We were two guys with European passports. We came overland from Santo Domingo (DR) with bus and left by plane. We spent some days in Port au Prince and made a day trip to Jacmel and Bassins Bleu (totally worth it).
We took the international bus (Caribe Tour) from Santo Domingo (DR) to Port-au-Prince. The price was 1680 DRP per person for one way. On top of that, we had to pay 31 USD + 200 DRP to the bus company for various immigration fees (probably a commission too). It was the same price for everyone. But that meant the border crossing was rather quick and uneventful.
Prices in Haiti can be confusing. They operate with 3 different currencies: US dollar, Haitian gourde, and a third imaginary currency called Haitian dollars, which is equal to 5 Haitian gourdes. Prices for local goods (like food) are often quoted in Haitian dollars. So when a shop owner says 5 dollars for a bottle of water, she means 5 Haitian dollars, therefore 25 Haitian gourdes (about 50 US cents).
Motocycle taxis are the way to get around in the cities. There are taxi and shared taxi too (they have a red string in the windshield)). For intercity trips, take a bus or minibus. Since it can be hard to find the right bus, ask your hotel or a friendly local to help you.
Budget accommodation is almost none existing in Haiti. We stayed only in Port-au-Prince, at Le Perroquet hotel in Petionville (it's three blocks from the Caribe bus office, something that is nice when arriving late at night).
It should not be necessary to mention that you have to take care, when in Haiti. But that said, the country's reputation is worse than reality. Beside one episode where some motocycle taxi drivers got into a fight with each other over our business, we only experience friendly and helpful people.
© Bo Løvschall
© Bo Løvschall
© Bo Løvschall
