Capital-	Port-au-Prince
Language Spoken-	French, Haitian Creole
Best Time to Visit-	Year-round, but watch out for hurricane season (August and September). Visit in February to attend Carnival!
Currency-	Gourde
Must Eat-	Poulet Creole (a saucy chicken dish) and du riz jonjon (rice and wild mushrooms)
Must Drink-	Cremas (coconut milk, rum and spices)
Learn to Say-	" mèsi anpil " (Thank You!)
Life in Haiti-	While French is widely spoken, Haitian Creole is the dominant language. Many in the hospitality industries speak English. When traveling to Haiti, it’s best to make contact with locals who can act as guides. The security situation is always uncertain, but Haiti can be a rich and rewarding visit if you take precautions and have an adventurous spirit!

Haiti occupies the western third of the island of Hispaniola, which it shares with the Dominican Republic. It has a rich history, having been home to Arawak Indians, then colonized by the Spanish (Christopher Columbus built the first European settlement here), then the French before a revolution brought independence in 1804. The country’s history is reflected in major historical sites like the Citadelle Lafferriere. The blending of Spanish, French and West African cultures is apparent in the Creole language, the rich and spicy local cuisines, and the very unique art and music of Haiti. The country is famous for voodoo, a combination of Catholic and West African religious traditions. An island vacation rental here will put you into a whole new world.
 
A few spots in Haiti are particular popular with visitors. One is Labadie, a peninsula with beautiful white sand looking out onto crystal blue waters. Much of the beach here is owned by Royal Caribbean Cruise Line. The swimming and snorkeling are excellent, and you can explore small islands like Amiga Island nearby. Canoe rental is available. Labadie is also great for shopping—visit the Artisans’ Market for paintings, sculptures and crafts by Haitian artists.
 
Nearby is the city of Cap-Haitian, once the colonial capital, where visitors can see incredible French architecture from centuries past. The city’s crowded open-air markets are another great place to shop for all kinds of local handicrafts as well as unexpected and surprising items from around the world.
 
A few miles away is the town of Milot, home of the Sans-Souci Palace. Built in 1810, this massive palace was home to Henri Christophe (also known as King Henri I). Nearby is the Citadelle Laferrière, a mountaintop fortress built by Henri Christophe in case the French attempted to retake the island. Its walls are 130 feet high, and the fortress floor covers 108,000 square feet, including towers, dungeons, baths, bakeries and piles of cannonballs. The Sans-Souci Palace and Citadelle Laferrière are both UN World Heritage Sites and are the most popular historical attractions in Haiti.
 
Jacmel is another popular destination. Once a bustling coffee port, this sleepy village of 15,000 is full of Victorian mansions and wrought iron balconies, an architectural style often compared to New Orleans. Now Jacmel is a great place to visit art galleries and shop for brightly-colored Haitian crafts, as well as enjoy the restaurants and nightclubs.
 
The capital, Port-au-Prince, features The Musée du Panthéon National Haïtien, offering a detailed tour of Haitian history, and visitors can see artifacts like the anchor of the flagship Santa Maria. Shopping in the crowded and bustling Marche en fer (Iron Market), you can find locally made crafts, clothing, sculptures and Carnival masks.
 
Haiti is an island vacation rental destination for the adventurous. The unique culture here is like nowhere else on Earth, and your visit is sure to be an experience you’ll never forget!