'''Cap-Haitien''' is the second largest city in Haiti. It lies along a bay on the northern coast of the country. When Haiti was the French colony of Saint Domingue, as Cap Parisien the city was the colony's capital. Following independence, it was briefly the capital of the monarchy established in Haiti's North by King Henri Christophe. The country was unified upon Christophe's death in 1820, and the capital moved to Port-au-Prince.

Get in

By plane

'''Lynx Air''' [http://lynxair.com] flies from Fort Lauderdale and Miami to Cap Haitien. Missionary Flights International [http://www.missionaryflights.org/] also flies to Cap from Florida but only affiliated missionaries are their guests are welcome aboard. Other international airlines serving Cap-Haitien include Sky King, Turks and Caicos Air and Pine-apple Air.

The international airport is a few miles out. Taxi drivers will ask for up to $20 to take you into town. $10 or even $5 is more reasonable. The airport is small and has very few facilities: no ATM, for instance.

Get around

The city is small and compact enough that you can walk most places. There are, however, many taxis and motor-taxis available.

See

French colonial architecture housing shops and restaurants line the down town streets, and there is a wide promenade along the bay offering a nice view and sea air.

The Cathedral and Grand Place.

The nearby city of Milot is the gateway to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Sans Souci and the Citadelle Henri Christophe.

Do

Buy

Market places dot the city with frenetic hustle and bustle.

Sidewalks are crammed with vendors selling everything from charcoal to second hand bicycles fresh from Miami by boat.

Eat

There are various restaurants, notably perhaps Lakay.

Drink

Sleep

Lodging

  • Hostellerie du Roi Christophe. ue 24 B. 011 509 262-0349 / +011 509 262-0414. A former colonial mansion relatively near the center of town. Rooms start at c. $75/night. Wireless internet. With bar and hotel restaurant.
  • Hotel Beck. 011 509 262-0001.
  • Hotel Imperial. 011 509 262-0171 / +011 509 262-0534.
  • Hotel Mont Joli. ue 29 B. 011 509 262-0326 / +011 509 262-0300.

    Stay safe and healthy

    General warnings about Haiti are true also for Cap-Haitien, though the city is on the whole safer than Port-au-Prince.

    Get out

    A tap-tap to Milot will cost around HTG 15 ($.45).

    A taxi to the airport from the town will cost around HTG 100, or $2.50. On leaving, you will be required to pay taxes of $28 in cash dollars. NB there is no ATM at the airport.