because it is my husband’s home town but this is where his late grandmother resided who passed away late October last year. Many of our trips to Haiti included visiting and spending time with her so it was a bittersweet experience.

THINGS TO DO AND SEE IN CAP HAITIEN: Gros Bebe Restaurant, Plaine Du Nord, Lakay Restaurant, Boukanye Restaurant, Cap Deli Haiti, Cathedrale Notre Dame du Cap Haitien, Battle of Vertieres

RECOMMENDED HOTELS IN CAP HAITIEN: Satama Hotel, Habitation Des Lauriers, Le Prince Guest House

HAITI ITINERARY DAY 11 | MILOT

Just 12 miles south of Cap Haitien is Milot. It is the site for one of Haitis most revered landmarks. The town also hosts a hospital known as Hospital Sacre Coeur.

WHAT TO SEE IN MILOT IN ONE DAY: Citadelle Laferriere, Sans-Souci Palace, Cathédrale de Milot

RECOMMENDED HOTELS IN MILOT: La Belle Maison Milot, Lakou Lakay Milot Guesthouse

HAITI ITINERARY DAY 12 | DAJABON, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

On Mondays and Fridays known as “market days” hundreds of Haitians vendors and buyers can cross the border into the capital city, Dajabon and Pedernales. Haitians are allowed to cross without producing a passport or visa but they are not permitted to travel more than about 100 yards into the Dominican Republic and must return to Haiti by 6pm. There are uniformed and armed guards at the gates to pass. Upon arrival, my father in law retrieved a guide who spoke Spanish and Creole to accompany us to experience market day in Haiti/DR. Prior to crossing the border it was imperative we convert our money into PESOS if we wanted to purchase food or souvenirs. The one warning my father in law gave us was to be mindful of pickpocketing due to the large crowds of people passing one other and thieves. Therefore, I had my small backpack in front of my chest I collected the groups cell phones, so our front and back pockets were empty. We did bring our passports just in case but never got asked for them. Literally we just walked the border and next thing we were in the DR for the day.

WHAT TO SEE IN DAJABON IN ONE DAY: D’House Restaurant Morel, Parque Central

RECOMMENDED HOTELS IN DAJABON: Le Marien Hotel & Resorts

HAITI ITINERARY DAY 13 | LABADEE AND ILE A RAT

First, can someone please tell me the proper spelling of this island is it Labadee, Labadie, or Labadi, we seen each of these different spelling on our way up and it was so interesting. Labadee is a port on the northern coast close to Cap Haitien. Upon arrival, we got a guide and he drove us on his boat to the beach and to Ile a Rat. On our way there we were able to stand in the middle of the ocean in a shallow area. It was crazy that we literally standing in the middle. The beaches were so nice and relaxing. The port was closed so it was a quite day and we got a chance to explore in peace. We purchased fish and lobster from a fisherman on our way and the guide would prepare it for us.

WHAT TO SEE IN LABADEE/ILE A RAT IN ONE DAY: Beach, Food

HAITI ITINERARY DAY 14 | CAP HAITIEN (REST DAY)/ VISITING OWNED LAND PROPERTY

This was a rest day and also a day for my father in law to take us around to visit the different lands owned and the current statuses.

HAITI ITINERARY DAY 15 | ROAD TRIP FROM CAP HAITIEN TO PORT DE PAIX

This was by far our WORST EXPERIENCE! This drive is NOT RECOMMENDED however it is the only way to get there. From the constant bumpiness to no signage in the areas it was literally dreadful. Our driver had to ask locals for directions because he hadn’t been in couples years and things looked different. It was just terrible. There used to be an airport in Port de paix however it no longer operates. The government needs to focus on roads and aiports.

HAITI ITINERARY DAY 16-17 | JEAN RABEL

Jean Rabel is west of Port de Paix and it is my parent’s hometown. Now, the road to get there from Port de Paix Jesus be the fence. We had to continue the remainder of the drive on motorcycles with suitcases because we didn’t want our driver’s car to get messed up. My cousin met us along the way to felicitate the whole thing. My aunts and uncles from my mothers side were already in Jean Rabel for the summer with the exception of my mother. My aunt Maculida welcomed us into her home. We arrived just as it starting pouring rain, now tell me that aint somethings. I hadn’t visited the city since I was seven years old and now I’m 27 so two decades later I was reuniting and meeting family members all over again. My cousins at my aunts house really welcomed us and took excellent care of us by cooking daily, laundry and taking us around town.

HAITI ITINERARY DAY 18 | MOLE SAINT NICOLAS

A day trip to Mole Saint Nicolas is what we heard is the thing to do. So we did! Another interesting ride but we made it and we were glad. Another day relaxing by the beach and eating tons of seafood. For lunch, we got couch as appetizer and fish boiled plantains and rice as the entree.

WHAT TO SEE IN MOLE SAINT NICOLAS IN ONE DAY: Beach Excursions such as Windsurfing, Jet skiing, paddle boarding and more

RECOMMENDED HOTELS IN MOLE SAINT NICOLAS: Boukan Guinguette

HAITI ITINERARY DAY 19 | JEAN RABEL

REST DAY JEAN RABEL

HAITI ITINERARY DAY 20 | PORT DE PAIX

We left Jean Rabel with my uncle and cousin as the chauffeur to meet with the next group coming for the mission experience. We finally meet with the group and heading to the port to board the sailboat to head to La Tortue.

HAITI ITINERARY DAY 21-25 | ILE DE LA TORTUE

We arrived to our mission experience! This camp was geared toward adults 17-26 years of age. Camp D’ete was lead by Papa Frank (our nickname) and has been established for over 18 years.

THINGS TO DO AND SEE IN LA TORTUE: ATV riding, Water excursion

RECOMMENDED HOTELS IN LA TORTUE: Auberge de la Tortue

HAITI ITINERARY DAY 26 | PORT AU PRINCE

After our long drive the night before due to heavy rain and mud slides we were ready to eat. We quickly got freshen up to have dinner at the hotel. After a great fellowship, we capped the night off. The following morning, we were ready to head back to the US. Boy, I was so ready and excited to get back to home sweet home.

THINGS TO DO AND SEE IN PORT AU PRINCE: Musee de Panthenon National Haitien, Barbancourt Rum Distillery

RECOMMENDED HOTEL IN PORT AU PRINCE: Marriot Hotel