Haiti operates on Eastern Standard Time year-round without observing daylight saving time. The country uses 110 volts at 60 hertz with Type A and Type B plug configurations matching those used in the United States. Toussaint Louverture International Airport in Port-au-Prince handles most international arrivals, while Cap-Haïtien International Airport serves northern destinations. Hugo Chávez International Airport in Cap-Haïtien receives fewer flights but provides access to the Citadelle Laferrière without transiting the capital.
The official currencies are the Haitian gourde and the United States dollar, with both circulating simultaneously. Locals frequently quote prices in Haitian dollars, an informal unit worth five gourdes, creating confusion for visitors unfamiliar with the system. A price stated as "twenty dollars" typically means 100 gourdes, not 100 United States dollars. ATMs exist primarily in Port-au-Prince and Pétionville, with limited availability elsewhere. Credit cards see acceptance only at upscale hotels and a handful of restaurants catering to foreigners. Cash transactions dominate all economic activity outside luxury establishments.
French and Haitian Creole hold official language status, with Creole spoken universally across all social classes and French functioning as the language of formal education, law, and government. Approximately 42 percent of Haitians speak French, though estimates vary. English proficiency remains limited outside tourist-facing businesses in Port-au-Prince and Cap-Haïtien. Spanish speakers along the Dominican border can navigate conversations, particularly in cities near the frontier.
Tap water throughout Haiti requires treatment before consumption. Bottled water brands including Culligan and Bon Aqua sell widely in sealed containers. Infrastructure damage from the 2010 earthquake, which killed an estimated 220,000 to 316,000 people depending on source methodology, compounded existing water system deficiencies. Cholera introduced by United Nations peacekeepers in October 2010 killed approximately 10,000 people through 2019, though cases have declined dramatically since Hurricane Matthew in 2016 caused the last major outbreak.
Medical facilities operate at minimal capacity outside Port-au-Prince. Hôpital Universitaire de Mirebalais, opened in 2013 with Partners In Health funding, provides the highest standard of care available in rural Haiti with 300 beds and solar backup power. Port-au-Prince hospitals include Hôpital de l'Université d'État d'Haïti and several private clinics in Pétionville. Travelers requiring serious medical intervention typically evacuate to the Dominican Republic or the United States. Medical evacuation insurance becomes relevant rather than theoretical.
The United States Department of State maintains a Level 4 travel advisory for Haiti as of the current information cutoff, advising citizens not to travel due to kidnapping, crime, and civil unrest. Canada and the United Kingdom issue similar warnings. Kidnapping incidents increased sharply after the July 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moïse, with both wealthy Haitians and foreigners targeted. Seventeen members of a Christian missionary group were kidnapped in October 2021 near Port-au-Prince, though all were eventually released. Gang control of neighborhoods within the capital restricts movement even for residents.
Embassy locations include the United States Embassy on Tabarre 41 in Port-au-Prince, closed to routine services as of 2023 with only emergency functions maintained. Canadian and French embassies operate in similar capacitated states. The security environment forces diplomatic missions to limit public access and services.
Entry requirements mandate passports valid for the duration of stay. United States citizens do not require visas for stays under 90 days. Canadian citizens receive the same treatment. European Union citizens generally receive 90-day entry stamps on arrival. The Haitian government charges no entry fee at airports, though departure taxes of approximately 1,500 gourdes plus airport fees totaling around 50 United States dollars embed in ticket prices for most commercial flights. Overland entry from the Dominican Republic occurs at official crossings including Malpasse/Jimaní, Ouanaminthe/Dajabón, Belladère/Elías Piña, and Anse-à-Pitres/Pedernales.
Mobile networks operate through Digicel and Natcom, with Digicel holding dominant market position. SIM cards sell at airport kiosks and urban shops for minimal cost. Data packages cost approximately 250 to 500 gourdes for weekly plans with 1 to 2 gigabytes. Network coverage extends to cities and main highways but becomes unreliable in mountainous interior regions. Internet cafes that existed before smartphone proliferation have largely disappeared.