Haiti is currently designated as a Level 4: Do Not Travel destination by international travel advisories due to widespread kidnapping, rampant crime, ongoing civil unrest, and severely limited healthcare infrastructure. This advisory reflects a significantly deteriorated security situation, particularly since March 2024, with the country under a declared State of Emergency.
The prevalence of violent crime, often involving firearms, is a critical concern throughout Haiti. Travelers face substantial risks from robbery, carjackings, and sexual assault. However, kidnapping poses the most pervasive and acute threat. It is not an exaggeration to state that kidnapping in Haiti is rampant and indiscriminate. U.S. citizens are frequently targeted, and these incidents have tragically resulted in harm and even death. Kidnapping operations range from meticulously planned schemes by organized groups to opportunistic attacks on random individuals. Even seemingly secure travel arrangements like convoys are not immune to these dangers. Ransom demands are almost always a component of kidnapping cases, forcing families to expend considerable sums, often thousands of dollars, for the release of their loved ones.
Beyond targeted criminal acts, Haiti is plagued by unpredictable and often violent civil unrest. Protests, demonstrations, and roadblocks are commonplace, disrupting daily life and frequently escalating into violence. These events often cause significant damage to essential infrastructure and can quickly become dangerous. A particularly alarming trend is the increase in mob violence, with public assaults and killings targeting suspected criminals, further contributing to the climate of fear and instability.
The Toussaint Louverture International Airport in Port-au-Prince, the nation’s capital, is not exempt from the pervasive insecurity. It has become a focal point for armed criminal activity. Armed robberies within and around the airport vicinity are frequent. Carjackers prey on vehicles immobilized in traffic, with lone drivers, especially women, being particularly vulnerable. The severity of this risk is underscored by the U.S. Embassy’s stringent policy requiring its personnel to utilize official transportation for all airport transits.
Land travel between Haiti and the Dominican Republic via the border is also explicitly discouraged due to the high risk of kidnapping and violent attacks. These dangers are not confined to remote areas; they extend along major roads connecting Haitian cities to the Dominican border. It is crucial to understand that the U.S. Embassy provides extremely limited consular services in Haiti and cannot assist U.S. citizens attempting to enter the Dominican Republic through unofficial border crossings. Furthermore, individuals crossing into the Dominican Republic irregularly may face substantial immigration penalties if they attempt to depart. Maritime travel is also fraught with risk. The U.S. Coast Guard has expressed serious security concerns regarding Haitian ports, advising mariners and passengers to exercise extreme caution when navigating or utilizing these facilities.
The capacity of the U.S. government to provide assistance to U.S. citizens in Haiti is severely constrained by the security environment. Local law enforcement and emergency services are often under-resourced and lack the capability to effectively respond to emergencies or serious criminal incidents. Compounding these security challenges are critical shortages of essential resources throughout Haiti, including gasoline, electricity, vital medicines, and basic medical supplies. Both public and private healthcare facilities, including clinics and hospitals, frequently suffer from shortages of trained medical staff and lack fundamental resources. Critically, they typically demand upfront payment in cash for any services rendered.
Reflecting the extreme security risks, U.S. government personnel in Haiti operate under stringent security protocols, including a nightly curfew and a strict prohibition on walking in public areas of Port-au-Prince. Their movements are heavily restricted throughout the country. Furthermore, U.S. government personnel are forbidden from utilizing any form of public transportation or taxis, visiting banks or using ATMs, driving at night or traveling anywhere after dark, and undertaking any travel without prior authorization and robust security measures.
If you are contemplating travel to Haiti despite these severe warnings, it is imperative to acknowledge the significant risks and take extreme precautions. However, given the current security landscape, the strongest possible advice is to defer all travel to Haiti at this time.
Should you decide to proceed with travel against this advisory, the following safety measures are crucial:
- Avoid all demonstrations and crowds. Never attempt to navigate through roadblocks.
- Pre-arrange airport transfers and accommodations. Ensure your hotel is booked in advance and confirm airport pick-up, or have a trusted host meet you directly upon arrival.
- Be extremely cautious about sharing personal information, especially with individuals not in official uniforms or without clear credentials. Criminal elements often operate in airport areas, including immigration and customs zones, seeking to exploit travelers.
- If you suspect you are being followed after leaving the airport, proceed immediately to the nearest police station.
- Minimize time spent walking in public by using vehicles for transportation.
- Travel in groups whenever possible. Avoid traveling alone under any circumstances.
- Always keep vehicle doors locked and windows fully closed while driving.
- Maintain heightened vigilance and situational awareness, particularly when driving through markets and densely populated areas.
- Do not resist or fight back if confronted during a robbery. Resistance significantly increases the risk of violence and serious injury.
- Acquire comprehensive travel insurance that includes medical evacuation coverage prior to your trip.
- Thoroughly review resources on travel to high-risk areas provided by your government’s travel advisory services.
- Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security alerts and facilitate location in case of emergency.
- Stay informed by following official government travel advisory updates on social media platforms and websites.
- Consult the Country Security Report on Haiti for detailed and up-to-date security information.
In conclusion, the security situation in Haiti is exceptionally volatile and dangerous. Travel is strongly discouraged. If travel is unavoidable, meticulous planning, extreme caution, and constant vigilance are paramount. Prioritize your safety and well-being above all else. Ensure you have a robust contingency plan in place to address potential emergency situations and carefully review traveler checklists before departure. Staying informed and prepared is your best defense in navigating the serious risks present in Haiti.
