Port-au-Prince

Port-au-Prince is the capital and largest city of Haiti.

Port-au-Prince Halal Travel Guide

The city's recent history has been dominated by the aftermath of a devastating earthquake in 2010, which leveled many buildings and left hundred of thousands dead. Reconstruction effects are ongoing but many historic sights have been lost.

Travel to Port-au-Prince

Buy a Flight ticket to and from Port-au-Prince

Port-au-Prince Airport (IATA Flight Code: PAP) is served by several major airlines, primarily Air Canada, JetBlue Airways, American Airlines and United Airlines and smaller Flights from the Dominican Republic, Cuba, and other spots in the Caribbean. The Haitian airline wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunrise_Airways Sunrise Airways, in operation since 2010, offers regular scheduled Flights to Orlando (2023), Cuba (2023) and Chile (2023) among other locations. Taxis from the airport to your destination in Port-au-Prince will be about US$20 for standard fare. Tap Taps going to all places past the airport will cost about G15-25 (Haiti#Buy|gourdes) (US$0.25-0.50) and a community-created route map can be found here].

By car

Travel on a Bus in Port-au-Prince

From Santo Domingo: Caribe Tours, Capitol Coach Line and Terra Bus each run very modern buses daily to Port-au-Prince, each of the 3 companies departing from their own station along Av. 27 de Febrero. Caribe runs to Pétionville (in the hills above Port-au-Prince) that leaves at 11:00. Most all tickets currently cost US$40 one-way, plus serious tax/border fees of about US$26 and RD$100 (Dominican pesos), depending on the direction. Unfortunately, Caribe Tours' bus drops you off in Pétionville after dark so make prior arrangements with a trustworthy person to meet you and transport you to your lodging.

Another, less expensive option, is to take a guagua (Dominican shuttle van) from Santo Domingo departing 4 blocks Northwest of Parque Enriquillo, just West of Av Duarte, from a small parking lot within the elevated expressways of Espresso 27 de Febrero). suggests guava buses leave every 45min, but this is not always the case. Price is RD$400 (about US$10), allow about 5h for the journey including a quick rest/meal sto) and arrive in the border town of Jimani. From there it is a 4km walk or a RD$50+ ride by motoconcho to the border post. The border is apparently open 08:00-18:00 (if it respects its times).

In the past it was extremely simple to cross the border without submitting to any immigration procedures on either side, and although probably illegal, saved a few dozen dollars in bribes and was much faster too. Things are changing: passport control is now generally required leaving the Dominican Republic, not just entering the DR. Entering Haiti legally is quick: fill out the green form and pay whatever amount the official asks (around RD$100). There are no ATMs at the border crossing. Moneychangers give gourdes for Dominican and US currency. Rates are fair. Protect Haiti's small green card in your passport, allowing you to leave Haiti without risking a penalty.

There's usually plenty of local transportation from the border to Port-au-Prince. Crowded tap-taps and buses can take you to Croix-des-Bouquets for about G75 (1-2h), from where it is another hour to Port-au-Prince (bus, G5+ per route, summary network map. Road ranges from very bad to good, and is prone to flooding. Peruvian UN soldiers at the border have confirmed that the road to Port-au-Prince is safe to travel with no incidents of robbery or kidnappings, but definitely try to arrive in Port-au-Prince before dark.

Book a Halal Cruise or Boat Tour in Port-au-Prince

How to get around in Port-au-Prince

PortAuPrinceTapTap - Port-au-Prince shared taxi or TapTap

Tap-taps run along prescribed routes throughout the city. Most routes cost G15-25 (US$0.25-0.50), although to get across the city you may need to utilize multiple routes,] each of which charges separately.

Street taxis are typically about G500 and should be used only during daylight. After dark, prices rise substantially, and you are at substantially greater risk of being mugged. Street taxis downtown are signified with a red ribbon hanging from their rear-view mirror.

Since 2016 a new branded taxi company arrived on the scene - Premium Rapid (app can be downloaded from iTunes and Google Play stores). Then in 2017, Al's Taxi's opened in the Thomassin area (servicing the whole of PAP). ☎ calls only for All's Taxi. Nick's Taxis (fleet of 6-7 yellow cars) can still be found but are looking very dated and tired. These branded taxis all have positive reports for safety and reliability giving visitors and local residents more options to get around both during the day and at night.

What to see in Port-au-Prince

Haitian national palace earthquake - The National Palace after the earthquake... Palacio_presidencial_de_Haiti - ...and prior to the earthquake. The rubble has now been removed.

National Palace - Palais National | - National Palace (Haiti) - The National Palace famously collapsed during the earthquake and offers one of Port-au-Prince's most startling reminders of the quake's power. Adjacent to the palace used to be one of Port-au-Prince's many tent cities, whose over 1000 residents occupied what used to be the most beautiful park in Haiti and the Champs-de-Mar, but the residents have now been evicted. As of 2022 and the ruins of the palace has been removed and construction of new, identical, palace is to commence.

Gothic Church of Our Lady of the Assumption - Cathédrale Notre-Dame de L'Assomption | - Gothic Church of Our Lady of the Assumption, Port-au-Prince - Port-au-Prince's largest cathedral is just down the road from the palace and is likewise a shell of its former glory. Residents continue to pray outside its broken husk, and funerals are frequently held in a plaza behind the main building.

Musée du Panthéon National Haïtien Avenue de la République 18.542939, -72.337134 Free entrance, guided tours US$1 Musée du Panthéon National Haïtien - A museum featuring the heroes of the independence of Haiti and the Haitian history and culture. Individual guided tour through a chronology of Haitian history are avalible. Each period has its own mural and contains paragon items of that time: the anchor of the Santa Maria, Christopher Columbus's flagship, is the centrepiece of the exploration age section.

Best things to do in Port-au-Prince

Audel Marseille ☎ +509 36523629 - The experienced moto taxi driver will pick you up in your hotel and show you every corner of Port-au-Prince. Audel is fluent in English, French and Spanish and normally charges US$20 for 3-4 hours trip through the city. He will wait while you visit museums and lead you through Marche de Fer.

Muslim Friendly Shopping in Port-au-Prince

Markets

Marche de Fer (Iron Market) A densely packed market of vendors selling everything from crafts such as voodoo paraphernalia to fresh food such as turtles. It a challenging, stressful, and maddening place to walk through as throngs of desperate merchants grab you and tight huddle of shoppers, stalls, and moving goods impede your every step, which requires you to swim through humanity. You will find a breathtaking inventory of hand crafted art: sculptures, masks, staves, paintings, globes, tea sets, coconut belts, etc.

Banking

There are at least two banks with ATMs: Scotiabank and Sogebank. The closest Scotiabank to downtown is at the intersection of Boulevard Jean-Jacques-Dessalines and Rue Pavée. Even the ATM is closed on Sundays. Banks here close very early, even on the weekdays.

Halal Restaurants in Port-au-Prince

Eating out in Port-au-Prince is surprisingly expensive. Even at modest restaurants a full plate of food will usually cost around G200. A good amount of food from street vendors will even cost up to G100.

Foodies (near the National Palace) A clean fast food joint serving hamburgers and fries. Expect to spend about G120 for a cheeseburger, fries, and drink. Ask for the owner, a Haitian of Lebanese ancestry, who will answer your questions in Brooklyn English.

Pizza Garden, one of the best pizzerias in the whole city, although it is hard to find if you do not know its location. There is "Old" Pizzas Garden and "New" Pizzas Garden and the latter being as a result of a split in co-owners. The décor is typical of a Haitian café, with hand crafted tables and lamps. The atmosphere feels intimate due to the soft lighting. Try the extra Cheese Pizzas.

Self-catering

There are grocery stores all over town at least two in the centre of town, both located on Capois: the Big Star Market in the Champ-de-Mars area and the Primera Market nearby the Hotel Olafson.

Crémas, an alcoholic beverage made of coconut and vanilla.
Rhum Barbancourt
Biere Prestige
bottled water

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Port-au-Prince

Port-au-Prince - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Port-au-Prince, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Port-au-Prince. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Port-au-Prince and its surrounding regions.

With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Port-au-Prince. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values.

The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Port-au-Prince. Key components include:

Halal-Friendly Accommodations inPort-au-Prince: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Port-au-Prince.

Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in Port-au-Prince: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in Port-au-Prince, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in Port-au-Prince.

Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Port-au-Prince, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations.

Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Port-au-Prince, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values.

Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Port-au-Prince and beyond.

Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Port-au-Prince, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Port-au-Prince, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Port-au-Prince without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients."

The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Port-au-Prince is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Port-au-Prince.

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group Port-au-Prince is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in Port-au-Prince, please contact:

eHalal Travel Group Port-au-Prince Media: info@ehalal.io

Muslim Friendly Hotels

There are no affordable places to stay, just less expensive choices.

Palace Hotel - The cheapest hotel in the centrally located Champ-de-Mars. A good choice if you want to stay out late as the hotel is so easy to return to. A faded grand balcony occupies the entire second floor. There is a vintage feeling of being where aristocrats used to hang out. It can be a lonely place as there are almost no other Western travellers. The accommodations are rough: electricity and running water (no hot water) are on and off. The cost of a double can be negotiated down to US$40.

Wall's Guesthouse - Delmas 19, Rue Mackendal 8 18.558478, -72.308930 ☎ +509 37 03 4788 - A clean secure compound popular with missionaries located in Delmas, a residential neighbourhood, far from the action of Port-au-Prince. The electricity is constant and so is the cold water. You may be placed in a room with other people but that is unlikely; however, you will be sharing a bathroom. A buffet-style breakfast and dinner are complementary. If you do not mind the toilsome journey from the guesthouse to interesting parts of Port-au-Prince and then consider the place for US$30 per person.

Hotel Oloffson - Ave Christophe 60 18.529545, -72.337675 ☎ +509 2223-4000 - Singles from US$70, doubles from US$80 Hotel Oloffson - An illustrious hotel with unmistakable past grandeur which has served as a mansion and a marines base and is now a popular hotel for Westerners in Haiti. The guests--such as UN employees, film makers, academics--all mingle easily with the owner, Richard, and each other on the long front desk, which also doubles as a bar/restaurant. If you are travelling with many people, consider a suite; they are huge.

Karibe Hotel - Juvénat 7, Pétion-Ville 18.520886, -72.300804 - Nestled in the hills above Port-au-Prince, formally within the neighboring city of Pétion-Ville, this hotel offers with excellent views over the city.

Marriott Port-au-Prince Hotel - Ave Jean-Paul II 147 18.532656, -72.323738 - Modern, if somewhat bland, luxury hotel near downtown.

Telecommunications in Port-au-Prince

Stay Safe

{{warningbox|Some governments advise against noncrucial travel to the neighbourhoods of Bel Air, Carrefour, Cité Soleil, and Martissant amid the unstable security situation (criminal activity) in those areas of the city.|nz= https://etravel.govt.nz/haiti%7Cuk= https://eign-travel-advice/haiti%7Ccanada=https://el.gc.ca/destinations/haiti%7Caustralia=http://smartraveller.gov.au/Countries/americas/caribbean/Pages/haiti.aspx You should not be outside on the streets after dark unless you are wandering around the busy Champs-de-Mars area. Many travellers and guide books rate Port-au-Prince as the most dangerous major city in the Caribbean in terms of crime and personal safety, even more so than, say, Kingston, Jamaica or Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago.

Cope

Embassies & Consulates in Port-au-Prince

Being the national capital, Port au Prince hosts a large number of embassies. A majority of them are clustered in Pétion-Ville in the south part of town. They can also be located in other parts of town too. Other countries maintain (non-resident) diplomatic representation to Haiti through their embassy in Mexico City#Embassies|Mexico City, Santo Domingo#Embassies & consulates|Santo Domingo and their UN Mission in New York City#Consulates|New York or elsewhere in the region:{{flag|Bahamas

Bahamas 12 Rue Goulard, Petition-Ville ☎ +509 2813 1590 -
Brazil (Brésil) - Immeuble Hexagone 3éme étage, Angles des Rues Clerveau et Darguin, Petition-Ville ☎ +509 2817-0891 - China (Chine) - Bureau de Development Commercial de Chine en Haiti - Impasse Simon, Rue Alamanda Morne Calvaire, Pétion-Ville, B.P.P-V 15539 Port-au-Prince ☎ +509 22 563 315 +509 22 561 198

{{flag|Cuba

Cuba - Rue Marion·No. 3, Peguy, Port-au-Prince ☎ +509 22 563 504{{flag|Dominican Republic
Dominican Republic (République Dominicaine) | 121, Av. Panamericaine, Petion Ville, Port-au-Prince ☎ +509 2813-0887 +509 22 561 198

France | 51, Rue Capois, BP 1312, Port-au-Prince ☎ +509 2999-9000 | Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 07:30-12:00* Japan (Japon) - Immeuble Hexagone 2éme étage, Angles des Rues Clerveau et Darguin, Petition-Ville ☎ +509 2256 5885 +509 2256-9444 +509 2256-3333

{{flag|Mexico

Mexico (Mexique) - Rue Métélus No.48, Petition-Ville, BP 327 ☎ +509 2229-1040 | Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 09:00-13:00

{{flag|Panama

Panama | 157, Rue Panamericaine, Petion-Ville ☎ +509 2813-1295 +509 2813-1296
Spain (Espagne) - 50, Rue Metellus, Petition-Ville ☎ +509 2940-0952, +509 2940-0954 | Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 08:30-13:00

{{flag|Taiwan

Taiwan - Ambassade de République de Chine - 22, Rue Lucien Hubert, Morne Calvaire, Petion-Ville ☎ +509 3775-0109 +509 2229 8028 - Operates a full fledged embassy in Haiti while the People's Republic of China is represented by a "Commercial Development Office"

{{flag|United Kingdom

United Kingdom (Royaume-Uni) | Entre 73 et 75 Delmas, Port-au-Prince ☎ +809 427-7111 Consular services are only available from the British Embassy in Santo Domingo#Cope|Santo Domingo. If you’re in the UK and you are concerned about a British national in Haiti, call 020 7008 1500. Local number for Chargé d'Affairs is at +509 2812 9191

United States (États Unis) - Tabarre 41, Boulevard 15 Octobre ☎ +509 2229 8000 +509 2229 8028 Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 07:00-15:00 ]] The Embassy of Canada in Haiti is closed as of February 14, 2019, due to civil unrest in Port-au-Prince and throughout the nation.

News & References Port-au-Prince

Travel Next

Pétionville, a wealthy suburb with lots of Halal dining, restaurants.
Fort Jacques cool air in one of Haiti's few national parks, together with the view, should refresh you; about 45min up a mountain