Travel guide of Haiti
Haiti is a Caribbean island country. The entire territory is located in the western half of Hispaniola Island, also known as Haidi Island, the second largest island in the Caribbean, and borders the Dominican Republic in the east. Haiti is one of the least developed countries in the world. The western coast of Hispaniola Island, where Haiti is located, is very tortuous, but there are only a few affiliated islands along the coast. Haiti belongs to the middle section of the Cordillera Mountains and has obvious mountainous characteristics. It is divided into four roughly parallel east-west mountain ranges. The territory can be divided into nine natural landscape areas: the Northern Plain, the Northern Mountains, the Central Plateau, the Northwest Mountains of Haiti, the Central Mountains of Haiti, the Altibonite, Gurdesack, Leogan, and the Southern Mountains.
Best time to visit Haiti has a diverse climate. The coastal areas are hot, and the average temperature in the plateau areas is 15 degrees Celsius. The national average temperature is 24-27 degrees Celsius. Haiti has two seasons: March to November is relatively hot, and December to February is relatively cool.
History and Culture Haiti people are descendants of countries such as Benin in West Africa and have the characteristics of black Africans. He is more hospitable and cares about his reputation. Although Haiti gained independence in 1804, they were not exclusive and it was easy for foreigners to get close to them.
Haiti was originally inhabited by the Arawak, an Indian tribe. In 1492, Columbus sailed here and named the island Hispaniola (meaning "Spanish Island"). In 1502, it officially became a Spanish colony. Due to the influence of smallpox, the Arawak people became extinct on the island. The Spaniards trafficked a large number of black slaves from Africa and became the island's main labor force. In 1697, under the Treaty of Reswick, Haiti was ceded to France. In 1790, under the leadership of black leader Toussaint Louvitour, Haiti launched the War of Independence and were the first country in Latin America to start fighting for independence. In 1804, the rebels captured Port-au-Prince, declared independence and established the Republic.
Visas and Transit China citizens enter Haiti visa-free. The passport they hold must be valid for more than half a year, and the maximum stay time must not exceed 90 days; there is no need to pay any fees to enter Port-au-Prince visa-free. You need to fill in the entry registration card and customs declaration form. Do not carry all types of psychotropic drugs, alcoholic beverages must not exceed a quarter of a gallon, a limit of 200 cigarettes, and 50 cigars, and must be declared truthfully.
Transportation There are regular domestic flights between the capital of Haiti and other major cities, with small and older aircraft. There are two international airports in the country, located in the capital Port-au-Prince and the northern city of Cap-Haitien. There are American flights between Port-au-Prince and the United States every day. Coming from China to the sea, you can transfer from New York or Paris, or stop in Los Angeles and Miami. It takes 1 hour and 40 minutes to reach Miami, USA, 3 hours to Montreal, Canada, and 10 hours to Paris, France. Port-au-Prince International Airport is about 10 kilometers from the city center.
Currency and Consumption The currency of Haiti is gourde, but shops generally use the Haiti Dollar (which actually does not exist). One Haiti dollar is equal to 5 gourdes, which is about 1 yuan. Local U.S. dollars can be used universally, so attention should be paid to distinguishing between Haiti dollars and U.S. dollars when making an inquiry. Haiti relies on imports of major commodities, which are expensive and daily necessities are available, but there are few varieties of vegetables and high prices.
Communications and Networks There are two main mobile phone operators in Haiti: Digicel and Voila, with wide signal coverage. Telephone stations are set up on the roadside in major cities to make local long-distance calls. China mobile phone users who have opened international roaming services can also use them locally in Haiti. However, the local Internet status is unstable and services are often interrupted.
Accommodation The main star-rated hotels in Port-au-Prince are: Hotel Montana, El Rancho, Villa Creole, Kinam Hotel. The daily hotel fee is around US$100, and a 10% business tax is also required.
The security situation in Haiti is severe, with frequent homicides and kidnappings. Diseases such as malaria and dengue fever are more prevalent. Guns are rampant in Haiti, shootings and kidnappings occur one after another, and public security is extremely poor. Cité Soleil, located in the northwest corner of the capital Port-au-Prince, is a "dangerous place" and local police have also retreated.
Medical conditions in Haiti are poor, especially outside the capital. The supply of medicines in the capital is moderate, but they are expensive. It is recommended that citizens going to Haiti learn about safety knowledge such as disease prevention and epidemic prevention, and should be vaccinated if conditions permit.