In today’s article, we will talk about whether Haiti is safe for tourists. The short answer is, “yes, Haiti is safe for tourists.” However, you must practice conscious awareness of your surroundings, just like anywhere else. There are pickpockets and muggers in some bad areas of town, but those are few and far between. Keep reading to learn more about this!
What Should I Worry About During My Stay in Haiti?
If you’re taking a vacation to Haiti and you’re worried about safety and violence, don’t. The country is very safe for tourists, especially if you’re visiting the capital, Port-au-Prince. However, despite the general safety, you should still:
- Guard your pockets and hold your backpack/purse tight
- Avoid isolated places if you’re alone
- Remain aware of your surroundings
- Only bring as much money as you need
Practicing safety is about being conscious of your surroundings and not putting yourself in risky situations. Don’t misunderstand – crime is at an all-time low in Haiti, and pickpockets are the only thing you should fear. You’ll be fine if you don’t walk out alone in isolated areas at night. Going out into town during the evening and night is still safe, but you should stick to the populated areas.
How Can I Keep Myself Safe in Haiti?
Our advice is to befriend a couple of the locals and spend time with them. Ask them about the dos and don’ts of Haiti, where you should and shouldn’t go, and things like that. Our staff at the Residence Royale Hotel will also be able to point you in the right direction and advise you on best traveling practices.
Your Haitian friends will give you great advice because they know the place like the back of their hands. From experience, we can tell you that visitors who befriended some of the locals had a much more enjoyable stay in Haiti. They didn’t have to explore to find things to do blindly and were less worried about safety. Knowing someone who knows someone who knows where to have fun is tight when you’re in Haiti!
Pickpockets are the biggest worry in terms of safety, so guard your pockets and keep your purse or backpack tight to your body. Even if you come across a pickpocket, they’ll give up if they notice you’re aware of your surroundings and are on your guard. We’ve had many tourists tell us that simply keeping an eye on the people around them made them feel much safer while in Haiti.
Get a Local Tour Operator
It’s best if you get a local tour operator to show you around the city and take you to the most beautiful vistas. They’ll know which areas are more dangerous than others and will warn you ahead of time. The riskier areas are well known to locals as well, which is why we advised you to make friends with some of the locals here.
There are many local tourist agencies in Haiti; even before you visit the country, you can contact one. Once you arrive, you’ll be in safe hands, knowing that your tour operator knows how to best care for your safety. If you’re ever wondering whether an area is safe to travel to or not, just ask your tour operator. They’ll know everything about most places in Haiti.
If you have questions, you can also ask our hotel staff at the front desk. They’ll tell you many of the same things. Take care on your travels; we hope to see you in our beautiful country soon!
