Key takeaways
Haiti is a country of extraordinary cultural heritage, baroque colonial history at Cap-Haitian and Jacmel, and the Caribbean's most dramatic mountain landscapes, though the current security situation requires serious pre-trip research. Digicel dominates mobile coverage; Natcom provides secondary reach. A Roamix Haiti eSIM connects you to the best local network on arrival at Toussaint Louverture Airport. Budget 4 to 6 GB for a trip to safer zones and always check current security advisories from your government before planning travel.
- Digicel Haiti has the widest coverage and is the dominant mobile operator; Natcom is the secondary carrier.
- A Roamix eSIM connects to Digicel on arrival, providing reliable data without a SIM kiosk visit in arrivals.
- Check your government's travel advisory carefully before booking; security conditions vary significantly by region.
- The north of Haiti around Cap-Haitian, the Citadelle and Jacmel in the southeast are the most accessible tourist areas.
- Download offline maps before any travel outside Port-au-Prince as coverage drops in mountain and rural areas.
Best way to get data in Haiti
For Haiti, a Roamix eSIM is not just convenient but safety-critical, keeping you in constant contact with your guide, driver and accommodation throughout your stay.
| Option | Best for | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Roamix eSIMRecommended | Best for: Most travellers | Connects to Digicel Haiti on arrival, no SIM kiosk visit required, constant connectivity for safety-critical guide communication. |
| Local Digicel SIM | Best for: Extended stays needing a local number | Available at the airport and Digicel stores. A local number can help with MonCash mobile payments. |
| Hotel wifi | Best for: Stationary use in better hotels | Power outages are frequent; have mobile data as backup. |
| Carrier roaming | Best for: Emergency fallback only | International roaming in Haiti is expensive; a Roamix plan is far more economical. |
Better hotels in Port-au-Prince Petionville and Cap-Haitian have wifi. Jacmel boutique hotels generally have reliable wifi. Mobile data is more consistent than hotel wifi during power outages.
How much data you need
Data needs in Haiti focus on constant communication with guides and drivers, real-time navigation in Port-au-Prince and monitoring current security updates. WhatsApp is the universal communication tool.
3 to 5 GB
Cultural trip to Cap-Haitian and the Citadelle
Guide communication via WhatsApp, navigation in Cap-Haitian and downloading Citadelle historical guides.
4 to 6 GB
Art and carnival trip to Jacmel
Booking artisan workshops, real-time carnival route navigation and photo uploads.
6 to 10 GB
Comprehensive Haiti circuit with multiple regions
Daily guide coordination, continuous navigation and security monitoring through news apps and government advisory websites.
Data per hour, by activity
- Maps and navigation
- 5 MB
- WhatsApp messaging and calls
- 5 to 15 MB
- Social media and browsing
- 100 to 150 MB
- Music streaming
- 70 MB
- Video calls
- 500 MB to 1.5 GB
Download offline Google Maps for Port-au-Prince, Cap-Haitian and Jacmel before any travel; even Digicel 4G can be intermittent in some city areas during disruptions.
How to set up a Haiti eSIM
A Roamix Haiti eSIM is best installed over wifi before departure. It activates automatically on arrival at Toussaint Louverture Airport.
- 1
Buy your plan on the Roamix Haiti eSIM page before departure.
- 2
Scan the QR code or tap to install the eSIM over wifi.
- 3
Label it Roamix and keep your home SIM as primary for calls and texts.
- 4
Enable data roaming for the Roamix line only.
- 5
Land in Haiti and the eSIM connects automatically to Digicel or Natcom.
Works on eSIM-capable phones including iPhone XS and newer, Google Pixel 3 and newer, and recent Samsung Galaxy models. The phone must be carrier unlocked.
Roamix sets the correct APN automatically on most devices. If data does not start on arrival, apply the APN from your order and toggle airplane mode.
No data on arrival usually means data roaming is off for the Roamix line. Check settings, select the network manually and restart.
Visa and entry for Haiti
Citizens of most Western nations, including the US, Canada, EU and UK, do not require a visa to enter Haiti for stays up to 90 days. A valid passport is required. Check your government's current travel advisory before booking, as entry conditions may be affected by security situations.
- eVisa or ETA
- No e-visa or ETA system is in operation for visa-exempt nationalities. Citizens of some countries require a visa in advance from a Haitian embassy.
- Passport validity
- Your passport should be valid for at least 6 months beyond your planned stay.
- Onward ticket
- Proof of onward travel may be requested at immigration.
Keep travel documents accessible on your phone. Use your Roamix eSIM to confirm bookings and keep contact with your ground operator.
Travel conditions in Haiti are subject to rapid change. Always check your government's travel advisory immediately before departure and monitor updates during your stay.
When you land in Haiti
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How people message here
WhatsApp is the primary communication platform for business and personal contact. Digicel's MonCash mobile money service is widely used for payments.
Do you need a local number?
A local number is not required for most visits but can be useful for extended stays. WhatsApp with your home number covers all practical communication.
Save emergency contacts including your embassy and guide in WhatsApp before landing; connectivity is reliable in tourist areas but can be disrupted during civil disturbances.
Airports in Haiti
PAP
Toussaint Louverture International Airport
Port-au-Prince
Limited wifi available in the terminal; mobile data is more reliable on arrival.
Activate your Roamix eSIM before landing to communicate with your pre-arranged driver via WhatsApp immediately on arrival. Do not accept unofficial transport offers in the arrivals area.
CAP
Hugo Chavez International Airport
Cap-Haitian
Small terminal with minimal wifi facilities.
Direct flights to Cap-Haitian allow access to the Citadelle and northern sights without transiting Port-au-Prince. Confirm your guide pickup over Roamix data before landing.
JAK
Jacmel Airport
Jacmel
Very small domestic terminal with no reliable wifi.
Domestic flights to Jacmel bypass the road from Port-au-Prince. Use Roamix data to confirm your Jacmel hotel and art studio tour bookings before arrival.
CYA
Les Cayes Airport
Les Cayes
Small regional terminal with no reliable public wifi.
Gateway to the southern peninsula beaches. Use Roamix data to confirm your boat to Ile-a-Vache and accommodation details before leaving the terminal.
Apps and internet access in Haiti
Haiti has an open internet, so all common apps work normally on a Roamix eSIM.
There is no systematic censorship of social media or messaging in Haiti.
WhatsApp, works
Widely used and the primary tool for communicating with guides, hotels and local contacts.
Google Maps, works
No restrictions; download offline maps for Port-au-Prince, Cap-Haitian and Jacmel before travel.
Social media, works
Facebook, Instagram and X work normally.
FaceTime and video calls, works
Works over Digicel 4G in major towns; can be slow in rural areas.
Getting around Haiti
Getting around Haiti requires careful planning. In Port-au-Prince, only use registered and vetted vehicles through your hotel or a reputable operator. Tap-tap minibuses cover intercity routes. Domestic flights are the safest way to reach Cap-Haitian and Jacmel.
Private vetted transport
The recommended option in Port-au-Prince and for intercity travel. Use your hotel or a reputable tour operator to arrange all transport; verify driver credentials and use your Roamix eSIM to confirm pickup details.
Domestic flights
Tortug'Air and other operators offer domestic flights to Cap-Haitian, Jacmel and Les Cayes. Check schedules and confirm bookings over Roamix data before departure.
Tap-tap and shared transport
Colourful tap-tap minibuses run between cities and towns on main roads. For tourists, these are best used for shorter inter-city hops with a local guide's guidance. Navigation apps help confirm destinations.
In Port-au-Prince, only travel with pre-arranged and vetted drivers from your hotel. Use your Roamix eSIM to communicate with your driver in real time for all movements in the capital.
Money and payments in Haiti
Haiti uses the Haitian Gourde (HTG) but USD is widely accepted in hotels, restaurants and tourist businesses in Port-au-Prince and tourist areas. Always carry a mix of both; rural areas only accept Gourdes.
- Cards and cash
- Cards are accepted at some Port-au-Prince and Petionville hotels and restaurants. Otherwise, cash is required. ATMs can be unreliable; withdraw a supply before any travel.
- ATMs
- ATMs exist at Unibank, Scotiabank and some other banks in Port-au-Prince and Cap-Haitian but are frequently out of service. Withdraw sufficient cash before any interior or rural travel.
- Payment apps
- Digicel's MonCash is the dominant mobile money platform and widely used by Haitians. International apps like Apple Pay are not supported in Haiti.
- Tipping
- Tipping is expected and important to local service workers. Give 10 to 15 percent in restaurants, tip your guide generously at the end of a tour and leave a few dollars per day for hotel staff.
Daily budget
Mid-range travellers typically spend USD 60 to 120 per day in tourist areas including accommodation and meals.
Local tips for Haiti
- Language
- Haitian Creole (Kreyol ayisyen) is the universal language spoken by all Haitians. French is the official administrative language. Basic Kreyol phrases are warmly appreciated. English is spoken in Petionville and tourist businesses.
- Food
- Haitian cuisine is one of the most distinctive in the Caribbean. Look for griot (fried pork with pikliz pickled vegetable slaw), tasso (spiced beef), pwason gwo sel (salt fish) and bannann peze (fried plantains). Haitian rum clarin is the national spirit.
- Plugs
- 110V, Type A and B plugs
Apps worth having
WhatsApp
communication
Essential for all guide, driver and accommodation communication in Haiti.
Google Maps
navigation
Download offline maps for Port-au-Prince, Cap-Haitian and Jacmel before any travel.
Smart Traveler
safety
US State Department app providing real-time travel advisories and emergency contact information for Haiti.
Safety and health in Haiti
Haiti's security situation is serious and requires thorough pre-trip research. Check your government's current travel advisory and follow it closely. Certain areas of Port-au-Prince have high gang activity; travel only with reputable local operators and vetted drivers. Cap-Haitian and Jacmel are generally more accessible but also require precautions.
- Stay reachable
- A Roamix eSIM is safety-critical in Haiti. Keep it active at all times to stay in contact with your guide, driver and hotel. Monitor your government's emergency updates via your connectivity. Share your daily plan with someone back home.
- Health
- Malaria prophylaxis is recommended for travel outside main urban centres. Cholera, typhoid and hepatitis A vaccinations are strongly advised. Medical facilities outside Port-au-Prince are very limited. Comprehensive medical evacuation insurance is essential.
- Tap water
- Tap water is not safe anywhere in Haiti. Use bottled water for all drinking and tooth brushing.
Networks and coverage in Haiti
Haiti is served by two main mobile operators: Digicel Haiti, the market leader with the widest 4G coverage, and Natcom. Digicel covers Port-au-Prince, Cap-Haitian, Jacmel and main provincial towns with 4G. A Roamix Haiti eSIM connects to the strongest available local network on arrival.
Digicel Haiti
Dominant operator with the widest 4G and 3G coverage across Haiti, covering Port-au-Prince, Cap-Haitian, Jacmel, Les Cayes and the main road corridors.
Natcom
State-owned operator with urban presence in Port-au-Prince and main provincial centres; less extensive rural coverage than Digicel.
- Typical speeds
- Digicel 4G delivers 10 to 30 Mbps in Port-au-Prince and major towns; rural and mountain areas drop to 3G or slower.
- 5G
- No 5G network in Haiti. Digicel 4G LTE is the primary data network in urban areas.
Digicel is the clear choice for data in Haiti. In areas where 4G is unavailable, Digicel 3G still covers most tourist routes. Download offline maps before any road journey outside a main city.
Coverage drops to 3G or 2G in the mountain interior, on the Massif du Nord, in remote southern peninsula towns and along unpaved rural roads. The northern Cap-Haitian area and Jacmel have generally reliable 4G. Digicel Haiti uses standard LTE bands. Recent unlocked smartphones will work without issues.
Where to go in Haiti
Haiti is the Caribbean's most historically significant nation, the site of the only successful slave revolution in history, the first Black republic in the world and the first Caribbean nation to achieve independence. The Citadelle Laferriere is one of the architectural wonders of the Americas. Travel requires careful planning with reputable local operators and constant attention to current security conditions.
Best time to visit
November to March is the dry season and most comfortable time to visit. Avoid the hurricane season from June to October. The Jacmel Carnival in February is one of the Caribbean's most spectacular.
Port-au-Prince and the West
The capital spans a bay flanked by mountains, with the Iron Market, the National Palace ruins, Petionville's upscale restaurants and galleries, and Boutilliers Road viewpoint above the city.
- Petionville
- Iron Market (Marche de Fer)
- Boutilliers viewpoint
- Musee du Pantheon National
- Champ de Mars
Best Digicel 4G coverage in the country in Petionville and Port-au-Prince. Some areas of the capital have elevated security risk; check current advisories before moving around the city.
The North and Cap-Haitian
The historic north of Haiti, where the colonial city of Cap-Haitian was once the Pearl of the Antilles, the royal Citadelle Laferriere fortress stands above the mountains, and the Sans-Souci Palace ruins recall the kingdom of Henri Christophe.
- Citadelle Laferriere (UNESCO)
- Sans-Souci Palace (UNESCO)
- Cap-Haitian colonial centre
- Labadie peninsula
- Bois Caiman
Good Digicel 4G in Cap-Haitian and along the northern coastal road. The mountain road to the Citadelle drops to 3G near the summit.
Jacmel and the Southeast
The creative and cultural heart of Haiti, Jacmel is a beautifully preserved 19th-century colonial port town known for its carnival, papier-mache art, iron foundry art and the beaches of the southern coast.
- Jacmel historic centre
- Bas-Bleu waterfall
- Cyvadier beach
- Raymond Les Bains beach
- Jacmel artisan market
Decent Digicel 4G in Jacmel town and along the coastal road. Mountain roads east of Jacmel have limited signal.
The Artibonite and Central Plateau
Haiti's agricultural heartland, centred on Gonaives and the Artibonite River valley, with Mirebalais, the Saut-Mathurine waterfall and the cultural significance of the Bwa Kayiman ceremony site near Desdunes.
- Gonaives independence square
- Saut-Mathurine falls
- Hinche
- Peligre Lake
- Mirebalais
Digicel 3G in Gonaives and main route towns. Central Plateau roads have intermittent coverage.
Southern Peninsula
The southern peninsula stretching to Les Cayes and Jeremie, with the beautiful beaches of Gelée near Les Cayes, the Ile-a-Vache island paradise, and the Grand'Anse region's lush coffee-growing mountains.
- Gelée beach, Les Cayes
- Ile-a-Vache
- Aquin beaches
- Jeremie
- Saut du Barril waterfall
Digicel 4G in Les Cayes. Remote southern peninsula roads and Ile-a-Vache ferry routes have limited coverage.
Off the beaten path
One of the most extraordinary architectural achievements in the Americas, a massive mountaintop fortress built between 1805 and 1820 by Henri Christophe, King of Haiti, to defend the newly independent nation. A UNESCO World Heritage Site with stunning views over the northern plain.
Signal: Digicel 3G near Milot town. The Citadelle summit has limited signal. Download historical information in Cap-Haitian before ascending.
The grand royal palace of Henri Christophe, destroyed by the 1842 earthquake and now a sublime ruin in the Milot valley, paired with the Citadelle in a single UNESCO designation as the National History Park.
Signal: Limited Digicel signal in Milot. Download the palace history guide in Cap-Haitian.
A remarkably preserved 19th-century port town with Victorian cast-iron balconies, French colonial facades, a celebrated carnival tradition and a thriving community of papier-mache artisans, painters and ironwork sculptors.
Signal: Good Digicel 4G throughout Jacmel colonial centre.
A beautiful and little-visited island off Les Cayes with pristine beaches, coral reef diving, village life and a relaxed island pace that offers a complete contrast to the mainland.
Signal: Limited Digicel signal on the island. Download maps and accommodation details in Les Cayes before the boat.
A stunning natural bay on the northern coast with brilliant turquoise water, beaches and the lush backdrop of the northern mountains, historically significant as a safe anchorage since colonial times.
Signal: Good Digicel 4G on the Labadie peninsula accessed from Cap-Haitian.
A series of vivid blue freshwater pools at the base of waterfalls in the hills above Jacmel, reached by a 1.5-hour walk or horse ride through small villages, with crystal-clear swimming in turquoise pools.
Signal: Very limited signal on the trail to Bassin Bleu. Download the route and guide information in Jacmel.
The cool mountain town above Petionville at 1,450 m, with a fresh produce market, market gardens growing strawberries and vegetables rarely found elsewhere in Haiti, and sweeping views over Port-au-Prince and the Caribbean.
Signal: Digicel 3G to 4G in Kenscoff; the winding mountain road has intermittent coverage.
Haiti's national museum holding the anchor of Christopher Columbus's ship the Santa Maria, the pistol of revolution leader Jean-Jacques Dessalines and artefacts of the Haitian Revolution, presenting the story of the world's only successful slave uprising.
Signal: Good Digicel 4G in the Champ de Mars area of central Port-au-Prince.
The largest waterfall in Haiti, a powerful cascade near Camp Perrin in the south, set in coffee-growing mountains and accessible by guided excursion from Les Cayes.
Signal: Limited Digicel signal near the falls. Download the route in Les Cayes.
The site of the Bois Caiman ceremony on 14 August 1791, where enslaved Haitians gathered in a spiritual ceremony that is considered the catalytic event of the Haitian Revolution, one of the most historically significant sites in the African diaspora.
Signal: Limited Digicel signal in the Morne Rouge area. Download information in Cap-Haitian.
Events and seasons in Haiti
January 1
Haiti Independence Day
Gonaives (official ceremony) and nationwide
Haiti proclaimed independence on 1 January 1804, becoming the first Black republic in the world. The official ceremony is held in Gonaives, where independence was declared. The day is also New Year's Day and celebrated as the Festival of Soup Joumou.
February (pre-Lent, two weekends before national carnival)
Jacmel Carnival
Jacmel, Sud-Est
Jacmel's carnival is considered the most artistic and distinctive in the Caribbean, famous for its handmade papier-mache masks, costumes of extraordinary creativity, and the tradition of rooftop carnival where costumed revellers parade from building to building.
February or March (pre-Lent)
National Carnival (Mardi Gras)
Port-au-Prince and cities nationwide
Haiti's national carnival is one of the largest in the Caribbean, with enormous floats, live rara and kompa music bands, costumed revellers and multi-day celebrations in Port-au-Prince, Gonaives and Cap-Haitian.
Lent (February to Easter)
Rara Season
Nationwide, especially rural communities
During Lent, Rara bands of hundreds of musicians playing bamboo trumpets (vaksin), drums and percussion wind through rural roads and neighbourhoods in processions that last through the night, a unique Afro-Haitian musical tradition with Vodou roots.
July 16 to 25
St Jacques et St Christophe Pilgrimage
Saut-d'Eau, Centre Department
Hundreds of thousands of Haitian pilgrims make the journey to the Saut-d'Eau waterfall for the feast of Saints Jacques and Christophe, combining Catholic devotion with Vodou ceremony in one of Haiti's most powerful and spectacular religious events.
August
Haiti Diaspora Festival
Port-au-Prince
A festival welcoming the Haitian diaspora back to the country, with cultural performances, business forums, art exhibitions and community events celebrating the global Haitian community.
November
Festival de Jazz de Port-au-Prince
Port-au-Prince, Petionville venues
An international jazz festival hosted at venues in Petionville, drawing Haitian and international jazz artists and an educated, cosmopolitan Port-au-Prince audience to a cultural event that highlights Haiti's sophisticated music culture.
November to February
Jacmel Coffee Harvest and Art Tour
Jacmel highlands and southern mountains
The Haitian coffee harvest in the southern mountains provides an opportunity for agro-tourism combining coffee plantation visits, artisan studio tours in Jacmel and the spectacular mountain scenery of the southeast.
November 1 to 2
Fet Gede (Day of the Dead)
Cimetiere Exterieur, Port-au-Prince and nationwide cemeteries
Haiti's Day of the Dead is the biggest Vodou celebration of the year, when devotees dressed in black and purple gather at cemeteries to honour the Gede lwa (ancestor spirits), with rum, cigars, ceremonial dances and possession trance ceremonies at the Baron Samedi cross.
December
Kompa Festival
Port-au-Prince and Cap-Haitian
A celebration of Kompa music, Haiti's beloved national dance music genre originating in the 1950s. Annual concerts and festivals bring together Haiti's top Kompa bands and diaspora artists returning for the holiday season.
Through the year
- Spring
- April to May is warm and dry, with Rara season ending at Easter. May brings the start of the wet season and begins to feel more humid.
- Summer
- June to October is hurricane season. Tropical storms and hurricanes can cause serious disruption. July and August are hot and humid. Travel in this period requires monitoring weather systems closely.
- Fall
- September to November brings the end of hurricane season, Fet Gede in November and generally improving conditions. November is comfortable for travel.
- Winter
- December to March is the dry season and the most comfortable period. Carnival in February is the cultural highlight. January 1 Independence Day sees nationwide celebrations.
Working remotely from Haiti
Haiti is not a practical remote work destination for most visitors. Power outages are frequent, internet reliability varies and security considerations make it unsuitable for extended periods of head-down work.
- Connection
- Digicel 4G in Petionville can handle email and WhatsApp. Video conferencing is possible from well-equipped hotels but power interruptions are a constant risk.
If remote work from Haiti is unavoidable, stay in Petionville at a hotel with a generator and use your Roamix eSIM as backup during power outages.
