Flights to Cap-Haïtien

Arrival

The airport is a few minutes' drive from the old centre, and most visitors are met by family, a host organisation or a hotel transfer. British travellers need an ESTA to change planes in Miami. Bring US dollars in small notes, which are accepted widely, and keep some gourdes for markets.

The old town

Cap-Haïtien was the capital of the French colony of Saint-Domingue, and its grid of streets still has colonial houses with wooden balconies and painted shutters. The cathedral faces the main square, and the waterfront boulevard looks across the bay. Markets near the centre sell produce, crafts and metalwork, including the cut-steel wall art made from recycled oil drums that is sold across Haiti. Painters also sell bright naïve-style canvases in the streets near the square.

Citadelle and Sans-Souci

About 30 km south, at Milot, the ruins of the Sans-Souci Palace stand at the foot of a steep road leading up to the Citadelle Laferrière. Built in the early 19th century to defend the new nation, the fortress holds rows of cannon and gives wide views over the mountains. The climb takes about an hour on foot, or you can hire a horse for part of the way. Go early, before the midday heat, and take water.

Beaches, food and weather

West of the city, bays such as Cormier and Labadie have beaches backed by green hills. Try griot, fried pork served with pikliz, a spicy pickled slaw, or diri ak djon djon, rice cooked with black mushrooms. Cap-Haïtien is warm all year, with the hurricane season from June to November. It is five hours behind the UK. Check current UK government travel advice and your insurance before you go.

Booking flights to Cap-Haïtien? Call 020 7871 4545 and we'll check the Miami connections for your dates.