Named by the indigenous Tainos who lived on the island for 700 years before the arrival of Christopher Columbus in 1492, the “mountainous land”’s stunning topography is what, to this day, attracts visitors from around the world. From verdant peaks rising up to 2,763 meters on its southern and western sides, where abundant wildlife thrives, counting no less than 26 endemic birds species, impressive waterfalls, and a staggering 120 mango varieties.

Haiti knew a peak in tourism in the 1970’s, when a flight route from the Bahamas was created, enabling western European tour operators to offer trips to the island, before direct flights were introduced, naturally leading tourists towards neighbouring Dominican Republic.

Haiti has a tropical climate with temperatures varying according to the country’s altitude levels, and counts two rainy seasons, running from April to June and October to November. Due to the country’s deforestation issue, Haiti also suffers occasional floods and droughts. Port-au-Prince has a temperature range going from 23°C / 73°F to 31°C / 88°F in January and 25°C / 77°F to 35°C / 95°F in July, and has an annual rainfall of 137cm / 54 inches.

Unfortunately, later events including the 1985 Baby Doc departure as well as various embargos led to a decline in tourism that would irreversibly affect the country for the years to come. Furthermore, the October 2016 hurricane Matthew that hit the south and southwestern coast of the island, damaging tourism destinations such as Les Cayes and Jeremie.

However, the local economy still relies on tourism-related activities in less affected areas such as Port-au-Prince, Cap Haitien, and Cotes des Arcadins, that keep on attracting visitors year after year, making a great contribution in getting the country back on its feet.