Port-au-Prince Map

Port Au Prince is the capital of the Caribbean country of Haiti and has a total population of over 900,000. It serves as the chief port and commercial center of the country.

Spain ruled the area from 1503 to 1606. In 1749 it was inhabited by the French and in 1770, it became the capital of Saint-Domingue replacing Cap-Français. In 1804, Haiti became independent and established Port Au Prince as its capital.

On 12th January 2010, an earthquake of a magnitude of 7.0 Richter devastated most of the city, including the seaport and airport, and also killed thousands of men. Further damage was caused by another earthquake of a magnitude of 5.9 Richter on 20th January 2010.

Geography :

Port Au Prince lies on the Gulf of Gonâve and is located in the southwestern part of Hispaniola Island. It is on the Cul de Sac plain with Santo Domingo about 250 km away from its eastern side. The metropolitan area is divided into several districts, better known as communes.

How to Reach (Transport) :

Toussaint Louverture International Airport serves the city and is well connected through various major airlines such as United American Airlines and Delta as well as flights from smaller destinations like The Dominican Republic, Cuba, and various other locations in the Caribbean. However, there are no railways connecting Port Au Prince.

The bus services of Caribe Tours, Capitol Coach Line, and Terra Bus; run very spacious buses on a daily basis to Port Au Prince. Another inexpensive and affordable mode is the Guagua (Dominican minibus), these run after every 45 minutes. To move around the city safely and comfortably, brightly painted pickup taxis called Tap-Taps serve the purpose.

When to Visit :

As the Haitian capital doesn’t witness very high or low seasons the best time to visit the city is weeks before Easter when major bands keep rehearsing in their spirited fervor on the streets of Port Au Prince. The Lent carnival in Jan-Feb also welcomes a jovial and colorful crowd.

Fairs and Festivals :

The culture of this country is mainly influenced by West Africa and France. While public holidays include Ancestry Day, Independence Day, and Armed Force Day, the following are some of the festivals celebrated in the area.

• The Haiti Carnival, celebrated in the month of February all over the country, is the most awaited Caribbean festival. It marks the beginning of the holiest time of the year and festivities include colorful parades accompanied by music and dance. Masked balls, elaborate costumes, extravagant floats, and blinding lights are typical features of this festival. Mardi-Gras, commonly known as Fat Tuesday marks the last day of the Carnival and is celebrated by preparing and consuming almost every variety of fat.
• Ash-Wednesday celebrated the day after Mardi-Gras, marks the start of the Penitential Season of Lent. This Season of Lent lasts for a period of 40 days during which Roman Catholics refrain from consuming any form of meat.
• Rara Festival celebrated every weekend during Lent, occurs before the Christian festival of Easter. Festivities include group singing, playing traditional instruments, and wild dancing.

Points of Interest (Places to Visit) :

Port Au Prince has become a popular tourist destination owing to its vivid historical and cultural sites. It’s a beautiful place with an array of locations to visit –

• The National Palace collapsed during a dangerous earthquake and remains to be the testimony of the destructive might of the quake. Adjacent to the palace is many tent cities.
• Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption- the largest Cathedral of the city which is down the roads from the palace. Residents of the country pray to the divine outside the cathedral’s broken husk.
• The Musee Du Pantheon National Haitien – For a meager $1, one can be led on an individual guide tour through the history of the nation. Each era is divided into a mutated section that contains paragon items of that period. Some of the structures are The Anchor of Santa Maria, The Chris Columbus Flagship, and the Centrepiece of Exploration Age.
• Boutillier – It’s situated at the peak of the highest point of Port-au-price. It’s a place of splendid beauty and the only way to get to this beautiful place is by a private driver. Here, you would witness a number of small-scale artists selling their creations.

Accommodation :

The cost for apartments, rentals, hotels and other utilities is average in comparison to various other places in the world. Some popular Hotel options are – Hotel Camayene is a small but clean hotel. Hotel Novotel Ghi Conakry is an affordable mid-range hotel with a good view, swimming pool, etc. Riviera Royal Hotel is a low-range hotel. Residence Schaka is a comfortable alternative to the hotels.