Just Landed in Haiti? Your First 7 Days

Two operators cover the country: Natcom (state-linked, with strong 4G/LTE reach and fibre in parts of the capital) and Digicel (the most widely used, with good urban coverage and the dominant mobile-money service). Prepaid SIMs are cheap and sold everywhere, including at the airport and in small shops, but power cuts and network outages during unrest are common, so always keep a power bank and download offline maps in advance.

Typical cost: A SIM costs about 60 to 100 HTG (under 1 USD). Digicel data bundles run from roughly 25 GB for around 10 USD for 30 days; Natcom offers small bundles such as 1 GB for around 1.50 USD for 7 days. Top-ups (recharge cards) are sold on almost every street corner.

Haiti runs largely on cash, split between the gourde and the US dollar; prices are frequently quoted in 'Haitian dollars', a colloquial unit equal to exactly 5 gourdes, which confuses almost every newcomer. Carry both real currencies, always confirm whether a price means gourdes, US dollars or 'Haitian dollars', and expect the gourde to trade around 110 to 130 HTG per US dollar, though the rate moves.

Opening an account: Opening an account is difficult and slow, and many newcomers never bother. Unibank, Sogebank, Capital Bank and BNC are the main banks; expect to provide a passport, proof of residence, references and possibly a work permit, and to make several lengthy in-person visits. Most expats keep a home-country account and rely on cash, employer payments and remittance services instead.

Cash: Cash dominates absolutely. Card terminals exist only in a handful of upscale hotels, supermarkets (such as Giant or Eagle) and restaurants in Petion-Ville; markets, tap-taps, moto-taxis and small shops are cash-only. Keep a supply of small notes, break large bills at supermarkets, and never flash a full wallet in public.

Tipping: Tipping is appreciated but modest. Round up or leave about 10 percent at sit-down restaurants if service is not already added; a small tip for drivers, security guards, porters and helpers is customary and helps build the goodwill that keeps daily life running smoothly.

Haiti has no functioning system requiring new residents to register their home address with a local authority, and there is no residents' registry to enrol in. Your legal standing is governed entirely by your visa or residence permit, handled through the immigration service, rather than by any local address registration. In practice the most important thing a newcomer can 'register' is their presence and contact details with their own embassy, so that consular staff can send alerts and locate you during unrest. If you are working long term, your employer or sponsor will normally guide you through any work or residence permit with the immigration directorate.

Where: Immigration and residence matters are handled by the Direction de l'Immigration et de l'Emigration in Port-au-Prince. Separately, and more urgently, register with your own embassy or consulate for safety alerts.

There are no reliable metered taxis and no functioning ride-hailing apps such as Uber. Locals use tap-taps (brightly painted shared pickups and converted buses) and moto-taxis, which are cheap but expose foreigners to real risk. For most newcomers the standard and safest choice is a private car with a trusted, pre-vetted driver who knows which routes are passable that day. Road travel carries genuine kidnapping and carjacking risk, so plan every journey in advance and avoid moving after dark.

From the airport: Toussaint Louverture International Airport (PAP) sits just north-east of central Port-au-Prince, only a few kilometres from Petion-Ville, but the road can be dangerous and the airport itself has faced repeated closures. Many arrivals now come through Cap-Haitien's Hugo Chavez International Airport (CAP) in the north instead. Arrange a hotel transfer or a trusted private driver before arrival, verify the vehicle, and never accept an unmarked car or hail a taxi at the terminal.

Most foreigners rent furnished houses or apartments in the safer hillside suburb of Petion-Ville, or in areas such as Laboule, Thomassin, Peguy-Ville, Montagne Noire or Juvenat, prioritising a walled compound, backup generator, water cistern and on-site security over almost everything else. Deals are found through personal contacts, employers, NGOs and diplomatic networks rather than public listings, and using a local fixer or agent you trust is normal.

Typical rent: A secure furnished apartment or house in Petion-Ville commonly runs from around 800 to 2,500 USD per month, often quoted and paid in US dollars, with larger compounds costing considerably more. A modest 1-bedroom flat can be found from roughly 700 to 900 USD, but security features drive the real cost.

Deposit norm: Landlords in Haiti very frequently demand 6 to 12 months' rent paid up front as a single lump sum rather than a small monthly deposit, so negotiate hard, view the property in person and budget for a large initial outlay. Get any agreement in writing and, ideally, verified by a trusted local contact or lawyer.

The public health system is overstretched, underfunded and unreliable, and it deteriorates further during unrest, fuel shortages and gang blockades. Usable care is concentrated in a handful of private clinics and mission hospitals in and around Port-au-Prince, and serious cases are routinely evacuated to Miami or the Dominican Republic. Assume you cannot rely on an ambulance arriving.

How to access it: Use established private facilities such as those in Petion-Ville or a mission hospital recommended by your embassy, and be ready to pay cash up front before treatment or admission. Keep a well-stocked personal medical kit, a supply of any regular prescriptions and basic antibiotics, since pharmacies can run short and supply chains break during blockades. Know in advance which facility your driver would take you to.

Insurance: Carry comprehensive international health insurance that explicitly includes emergency medical evacuation and repatriation, with a provider that operates in Haiti. Local insurance is limited and often useless in a crisis, and evacuation by air to Miami or Santo Domingo is the realistic plan for anything serious, so confirm your policy covers it and keep the emergency number saved offline.

• Greet people warmly and individually; a handshake and a few words go a long way and signal respect, and skipping the greeting is considered rude.
• Learn basic Creole phrases such as 'bonjou' (good morning), 'bonswa' (good afternoon/evening) and 'mesi' (thank you); French is formal, but Creole is everyone's everyday language.
• Dress neatly and modestly, especially for church, offices and official visits; appearance carries real weight socially and scruffiness reads as disrespect.
• Show genuine respect for elders and for religious belief; both Christianity and Vodou are woven into daily life and should never be mocked or treated as curiosities.
• Accept hospitality graciously; sharing food and drink matters deeply, and turning down an offer outright can cause offence, so accept even a little.
• Be patient and keep your temper in public; raising your voice or showing open frustration loses respect and rarely speeds anything up.
• Use titles and courtesy with officials, guards and older people, and take time for small talk before business rather than rushing straight to the point.

• Never photograph people, police, soldiers, government buildings or checkpoints without clear permission; it can provoke real anger or accusations of spying.
• Avoid discussing politics, gangs, or your own wealth in public or with strangers; conversations are easily overheard and misread, and can put you at risk.
• Do not display cash, phones, laptops or jewellery in the open, as it marks you immediately as a target for theft or kidnapping.
• Be very cautious about Vodou; it is a serious, widely practised religion, not folklore, so do not treat ceremonies as tourist entertainment.
• Do not assume French will carry you; defaulting to it with everyone can come across as aloof, so lead with Creole where you can.