Haiti uses the gourde (HTG) as its official currency, but transactions frequently occur in US dollars, particularly in tourism-facing businesses and larger cities. The dual-currency practice creates confusion because locals often quote prices in "Haitian dollars," an informal unit worth five gourdes. When someone says 20 Haitian dollars, they mean 100 gourdes. You must clarify which unit the speaker means before any transaction. The gourde denominations include 10, 25, 50, 100, 250, 500, and 1000 notes, though smaller denominations circulate less frequently. Coins exist for 5, 10, 20, and 50 centimes, plus 1 and 5 gourde pieces, but merchants rarely use them.
Exchange rates fluctuate significantly. Major banks include Unibank, Sogebank, and Capital Bank, concentrated in Port-au-Prince and other urban centers with limited branches elsewhere. Banking hours typically run Monday through Friday from 0900 to 1500, though some urban branches extend to 1600 or open Saturday mornings. ATMs exist in Port-au-Prince, Cap-Haïtien, Pétionville, and other substantial towns, dispensing both gourdes and US dollars depending on the machine. Power outages frequently disable ATMs for hours or days. Card acceptance outside Port-au-Prince and major hotels remains minimal. Visa operates more widely than Mastercard where cards work at all.
Bring US dollars in cash as your primary funding method. Small denominations matter because many establishments cannot make change for hundred-dollar bills. Torn or marked US currency faces rejection. Banks exchange dollars to gourdes at rates slightly better than informal moneychangers, though moneychangers operate more conveniently near markets and transport hubs. Verify exchange rates before transactions because scams targeting foreigners occur. Count all currency immediately in the presence of the person handing it to you. Never exchange money on isolated streets.
Toussaint Louverture International Airport in Port-au-Prince handles the majority of international arrivals. Cap-Haïtien International Airport receives some flights from Miami and regional Caribbean destinations. Upon landing, immigration requires a valid passport with at least six months remaining validity. US, Canadian, and most European citizens do not need advance visas for stays under 90 days. Immigration officers stamp passports with entry dates. No formal tourist card system operates currently, though fees and requirements change without advance notice.
Airport infrastructure remains basic. Baggage claim operates slowly. Porters aggressively solicit business. The exchange counter in the arrivals hall exists but often lacks competitive rates or sufficient cash. A bank ATM sits inside the terminal but frequently runs empty or offline. The airport has no reliable left-luggage facility. Immigration and customs procedures involve handwritten forms and manual processing. Lines extend long during peak arrival times when multiple international flights land simultaneously.
Exit the terminal only after arranging transportation. The airport perimeter fills with unsolicited taxi drivers, many operating informal vehicles without proper licensing. Pre-arranged hotel transfers or using established services through your accommodation significantly reduces arrival friction. If you must arrange transport at the airport, confirm the price in writing before entering any vehicle and clarify whether the quote means US dollars, gourdes, or Haitian dollars.
Three primary mobile networks operate in Haiti: Digicel, Natcom, and Teleco. Digicel holds the largest market share and offers the widest geographic coverage, though service quality degrades rapidly outside Port-au-Prince, Cap-Haïtien, and major coastal towns. Coverage in mountainous interior regions including much of the Massif de la Selle and Massif du Nord remains absent or intermittent. You can purchase SIM cards at network shops in Port-au-Prince, Cap-Haïtien, and other cities, plus some small vendors near transport hubs. Bring your passport for registration, which vendors sometimes complete rigorously and other times skip entirely.
Prepaid credit loads onto accounts through scratch cards sold at street vendors, small shops, and network retail locations. Credit denominations start around 25 gourdes and extend to several hundred. Data packages cost approximately 50 to 200 gourdes for weekly plans with 500MB to 2GB depending on provider and current promotions. Network speeds rarely exceed 3G outside central Port-au-Prince and Pétionville. Plan communication around the assumption that you will lack reliable data service for extended periods. Download offline maps before arrival.
Internet cafés existed in Port-au-Prince and larger cities a decade ago but have mostly vanished as mobile internet expanded. Hotels catering to international guests typically offer WiFi, though quality varies from barely functional to moderately usable. Power outages interrupt all connectivity because backup generator use varies by establishment and duration of outage. Many businesses and restaurants in Port-au-Prince and Pétionville offer WiFi passwords to customers. Guest houses and smaller hotels outside major cities may lack internet entirely.