How to Find Cheap Hotels in Port-au-Prince Haiti

While the state of unrest in Port-au-Prince, Haiti is said to have calmed down, the danger of being a foreigner in the area is still present. However, Port-au-Prince is undeniably lovely, and many travelers gladly visit this unique area. Keep in mind, though, that the traveler in search of cheap accommodations may find Haiti something of a challenge.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Contact information for the American embassy in Haiti
• Computer with Internet access

Choose Your Accommodations in Port-au-Prince, Haiti

1. Call MWM Associates for booking information in Haiti at (877) 99 HAITI, or visit their Web site for more information (see Resources below).
2. Consider staying in the Petionville area—the most secure neighborhood in Port-au-Prince and also a swinging region for nightlife.
3. Stay at a villa resort, which may provide cheap accommodations in comparison to the high-priced hotels occupying most of Port-au-Prince.
4. Stay at the famous and memorable Victorian Hotel Oloffson. This location is the setting for Graham Greene's “The Comedians.” While it costs more than the cheap budget traveler may want to spend, visitors should at least pay a visit to the site if they do not actually stay there.
5. Look at hotels online and hunt for special rates. Port-au-Prince accommodations are considered overpriced, and while a traveler may manage to find a guesthouse or something more economical, a lot of research is necessary to ensure a tourist's safety.

Know Your Destination

6. Investigate the level of danger and crime just before leaving for your vacation.
7. Travel in May if at all possible. The peak tourist season in Port-au-Prince is mid-December to mid-April. Hurricane season is June through November.

See Popular Attractions in Port-au-Prince

8. Grab a great meal in the Petionville neighborhood.
9. Visit the Plaine du Cul de Sac—a fertile plain running nearly to the Dominican border.

Tips & Warnings

• Due to the crime risks, never go out alone at night.
• Transportation provided from the airport tends to be unreliable and inconvenient.
• Medical care in Port-au-Prince is limited. Look into travel insurance and see if it will cover you while on vacation in Haiti.
• Contact the American embassy in Haiti to seek consular advice before planning your trip.
• When calling internationally from outside the United States, check which international dialing prefix to use.
• Be aware at all times that Port-au-Prince can be a dangerous and unpredictable place, especially for tourists.