Things to see and do Haiti

This wonderful beach the eyes of everyone and his memory never fades. At the bottom of the cove of Labadie, there are few tourists who think of venturing to its beach. It must be said that from the sea it is impossible to guess that paradise is so close. At the bottom of a beautiful hill with virgin vegetation, descends a source of fresh water that flows into the ocean. The white sandy beach is often deserted. Fresh water has allowed the corals to remain intact for the greatest pleasure of the eyes that do not need mask to admire the beauty of creation. Three colours clearly draw, the first deep water is pure purple is the kingdom of corals, the second violet blue is the domain of underwater herbs, the third is this color which makes boats fly in the transparency of a water that seems to have forgotten. Before venturing into the sea, the source offers a pool where it is good to bathe, the sensation of feeling at the top of its body cold and soft water, and downstairs hot and salty water, is quite remarkable.

These falls are perhaps the most beautiful on the island. To go by car, a 4 x 4 is strongly recommended (counting a good time). In the village of Camp-Perrin, take the beautiful paved road towards Jeremiah. At the exit of High Camp, take 1,5 km and turn right at the Church of God (located on the left) towards St Mathurine. Then take the narrow land road that descends to the waterfall. It is located on the left, opposite the power station. Park your car between two major portals: one opens towards the waterfall, down, the other towards the powerhouse. In both cases, a guard will open you and accompany you. Ask children if needed. To access and enjoy the waterfall that is maintained by the villagers, who organise parties and gatherings, you will be asked for a minimal entrance fee. You can even leave a little more.
The place is magical and refreshing. The waterfall is dried around February. But bathing is still pleasant.

By boat, you can go to the Source-Salée beach, close to the port, to Coral (about 25 minutes) and especially to the Cayemites Islands. La Petite-Cayemite, which is not inhabited, is 45 minutes by motor canoe (200 GD) and its beach of Anse-Blanche is worth the crossing. Anse-du-Nord, at Grande-Cayemite, is available in about 30 minutes.

On the road to Marigot, just before Cayes Jacmel, the Raymond-les-Bains beach welcomes many locals and tourists. Reputed safe and close to Jacmel, it is very popular, especially on weekends. Surfers love its turbulent waters.

A limited choice. Allen, Gesner Armand. In the craft radius, very original dolls.

There are wooden and stone sculptures, paintings from Karvenagh, Blaise, Isamaël and Gauthier.

High quality objects. Special mention to the wood houses that allow the storage of compact discs. Exclusive distributor of objects painted by Moro workshops (Jacmel).

Interesting, especially for crafts. Ceramic, horn, wooden objects at attractive prices.

A narrow path winds in the middle of the banana trees and sugar cane fields. After 5 minutes of road, the long beach appears, mostly frequented by fishermen. No bar or hotel-restaurant on site.

Radio Métropole allows you to consult all the Haitian news: politics, economics, sports, culture, health, provinces… but also archives. Possibility to listen to radio via the net.

Haitian sources of information on the Internet. Listen to Radiovision 2000, live from Port-au-Prince, flash infos (possibility of subscription).

flights, hotels, visits, shopping on-line, but also articles on history and news in Haiti.

the site offers various links about the country: politics, cultural events, art…

practical information, arts and culture, economics, geography and tourism, beliefs and religions, politics… Everything we need to know about the Republic of Haiti. It also refers to all sites about the country, sorted by subject.

site of Haitian weekly Haiti-Progress. It offers a selection of articles in English, French, or Creole.

Travel agency offering tickets and excursions across the country and abroad.

the site of the Maison du rhum Barbancourt presents the culture of the country, a calendar of events, a press magazine… And, of course recipes (kitchen and cocktails) to realise with Barbancourt rum!

Located 28 km from Cape-Qaddafi and 970 m above sea level, it is the work of Haitian engineer Henri Barré. Also known as the Citadel Henri Christophe, she is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site within the National Historic Park. On Thursday, thousands of people find themselves there.

Construction of the La Ferrière Citadel began in 1804. It was to be integrated into the general fortification system which was intended to defend the country against a possible return of Napoleon Bonaparte's troops. It was chosen to build it at 900 m above sea level at the peak of Cap-à-l'Bishop. A Haitian, Henri Barré, drew the drawings, inspired by a little Vauban (mutual protection of buildings) and many of the Marquis de Montalembert (vertical fortification, concentration of fire power established on several levels). Most of the works - from 1806 to 1817 - took place under the reign of King Christophe. About 200 000 men participated in the work, a good tenth of whom died. The monarch supervised the construction himself and showed great severity with the workers.

At a time when his power was disputed, the citadel appeared to be an ideal retreat site, able to shelter its soldiers and court. No doubt he also saw in this monument a symbol of the Haitian nation, as will so well express him, a century and a half later, the martiniquais writer Aimé Césaire.
In 1818, lightning fell on the citadel and the fire spread to the powder powder, causing heavy damage. It is therefore in a half-row fortress that King Christophe commits himself, two years later, with a silver bullet in the brain. After his death, the citadel gradually fell away. Many pieces of weapons were displaced or stolen, while vegetation over the years was gaining ground. In 1979, when the National Heritage Institute assisted by UNDP and UNESCO decided to restore the citadel, there remained only one hundred and sixty-two canons out of three hundred and sixty-five canons. A decade was needed to carry out this huge project which, in a century and a half, seemed to be right for King Christophe or at least for his motto: I renais my ashes.

It should also be noted that the citadel contains one of the largest collections of canons in the world: of all sizes and designed mainly in Europe, the mortars and other bombardes of the gallery dedicated to King Christophe's artillery is impressive!

A Read: The citadel, the large Caribbean battery, Monuments to the independence of a people, two brochures written by Ms Yvelt and Mr de Bazelaire, Decker, Delatour, Lubin, Mangones, and Neuville, published jointly by ISPAN, UNESCO and UNDP.

Medieval architecture kitsch to wish. The castle houses a restaurant and a tasting room for the Jane Barbancourt and Barlin products. Very old stills are also visible.

A few hundred metres away, the Tara's, the largest outdoor night club in Port-au-Prince.

Thanks to the premises, this cave is now well placed and is guided by a guide. Explored about 4 km deep, you only visit 2 km. It is the largest in the Caribbean. Front lamps are necessary because the black is sometimes total. They are gremlin in the room, each with its own peculiarities. One of them has a voûte voûte of mini-craters, which we do not explain the training… the cathedral is impressive. Provide good footwear, some areas are slippery and access to the cave is done through a steep land path. Hat and water are also essential. The visit takes about 1 hour.
At the foot of the hill, where the cave is located, we sail in front of a huge white building of recent construction: it is the Basic School of Implementation Centre for pedagogical support (EFACAP), a very positive initiative of the Haitian public education sector to ensure access to education.