About the Book
Sharing the island of Hispaniola with the Dominican Republic, Haiti is culturally the most African of Caribbean countries, and one that is largely unknown to visitors, except through popular clichés of aid dependency and Vodou culture. This is the only stand-alone guidebook on Haiti on the market and is packed with practical information covering accommodation, eateries, travel routes, wildlife and vodou. A comprehensive section on birdwatching and insightful information on Haiti's rich artistic and musical heritage ensure the guide appeals to both birdwatchers and cultural enthusiasts. Paul Clammer discusses the medicinal merits of Haitian rum, how to catch a Port-au-Prince taptap (bus) and how to check into the Graham Greene suite of the Hotel Oloffson.
Table of Contents:
Introduction vii
PART ONE GENERAL INFORMATION 1
Chapter 1 Background Information 3
Geography 3, Climate 4, Natural history and conservation 4, History 9, Government and politics 22, Economy 23, People 24, Language 27, Religion 28, Education 35, Culture 35
Chapter 2 Practical Information 47
When to visit 47, Highlights 47, Suggested itineraries 48, Tour operators 48, Tourist information 49, Red tape 49, Embassies and consulates 52, Getting there and away 52, Health 54, Safety 63, Women travellers 64, Gay/lesbian travellers 65, Disabled travellers 65, What to take 65, Money 66, Budgeting 68, Getting around 68, Accommodation 73, Eating and drinking 74, Public holidays and festivals 77, Shopping 80, Entertainment 81, Photography 81, Media and communications 82, Business 83, Living in Haiti 84, Cultural etiquette 86, Travelling positively 87
PART TWO THE GUIDE 93
Chapter 3 Port-au-Prince 95
History 95, Getting there and away 96, Orientation 97, Getting around 101, Tour operators 101, Where to stay 101, Where to eat 105, Entertainment and activities 108, Shopping 110, Other practicalities 112, What to see and do 114
Chapter 4 Around Port-au-Prince 127
South of Port-au-Prince 127, East of Port-au-Prince 132, North of Port-au-Prince 136, West of Port-au-Prince 139
Chapter 5 Southern Haiti 143
Jacmel 143, Towards the Dominican Republic border 154, Heading west from Jacmel 155, Aquin and Saint Louis du Sud 155, Les Cayes 157, Île-à-Vache 161, Port Salut 162, Port-à-Piment 164, Camp Perrin 166, Macaya National Park 167, Jérémie 167, Abricots 172, Dame Marie and Anse d'Hainault 173, Pestel 174
Chapter 6 Northern Haiti 175
Cap-Haïtien 175, Milot 184, Labadie 189, The Plaine du Nord 191, Limbé 193, Fort Liberté 194, Ouanaminthe 197, Port-de-Paix 197, Île de la Tortue 200, Môle Saint- Nicholas 201
Chapter 7 The Artibonite Valley and Central Plateau 207
Gonaïves 207, Saint-Marc 211, Marchand Dessalines 213, Petite Rivière de l'Artibonite and Deschapelles 214, Mirebalais 215, Hinche 217
Appendix 1 Language 221
Appendix 2 Further Information 225
Index 228
About the Author :
When Paul Clammer first visited Haiti in 2007 he carried with him plenty of the unfortunate media clichés about the country, from mysterious 'Vodou' to endless instability. The Haiti that revealed itself was far more interesting and exciting, and he's been travelling regularly ever since. To write the first edition of the Bradt guide - the first dedicated English guidebook to the country since the early 1980s - he based himself in Haiti for nine months, renting an apartment in Port-au-Prince. He is a big advocate for the role that socially-conscious tourism can play in the development of this emerging Caribbean destination. Follow him at www.facebook.com/HaitiTravelGuide for regular news and updates on Haitian travel.
Review :
'Bradt Travel Guides, with enthusiastic author, Paul Clammer, are filling a void with a new travel book devoted specifically to Haiti ..... packed full of practical information such as where to eat, how to ride public transportation....and insights about language and culture.'
Lakay Weekly, Haiti
Recommended reading by Wanderlust Travel Magazine
'An excellent guidebook.' i (The Independent)
Recommended reading by National Geographic Traveller
