Safety Tips in Haiti

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Though many people are extremely grateful when you come to Haiti.. one must be very careful. There are those that are so desperate in these times that kidnapping is very prevalent. White, female NGO workers were being kidnapped with their shuttle drivers. Drivers have been killed with the worker ransomed. Chances of this happening are greatly lessened by traveling with another person. The more people in the car, the better your chances of getting to your destination. Pockets of violence are still occurring and one should be alert at all times.

Be advised this is an active earthquake area and shocks are still felt.

At the time I traveled, there were not the health issues there are now... be wary and very careful to limit touching things as Cholera is epidemic right now. Basic sanitation is extremely limited.

I highly advise everyone to pay close attention to your countries travel warnings when considering a trip to Haiti at this time.

Fair warning, if you're riding in a tap-tap, expect a very bumpy ride. The streets in Haiti are littered with pot holes, and not just the kind that will wreck your cars alignment but the kind where you could lose someone if you're not careful...they're big and deep and I think the drivers aim right for the middle....

I don't know about now, but when I was there you HAD to take quinine to avoid getting malaria. Mosquitos are everywhere so check before you leave and be sure you have the medication you need. You will not want to seek out medical treatment there. As much as I had a just ok time there, I would never go back to Haiti.

How you conduct yourself determines the level of your own personal safety in Haiti or anywhere else.
Do NOT count on the embassy or local law enforcement to save you if you end up in a bad situation.
Personally I would feel safer in Port Au Prince than I would in Detroit USA, but that's me.
Hire locals as interpretors and guides and pay them fairly.
Sundays in Haiti are slow, It can be hard to get around in some areas, prepare.
Don't act like a greedy American and try and haggle these people down for something they are selling.
They may be desperately in need of money in exchange for their wares, however, they are proud people and you will offend them by being unreasonable in your effort to low-ball them.
Go to Mexico or China if you are looking to haggle.
Keep in mind if you are an American as I am that the world's communities perceive Americans much differently than ten or 20 years ago.
We are not liked, and I don't blame them.
If you can not be kind, careful, respectful and fair to other people in your travels to Haiti or to the local market in your own community, please just stay home and watch TV.

I know some very good guides, drivers and interpretors in Haiti, people who can be trusted and will greatly improve your chances of survival, I would be glad to assist you if you are a reasonable fair person.

Arlan

The City is very dirty, very crowded, a lot of porvety is present everywhere you go. The City of port au prince in general has a very particular odor that you wont forget. It does smell and badly.
Traffic in downtown is terrible, and most people drive very fast.
Kidnapping of local people is a way of living.

As soon as you leave customs you will meet "official taxis representatives"with badges etc.
They take you outside and a taxi comes. The agreed price is $30.00, but as soon as you leave the driver starts hassling you telling you it is $30.00 per person!! Thanks to bad reviewers we went to the Plaza which is no longer a hotel. Then he wanted 10 or 20 more to take us 10 blocks to the olofsson. Stand your ground. $30.00 is a lot of money in haiti. The guy wanted $70.00. I gave him $40.00 and told him to get lost. Better yet have your hotel send a driver.

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However, I don't know why there is a travel advisory. During the past year, we have spent nearly three weeks in Haiti, sometimes right in the heart of the capital, Port au Prince, and haven't even had a hint of problems. Although, I am sure that some have. We just did not, which made it more worry free for us.

Haiti does not feel as dangerous as the press makes it out to be, especially now that Rene Preval is president, but the one thing you need to watch out for is any kind of protest that happens. In a large crowd of political protesters, things can get dangerous.