united states travel advisory haiti

Last verified: Tuesday, 16. April 2024 at 08:26 AM

Haiti Travel Advisory

• North America
• Haiti Travel Advice

It is not safe to travel Haiti

Local situation: 4.8 / 5.

It is not safe to travel Haiti. We detected travel advisories from 6 sources for this specific country.

Regional Situation: 3.9 / 5

Haiti shares a land border with Dominican Republic . For these two countries, the Advisory Index is 3.9 .

Current informationen on Covid-19 in Haiti

There are currently no officially reported cases of infections with SARS-CoV-2 (or Coronavirus) in Haiti. As reported by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control this morning (~8:30am CET).

There are currently no officially reported deaths related to this disease in Haiti.

Source: www.ecdc.europa.eu

Advice scoring history for Haiti

Chart of the risk level over that last 200 days. This is the daily calculated travel risk for Haiti.

Chart of the number of sources over that last 200 days. This is the daily number of advisory sources (of any rating) that have been active on that day.

Note: Changes happening on the 28th/29th of July 2019 are related to a change in the software and number of sources processed.

Rating Details (single travel warnings)

These are the individual advisories published by other countries about the destination Haiti from a travellers perspective. The scoring of all messages combined is the foundation for the current rating 4.8 out of 5.0 .

This is the general advisory usually covering the country as a whole.

Advisory issued by: New Zealand

Do not travel to Haiti due to the high level of kidnapping, violent crime and civil unrest (level 4 of 4).

Source: https://www.safetravel.govt.nz/haiti

Advisory issued by: Finland

No specific risk level provided -

Source: https://um.fi/resemeddelande/-/c/HT

Advisory issued by: Australia

We continue to advise do not travel to Haiti. The security situation is volatile. Violent crime is common, including murder, armed robbery, kidnapping, assault, sexual assault and carjacking. The Government of Haiti has extended the State of Emergency in the department of the Ouest until 3 May. Curfews may be in place and can change at short notice. Air, land ...

Source: https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/americas/haiti

Advisory issued by: United States

Last Update: Updated to reflect the Ordered Departure of non-emergency U.S. government personnel and eligible family members for Embassy Port-au-Prince. Do not travel to Haiti due to kidnapping, crime, civil unrest, and poor health care infrastructure. On July 27, 2023, the Department of State ordered the departure of family members of U.S. government ...

Source: http://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/haiti-travel-advisory.html

Advisory issued by: Germany

Haiti: Reise- und Sicherheitshinweise (Reisewarnung). The German government advises againt travelling this country.

Source: https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/de/ReiseUndSicherheit/haitisicherheit/205048

Advisory issued by: Canada

The Canadian goverment suggests: Avoid all travel.

Source: https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/haiti

Individual rating changes for Haiti

This is the recent history of individual changes of travel advices that affected the total asessment of Haiti. Most recent events first.

Changes from November 12th 2022

The total rating for Haiti changed from 4.7 to 4.7 . Here are the influencing details:

The Finnish government removed their warning for Haiti with a previous rating of 0.0.

Changes from November 1st 2022

The total rating for Haiti changed from 4.4 to 4.7 . Here are the influencing details:

The Canadian government increased their existing warning for Haiti to 5.0 (of 5.0) from the previous rating of 3.0 (by +2.0).

Changes from March 18th 2020

The total rating for Haiti changed from 4.3 to 4.4 . Here are the influencing details:

The Australian government increased their existing warning for Haiti to 5.0 (of 5.0) from the previous rating of 4.0 (by +1.0).

Changes from March 14th 2020

The total rating for Haiti changed from 4.2 to 4.3 . Here are the influencing details:

The Austrian government issued a new warning for Haiti with a rating of 5.0.

Changes from March 6th 2020

The total rating for Haiti changed from 4.0 to 4.2 . Here are the influencing details:

The United States government increased their existing warning for Haiti to 5.0 (of 5.0) from the previous rating of 4.0 (by +1.0).

Changes from December 19th 2019

The total rating for Haiti changed from 3.8 to 4.0 . Here are the influencing details:

The Australian government increased their existing warning for Haiti to 4.0 (of 5.0) from the previous rating of 3.0 (by +1.0).

Changes from December 3rd 2019

The total rating for Haiti changed from 4.0 to 3.8 . Here are the influencing details:

The Australian government decreased their existing warning for Haiti to 3.0 (of 5.0) from the previous rating of 4.0 (by -1.0).

Changes from September 25th 2019

The total rating for Haiti changed from 0.0 to 0.0 . Here are the influencing details:

The Australian government issued a new warning for Haiti with a rating of 4.0.

The United States government issued a new warning for Haiti with a rating of 4.0.

The Canadian government issued a new warning for Haiti with a rating of 4.0.

The New Zealand government issued a new warning for Haiti with a rating of 4.0.

The Irish government issued a new warning for Haiti with a rating of 4.0.

The Finnish government issued a new warning for Haiti with a rating of 4.0.

Changes from June 12th 2019

The United States government decreased their existing warning for Haiti to 4.0 (of 5.0) from the previous rating of 5.0 (by -1.0).

Changes from March 28th 2019

The total rating for Haiti changed from 4.2 to 4.0 . Here are the influencing details:

The Canadian government decreased their existing warning for Haiti to 4.0 (of 5.0) from the previous rating of 5.0 (by -1.0).

About Haiti

Haiti with its capital Port-au-Prince is a country in North America (Caribbean), slightly smaller than Maryland (27,750 km²). The country is located Caribbean, western one-third of the island of Hispaniola, between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, west of the Dominican Republic. The climate can be described as tropical; semiarid where mountains in east cut off trade winds. The landscape is mostly rough and mountainous. With a population of about 8.92 million citizens.

Haitian flag

Introduction Video

Basic Statistics and Facts

Environmental problems and natural hazzards.

These are problems Haiti is facing. Environmental issues refer to damages of the nature due to industry and society. Natural hazzards refer to potential dangers originating in nature.

Environmental problems

• extensive deforestation (much of the remaining forested land is being cleared for agriculture and used as fuel)
• inadequate supplies of potable water
• soil erosion

Natural hazzards

• lies in the middle of the hurricane belt and subject to severe storms from June to October
• occasional flooding and earthquakes
• periodic droughts

Top Industries and Agricultural Products

These are the main product industries and agricultural products of Haiti. This list indicates what this country is good at producing.

• flour milling
• light assembly using imported parts
• sugar refining

Agriculture products

Haitian Imports and Exports

These are the main product categories of imports and exports to and from Haiti.

Export products

• manufactures

Import products

• manufactured goods
• raw materials
• transport equipment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the current travel advisory for haiti.

Haiti is currently rated at 4,8 out of a possible 5.0. Collected from 6 official sources. It is not safe to travel Haiti.

Is it safe to travel Haiti in 2024?

With these high scores ( 4,8 ) you should avoid all kind of travel to Haiti and maybe pick another location. This is not a place for holidays.

How many travel advisories do you know for Haiti?

We currently evaluate 11 official sources each morning. Today, we know of active advisories from 6 individual sources for Haiti.

What is the current Corona virus situation in Haiti?

There are currently no officially reported cases of infections with SARS-CoV-2 (or Coronavirus) in Haiti. As reported by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control this morning (~8:30am CET). There are currently no officially reported deaths related to this disease in Haiti.

What is the size of Haiti?

Haiti has a size of 27,750 km² or 10,714 mi² which is slightly smaller than Maryland.

Common Frequently Asked Questions

For non-country specific questions, please check our global F.A.Q.

Travel safety map for Haiti and bordering countries.

If you want to embed Haiti travel warning information into your website or application, check out these tools.

• Is Haiti safe to travel?
• What's the safety situation in Haiti?
• Are there security warnings for Haiti?

2020-03-10: Integrated data from European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (COVID-19/ SARS-CoV-2/ Coronavirus).

2019-09-01: Added timeline charts for risk level and number of advisories.

2019-07-29: Added two more sources (Finland and Denmark). Affects country ratings.

2019-07-15: South-Sudan was missing and was added today.

2019-05-18: Performance improvements for API users.

2019-03-23: Introduced professional API with more data.

2019-02-13: Added three more sources (Cyprus, Ireland and Malta). Affects country ratings.

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Haiti Traveler View

Travel health notices, vaccines and medicines, non-vaccine-preventable diseases, stay healthy and safe.

• Packing List

After Your Trip

Be aware of current health issues in Haiti. Learn how to protect yourself.

Level 1 Practice Usual Precautions

• Dengue in the Americas February 28, 2024 Dengue is a risk in many parts of Central and South America, Mexico, and the Caribbean. Some countries are reporting increased numbers of cases of the disease. Travelers to the Americas can protect themselves by preventing mosquito bites. Destination List: Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, French Guiana (France), Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Haiti, Jamaica, Martinique (France), Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Saint Barthelemy, Saint Martin, Turks and Caicos Islands (U.K.)

⇧ Top

Check the vaccines and medicines list and visit your doctor at least a month before your trip to get vaccines or medicines you may need. If you or your doctor need help finding a location that provides certain vaccines or medicines, visit the Find a Clinic page.

Routine vaccines

Recommendations.

Make sure you are up-to-date on all routine vaccines before every trip. Some of these vaccines include

• Chickenpox (Varicella)
• Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis
• Flu (influenza)
• Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR)

Immunization schedules

All eligible travelers should be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines. Please see  Your COVID-19 Vaccination  for more information. 

COVID-19 vaccine

Active cholera transmission is  widespread  in Haiti. Cholera is rare in travelers.  Certain factors  may increase the risk of getting cholera or having severe disease ( more information ). Avoiding unsafe food and water and washing your hands can also help prevent cholera.

Vaccination may be considered for children and adults who are traveling to areas of active cholera transmission.

Cholera - CDC Yellow Book

Hepatitis A

Recommended for unvaccinated travelers one year old or older going to Haiti.

Infants 6 to 11 months old should also be vaccinated against Hepatitis A. The dose does not count toward the routine 2-dose series.

Travelers allergic to a vaccine component or who are younger than 6 months should receive a single dose of immune globulin, which provides effective protection for up to 2 months depending on dosage given.

Unvaccinated travelers who are over 40 years old, immunocompromised, or have chronic medical conditions planning to depart to a risk area in less than 2 weeks should get the initial dose of vaccine and at the same appointment receive immune globulin.

Hepatitis A - CDC Yellow Book

Dosing info - Hep A

Hepatitis B

Recommended for unvaccinated travelers younger than 60 years old traveling to Haiti. Unvaccinated travelers 60 years and older may get vaccinated before traveling to Haiti.

Hepatitis B - CDC Yellow Book

Dosing info - Hep B

CDC recommends that travelers going to Haiti take prescription medicine to prevent malaria. Depending on the medicine you take, you will need to start taking this medicine multiple days before your trip, as well as during and after your trip. Talk to your doctor about which malaria medication you should take.

Find  country-specific information  about malaria.

Malaria - CDC Yellow Book

Considerations when choosing a drug for malaria prophylaxis (CDC Yellow Book)

Malaria information for Haiti.

Cases of measles are on the rise worldwide. Travelers are at risk of measles if they have not been fully vaccinated at least two weeks prior to departure, or have not had measles in the past, and travel internationally to areas where measles is spreading.

All international travelers should be fully vaccinated against measles with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, including an early dose for infants 6–11 months, according to  CDC’s measles vaccination recommendations for international travel .

Measles (Rubeola) - CDC Yellow Book

Rabid dogs are commonly found in Haiti. If you are bitten or scratched by a dog or other mammal while in Haiti, there may be limited or no rabies treatment available. 

Consider rabies vaccination before your trip if your activities mean you will be around dogs or wildlife.

Travelers more likely to encounter rabid animals include

• Campers, adventure travelers, or cave explorers (spelunkers)
• Veterinarians, animal handlers, field biologists, or laboratory workers handling animal specimens
• Visitors to rural areas

Since children are more likely to be bitten or scratched by a dog or other animals, consider rabies vaccination for children traveling to Haiti. 

Rabies - CDC Yellow Book

Recommended for most travelers, especially those staying with friends or relatives or visiting smaller cities or rural areas.

Typhoid - CDC Yellow Book

Dosing info - Typhoid

Yellow Fever

Required for travelers ≥1 year old arriving from countries with risk for YF virus transmission. 1

Yellow Fever - CDC Yellow Book

Avoid contaminated water

Leptospirosis

How most people get sick (most common modes of transmission)

• Touching urine or other body fluids from an animal infected with leptospirosis
• Swimming or wading in urine-contaminated fresh water, or contact with urine-contaminated mud
• Drinking water or eating food contaminated with animal urine
• Avoid contaminated water and soil

Clinical Guidance

Avoid bug bites.

• Mosquito bite
• Avoid Bug Bites
• An infected pregnant woman can spread it to her unborn baby

Airborne & droplet

• Breathing in air or accidentally eating food contaminated with the urine, droppings, or saliva of infected rodents
• Bite from an infected rodent
• Less commonly, being around someone sick with hantavirus (only occurs with Andes virus)
• Avoid rodents and areas where they live
• Avoid sick people

Tuberculosis (TB)

• Breathe in TB bacteria that is in the air from an infected and contagious person coughing, speaking, or singing.

Learn actions you can take to stay healthy and safe on your trip. Vaccines cannot protect you from many diseases in Haiti, so your behaviors are important.

Eat and drink safely

Food and water standards around the world vary based on the destination. Standards may also differ within a country and risk may change depending on activity type (e.g., hiking versus business trip). You can learn more about safe food and drink choices when traveling by accessing the resources below.

• Choose Safe Food and Drinks When Traveling
• Water Treatment Options When Hiking, Camping or Traveling
• Global Water, Sanitation and Hygiene | Healthy Water
• Avoid Contaminated Water During Travel

You can also visit the Department of State Country Information Pages for additional information about food and water safety.

Prevent bug bites

Bugs (like mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas) can spread a number of diseases in Haiti. Many of these diseases cannot be prevented with a vaccine or medicine. You can reduce your risk by taking steps to prevent bug bites.

What can I do to prevent bug bites?

• Cover exposed skin by wearing long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and hats.
• Use an appropriate insect repellent (see below).
• Use permethrin-treated clothing and gear (such as boots, pants, socks, and tents). Do not use permethrin directly on skin.
• Stay and sleep in air-conditioned or screened rooms.
• Use a bed net if the area where you are sleeping is exposed to the outdoors.

What type of insect repellent should I use?

• FOR PROTECTION AGAINST TICKS AND MOSQUITOES: Use a repellent that contains 20% or more DEET for protection that lasts up to several hours.
• Picaridin (also known as KBR 3023, Bayrepel, and icaridin)
• Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) or para-menthane-diol (PMD)
• 2-undecanone
• Always use insect repellent as directed.

What should I do if I am bitten by bugs?

• Avoid scratching bug bites, and apply hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion to reduce the itching.
• Check your entire body for ticks after outdoor activity. Be sure to remove ticks properly.

What can I do to avoid bed bugs?

Although bed bugs do not carry disease, they are an annoyance. See our information page about avoiding bug bites for some easy tips to avoid them. For more information on bed bugs, see Bed Bugs .

For more detailed information on avoiding bug bites, see Avoid Bug Bites .

Stay safe outdoors

If your travel plans in Haiti include outdoor activities, take these steps to stay safe and healthy during your trip.

• Stay alert to changing weather conditions and adjust your plans if conditions become unsafe.
• Prepare for activities by wearing the right clothes and packing protective items, such as bug spray, sunscreen, and a basic first aid kit.
• Consider learning basic first aid and CPR before travel. Bring a travel health kit with items appropriate for your activities.
• If you are outside for many hours in heat, eat salty snacks and drink water to stay hydrated and replace salt lost through sweating.
• Protect yourself from UV radiation : use sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15, wear protective clothing, and seek shade during the hottest time of day (10 a.m.–4 p.m.).
• Be especially careful during summer months and at high elevation. Because sunlight reflects off snow, sand, and water, sun exposure may be increased during activities like skiing, swimming, and sailing.
• Very cold temperatures can be dangerous. Dress in layers and cover heads, hands, and feet properly if you are visiting a cold location.

Stay safe around water

• Swim only in designated swimming areas. Obey lifeguards and warning flags on beaches.
• Practice safe boating—follow all boating safety laws, do not drink alcohol if driving a boat, and always wear a life jacket.
• Do not dive into shallow water.
• Do not swim in freshwater in developing areas or where sanitation is poor.
• Avoid swallowing water when swimming. Untreated water can carry germs that make you sick.
• To prevent infections, wear shoes on beaches where there may be animal waste.

Leptospirosis, a bacterial infection that can be spread in fresh water, is found in Haiti. Avoid swimming in fresh, unchlorinated water, such as lakes, ponds, or rivers.

Keep away from animals

Most animals avoid people, but they may attack if they feel threatened, are protecting their young or territory, or if they are injured or ill. Animal bites and scratches can lead to serious diseases such as rabies.

Follow these tips to protect yourself:

• Do not touch or feed any animals you do not know.
• Do not allow animals to lick open wounds, and do not get animal saliva in your eyes or mouth.
• Avoid rodents and their urine and feces.
• Traveling pets should be supervised closely and not allowed to come in contact with local animals.
• If you wake in a room with a bat, seek medical care immediately. Bat bites may be hard to see.

All animals can pose a threat, but be extra careful around dogs, bats, monkeys, sea animals such as jellyfish, and snakes. If you are bitten or scratched by an animal, immediately:

• Wash the wound with soap and clean water.
• Go to a doctor right away.
• Tell your doctor about your injury when you get back to the United States.

Consider buying medical evacuation insurance. Rabies is a deadly disease that must be treated quickly, and treatment may not be available in some countries.

Reduce your exposure to germs

Follow these tips to avoid getting sick or spreading illness to others while traveling:

• Wash your hands often, especially before eating.
• If soap and water aren’t available, clean hands with hand sanitizer (containing at least 60% alcohol).
• Don’t touch your eyes, nose, or mouth. If you need to touch your face, make sure your hands are clean.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing.
• Try to avoid contact with people who are sick.
• If you are sick, stay home or in your hotel room, unless you need medical care.

Avoid sharing body fluids

Diseases can be spread through body fluids, such as saliva, blood, vomit, and semen.

Protect yourself:

• Use latex condoms correctly.
• Do not inject drugs.
• Limit alcohol consumption. People take more risks when intoxicated.
• Do not share needles or any devices that can break the skin. That includes needles for tattoos, piercings, and acupuncture.
• If you receive medical or dental care, make sure the equipment is disinfected or sanitized.

Know how to get medical care while traveling

Plan for how you will get health care during your trip, should the need arise:

• Carry a list of local doctors and hospitals at your destination.
• Review your health insurance plan to determine what medical services it would cover during your trip. Consider purchasing travel health and medical evacuation insurance.
• Carry a card that identifies, in the local language, your blood type, chronic conditions or serious allergies, and the generic names of any medications you take.
• Some prescription drugs may be illegal in other countries. Call Haiti’s embassy to verify that all of your prescription(s) are legal to bring with you.
• Bring all the medicines (including over-the-counter medicines) you think you might need during your trip, including extra in case of travel delays. Ask your doctor to help you get prescriptions filled early if you need to.

Many foreign hospitals and clinics are accredited by the Joint Commission International. A list of accredited facilities is available at their website ( www.jointcommissioninternational.org ).

In some countries, medicine (prescription and over-the-counter) may be substandard or counterfeit. Bring the medicines you will need from the United States to avoid having to buy them at your destination.

Malaria is a risk in Haiti. Fill your malaria prescription before you leave and take enough with you for the entire length of your trip. Follow your doctor’s instructions for taking the pills; some need to be started before you leave.

Select safe transportation

Motor vehicle crashes are the #1 killer of healthy US citizens in foreign countries.

In many places cars, buses, large trucks, rickshaws, bikes, people on foot, and even animals share the same lanes of traffic, increasing the risk for crashes.

Be smart when you are traveling on foot.

• Use sidewalks and marked crosswalks.
• Pay attention to the traffic around you, especially in crowded areas.
• Remember, people on foot do not always have the right of way in other countries.

Riding/Driving

Choose a safe vehicle.

• Choose official taxis or public transportation, such as trains and buses.
• Ride only in cars that have seatbelts.
• Avoid overcrowded, overloaded, top-heavy buses and minivans.
• Avoid riding on motorcycles or motorbikes, especially motorbike taxis. (Many crashes are caused by inexperienced motorbike drivers.)
• Choose newer vehicles—they may have more safety features, such as airbags, and be more reliable.
• Choose larger vehicles, which may provide more protection in crashes.

Think about the driver.

• Do not drive after drinking alcohol or ride with someone who has been drinking.
• Consider hiring a licensed, trained driver familiar with the area.
• Arrange payment before departing.

Follow basic safety tips.

• Wear a seatbelt at all times.
• Sit in the back seat of cars and taxis.
• When on motorbikes or bicycles, always wear a helmet. (Bring a helmet from home, if needed.)
• Avoid driving at night; street lighting in certain parts of Haiti may be poor.
• Do not use a cell phone or text while driving (illegal in many countries).
• Travel during daylight hours only, especially in rural areas.
• If you choose to drive a vehicle in Haiti, learn the local traffic laws and have the proper paperwork.
• Get any driving permits and insurance you may need. Get an International Driving Permit (IDP). Carry the IDP and a US-issued driver's license at all times.
• Check with your auto insurance policy's international coverage, and get more coverage if needed. Make sure you have liability insurance.
• Avoid using local, unscheduled aircraft.
• If possible, fly on larger planes (more than 30 seats); larger airplanes are more likely to have regular safety inspections.
• Try to schedule flights during daylight hours and in good weather.

Medical Evacuation Insurance

If you are seriously injured, emergency care may not be available or may not meet US standards. Trauma care centers are uncommon outside urban areas. Having medical evacuation insurance can be helpful for these reasons.

Helpful Resources

Road Safety Overseas (Information from the US Department of State): Includes tips on driving in other countries, International Driving Permits, auto insurance, and other resources.

The Association for International Road Travel has country-specific Road Travel Reports available for most countries for a minimal fee.

For information traffic safety and road conditions in Haiti, see Travel and Transportation on US Department of State's country-specific information for Haiti .

Maintain personal security

Use the same common sense traveling overseas that you would at home, and always stay alert and aware of your surroundings.

Before you leave

• Research your destination(s), including local laws, customs, and culture.
• Monitor travel advisories and alerts and read travel tips from the US Department of State.
• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) .
• Leave a copy of your itinerary, contact information, credit cards, and passport with someone at home.
• Pack as light as possible, and leave at home any item you could not replace.

While at your destination(s)

• Carry contact information for the nearest US embassy or consulate .
• Carry a photocopy of your passport and entry stamp; leave the actual passport securely in your hotel.
• Follow all local laws and social customs.
• Do not wear expensive clothing or jewelry.
• Always keep hotel doors locked, and store valuables in secure areas.
• If possible, choose hotel rooms between the 2nd and 6th floors.

Healthy Travel Packing List

Use the Healthy Travel Packing List for Haiti for a list of health-related items to consider packing for your trip. Talk to your doctor about which items are most important for you.

Why does CDC recommend packing these health-related items?

It’s best to be prepared to prevent and treat common illnesses and injuries. Some supplies and medicines may be difficult to find at your destination, may have different names, or may have different ingredients than what you normally use.

If you are not feeling well after your trip, you may need to see a doctor. If you need help finding a travel medicine specialist, see Find a Clinic . Be sure to tell your doctor about your travel, including where you went and what you did on your trip. Also tell your doctor if you were bitten or scratched by an animal while traveling.

If your doctor prescribed antimalarial medicine for your trip, keep taking the rest of your pills after you return home. If you stop taking your medicine too soon, you could still get sick.

Malaria is always a serious disease and may be a deadly illness. If you become ill with a fever either while traveling in a malaria-risk area or after you return home (for up to 1 year), you should seek immediate medical attention and should tell the doctor about your travel history.

For more information on what to do if you are sick after your trip, see Getting Sick after Travel .

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A rip current statement in effect for Coastal Broward and Coastal Miami Dade Regions

U.s. updates travel warning for those in haiti to leave.

Janine Stanwood , Anchor/Reporter

Michelle Solomon , Podcast Reporter/Digital Producer

MIAMI, Fla. – With kidnappings and chaos on the street, the United States government is updating its travel warning to Haiti ordering non-emergency government personnel and their families out of the country.

The State Department said United States citizens not working for the government should also leave as soon as possible.

At Miami International Airport, there was one inbound flight from Port-au-Prince on Friday. One man who was waiting to pick up his family told Local 10 News he was worried about the dangers in Haiti.

Video shows families camped out at the United States Embassy.

One woman said they had been kicked out of their homes by gangs and were in even more danger

Haiti has not elected a new leader since President Jovenel Moïse was assassinated two years ago.

A federal judge in Miami sentenced a Haitian-Chilean businessman in June to life in prison for his role in helping Colombian mercenaries get weapons to assassinate the Haitian President in 2021.

Friday’s “Do Not Travel” advisory stated:

“Do not travel to Haiti due to kidnapping, crime, civil unrest, and poor health care infrastructure. On July 27, 2023, the Department of State ordered the departure of family members of U.S. government employees and non-emergency U.S. government employees. U.S. citizens in Haiti should depart Haiti as soon as possible by commercial or other privately available transportation options, in light of the current security situation and infrastructure challenges. U.S. citizens wishing to depart Port-au-Prince should monitor local news and only do so when considered safe.”

The travel advisory went on to give a country summary that included reports of widespread kidnapping and victims regularly including U.S. citizens. They say that victims’ families have been made to pay thousands of dollars to rescue their family members.

To see the complete Haiti Travel Advisory issued by the U.S. Department of State , click here.

Copyright 2023 by WPLG Local10.com - All rights reserved.

About the Authors

Janine stanwood.

Janine Stanwood joined Local 10 News in February 2004 as an assignment editor. She is now a general assignment reporter. Before moving to South Florida from her Washington home, Janine was the senior legislative correspondent for a United States senator on Capitol Hill.

Local 10 News @ Noon : Apr 16, 2024

Local 10 news @ 9am : apr 16, 2024, men are caught on camera pushing over rock formations near lake mead, local 10 news @ 6am : apr 16, 2024, local 10 news @ 5am : apr 16, 2024.

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Global conflicts and natural disasters , ranging from a series of coups across Africa to catastrophic earthquakes in the Middle East affected international travel patterns throughout 2023. Still, international tourist arrivals reached 87% of pre-pandemic levels in 2023, according to estimates by UN Tourism .

In January 2024 alone, about 4.6 million U.S. citizens left the country for international destinations, 17% higher than the same month in 2019, according to the International Trade Administration . But some destinations warrant more caution than others.

On Oct. 19, 2023, following the outbreak of war between Israel and Gaza and flaring tensions in the region, the U.S. State Department issued a worldwide caution advisory due to “increased tensions in various locations around the world, the potential for terrorist attacks, demonstrations or violent actions against U.S. citizens and interests.” Prior to this update, the most recent worldwide caution advisory was issued in 2022 after a U.S. strike killed Ayman al-Zawahiri, Osama bin Laden’s successor as leader of Al Qaeda, causing “a higher potential for anti-American violence.” The worldwide caution advisory remains in effect.

The U.S. State Department also issues individual travel advisory levels for more than 200 countries globally, continually updating them based on a variety of risk indicators such as health, terrorism and civil unrest. Travel advisory levels range from Level 1, which means exercise normal precautions, to Level 4, which means do not travel there.

About 10% of countries – 19 total – have a Level 4: “Do Not Travel” advisory as of Mar. 4. In Level 4 countries, the U.S. government may have “very limited ability” to step in should travelers’ safety or security be at risk, according to the State Department. Crime, civil unrest, kidnapping and terrorism are common risk factors associated with Level 4 countries.

So far in 2024, the State Department made changes to the existing Level 4 advisories for Myanmar, Iran and Gaza, and moved Niger and Lebanon off of the Level 4 list.

Places With a Level 4 Travel Advisory

These are the primary areas the U.S. government says not to travel to right now, in alphabetical order:

Jump to Place: Afghanistan Belarus Burkina Faso Central African Republic Myanmar (formerly Burma) Gaza Haiti Iran Iraq Libya Mali Mexico North Korea (Democratic People's Republic of Korea) Russia Somalia South Sudan Sudan Syria Ukraine Venezuela Yemen

Afghanistan: The Central Asian country is wrestling with “terrorism, risk of wrongful detention, kidnapping and crime,” according to the State Department. U.S. citizens are specifically at risk for wrongful detention and kidnapping. In 2022, the government reinstituted public floggings and executions, and women’s rights are disappearing under Taliban control. The U.S. Embassy in Kabul halted operations in August 2021. Since the Taliban took control , many forms of international aid have been halted . Meanwhile, in 2023, some of the year’s deadliest earthquakes killed more than 2,400 in Afghanistan while the country continues to face a years-long extreme drought.

Belarus: Belarus, which shares a western border with Russia and a southern border with Ukraine, has been flagged for “Belarusian authorities’ continued facilitation of Russia’s war against Ukraine, the buildup of Russian military forces in Belarus, the arbitrary enforcement of local laws, the potential of civil unrest, the risk of detention, and the Embassy’s limited ability to assist U.S. citizens residing in or traveling to Belarus.” The U.S. Embassy in Minsk halted operations in February 2022.

Burkina Faso: Terrorism, crime and kidnapping are plaguing this West African nation. Terrorist attacks may target hotels, restaurants and schools with little to no warning, and the East and Sahel regions of the country are under a state of emergency. In late November 2023, hundreds died in clashes between state security forces and rebels near the country’s border with Mali. In June, more than 2 million people in Burkina Faso were displaced due to “violence linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State group.”

Central African Republic: While there have not been specific incidents of U.S. citizens targeted with violence or crime, violent crime and sudden closure of roads and borders is common. The advisory states that “Embassy Bangui’s limited capacity to provide support to U.S. citizens, crime, civil unrest, and kidnapping” is a factor in its assessment. Recent data from UNICEF suggests the country has the worst drinking water accessibility of all countries in 2022.

Myanmar (Formerly Burma): Armed conflict and civil unrest are the primary reasons to not travel to this Southeast Asian country, which experienced a military coup in early 2021. Limited health care resources, wrongful detentions and “areas with land mines and unexploded ordnance” are also listed as risk factors. After Ukraine and Israel, Myanmar had the highest conflict-related death toll in 2023.

Gaza : Hamas, a foreign terrorist organization as designated by the State Department, controls much of the Gaza Strip, which shares borders with both Israel and Egypt. On Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas fighters broke across the border into Israel, killing hundreds of civilians and soldiers in a brazen attack that stunned Israelis. On Oct. 10, Israel hit the Gaza Strip with “the fiercest air strikes in its 75-year conflict” according to Reuters . The conflict has since escalated into war between Israel and Hamas, with regular Israeli airstrikes leading to extensive civilian casualties in Gaza. As of mid-December, nearly 85% of Gaza’s population were displaced from their homes, according to UN estimates . The region continues to face shortages of food , water, electricity and medical supplies , with conditions deemed “far beyond a humanitarian crisis.” The State Department warns of terrorism and armed conflict within Gaza’s borders.

Haiti: In July 2023, the Department of State ordered all non-emergency U.S. government personnel and family members to leave the U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince in response to the increased risk of kidnapping and violent crime in the country , as well as armed conflict between gangs and police. The travel advisory states that cases of kidnapping “often involve ransom negotiations and U.S. citizen victims have been physically harmed during kidnappings.” The travel advisory also states that “U.S. citizens in Haiti should depart Haiti as soon as possible” given “the current security situation and infrastructure challenges.” A series of gang attacks in late September 2023 caused thousands to flee their homes, and many aid groups have been forced to cut or suspend operations amid escalating violence in recent months.

Iran: Terrorism, kidnapping and civil unrest are risk factors for all travelers to Iran, while U.S. citizens are specifically at risk for “arbitrary arrest.” U.S.-Iranian nationals such as students, journalists and business travelers have been arrested on charges of espionage and threatening national security. Executions in Iran rose sharply between 2021 and 2022, bringing the country’s total to nearly 580 people over the year, according to a report by Amnesty International released in May 2023.

Iraq: The State Department cites “terrorism, kidnapping, armed conflict [and] civil unrest” as cause for the country’s Level 4 distinction. Iraq’s northern borders, and its border with Syria, are especially dangerous. Since the escalation of conflict in neighboring Israel in October, there has been an increase in attacks against Iraqi military bases, which host U.S. troops and other international forces. In October 2023, non-emergency U.S. government personnel and eligible family members were ordered to leave the U.S. embassy in Baghdad.

Libya: Following the end of its dictatorship over a decade ago, Libya has been wrought with internal conflict between armed groups in the East and West. Armed conflict, civil unrest, crime, kidnapping and terrorism are all risk factors. U.S. citizens have been targets of kidnapping for ransom, with terrorists targeting hotels and airports frequented by Westerners. The U.S. Embassy in Tripoli halted operations in 2014. In mid-September 2023, floods, which some say were intensified by climate change , killed thousands in eastern Libya. Clashes between armed factions escalated across the country in the latter half of 2023, including in the capital city of Tripoli and in Benghazi.

Mali: After experiencing military coups in 2020 and 2021, crime, terrorism and kidnapping are all prevalent threats in this West African landlocked nation. In July 2022, non-emergency U.S. government employees and their families were ordered to leave the country due to higher risk of terrorist activity. A U.N. report in August 2023 said that military groups in the country, including both Mali security forces and possibly Russian Wagner mercenaries, were spreading terror through the use of violence against women and human rights abuses. Democratic elections were supposed to occur in February 2024, but Mali’s military junta postponed the plans indefinitely. In December, the U.N. officially ended a decade-long peacekeeping presence in the country, which had been among the agency’s deadliest missions, with hundreds of the mission personnel killed since 2013.

Mexico: Each state in Mexico is assessed separately for travel advisory levels. Six of the 32 states in Mexico are designated as Level 4: Colima, Guerrero, Michoacan, Sinaloa, Tamaulipas and Zacatecas. Crime and kidnapping are listed as the primary risk factors throughout the country. Nearly 112,000 people were missing across the country as of October, a number the U.N. has called “alarming.”

North Korea (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea): U.S. passports are not valid for travel “to, in, or through” this country, home to one of the world's longest-running dynastic dictatorships. The travel advisory states that the Level 4 distinction is due to “the continuing serious risk of arrest and long-term detention of U.S. nationals.” In July 2023, a U.S. soldier fled across the border into North Korea, where he is believed to be in North Korean custody, the first American detained in the North in nearly five years. He was returned to U.S. custody in September 2023.

Russia: The travel advisory for Russia cites its invasion of Ukraine , harassment of U.S. citizens by Russian government officials and arbitrary law enforcement as a few of the reasons for the Level 4 designation. Chechnya and Mount Elbrus are specifically listed as Level 4 regions. Terrorism, civil unrest, health, kidnapping and wrongful detention are all noted as risks.

Russia Invades Ukraine: A Timeline

Somalia: A severe drought resulting from five failed rainy seasons in a row killed 43,000 people in 2022, and caused a famine amid conflict with Islamist insurgents . Violent crime is common throughout Somalia , pirates frequent its coast off the Horn of Africa, and medical facilities, where they exist, have limited capacity. Crime, terrorism, civil unrest, health and kidnapping are all risk factors. In January 2024, some passengers aboard a U.N.-contracted helicopter were taken hostage by al-Shabaab militants after the vehicle crashed in central Somalia.

South Sudan: Crime, kidnapping and armed conflict are the primary risk factors for South Sudan, which separated from Sudan in 2011, making it the world’s newest country . Weapons are readily available, and travelers have been victims of sexual assault and armed robbery.

Sudan: The U.S. evacuated its embassy in Khartoum in April 2023, and the country closed its airspace due to the ongoing conflict in the country, only permitting humanitarian aid and evacuation efforts. Fighting has escalated in the region between two warring generals seeking to gain control after a military coup in 2021 ousted the country’s prime minister. Civil unrest is the primary risk factor for Africa’s third largest country by area. Crime, terrorism, kidnapping and armed conflict are also noted. The International Criminal Court began investigating alleged war crimes and violence against African ethnic groups in the country in 2023. Millions have fled their homes due to conflict, and the U.N. has said its efforts to provide aid have been hindered by a lack of support, safety and resources. As recently as December 2023, the United Nations warned of catastrophic famine , with millions of children at-risk for malnutrition .

Syria: The advisory states that “No part of Syria is safe from violence,” with terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, armed conflict and risk of unjust detention all potential risk factors. U.S. citizens are often a target for kidnappings and detention. The U.S. Embassy in Damascus halted operations in 2012. Fighting in neighboring Israel has escalated since October, and the conflict has spilled over into Syria, where the U.S. has carried out air strikes following drone and rocket attacks against American troops in Syria and Iraq, triggered by the Israel-Hamas war.

Ukraine: Russian setbacks in their invasion of Ukraine buoyed hopes in Ukraine in 2023. However, Ukraine is a Level 4 country due to Russia’s invasion, with crime and civil unrest also noted as risk factors. The country’s forces shot down two Russian fighter jets on Christmas Eve 2023, in a move Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said “sets the right mood for the entire year ahead.”

Venezuela: Human rights abuses and lack of health care plague this South American nation, which has been in a political crisis since 2014. In 2019, diplomatic personnel were withdrawn from the U.S. Embassy in Caracas. Threats in the country include crime, civil unrest, kidnapping, wrongful detention and poor health infrastructure.

Yemen: Six of the nine risk factors defined by the State Department – terrorism, civil unrest, health risks, kidnapping, armed conflict and landmines – are all present in Yemen. Despite private companies offering tourist visits to the Yemeni island of Socotra, the U.S. government argues those arranging such visits “are putting tourists in danger.” Civil war and cholera are also both present throughout the country. The U.S. Embassy in Sanaa halted operations in 2015. The country has experienced a relative lull in the civil war fighting, but as peace negotiations have gotten traction, flare ups in the fighting have jeopardized progress. Most recently, the U.S. and U.K. have carried out a series of airstrikes in the country, targeting Iran-backed Houthi sites.

Other Countries to Watch

Since Jan. 1, the State Department has updated travel advisories for 17 different countries as well as for the West Bank and Gaza, adding information about specific regions or risk factors, or simply renewing an existing advisory. Travel advisory levels can change based on several factors in a nation, such as increased civil unrest, policies that affect human rights or higher risks of unlawful detention.

The State Department has given about 25 countries an assessment of Level 3, meaning it recommends people “reconsider travel” to those destinations.

On Oct. 14, one week after the deadly Hamas attack on Israel, Israel and the West Bank were both moved from Level 2 to Level 3, while Gaza remains at Level 4. The region’s travel advisory was updated in November to reflect travel restrictions for certain government employees who have not already left the area, and it was updated again on Jan. 3.

Following the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war in early October, the U.S. State Department raised Lebanon ’s travel advisory level from a Level 3 to a Level 4 level due to “the unpredictable security situation related to rocket, missile, and artillery exchanges” between Israel and Hezbollah or other militant groups. In December, the U.S. Embassy in Beirut returned to normal staffing and presence, and on Jan. 29, the country was moved back to Level 3. Crime, terrorism, armed conflict, civil unrest, kidnapping and unexploded landmines are listed as the country’s primary risk factors. However, the country’s borders with Syria and with Israel, as well as refugee settlements within Lebanon, are specifically noted as Level 4 regions.

China became a Level 3 country in late 2020, with an update in December 2022 citing “the surge in COVID-19 cases, arbitrary enforcement of local laws, and COVID-19-related restrictions” as the reason for the advisory. In June 2023, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) was moved from the Level 3 to the Level 2 list, but travelers are still advised to be cautious in the area due to “arbitrary enforcement of local laws.” Meanwhile, Macau remains at Level 3.

Following an attempted coup in August 2023, Niger was elevated to Level 4 in August and the Department of State ordered all non-emergency U.S. government personnel and family members to leave the U.S. Embassy in Niamey. In early January 2024, the overall risk level for the country was lowered back to Level 3. Despite the new classification, the State Department still asks non-emergency government personnel and eligible family members to depart the country.

In mid-December 2023 there was an explosion at Guinea’s main fuel depot which has since affected access to health care and basic goods and services. The country was subsequently designated a Level 3 nation after having previously been Level 2. Concerns about civil unrest, health, crime and fuel shortages impacting local infrastructure were listed as the primary risk factors contributing to the change.

Several Level 3 countries are among the worst countries for human trafficking, as designated by the State Department’s annual Trafficking in Persons Report . Level 3 countries on this list include Papua New Guinea, Guinea Bissau, China and Chad. There are also nine Level 4 countries designated as among the worst for human trafficking: Afghanistan, Belarus, Iran, Myanmar, North Korea, Russia, Syria, South Sudan and Venezuela.

Over 70 countries are currently at Level 2, meaning the State Department recommends travelers “exercise increased caution” when traveling to those destinations.

Botswana became the newest Level 2 country on Feb. 26 after having previously been Level 1, with crime noted as the primary risk factor.

France, which saw nationwide protests throughout 2023, has civil unrest and terrorism noted as risk factors for its Level 2 status, and Sweden’s Level 2 status is associated with risks of terrorism.

The Level 2 travel advisory for the Bahamas was updated in January to reflect water safety concerns. The advisory warns that “activities involving commercial recreational watercraft, including water tours, are not consistently regulated” and notes that government personnel are “not permitted to use independently operated jet-ski rentals on New Providence and Paradise Islands.” It also warns visitors to be mindful of sharks, weather and water conditions. The advisory also says that crime is a primary risk factor with gang-on-gang violence contributing to high homicide rates in some areas. Visitors are asked to “be vigilant” and to not physically resist robbery attempts.

Bangladesh 's Level 2 travel advisory was updated in October 2023 to add a note about the country’s general election , which took place Jan. 7, 2024. The advisory states “demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and escalate into violence.” The U.S. has since claimed the country’s election was not free nor fair.

In November 2023, several Level 2 travel advisories were updated with new cautionary information. The advisory for Ghana was updated to reflect threats against LGBTQI+ travelers specifically, noting “anti-LGBTQI+ rhetoric and violence have increased in recent years.” Meanwhile, the advisory for South Africa was updated in February to note that routes recommended by GPS may be unsafe with higher risk for crime.

Turkmenistan was moved off of the Level 2 list to become the newest addition to the Level 1 list on Jan. 22, meaning normal precautions are recommended but there are no risk factors causing travelers to practice increased caution.

The State Department asks travelers to pay attention to travel advisory levels and alerts , review country information pages for their destinations and read related country security reports before going abroad.

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Simple Flying

Us to end haiti evacuation flights next week.

Only US citizens with proper identification will be permitted to board the flights.

• US to end Haiti evacuation flights on April 12.
• Eligible citizens need proper documents and the Crisis Intake Form.
• Currently, Cap-Haitien (CAP) is the safe airport for evacuation flights.

The United States government will end evacuation flights from Haiti next week on April 12, 2024, according to a report by CBS News . The US has been evacuating its citizens due to ongoing gang violence in the country. Eligible for evacuation flights are US citizens with proper documentation who have completed the Crisis Intake Form .

The background

Since March 2024, the US Department of State has been organizing charter flights from Haiti in response to the increasing gang violence in the country. These charter flights have been operating from Cap-Haïtien International Airport (CAP), located approximately 120 miles (193 km) from Port-au-Prince, the capital of Haiti.

Operations from the capital's airport, Toussaint Louverture (PAP), were not possible due to unsafe conditions in the city. According to the US embassy in Haiti , the only safe airport for conducting charter evacuation flights is Cap-Haïtien International Airport (CAP), where GlobalX, the US charter airline, was operating.

US Organizes Haiti Evacuation Flights As Violence Continues

The Miami-based charter airline has a fleet of 16 aircraft at an average age of 19.2 years. The airline's fleet comprises nine Airbus A320-200s, six Airbus A321-200s, and an Airbus A319 jet, according to ch-aviation data.

Level 4 travel advisory

In response to the escalating gang attacks, many flights to the country have been suspended. Additionally, the US Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs has placed Haiti under a Level 4 travel advisory. According to the US Department of State, Level 4 is the highest advisory level "due to the greater likelihood of life-threatening risks."

"There are reports of heavy gunfire and disruptions to traffic near Port-au-Prince airport. The US Embassy is temporarily halting travel of official US personnel to the airport and instructing any US personnel at the airport to remain there. Avoid the area. As a reminder, our travel advisory for Haiti is Level 4 - Do Not Travel."

The US Embassy in Haiti added:

"The security situation in Haiti is unpredictable and dangerous. Travel within Haiti is conducted at your own risk. The US government cannot guarantee your safety traveling to airports, borders, or during any onward travel. You should consider your personal security situation before traveling anywhere in Haiti. Only attempt to depart Haiti or travel within Haiti if you believe it is safe for you to do so."

Limited traffic at Haitian airports

The airport in Cap-Haïtien has opened periodically for departing flights, although availability is minimal. According to Flightradar24.com data, the traffic at CAP airport is limited, with just six scheduled departures on April 7, 2024.

Meanwhile, traffic from the country's capital airport, Toussaint Louverture (PAP), is extremely limited. According to Flightradar24.com, the airport had only two scheduled departures on April 7, 2024, with one of them being canceled.

What are your thoughts on this? Feel free to share in the comments section.

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U.S. flying Americans out of troubled Haiti capital

U.S.-chartered helicopters on Wednesday began flying Americans out of the besieged Haitian capital, Port-au-Prince, a State Department spokesman said, as criminal gangs continue to control the city.

Fifteen Americans were flown by helicopter to Santo Domingo in the neighboring Dominican Republic, the department said.

Nearly 1,600 U.S. citizens have registered with the State Department seeking further information about leaving Haiti, officials said Wednesday.

The State Department estimates it will be able to remove 30 Americans by helicopter each day the flights are chartered, a spokesperson said.

"The violence on the ground and Port-au-Prince has been dire," State Department deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel said at a briefing Wednesday.

"The security situation is certainly one of high risk, but I will also just say that we would not conduct such an operation if we did not feel that it was safe to do so and that we did not have the expertise to conduct something like this," he said.

A U.S. government-chartered plane evacuated 30 Americans from Haiti on Sunday, and it landed in Miami, the State Department has said.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said Wednesday that a state government-chartered plane carrying passengers left Haitian airspace bound for Orlando Sanford International Airport in Florida. He said there would most likely be other flights to get Florida residents who are in harm’s way out of the country.

Since 2020, the State Department has issued "do not travel" warnings about Haiti, warning Americans not to go there because of kidnapping, crime and unrest.

Haiti has been wracked by violence and unrest, and the capital city has been overtaken by gangs. Last week Prime Minister Ariel Henry agreed to resign , which had been demanded by the notorious G9 and Family gang leader known by the nickname “Barbecue."

The agreement for Henry to resign includes a transitional council with the aim of free and fair elections, officials said.

A multinational security support mission will also be deployed to help the country, the State Department has said. The United Nations Security Council authorized such a mission in October.

Gunmen attacked Haiti's main international airport on Feb. 29, and gangs control large parts of Port-au-Prince, plunging the country into chaos and adding to unrest.

Phil Helsel is a reporter for NBC News.

Abigail Williams is a producer and reporter for NBC News covering the State Department.

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Haiti travel advice

Latest updates: Safety and security - updated information on assisted departure options

Last updated: April 8, 2024 20:22 ET

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Safety and security, entry and exit requirements, laws and culture, natural disasters and climate, haiti - avoid all travel.

The security situation remains volatile in Haiti. You should consider leaving the country by commercial means if you can do so safely.

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Security situation in Haiti

The security situation remains extremely volatile in Haiti.

On March 3, 2024, the government of Haiti declared a state of emergency in Ouest Department, including in Port-au-Prince, in response to gang violence and the deteriorating security situation. There are frequent clashes between gangs and security forces. Kidnappings, robberies, and violent crime are increasing.

A nightly curfew is in effect in Ouest Department. You must stay indoors while the curfew is in effect. There are exceptions for certain professions, including medical personnel and journalists carrying official identification.

While the state of emergency and curfew are in effect:

• follow the instructions of local authorities
• always cooperate with police officers
• carry valid ID at all times and be prepared for various checkpoints
• monitor local news to stay informed on the current situation

Your personal safety is at risk if you are currently in Haiti. You should consider leaving the country by commercial means if you can do so safely.

There are two international airports in the country which can be difficult to access due to the highly volatile security situation. The Toussaint Louverture International Airport is closed. The Cap Haitian International Airport is operational.

We strongly advise against any road travel from Port-au-Prince to Cap-Haitien, given the presence of gangs and a highly volatile security situation.

Avoid all travel to Haiti. If you are in Haiti despite this advisory:

• shelter in a safe place until the situation has stabilized
• consider leaving the country if there’s a safe means to do so
• ensure that you have essential supplies, including food, water and fuel
• ensure that your passport and other travel documents are up-to-date and secure at all times
• limit your movements, if you are unable to shelter in place
• avoid crossing road blockades, even if they appear unattended
• allow extra time to reach your destination
• be aware of your surroundings at all times
• maintain a low profile when going outside
• don't show signs of affluence
• register or update your personal information through the Registration of Canadians Abroad service and encourage other Canadian citizens in Haiti to do so

Declaration of the state of emergency – Ministry of Communication of Haiti (in French)

Assisted departure options

Canadian officials continue to monitor and assess the security situation very closely and work in coordination with allies to help Canadians in Haiti.

Canadian citizens in Haiti wishing to leave should sign up to the Registration of Canadians Abroad service and should contact Global Affairs Canada's 24/7 Emergency Watch and Response Centre to discuss their situation.

Border closure with the Dominican Republic

On March 5, 2024, the Government of the Dominican Republic closed its air border with Haiti. Land and sea borders between the two countries remain closed to travellers.

The Embassy of Canada to Haiti, in Port-au-Prince, cannot help you enter the Dominican Republic from Haiti.

Crime rates are high in large centres such as downtown Port-au-Prince, where armed gangs operate, as well as near the border with the Dominican Republic.

The number of violent incidents has been increasing since 2020, especially kidnappings in and around Port-au-Prince.

There has also been an increase in home invasions. These incidents generally occur in middle-class neighbourhoods, but have increased in number in affluent neighbourhoods in Port-au-Prince and outside Pétion-Ville.

Petty crime, such as pickpocketing and purse snatching, also occurs.

Criminality increases in the periods leading up to the holiday season in December, Carnival in February or March and the beginning of the school year in late August or early September.

Foreigners are viewed as wealthy and may arouse envy. To avoid becoming a target:

• don’t show signs of affluence
• avoid using your smartphone or camera in public
• be aware of your surroundings
• ensure that your personal belongings, including your passport and other travel documents, are secure at all times
• remain cautious with new acquaintances offering friendship or hospitality
• never walk alone and avoid travelling after nightfall

Greater Port-au-Prince area

Several areas in greater Port-au-Prince continue to be dangerous due to criminal activity and kidnappings. Local authorities may have difficulties assisting during an emergency in these areas:

• Artibonite Central
• Carrefour Drouillard
• Champs-de-Mars
• Cité Soleil
• Croix-des-Bouquets
• Downtown Port-au-Prince
• Portail Léogane
• Road to the airport
• Toussant Brave

Police presence is not guaranteed in these areas and your personal safety might be at risk. Due to the local environment, security forces may not be able to provide emergency assistance in due time.

If you must travel to these areas, it’s imperative that you take appropriate security precautions:

• be vigilant at all times when moving about the city, towns and country
• ensure that your local contacts know when to expect you and your travel plans within these areas
• ask your local contacts to guide you in your travels
• keep windows closed and doors locked when travelling by car
• never use public transport of any kind
• ask the organizations, institutes or hosts that are taking care of you about the latest updates on the region to which you are travelling, since the security situation can change at any moment
• avoid going out after nightfall
• follow the advice of local authorities

Pétion-Ville

Armed robberies occur regularly in Pétion-Ville. In most cases, armed thieves on motorcycles attack their victims in broad daylight. Attacks have been increasing, particularly against motorists. They usually occur in traffic jams during peak hours.

• Be vigilant at all times while travelling
• Keep windows closed and doors locked when travelling by car

Main highways and roads

Armed gangs have set up roadblocks to commit robberies and demand payments along Route Nationale 2 from Martissant to Miragoane.

Armed gangs are fighting to control the main highways connecting Port-au-Prince to northern departments.

If you must drive:

• limit your movements

Toussaint Louverture International Airport

Thieves try to distract foreigners to steal their passports at Toussaint Louverture International Airport.

• Be cautious when claiming your luggage upon arrival
• Keep your valuables and identification on you
• Have your local contacts arrange for your pick-up from the airport
• Carry only small amounts of cash

Several shooting incidents have also occurred along the road to the airport. Gangs have committed armed robberies, particularly between Delmas 33 and the airport.

• Don’t resist if you’re threatened by robbers
• Be extremely vigilant when leaving the airport

Border with the Dominican Republic

The security environment is highly volatile at the border between Haiti and the Dominican Republic.

Criminal activities are widespread near the border with the Dominican Republic. Armed gangs operate along the border controlling many of the roads leading to the border.

Border areas with the Dominican Republic are subject to gang operations, including the following areas:

• Ouanaminthe

Robberies in bank areas

Some criminals wait near banks, watching clients, and attempt to rob them when they leave.

There is also a higher risk of robbery from individuals using bank ATMs.

• Be extremely vigilant when entering or leaving a bank
• Only use ATMs inside a hotel or supermarket
• Deal directly with a teller if you are at a bank
• Avoid carrying large sums of money

Kidnappings are common in Haiti.

Kidnappers target both local people and foreigners, including dual citizens who live or travel in Haiti, regardless of rank or social class. Since September 2020, hundreds of Canadians and other foreign nationals have been abducted. Missionaries, aid workers and children can become victims. Most of the victims are released in exchange for ransom. In some exceptional cases, however, victims have disappeared or have been killed.

• Remain alert to small groups of loiterers, especially near your residence
• Keep doors and windows secure at all times
• Instruct domestic staff to permit into your home only pre-authorized visitors whose identities have been verified
• Keep all visitors under close scrutiny
• Remain extremely vigilant wherever you are in the country

Demonstrations

Demonstrations and civil unrest take place frequently.

Due to ongoing political instability, some demonstrations have turned violent. Protesters have set up roadblocks across the country and blocked the access to the airport. In those circumstances, water, food and fuel shortages could occur.

Even peaceful demonstrations can turn violent at any time. They can also lead to disruptions to traffic and public transportation.

• Avoid areas where demonstrations and large gatherings are taking place
• Follow the instructions of local authorities
• Monitor local media for information on ongoing demonstrations

Mass gatherings (large-scale events)

Women’s safety

Crimes committed against women frequently occur in Haiti. Reports of rape and assault against women and children have increased. Attackers sometimes act in groups.

Advice for women travellers

Service outages and supply shortages

Power outages are frequent, and shortages of essential supplies such as water and fuel occur.

Ensure that you plan adequately in case of outages and supply shortages.

Road safety

Road conditions and road safety are poor throughout the country due to:

• narrow and poorly maintained roads
• insufficient traffic signs, traffic lights and road markings
• high rates of driving while impaired, with the vehicle’s lights off
• poor vehicle maintenance
• inadequate street lighting

Heavy rains can hamper overland travel and reduce the provision of essential services. Roads may become impassable and bridges damaged.

If you need to travel within Haiti, consider hiring a driver through a reputable agency or hotel. If you must drive:

• always keep your fuel tanks at least half full, as disruptions of fuel supplies are frequent
• always carry a cell phone and a list of emergency contact numbers with you, as roadside assistance services are deficient
• keep in mind that cell phone coverage may be intermittent in some rural areas
• avoid driving at night or in bad weather, even in the city
• be cautious about abandoned vehicle beside the road
• watch out for pedestrians and stray animals on the road

Public transportation

Public transportation is unsafe and unreliable. Drivers don’t always respect traffic laws. Vehicles are often in poor condition or overloaded, which leads to serious accidents involving injuries and sometimes death.

You should avoid all public transportation in Haiti, but most specifically trucks converted into buses, known as “tap taps.”

Ferry accidents occur and are often caused by poor safety practices or extreme weather conditions.

You should avoid ferry travel. If you choose to travel by ferry:

• make sure the vessel you are boarding is carrying appropriate safety equipment
• make sure that life jackets are provided for all passengers and accessible at all times
• avoid boarding vessels that appear overloaded or unseaworthy
• verify the safety standards of ferries with your tour operator

We do not make assessments on the compliance of foreign domestic airlines with international safety standards.

Information about foreign domestic airlines

Every country or territory decides who can enter or exit through its borders. The Government of Canada cannot intervene on your behalf if you do not meet your destination’s entry or exit requirements.

We have obtained the information on this page from the Haitian authorities. It can, however, change at any time.

Verify this information with the  Foreign Representatives in Canada .

Entry requirements vary depending on the type of passport you use for travel.

Before you travel, check with your transportation company about passport requirements. Its rules on passport validity may be more stringent than the country’s entry rules.

Regular Canadian passport

Your passport must be valid for the expected duration of your stay in Haiti.

Passport for official travel

Different entry rules may apply.

Official travel

Passport with “X” gender identifier

While the Government of Canada issues passports with an “X” gender identifier, it cannot guarantee your entry or transit through other countries. You might face entry restrictions in countries that do not recognize the “X” gender identifier. Before you leave, check with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

Other travel documents

Different entry rules may apply when travelling with a temporary passport or an emergency travel document. Before you leave, check with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

Useful links

• Foreign Representatives in Canada
• Canadian passports

Tourist visa: not required for stays up to 90 days Business visa: not required Student visa: required Work permit: required

Residency permit

You must obtain a residency permit if you intend to stay for 90 days or more. This requirement doesn’t apply to Canadians of Haitian origin.

If you plan to extend your stay beyond 90 days and are a Canadian of non-Haitian origin, you must apply to the Haitian Immigration Service before the 90 days have expired. If you fail to do so, you will need an exit visa to leave the country.

Canadian investors, exporters/importers and workers must apply to the Haitian Immigration Service for a residency permit through their employer for stays of 6 months or more. You must obtain this document before leaving Canada.

How to obtain a visa - Embassy of Haiti in Canada (in French)

Other entry requirements

Customs officials may ask you to show them a return or onward ticket and proof of sufficient funds to cover your stay.

Children and travel

Learn more about travelling with children .

Yellow fever

Learn about potential entry requirements related to yellow fever (vaccines section).

Relevant Travel Health Notices

• Global Measles Notice - 13 March, 2024
• Zika virus: Advice for travellers - 31 August, 2023
• COVID-19 and International Travel - 13 March, 2024

This section contains information on possible health risks and restrictions regularly found or ongoing in the destination. Follow this advice to lower your risk of becoming ill while travelling. Not all risks are listed below.

Consult a health care professional or visit a travel health clinic preferably 6 weeks before you travel to get personalized health advice and recommendations.

Routine vaccines

Be sure that your  routine vaccinations , as per your province or territory , are up-to-date before travelling, regardless of your destination.

Some of these vaccinations include measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, varicella (chickenpox), influenza and others.

Pre-travel vaccines and medications

You may be at risk for preventable diseases while travelling in this destination. Talk to a travel health professional about which medications or vaccines may be right for you, based on your destination and itinerary. 

Yellow fever   is a disease caused by a flavivirus from the bite of an infected mosquito.

Travellers get vaccinated either because it is required to enter a country or because it is recommended for their protection.

• There is no risk of yellow fever in this country.

Country Entry Requirement*

• Proof of vaccination is required if you are coming from a country   where yellow fever occurs.

Recommendation

• Vaccination is not recommended.
• Discuss travel plans, activities, and destinations with a health care professional.
• Contact a designated  Yellow Fever Vaccination Centre  well in advance of your trip to arrange for vaccination.

About Yellow Fever

Yellow Fever Vaccination Centre

* It is important to note that  country entry requirements  may not reflect your risk of yellow fever at your destination. It is recommended that you contact the nearest  diplomatic or consular office  of the destination(s) you will be visiting to verify any additional entry requirements.

There is a risk of hepatitis A in this destination. It is a disease of the liver. People can get hepatitis A if they ingest contaminated food or water, eat foods prepared by an infectious person, or if they have close physical contact (such as oral-anal sex) with an infectious person, although casual contact among people does not spread the virus.

Practise  safe food and water precautions and wash your hands often. Vaccination is recommended for all travellers to areas where hepatitis A is present.

Malaria is a serious and sometimes fatal disease that is caused by parasites spread through the bites of mosquitoes.

Malaria is a risk to travellers to this destination.   Antimalarial medication is recommended for most travellers to this destination and should be taken as recommended. Consult a health care professional or visit a travel health clinic before travelling to discuss your options. It is recommended to do this 6 weeks before travel, however, it is still a good idea any time before leaving.    Protect yourself from mosquito bites at all times: 

• Cover your skin and use an approved insect repellent on uncovered skin.
• Exclude mosquitoes from your living area with screening and/or closed, well-sealed doors and windows.
• Use insecticide-treated bed nets if mosquitoes cannot be excluded from your living area.
• Wear permethrin-treated clothing. 

 If you develop symptoms similar to malaria when you are travelling or up to a year after you return home, see a health care professional immediately. Tell them where you have been travelling or living. 

In this destination, rabies is commonly carried by dogs and some wildlife, including bats. Rabies is a deadly disease that spreads to humans primarily through bites or scratches from an infected animal. While travelling, take precautions , including keeping your distance from animals (including free-roaming dogs), and closely supervising children.

If you are bitten or scratched by a dog or other animal while travelling, immediately wash the wound with soap and clean water and see a health care professional. In this destination, rabies treatment may be limited or may not be available, therefore you may need to return to Canada for treatment.  

Before travel, discuss rabies vaccination with a health care professional. It may be recommended for travellers who are at high risk of exposure (e.g., occupational risk such as veterinarians and wildlife workers, children, adventure travellers and spelunkers, and others in close contact with animals). 

Measles is a highly contagious viral disease. It can spread quickly from person to person by direct contact and through droplets in the air.

Anyone who is not protected against measles is at risk of being infected with it when travelling internationally.

Regardless of where you are going, talk to a health care professional before travelling to make sure you are fully protected against measles.

  Hepatitis B is a risk in every destination. It is a viral liver disease that is easily transmitted from one person to another through exposure to blood and body fluids containing the hepatitis B virus.  Travellers who may be exposed to blood or other bodily fluids (e.g., through sexual contact, medical treatment, sharing needles, tattooing, acupuncture or occupational exposure) are at higher risk of getting hepatitis B.

Hepatitis B vaccination is recommended for all travellers. Prevent hepatitis B infection by practicing safe sex, only using new and sterile drug equipment, and only getting tattoos and piercings in settings that follow public health regulations and standards.

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious viral disease. It can spread from person to person by direct contact and through droplets in the air.

It is recommended that all eligible travellers complete a COVID-19 vaccine series along with any additional recommended doses in Canada before travelling. Evidence shows that vaccines are very effective at preventing severe illness, hospitalization and death from COVID-19. While vaccination provides better protection against serious illness, you may still be at risk of infection from the virus that causes COVID-19. Anyone who has not completed a vaccine series is at increased risk of being infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 and is at greater risk for severe disease when travelling internationally.

Before travelling, verify your destination’s COVID-19 vaccination entry/exit requirements. Regardless of where you are going, talk to a health care professional before travelling to make sure you are adequately protected against COVID-19.

 The best way to protect yourself from seasonal influenza (flu) is to get vaccinated every year. Get the flu shot at least 2 weeks before travelling.  

 The flu occurs worldwide. 

•  In the Northern Hemisphere, the flu season usually runs from November to   April.
•  In the Southern Hemisphere, the flu season usually runs between April and   October.
•  In the tropics, there is flu activity year round. 

The flu vaccine available in one hemisphere may only offer partial protection against the flu in the other hemisphere.

The flu virus spreads from person to person when they cough or sneeze or by touching objects and surfaces that have been contaminated with the virus. Clean your hands often and wear a mask if you have a fever or respiratory symptoms.

Safe food and water precautions

Many illnesses can be caused by eating food or drinking beverages contaminated by bacteria, parasites, toxins, or viruses, or by swimming or bathing in contaminated water.

• Learn more about food and water precautions to take to avoid getting sick by visiting our eat and drink safely abroad page. Remember: Boil it, cook it, peel it, or leave it!
• Avoid getting water into your eyes, mouth or nose when swimming or participating in activities in freshwater (streams, canals, lakes), particularly after flooding or heavy rain. Water may look clean but could still be polluted or contaminated.
• Avoid inhaling or swallowing water while bathing, showering, or swimming in pools or hot tubs. 

Cholera is a risk in parts of this country. Most travellers are at very low risk.

To protect against cholera, all travellers should practise safe food and water precautions .

Travellers at higher risk of getting cholera include those:

• visiting, working or living in areas with limited access to safe food, water and proper sanitation
• visiting areas where outbreaks are occurring

Vaccination may be recommended for high-risk travellers, and should be discussed with a health care professional.

Travellers' diarrhea is the most common illness affecting travellers. It is spread from eating or drinking contaminated food or water.

Risk of developing travellers' diarrhea increases when travelling in regions with poor standards of hygiene and sanitation. Practise safe food and water precautions.

The most important treatment for travellers' diarrhea is rehydration (drinking lots of fluids). Carry oral rehydration salts when travelling.

Typhoid   is a bacterial infection spread by contaminated food or water. Risk is higher among children, travellers going to rural areas, travellers visiting friends and relatives or those travelling for a long period of time.

Travellers visiting regions with a risk of typhoid, especially those exposed to places with poor sanitation, should speak to a health care professional about vaccination.  

Insect bite prevention

Many diseases are spread by the bites of infected insects such as mosquitoes, ticks, fleas or flies. When travelling to areas where infected insects may be present:

• Use insect repellent (bug spray) on exposed skin
• Cover up with light-coloured, loose clothes made of tightly woven materials such as nylon or polyester
• Minimize exposure to insects
• Use mosquito netting when sleeping outdoors or in buildings that are not fully enclosed

To learn more about how you can reduce your risk of infection and disease caused by bites, both at home and abroad, visit our insect bite prevention page.

Find out what types of insects are present where you’re travelling, when they’re most active, and the symptoms of the diseases they spread.

There is a risk of chikungunya in this country.  The risk may vary between regions of a country.  Chikungunya is a virus spread through the bite of an infected mosquito. Chikungunya can cause a viral disease that typically causes fever and pain in the joints. In some cases, the joint pain can be severe and last for months or years.

Protect yourself from mosquito bites at all times. There is no vaccine available for chikungunya.

Zika virus is a risk in this country. 

Zika virus is primarily spread through the bite of an infected mosquito. It can also be sexually transmitted. Zika virus can cause serious birth defects.

During your trip:

• Prevent mosquito bites at all times.
• Use condoms correctly or avoid sexual contact, particularly if you are pregnant.

If you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, you should discuss the potential risks of travelling to this destination with your health care provider. You may choose to avoid or postpone travel. 

For more information, see Zika virus: Pregnant or planning a pregnancy.

• In this country,   dengue  is a risk to travellers. It is a viral disease spread to humans by mosquito bites.
• Dengue can cause flu-like symptoms. In some cases, it can lead to severe dengue, which can be fatal.
• The level of risk of dengue changes seasonally, and varies from year to year. The level of risk also varies between regions in a country and can depend on the elevation in the region.
• Mosquitoes carrying dengue typically bite during the daytime, particularly around sunrise and sunset.
• Protect yourself from mosquito bites . There is no vaccine or medication that protects against dengue.

Animal precautions

Some infections, such as rabies and influenza, can be shared between humans and animals. Certain types of activities may increase your chance of contact with animals, such as travelling in rural or forested areas, camping, hiking, and visiting wet markets (places where live animals are slaughtered and sold) or caves.

Travellers are cautioned to avoid contact with animals, including dogs, livestock (pigs, cows), monkeys, snakes, rodents, birds, and bats, and to avoid eating undercooked wild game.

Closely supervise children, as they are more likely to come in contact with animals.

Person-to-person infections

Stay home if you’re sick and practise proper cough and sneeze etiquette , which includes coughing or sneezing into a tissue or the bend of your arm, not your hand. Reduce your risk of colds, the flu and other illnesses by:

•   washing your hands often
• avoiding or limiting the amount of time spent in closed spaces, crowded places, or at large-scale events (concerts, sporting events, rallies)
• avoiding close physical contact with people who may be showing symptoms of illness 

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) , HIV , and mpox are spread through blood and bodily fluids; use condoms, practise safe sex, and limit your number of sexual partners. Check with your local public health authority pre-travel to determine your eligibility for mpox vaccine.  

Tuberculosis is an infection caused by bacteria and usually affects the lungs.

For most travellers the risk of tuberculosis is low.

Travellers who may be at high risk while travelling in regions with risk of tuberculosis should discuss pre- and post-travel options with a health care professional.

High-risk travellers include those visiting or working in prisons, refugee camps, homeless shelters, or hospitals, or travellers visiting friends and relatives.

HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus)   is a virus that attacks and impairs the immune system, resulting in a chronic, progressive illness known as AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome). 

High risk activities include anything which puts you in contact with blood or body fluids, such as unprotected sex and exposure to unsterilized needles for medications or other substances (for example, steroids and drugs), tattooing, body-piercing or acupuncture.

Medical services and facilities

Health care is inadequate throughout the country. There are few hospitals, and many are closed. Clinics and hospitals that are open are easily overwhelmed. Hospital services can be disrupted by gang violence

Ambulances are also limited and may not have the basic required medical supplies onboard. As a result, emergency response is not guaranteed.

Physicians and hospitals generally expect immediate cash payment for care even if you have proof of valid travel health insurance. You will have to pay the full amount of the bill before your departure.

Medications sold in Haiti may be of inferior quality to those available in Canada. Pharmacies may carry expired medications while some medications may simply not be available.

Bring a sufficient supply of medications for the duration of your stay.

Medical evacuation can be very expensive and you may need it in case of serious illness or injury.

Make sure you get travel insurance that includes coverage for medical evacuation and hospital stays.

Travel health and safety

Keep in Mind...

The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller. The traveller is also responsible for his or her own personal safety.

Be prepared. Do not expect medical services to be the same as in Canada. Pack a   travel health kit , especially if you will be travelling away from major city centres.

You must abide by local laws.

Learn about what you should do and how we can help if you are arrested or detained abroad .

Legal fees can be very high and judicial procedures are slow. Some Canadians have experienced an over a year detention period before being sent to trial. Prison conditions are extremely difficult. Penal facilities are overcrowded, unsanitary and under-resourced.

Penalties for possession, use or trafficking of illegal drugs are severe. Convicted offenders can expect lengthy legal proceedings, heavy jail sentences and fines.

Drugs, alcohol and travel

Dual citizenship

Dual citizenship is legally recognized in Haiti.

If you are a Canadian citizen, but also a citizen of Haiti, our ability to offer you consular services may be limited while you're there. You may also be subject to different entry/exit requirements .

Travellers with dual citizenship

International Child Abduction

The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction is an international treaty. It can help parents with the return of children who have been removed to or retained in certain countries in violation of custody rights. It does not apply between Canada and Haiti.

If your child was wrongfully taken to, or is being held in Haiti by an abducting parent:

• act as quickly as you can
• consult a lawyer in Canada and in Haiti to explore all the legal options for the return of your child
• report the situation to the nearest Canadian government office abroad or to the Vulnerable Children’s Consular Unit at Global Affairs Canada by calling the Emergency Watch and Response Centre.

If your child was removed from a country other than Canada, consult a lawyer to determine if The Hague Convention applies.

Be aware that Canadian consular officials cannot interfere in private legal matters or in another country’s judicial affairs.

• International Child Abduction: A Guidebook for Left-Behind Parents
• Travelling with children
• Canadian embassies and consulates by destination
• Emergency Watch and Response Centre

2SLGBTQI+ travellers

Haitian law does not prohibit sexual acts between individuals of the same sex.

However, 2SLGBTQI+ travellers could be discriminated against based on their sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression or sex characteristics.

Travel and your sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics

In order to fight insecurity, local authorities have temporarily forbidden to drive vehicles with tinted windows throughout the country.

You may use your Canadian driver’s licence to drive in Haiti for up to 3 months. For stays of 3 months or more, you will require a Haitian driver’s permit.

You should carry an international driving permit.

International Driving Permit

Photography

People may feel exploited or insulted by being subjects of photography in poor or urban areas.

Obtain permission before photographing individuals.

Donations entering the country are subject to import rules. They could be seized and taxed in accordance with local legislation. This includes:

• new or used material goods
• personal care products
• medications

Contact the Embassy of the Republic of Haiti or one of its consulates before sending goods to Haiti.

The currency in Haiti is the Haitian gourde (HTG).

Although all prices should be in gourde since March 2018, they are still often quoted in Haitian dollars (5 gourdes = 1 Haitian dollar) or in U.S. dollars.

Canadian currency is not accepted. Most leading hotels accept major credit cards. You can also use your Canadian bank cards to access funds from some ATMs, but the withdrawal limit is much lower than in Canada. Haitian ATMs are unreliable and you should not depend upon them in emergency situations.

Make sure to have sufficient cash in case you’re unable to access an ATM or use your credit card.

Hurricane season

Hurricanes usually occur from mid-May to the end of November. During this period, even small tropical storms can quickly develop into major hurricanes.

These severe storms can put you at risk and hamper the provision of essential services.

If you decide to travel to Haiti during the hurricane season:

• know that you expose yourself to serious safety risks
• be prepared to change your travel plans on short notice, including cutting short or cancelling your trip
• stay informed of the latest regional weather forecasts
• carry emergency contact information for your airline or tour operator
• follow the advice and instructions of local authorities
• Tornadoes, cyclones, hurricanes, typhoons and monsoons
• Large-scale emergencies abroad
• Active storm tracking and hurricane watches and warnings  - United States National Hurricane Center

Rainy season  

The rainy season extends from April to June and from October to November. It can lead to severe flooding.

Seasonal flooding can hamper overland travel and reduce the provision of essential services. Roads may become impassable due to mudslides and landslides. Bridges, buildings, and infrastructure may be damaged. 

• Monitor local media for the latest updates, including those on road conditions 
• Stay away from flooded areas 
• Monitor weather reports 
• Follow the instructions of local authorities, including evacuation orders 

Earthquakes and tsunamis

Haiti is located in an active seismic zone. Earthquakes occur. Tsunamis can also affect coastal areas.

A tsunami can occur within minutes of a nearby earthquake. However, the risk of tsunami can remain for several hours following the first tremor. If you’re staying on the coast, familiarize yourself with the region’s evacuation plans in the event of a tsunami warning.

In the event of an earthquake:

• monitor local media for the latest information
• Earthquakes - What to Do?
• Tsunami alerts  - U.S. Tsunami Warning System
• Latest earthquakes  - U.S. Geological Survey

Local services

In case of emergency, dial 114.

Consular assistance

Temporary closure of the embassy of canada to haiti, in port-au-prince.

The Embassy of Canada to Haiti, in Port-au-Prince, is closed temporarily to the public due to the unpredictable security situation. Consular services will be provided remotely.

For emergency consular assistance, call the Embassy of Canada to Haiti, in Port-au-Prince, and follow the instructions. At any time, you may also call the Emergency Watch and Response Centre in Ottawa.

The decision to travel is your choice and you are responsible for your personal safety abroad. We take the safety and security of Canadians abroad very seriously and provide credible and timely information in our Travel Advice to enable you to make well-informed decisions regarding your travel abroad.

The content on this page is provided for information only. While we make every effort to give you correct information, it is provided on an "as is" basis without warranty of any kind, expressed or implied. The Government of Canada does not assume responsibility and will not be liable for any damages in connection to the information provided.

If you need consular assistance while abroad, we will make every effort to help you. However, there may be constraints that will limit the ability of the Government of Canada to provide services.

Learn more about consular services .

Risk Levels

  take normal security precautions.

Take similar precautions to those you would take in Canada.

  Exercise a high degree of caution

There are certain safety and security concerns or the situation could change quickly. Be very cautious at all times, monitor local media and follow the instructions of local authorities.

IMPORTANT: The two levels below are official Government of Canada Travel Advisories and are issued when the safety and security of Canadians travelling or living in the country or region may be at risk.

  Avoid non-essential travel

Your safety and security could be at risk. You should think about your need to travel to this country, territory or region based on family or business requirements, knowledge of or familiarity with the region, and other factors. If you are already there, think about whether you really need to be there. If you do not need to be there, you should think about leaving.

  Avoid all travel

You should not travel to this country, territory or region. Your personal safety and security are at great risk. If you are already there, you should think about leaving if it is safe to do so.

Update April 12, 2024

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Countries US Department of State travel advisories say NOT to go to as Haiti explodes in violence

A s tensions remain fraught in Haiti, with violent gangs joining forces in a bid to oust Prime Minister Ariel Henry, the US State Department has issued a travel advisory warning Americans not to travel to the Caribbean country.

In mid-October 2023, the U.S. Department of State 's Bureau of Consular Affairs issued a "Worldwide Caution," citing "increased tensions in various locations around the world." The warning included "the potential for terrorist attacks" and "demonstrations or violent actions against U.S citizens and interests" and told citizens to "exercise increased caution."

Violence remains rampant in Haiti , leading to near all-out war, with the violent gang boss 'Barbecue' threatening to take the country to civil war, saying he and other gang members will fight until the last drop of blood to remove Prime Minister Henry from office. Amidst the violence, the number of travel advisories issued by the US has increased, and the level of some has become more severe, in Haiti and elsewhere.

READ MORE: White House says 'too many innocent civilians have died in Gaza' amid Israel-Hamas war

Haiti has been on a Level 4 Travel Advisory — the highest, which is designated "Do not travel" — since July 2023, with the State Department writing in its advisory: "Do not travel to Haiti due to kidnapping, crime, civil unrest, and poor health care infrastructure."

The State Department ordered the departure of all family members of U.S. government employees in the country in late July and also all non-emergency personnel, with all other U.S. citizens in the country implored to depart as soon as possible by any means necessary. Of Haiti, the State Department wrote: "Kidnapping is widespread, and victims regularly include U.S. citizens.

"Kidnappers may use sophisticated planning or take advantage of unplanned opportunities, and even convoys have been attacked. Kidnapping cases often involve ransom negotiations and U.S. citizen victims have been physically harmed during kidnappings. Victim’s families have paid thousands of dollars to rescue their family members."

It added that violent crime is rampant in the country, with mob killings being on the rise since April 2023, and that hospitals are often out of supplies or are unequipped to care for patients, with police in the same boat. Haiti's prime minister recently fled to Puerto Rico , a U.S. territory, after the violence wrought by Barbecue and the 4,000 prisoners he released to incite a rebellion and take the country back. The U.S. Embassy in the country has been on lockdown a few times, too.

Join the Mirror's SMS news service to get the biggest breaking stories delivered straight to your phone. Click here to subscribe.

In addition to Haiti, here are the countries or regions at a Level 4 Threat Advisory (in alphabetical order):

• Afghanistan
• Burkina Faso
• Burma (Myanmar)
• Central African Republic
• Some Mexican states
• North Korea
• South Sudan

Click here to follow the Mirror US on Google News to stay up to date with all the latest news, sports and entertainment stories.

On a Level 3 Threat Advisory, or the second highest, which states "Reconsider travel," the following countries are on the list:

• Most Chinese territories
• Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)
• El Salvador
• Guinea-Bissau
• Israel (and the West Bank)
• Papua New Guinea
• Saudi Arabia
• Trinidad and Tobago

Most of the advisories cite crime or terrorism as the reason for the advisory, with violent crime dominating certain areas or excessive risk of terrorism, against Americans specifically, warranting advisories.

In any case, the State Department recommends staying clear of the above-mentioned countries and regions, but if travel becomes a necessity, it warns first that help in emergency situations is likely impossible.

Travelers should, according to the State Department:

• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)
• Set up communication with loved ones while also sharing location
• Share important documents, logins or contacts with loved ones
• Draft a will and name insurance beneficiaries and a power of attorney that states what will happen if you die
• Make a personal security plan with your employer or host
• Identify the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate, FBI or State Department's Office of American Services
• Appoint a family member or loved one to serve as the point of contact if you are taken hostage or detained. That person should also have a proof of life protocol to follow
• Leave DNA samples with your medical provider for identification purposes, if necessary
• Erase any sensitive photos, comments or material from social media that could be controversial in your host country
• Leave expensive or sentimental belongings behind

In short, no matter where you're headed, the State Department recommends exercising as much caution as possible when traveling outside the country due to heightened levels of terrorism and threats worldwide. More information can be found on the department's website.

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Haiti in Crisis Sets Up Ruling Council, Clearing Way for an Acting Leader

A governing council was finalized after a month of negotiations. It is tasked with restoring law and order by appointing an acting prime minister.

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By David C. Adams and Andre Paultre

David C. Adams reported from Miami, and Andre Paultre from Port-au-Prince.

A new transitional ruling council was finalized in Haiti on Friday to try to bring political stability to a country wracked by escalating gang violence and a worsening humanitarian crisis.

The council’s formation, announced in an official state-run bulletin, comes after gangs who have a brutal grip on much of the capital prevented the prime minister, Ariel Henry, from returning to the country after a trip overseas and ultimately pushed him to announce his resignation.

The presidential transition council is tasked with restoring law and order through the appointment of an acting prime minister to head a new government as well as to pave the way for the election of a new president.

A coalition of armed gangs has had control of most of the capital, Port-au-Prince, since it launched an offensive in late February, destroying police stations and government offices, looting banks and hospitals and killing and kidnapping hundreds of people.

The establishment of the council was hashed out in Jamaica last month by a regional Caribbean Community bloc, CARICOM, along with the United States, France and Canada after it became clear that Mr. Henry would no longer be able to govern Haiti.

But the selection of the body’s members was delayed after several names were withdrawn out of safety fears or because ethical issues had become a concern.

Mr. Henry left Haiti for Kenya in early March to finalize an agreement for a 2,500-member multinational force, led by the East African nation, to deploy and take on the gangs.

The council includes members of Haiti’s main political parties and coalitions as well as representatives of the private sector, civil society, the Haitian diaspora and religious leaders. The council’s mandate says a new president is expected to take office in February 2026, but does not specify when elections would be held.

As a condition for joining the body, all the members agreed to back deployment of the Kenya-led mission. Anyone under indictment, facing sanctions by the United Nations or intending to run in the next election was excluded from the council.

One gang leader, Jimmy Chérizier, known as Barbecue, had threatened to attack anyone who signed on to the new government, describing the transition as an illegitimate concoction of Haiti’s corrupt political system.

“Cut off their heads and burn down their houses,” he told his gang members, using a 19th-century war cry for Haitian independence.

While the installation of the council is widely considered to be a positive step, many challenges remain, experts say.

“Will it have the capacity to silence the guns of the armed men?” asked Robert Fatton, a Haitian-born political scientist at the University of Virginia. “How can it be installed safely, and how can it start governing in an environment of widespread insecurity?”

Some Haitians have questioned the council’s constitutional legitimacy, and protesters tried to prevent the official announcement from being printed on Thursday at the offices of Le Moniteur, the official state bulletin.

The council must first be sworn in at the National Palace in downtown Port-au-Prince, the scene of some of the heaviest clashes between gang members and the Haitian police.

The multinational security force meant to take on the gangs still lacks funding, despite a pledge of $300 million by the Biden administration. So far Congress has approved only $10 million of that commitment. After the transition announcement, President Biden moved quickly to announce the disbursement of $60 million in funding for the multinational force and for the Haitian police, consisting of equipment and training.

“We are at a tipping point, and we need a solution now,” U.S. Representative Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, a Democrat from Florida and the only Haitian American in Congress, said on the floor of the House this week. “Haitians cannot wait any longer for the multinational security mission.”

The Biden administration pushed hard for the installation of the transition council, which comes days after the arrival of a new U.S. ambassador, Dennis Hankins, an experienced diplomat who served previously in Haiti.

“I recognize that these are difficult times for the Haitian people,” he said in a statement. “Haitians deserve to be represented by elected officials who are accountable to the people.”

The United Nations’ human rights office reported this month that more than 1,500 people had been killed in Haiti so far this year, the result of what it described as a “cataclysmic situation” in the country.

Corruption, impunity and poor governance, together with increasing levels of gang violence, have brought the Caribbean nation’s state institutions “close to collapse,” the agency said.

Local humanitarian agencies have also reported a shortage of food and fuel after the capital’s main port was shut down. Several countries, including the United States, Canada and France, have evacuated hundreds of stranded citizens on emergency flights and by helicopter.

The World Food Program said that Haiti was suffering its worst levels of food insecurity on record after gangs took over farmlands and blocked the roads in and out of the capital, extorting buses and trucks delivering goods.

On Thursday, the program, which is a U.N. agency, warned that its stocks in Haiti could run out by the end of the month.

“We can only hope the transition council is ready to deliver,” said Reginald Delva, a Haitian security consultant and former Haitian government minister. “The population can no longer wait.”

“We are facing the worst humanitarian and sanitarian crisis," he added. “A new cabinet is a priority to get the ball rolling. Political leaders need to put their differences aside, make the population a priority.”

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Haiti decrees long-awaited transition council, but questions remain

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Creation of transitional council that will select Haiti’s next prime minister is imminent, US says

An armored police car patrols the General Hospital area, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Tuesday, April 2, 2024. (AP Photo/Odelyn Joseph)

A man runs for cover as riot police launch tear gas in an effort to remove street vendors in the Champs de Mars area, next to the National Palace, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Tuesday, April 2, 2024. (AP Photo/Odelyn Joseph)

People take cover from gunfire during clashes between police and gangs in the Champs de Mars area next to the National Palace in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Monday, April 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Odelyn Joseph)

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SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — The creation of a transitional council responsible for choosing Haiti’s next leaders is imminent, a U.S. diplomat said Wednesday during a heated forum about Haiti’s spiraling crisis .

The nine-member council could be formally established in Haiti as early as this week, Brian A. Nichols, U.S. assistant secretary for Western Hemisphere affairs, said at a New York-based event organized by the Council on Foreign Relations.

Officials are eager to see the council in place as Haiti staggers under a power vacuum, with the prime minister locked out of a country suffering relentless gang violence that has choked the Port-au-Prince capital and surrounding communities, forcing more than 53,000 people to flee the area in recent weeks .

Haiti’s main seaport and airport remain closed, cutting off critical aid as experts warn that hunger and illnesses are skyrocketing.

“There is no greater humanitarian crisis in the world today than what is going on in Haiti,” Nichols said.

Gangs began attacking key government institutions across Port-au-Prince on Feb. 29, opening fire on the main international airport that remains closed and storming police stations and Haiti’s two biggest prisons, releasing more than 4,000 inmates.

The U.N. Human Rights Office has called the situation “cataclysmic,” noting more than 1,550 people have been killed and more than 800 injured as of late March.

The creation of the transition council, which will have seven members with voting powers to choose Haiti’s next prime minister and Cabinet, is not expected to immediately solve the country’s deep-rooted troubles.

Nichols said there’s not just “one single thing” needed to solve the country’s problems.

During the hourlong forum, Nichols came under fire by Monique Clesca, a Haitian writer and member of the Montana Group, a coalition of civil, business and political leaders that was awarded a position on the transitional council.

She criticized the U.S. for having supported Prime Minister Ariel Henry, who she accused of being incompetent and responsible for the country’s deteriorating conditions. Henry was installed as an interim leader with the backing of the international community following the July 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moïse .

Haiti’s most powerful gangs also have opposed Henry, noting that he was not democratically elected, and he has promised to resign once the council is created .

“You dropped him like a hot potato,” Clesca told Nichols as she questioned why the U.S. ever supported Henry in the first place. “If we are going forward … we have to think about that policy. Was it bad? What can we learn from it? Can we admit that there was a failure?

The country’s gangs started launching large-scale attacks against government targets while Henry was in Kenya in February to push for the U.N.-backed deployment of a police force from the East African country . He has been locked out of the country since then, as the violence has forced the closure of major ports of entry.

Panelists in New York were asked why the gangs that control 80% of Port-au-Prince were not involved in negotiations or the creation of a transitional council.

“Having a broad, inclusive dialogue among all segments of society is certainly something that is worth doing,” Nichols said, but he said that the interest of the gangs “cannot be put ahead of ordinary, law-abiding citizens.”

He said solutions are needed to target why people join gangs in the first place. “There has to be access to education and job opportunities and training programs,” he said.

Clesca added that there’s a need to change social identity so that it focuses more on school and jobs.

Also on the panel was Garry Pierre-Pierre, founder of the Brooklyn-based online news site The Haitian Times. He alleged that Haitian politicians and the country’s elite have long secretly backed gangs to serve their interests, and he lamented that the Haitian diaspora has not been adequately consulted amid the crisis.

“Security is a short-term problem that can be dealt with,” he said. “But stitching back Haitian society, that’s going to be a real challenge.”