How to Find Luxury Hotels In Port-au-Prince, Haiti

Haiti is a nation that has been plagued with unbelievable poverty, but this Caribbean nation offers lots of history and charm for those willing to make the journey.

Things You'll Need

• Computer with Internet access
• Passport

Instructions

Find Luxury Accommodations in Port-au-Prince, Haiti

1. Get help with your accommodations arrangements when you call for booking information in Haiti at (877) 99 HAITI or visit the To Haiti Web site for more information (see Resources).

2. Loll in a red bathtub with gilded feet or have a drink under a waterfall at the pool when you stay at El Rancho. This 4-star boutique hotel, once a private villa, doesn't offer online booking or an English-language phone number, so book through your local travel agent.

3. Savor a view of the city by staying in a luxury hotel nestled in the hills overlooking Port-au-Prince. Magnificent vistas come with amenities like swimming, tennis courts and spas. Expect to pay upward of $100 per night.

4. Enjoy Haiti's beaches by staying at one of Port-au-Prince's waterfront hotels. The best of these accommodations offer amenities like high-speed Internet and landscaped grounds, along with tight security. Expect to pay an average of about $140 per night.

5. Explore Port-au-Prince's charming old architecture by choosing to stay in a hotel located in the city's Petion-Ville Old Town. Note that this neighborhood is in close proximity to a few Haitian churches, making it a great place for a Haitian wedding. Expect to pay an average of about $70 per night.

Travel to Luxury Accommodations in Port-au-Prince, Haiti

1. Fly into Port-au-Prince's Toussaint L'Ouverture International Airport, Haiti's largest airport and its gateway to international travel. The airport offers connections to cities like Miami, New York and Montreal.

2. Take a taxi to your hotel. In Haiti, cabs are called publiques, and they are identified by a red ribbon dangling from the front mirror.

Learn About Haiti

1. Know that Haiti has a population of over 8 million. Port-au-Prince is its capital and largest city, with a population of over 1 million.

2. Understand that Haiti occupies about a third of the island of Hispaniola, which is also occupied by the Dominican Republic.

3. Keep in mind that Haiti achieved independence from France in 1804, making it the first independent black republic. Haiti is also the only nation to have been born from a victorious slave uprising.

Tips & Warnings

• Know that French and French Creole are the main languages spoken in Haiti.

• If taking snapshots of Haitians or filming them with video cameras, be sure to get their permission. Some tourists have reported that Haitians have responded violently to those who have photographed them without permission.

• Avoid driving in Haiti. Be aware that drivers aren't required to pass a test to get a license in Haiti, so conditions are chaotic and many drivers don't adhere to the rules of the road.

• Steer clear of bus transportation in Haiti. Vehicles are often unreliable, overcrowded and dangerous.

• Malaria is a problem in Haiti. Carry lots of insect repellent on your trip. It's a good idea to also carry anti-malarial medication, in case you bet bitten by an infected mosquito.