The most beautiful natural sites to discover 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.

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 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.

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.

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.

In addition to the magic beach of Marin Blue and its corals (provide a mask), a majestic and green waterfall is within walking distance of the village: the floors in floors with ice and ice water will even delight the cautious… A guide is essential, counting from 200 to 300 GD for its presence for half a day. For those who do not want to pay, children will be happy to accompany you against a small gift.

The Macaya peak reaches 2 347 m above sea level and its park is one of the last virgin forests on the island. The climb of the Pic is quite delicate, providing for a guide (get to Jérémie or Camp Perrin), good equipment and supplies of water and food. For the night, it is possible to gently camp on the Front of the Plaine Durand. Jean Gustave Dunès will be able to inform you about the hikes.

Very beautiful and long sandy beach, surrounded by a huge palm grove. Children are still there and will be happy to climb to coconut trees to catch a nut and prepare it. The juice is very nourishing and the flesh translucent, nothing to see with the same fruit when they arrive in France! Beware the sun strong on the white sand, fortunately there is a lot of shade under the trees and bushes. And even for cars!

A refreshing waterfall flows into a pretty basin. In a word, an ideal place to relax. Hikers will take about a-hour walk to reach the fall. 30 minutes by car.

Superb sandy beaches accessible by boat. Find out about the port.

One of the great properties of Apricots is its long sandy beach nestled in a paradise cove. The water is calm and hot. The vegetation of the village - where coconut and almond no longer count! - seems to stop in his race by the expanse of sand and the sea. 

On Dame Marie Beach of the canoes will take you to the îlets of Lahaie, for a afternoon of bathing and rest.

In the east of Anse-d'Hainault, a road that is more or less connected leads directly to natural hot springs, where it is possible to swim at certain times of the year.

At Jacmel, the black sand beach extending from the wharf (wharf) to the mouth is not very attractive. Water purity is altered by the discharge of the sewers and, during the rainy season, by the mud that the river raises.

One of the main points of Belle-Anse is its beautiful beach of Lagan, almost deserted and wild, surrounded by palm trees. If you have your surfing board under your arm, this is the ideal spot!

The Saltworks is located on the eastern coast of Jacmel Bay. You can go on foot or by car along the cemetery. It is a charming small little beach, if not by a handful of fishermen - the odd coloured boats present are witness to it - with little substance. Ideal for cooling and laisser children (with shoes, to avoid unfortunate encounters with sea urchins, especially near rocks). A small bar is open from time to time. In the summer, concerts are organised on this small shore. This is the closest beach to Jacmel's centre. The Cap Lamandou Hotel overlooks the hotel.

Beautiful waterfall in a beautiful corner. But beware! You have to have a good car to go because the road is really bad.

Camp Louise beach, also named Saint-Michel Beach, is exposed to the winds and consists of black sand. Partly arranged - a restaurant as well as a few sea-side gargotes offering mixed fish and grilled fish are open on weekends - it retains a very valuable wilderness.

To get there, we will take the national highway 1. Halfway between northern plain and Limbé, turn right before the road begins a curve on the left. Then borrow a runway in the ground (hard time in rainy weather) and then cross a very varied countryside (just twenty minutes). 

To leave the car in front of the church and to win the beach where the pilgrims go massively on 6 September to celebrate the Sainte-Mbavu - a bus bearing this name, transports the passengers from Cape Town that Day. On the right of the beach, in marshland, appears a powder keg built in 1683.