Michel Verdure / Courtesy of Royal Caribbean InternationalWater sports, snorkeling, kayaking and parasailing are all part of the action at Labadee, Royal Caribbean's 260-acre private beach resort.

Top things to see & do in Haiti

Labadee

Developed by Royal Caribbean Cruises, this resort in Northern Haiti has a private beach, water park, and other activities for families, you can spend a stress free day in Haiti. Enjoy jet skis, volleyball and kayaking while remaining safe in this port area.

Port-au-Prince

The capital Port-au-Prince is a natural harbor and bustling city, whose Iron Market is busy with bargainers, whether looking for voodoo artifacts or food such as fresh turtle. The Musée du Panthéon National Haïtien offers  a chronology of Haitian history, including the anchor of the Santa Maria, Christopher Columbus's flagship.

Citadelle Henri Christophe

Also known as the Citadelle Laferrière, this fortress is located high in the mountains of northern Haiti, overlooking the city of Milot. It was build around 1820 by newly independent Haitians to protect from the French. It is a Haitian national symbol, featured on currency and stamps throughout the country.

Best bets for dining

Haitian cuisine is Caribbean métissage, or a mix of French and African cuisines. It is highly spiced and, of course, features the local fruits and fish, along with other meats. Try kabrit (roast goat), the fried pork griot, the poulet creole (poultry with a Creole sauce) poulet creole and the du riz jonjon (rice with wild mushrooms).

Take precautions with the water, and make sure that all water you drink is either bottled or has been purified. Do not trust raw vegetables, and make sure that all that you consume have been peeled or disinfected. Make sure all meats are well-cooked.

Best time to go

It is best to avoid Haiti in hurricane season, which is between June and November.

Fun facts

• The name Haïti comes from the indigenous Taíno language. It is the French spelling for the original word Ayiti, which was the native name given to the entire island of Hispaniola to mean, "land of high mountains."
• The famous Santa Maria is moored on Haiti. 

Courtesy of Royal Caribbean InternationalJewel of the Seas during a shore excursion in Labadee, Royal Caribbean's private resort on the north coast of Haiti.

When you arrive

Docking information

At this time, Royal Caribbean moors to the pier in Labadee.

Getting around

If you are traveling away from Labadee, tap-taps are local buses used throughout Haiti to get around. They are usually modified vans with bright colors. Taxis typically are about 500 gourdes and should be used only during daylight. After dark, prices rise substantially, and you are at substantially greater risk for being mugged.

Need to know

Documents: All U.S. and Canadian citizens will need a passport.

Currency: The Haitian Gourde

Language: French or Haitian Creole. However, in most tourist areas, people also speak English.

Safety: The U.S. State Department urges U.S. citizens to exercise caution when visiting mainland Haiti given Haiti’s weak emergency response infrastructure, though Labadee is considered a safe haven. Hundreds of thousands of U.S. citizens safely visit Haiti each year, but the poor state of Haiti’s emergency response network should be carefully considered when planning travel. See our safety tips for cruisers.

Your take

Have you been to Labadee? Please share a story, tip or a photo or two. What was the highlight for you? 

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