Getting Around Haiti

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They call it a tap-tap, I call it an adventure! Crawl in or on these colorful truck/art canvases and they'll take you wherever you need to go. If you're looking for comfort or air conditioning, forget about it, but if you want a story to tell your grandkids, hop on! The drivers never miss a pothole and it appears as though the only traffic law is bigger goes first. Not sure what the cost is to ride in one.

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My wife and I arrived in Labadee via the Celebrity Silhouette. Labadee itself is the private destination for cruise ship passengers from Royal Caribbean and Celebrity cruises. Cruising is a fun, no worry way to island hop.

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The Columbus Cove Express is a tender boat that ferries cruise passengers from the cruise dock to the Columbus Cove area of Labadee. The boat ride is free and provides a nice water tour before arriving at the Cove.

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Exploring Labadee on foot was a great way to enjoy the island. If we took the tram we would have missed so many hidden areas of beach along the way; which would have been a shame; they were quite nice.

If coming from the United States, you will probably fly America Airlines (the only American carrier to PAP) or Air France (do this only if traveling LIGHT!). There are a couple of other foreign carriers from other countries in the area, but I don't know the names.
The best way to get around Port-au-Prince is by private vehicle. I would recommend traveling to Haiti only if you have friends, families, or other known contacts to visit. Public transportation consists of 'tap-taps' (pick-ups and trucks in which you tap on the side or window to let the driver know you want out) and taxis, which are little more than private vehicles usually overloaded with passengers.
While the use of these modes of transport is definitely an experience for the uninitiated, it is also very dangerous for foreigners.
There are those who will tell you that it is absolutely necessary to have a four-wheel drive in Haiti. This is true only if you plan to visit far into the interior (check with those that know the routes). For travel around Port-au-Prince any car with a reasonable ground clearance will do. Our 12 yr old VW Fox Wagen is a great car for PAP. It is small, inconspicuous and can climb any hill, or traverse just about every pothole. The roads to the beach resorts north of town are relatively easy to travel (watch your speed and look-out for those who don't) as is the road to Jacmel and the beaches there.

The airport can be a fun and a scary place all at the same time. I recommend that you hold onto your bags as tightly as possible when exiting the airport. You will be paying people money if they get ahold of your bag.
I recommend that you ride at least one tap-tap (the taxi) and one motorcycle (another form of a taxi). The ride is definately different than any experience that I have ever had before. I will never forget my first ride in either of them

At the time I was in Haiti, American Airlines had the monopoly on flights to Haiti. Flying between NYC and Port-au-Prince and Miami and PAP. I flew via Miami and the flight was short and uneventful--about two hours. The odd thing is that, even though the flight is so short, a hot meal was served. It seemed that the flight attendants were serving the meal before we even reached cruising altitude. This, although seemingly ordinary, was really bizarre. Also, because there was the one choice, service was bad and the attitude of the attendants to the Haitians was disgustingly condescending. Hopefully, American has begun cultural sensitivity and tolerance training...
Driving is agressive here so be prepared. Now, if I've sufficiently scared you off from driving, a fun, but just as daunting alternative is the tap-tap. A tap-tap is a colorful bus that's usually so crammed full of people that there are, literally, people hanging off of it. Combining the potholes and the breakneck speeds, it's really frightening to watch. It's an experience and I wish I could say it's a great way to meet the Haitians, but it's usually so cramped that conversation is somewhat difficult.

While in Haiti a rental is a great option, but unfortunately rentals in Haiti are very very expensive.
Avis is usually the best choice, which is by the airport. Memory rent car is also a good choice on Clercine before you reach Tabarre. Using public transportation is definitely not for the average person, you will experience fatigue from the heat and over crowding. And riding public transportation in Port-Au-Prince is not recommended for safety reasons.
If you want to visit the provinces the best option is flying. Tortugair airways is my personal favorite and I highly recommend flying with them. Prices are around $140USD round trip. There's also a new airline called Tropical Airways I used them once In February to go to the Carnival in Cap - Haitien.
Pricing is around $125USD.