9 Different Modes of Transportation in Haiti

Transportation in Haiti

Haiti is a country on the island of Hispaniola, which it shares with the Dominican Republic, among the islands of the Greater Antilles archipelago located in the Caribbean Sea. It has a mountainous terrain marked by narrow coastal plains and river valleys. Haiti’s capital is Port-au-Prince, lying on the edge of the bay at the center of the country.

Although Haiti is considered one of the world’s poorest countries, it boasts a viable tourist industry due to its friendly people, rich history and culture, and natural wonders. Visiting these tourist spots entails use of Haiti’s transportation system.  Here are some ways of getting in and around the country.

By Air

The main entry and exit point into the country is the Toussaint Louverture International Airport. Some smaller cities outside of Port-au-Prince also have less accessible airports used by regional airlines and private aircraft; examples of these cities are Jacmel, Jérémie, Les Cayes and Port-de-Paix. There are fluctuations in the airfare rates for flights inside Haiti, depending on the season and airline, but these are usually between $125 to $132.

By Land

There are two main highways running from one end of the country to the other – the northern highway or Route Nationale No. 1 and the southern highway or Route Nationale No. 2. These two highways link and wind through different coastal towns and port cities of Haiti. Using these highways and secondary roads, travelers can opt for different modes of transport such as cars, taxis, taptaps, camionnettes, buses, and moto-taxis.

Car

Since Haiti has a low rate of car ownership, it may be difficult to borrow a car or request a ride from a Haitian friend or acquaintance. It is estimated that there about 12 motorized vehicles per 1,000 people in Haiti. However, rental cars in the form of sport-utility vehicles (SUVs) and pickup trucks are available. These cars can be rented via rental car companies such as Hertz and Avis from the airport or in major cities.

Regular rental car rates start around $29 per day while SUVs and luxury vehicles can command prices between $39 and $183 per day, respectively. Visitors with adventurous spirits but tight budgets can still get around Haiti using one or more of the public transport modes listed below.

Taxi

Two cities have reliable operations of taxis called publiques; these are Port-au-Prince and Cap-Haïtien. To the untrained eye, these taxis may be hard to differentiate from other worn-down cars on Haiti’s roads. In order to be distinguished as a taxi, operators hang red ribbons from the front mirror and display license plates starting with ‘T’. Fares start from $0.70 with some taxis having fixed routes. A taxi can usually accommodate two passengers on the front seats and four passengers on the back seats.

Taptap

Taptaps are vehicles smaller than regular buses and are converted from pickup trucks to carry passengers along Haiti’s roads. Most of these vehicles are brightly painted and creatively designed. They are called ‘taptap’ for the sound passengers make by tapping coins on the steel bus body to let the driver know when they want to get on or off. Taptaps can usually be found in terminals where they fill with passengers before leaving for their destinations. Seating arrangements inside the vehicle may be very crowded at times. Taptaps are used mainly for short trips and fares are set at around $0.25.

Camionnette

Camionnettes are bigger than taptaps but smaller than regular buses. Like taptaps, camionnettes are also converted from pickup trucks or minivans and they are painted colorfully. Some camionnettes have open sides and only provide ropes for passengers to hold onto while standing. Some camionnettes have steel frames and walls placed on the beds of the pickup trucks with long seats next to either side of the walls for passengers. These vehicles wait for passengers in different sites in major cities such as Port-au-Prince. Like taptaps, camionnettes are used for short commutes and the fares are typically comparable to taptap fares.

Yellow Bus and Modern Bus

Yellow buses are modified school buses, thus the yellow color. They are mostly used for long-distance travel. There are terminals around Port-au-Prince and other major cities where yellow buses wait for passengers, but they do not run on schedule; buses only leave terminals when full of passengers.

These buses charge slightly higher fares than taptaps. There are selected areas in Port-au-Prince where modern buses operate. Examples of these new bus lines are Caribe Tours and Terra Bus, traveling a route from Port-au-Prince to Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic. Buses leave Santo Domingo at 11 a.m. and charge $40 one-way. Passengers must also pay border fees.

Moto-taxi

Moto-taxi (or motorcycle taxi) is the easiest and fastest way to get around towns in Haiti. Passengers just hop on to the back seat of motorcycles, or moto, that display the appropriate transport license plates. Aside from the license plates, drivers may wear colored bibs to be distinguished from other commuters. Drivers do not provide helmets for passengers, but remote rough roads in Haiti do not allow for much speeding by motorcycle anyway. Fares are usually below $0.75 but may increase markedly, depending on the distance traveled.

By Water

Port International de Port-au-Prince, the port in the capital city, and Port of Saint-Marc are the two main seaports of Haiti. They serve as hubs for transportation of goods to a host of other Haitian cities. There are islands that are only accessible by boats such as Île de la Tortue, Grosse Caye, and Île de la Gonâve. Also, most of the coastal towns are accessible mainly by small sailboats. Compared to that of land transportation, small boat fares are usually cheaper.

Boat fare from coastal towns could be lower than $0.25. However, rates for a boat trip to islands such as Grosse Caye could vary from $30 to $40.

Summary

Haiti has a rich and colorful history, friendly people and less-traveled natural landscapes that are waiting to be rediscovered by new residents and tourists alike. Adventurous travelers have multiple options for transportation in Haiti. There are flights, boat trips, and several land transport modes as described above.

Ten years after the 7.0 earthquake struck Haiti!

Again, Haiti faces another devastating crisis as a 7.2 magnitude earthquake shook the country’s southern end on August 14, 2021. The southern area is not as populated as the country’s capital that suffered the shattering earthquake in 2010 that killed over 220,000 souls and displaced more than 300,000 people.
 
H3Missions, Inc. was founded by a group of compassionate individuals who wanted to respond to the 2010 crisis. Led by Nyron McLean, the team headed for Haiti to help with supplies and medical needs and have continued their efforts for over ten years.
 
Unfortunately, when the pandemic swept the earth, worldwide nonprofits were forced to suspend mission trips. However, our friends in Haiti need us more than ever now as they search for loved ones beneath the rubble of another devastating blow to the country.  
 
H3Missions, Inc. has joined Haiti One to help as their team coordinates assistance and supplies sent to the country. To streamline their efforts, Haiti One has a GoFundMe account set up to help Hospital Bernard Mevs & Project Medshare assist those affected by the devastation.
 
That link is here: https://gofund.me/bed0179b.
 
Markenley Chery, one of H3Missions, Inc.’s partners in Haiti is assembling a team to head to Les Cayes and surrounding areas to assist where and as needed.
 
At this time, we will coordinate with Haiti One to support all efforts by making sure our team on the ground can assist with supplies and services. Would you please help us streamline these efforts by donating to Haiti One at the above link to help the people of Haiti during these trying times? 

Arcahaie

At the level of Economic and Financial Infrastructures, the municipality is quite well equipped. There are several hotels, restaurants, two credit unions, and two marketing co-operative centers. Market days: Saturdays.

Arcahaie is also known for Plantain production. It is estimated that 60% of the agricultural land in Arcahaie is devoted to the production of the tastiest plantains in Haiti. Many springs water the territory of the commune, which also receives the waters of the White River, rivers Courjol, Torcelle, Bretelles, and those which take the name of the rural sections.  

On the side of religion, ninety-six temples (chapels included) were listed in the municipality of Arcahaie. 20 Catholic churches including three parishes and seventeen chapels, five Baptist churches, and five Adventist churches for the most important were inventoried in the town.

Information provided by: haiti.fandom.com/wiki/Arcahaie

Saint-Louis-du-Nord

Saint-Louis-du-Nord (Haitian CreoleSen Lwi dinò) is a commune in the Saint-Louis-du-Nord Arrondissement, in the Nord-Ouest department of Haiti. It has 69,592 inhabitants.

Information provided by https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint-Louis-du-Nord

SAINT - MARC

St. Marc is a large port town surrounded by mountains. At all times, there are many boats in the port, typically sail boats. The town was first settled in 1716, then located in the French colony of Saint-Domingue.[1]

The town is located on flat land close to the sea but its edges extend into the foothills. From these vantage points, the ocean is sometimes viewable. The city has a few park spaces, including Place Cite Nissage Saget. These parks are often surrounded by vendors with carts full of goods.

Local residents enjoy the rich culture of St. Marc and it is considered a safe place to live. About 60% of the population lives in the communal section, meaning outside of town. As a result, they are beyond its infrastructure and lack drainage systems, electricity and potable water.

Information provided by https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint-Marc

Port de paix

During the Amerindian period this area was called “Xarama” by the Taïno people. The area around the town was given the name “Valparaíso” by Christopher Columbus after landing here in the late evening of December 6, 1492, and today still contains many attractive beaches and cave locations. A ferry operates between the town and Tortuga island, (La Tortue), called “Gusaeni Cahini” by the Taïnos, which is situated just across the water.

The town was founded in 1665 by French filibusters, driven from Tortuga Island by the British occupiers. In 1676 the capital of the French Colony of Saint-Domingue was moved from Tortuga to Port-de-Paix, and it remained the seat of government until 1711 when the capital was moved to Cap-Français. In 1676, Padrejean escaped from slavery in the Port. In 1679 the town saw the first black slave revolt. The area saw great success during the 18th century but on February 27, 1903 the town was almost entirely destroyed by fire, and never attained its former status.

Information provided by https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Port-de-Paix

Montrouis

Montrouis is a coastal communal section in Haiti, located in the department of Artibonite,[1] south of Saint-Marc. Montrouis is one of the most important beach tourism destinations in Haiti, with several well renowned hotels and resorts, including the Moulin-sur-Mer. The town is located on the Côtes-des-Arcadins, one of Haiti’s longest stretches of pure white sand beaches. It is also an exceptional place for sailing and fishing.

Information provided by
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montrouis  

Deschapelles

Deschapelles (Haitian Creole: Dechpel) is a town in the Verrettes commune, in the Artibonite department of Haiti. It is located approximately 54 km north of the capital, Port-au-Prince, and has 4 to 5000 inhabitants Approximately. Deschapelles is where the Hôpital Albert Schweitzer Haiti is located.

Information provided by https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deschapelles

Croix Des Bouquets

Croix-des-Bouquets is a northern suburb in the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area. Haiti is world-famous for its exuberant art, richly influenced by nature, history and religion, both Christian and Vodou. The entire village of Croix des Bouquets is a good example of Haitian creativity – it resonates with the sounds of clanging and banging of the mallets and chisels in the process of transforming raw metal into stunning, and often haunting, iron sculptures. The city of Croix-des-Bouquets is on the Plaine du Cul-de-Sac, where many people grow organic foods such as beans, sweet potato, and corn.

On March 22, 1792, the city was the scene of one of the first battles of the Haitian Revolution.

Prior to the 12 January 2010 earthquake, the once crowded city had been restored. The streets had been cleaned up, wholesale merchants and other commerce had been relocated to Port-au-Prince. Retail commerce which once crowded sidewalks downtown now had a dedicated building.

Information provided by https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Croix-des-Bouquets
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