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Tour Operators
Only a very few US and Canadian wholesalers and a handful of tour operators (UK and Europe) offer Haiti in their programmes. On DefinitiveCaribbean we will be picking out the best of the travel organisers for you - operators that are Caribbean specialists and give the best levels of service, in all price ranges. They put the holidays together that may subsequently be sold to the public direct or via travel agents.
In the UK and Europe, all tour operators should be bonded for your financial protection. They sell flight inclusive holidays under licence from government bodies such as the Civil Aviation Authority (UK). Some travel agents also have the required bonding and licences to put together flight inclusive holidays, and there are a few Caribbean specialists among them.
Message to Tour Operators, Wholesalers and specialist travel agents:
We invite any travel organiser working as a Caribbean specialist with a programme to Haiti to contact us if we are not already in communication with you. Initially please email us for further details.
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Tourist Information
Travel in Haiti is not simple and with a lack of ready information it may be useful to contact tour companies for information on the country. The Tourism Secretariat may provide some help, otherwise hotel managers also make good contacts and are generally well informed.
Secrétairerie d’Etat au Tourisme, 8 rue Légitime, Champ de Mars, Port au Prince, t 223 5631, tourisme@set-haiti.org
Agence Citadelle Tour Group, Place du Marron Inconnu, t 223 5900, citagen@haitiworld.com
Chatelain Tour, t 223 2962
Voyages Lumière Tour Agency, t 249 6177
Outside Haiti there are no tourist boards, but some information can be obtained online from www.haititourisme.com. |
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Weather
Haiti's climate is tropical, hot and humid, with temperatures varying more over the course of a day than the seasons. Highs are generally around 85°F, whilst the nights can reach 65°F and drop noticeably at higher elevations.
There are two rainy seasons. The first runs from around April to June and the second between October and November, with most rain falling in the mountains. If you are planning on doing much hiking, these might be months to avoid.
The hurricane season runs from June to September but the chances of a direct hit are small. |
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What to Pack
Consider taking the following when heading out to the Caribbean:
Sun protection including high factor sun cream, sunglasses, hat/cap and a lightweight shirt/blouse/t-shirt for the beach; suitable beach and walking shoes; mosquito repellent containing DEET suitable for use all day; cream for insect bites; beach mat/towel.
Lightweight cotton is generally the best clothing, casual for the daytime, though you may want something a little more elegant for the evenings. Note that most good restaurants and top hotels require men to wear long trousers and shirts with a collar in the evenings. Women may wish to pack a lightweight wrap or jacket during the winter months, as the evenings sometimes feel cool after the heat of the day.
Haiti is only adequately stocked with batteries, so do not depend on there being camera film or camera batteries outside the two main cities. Bring an electrical adapter if needed. Any prescription medication that needs to be taken on a regular basis should be carried in your hand luggage, and should remain in its original packaging for clear identification by Customs should they need to check contents.
Don’t forget your passport, driving licence and particularly your insurance documents (medical and travel).
PHOTOGRAPHY
Definitive Caribbean is very grateful for the photographic contributions we received for the Haiti Island Guide. Contributions came from David Stewart-Smith, www.davidstewart-smith.com.
Picture Editors, Alexander Gray & Will Orr |
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