Medical emergencies
Call 113.
We advise:
Do not travel to Haiti overall due to the very high levels of violent crime, kidnapping and the volatile security situation, as well as severe shortages of basic necessities including fuel, water and food.
Call 113.
We advise:
Do not travel to Haiti overall due to the very high levels of violent crime, kidnapping and the volatile security situation, as well as severe shortages of basic necessities including fuel, water and food.
Do not travel to Haiti.
Do not travel to Haiti due to the very high levels of violent crime, kidnapping and the volatile security situation, as well as severe shortages of basic necessities such as fuel, potable water and food.
Full travel advice: Safety
Full travel advice: Health
Full travel advice: Local laws
Full travel advice: Travel
Full travel advice: Local contacts
Violent crime is common, including against tourists and expats. Incidents include:
Your risk increases at night and in isolated areas.
Police have very limited resources to respond and help.
Hotspots for violent crime include:
Thieves target travellers who've just arrived in the country. They may try to distract you to steal your passport and valuables.
Criminal gangs have roadblocked areas around Port-au-Prince and on national highways to steal from car passengers.
To protect yourself from crime:
If you're attacked or robbed, don't resist. Criminals are often armed, and you can be seriously injured or killed.
If you're a victim of violent crime, especially sexual assault, get immediate medical help. The risk of HIV/AIDS infection is high.
Other crime
People leaving banks are targets for thieves on motorcycles. Avoid withdrawing or carrying large amounts of money.
Public transport is unsafe. Avoid:
Be careful dealing with strangers or people you've just met. Be wary of people hanging around near your hotel.
Cyber security
You may be at risk of cyber-based threats during overseas travel to any country. Digital identity theft is a growing concern. Your devices and personal data can be compromised, especially if you're connecting to Wi-Fi, using or connecting to shared or public computers or to Bluetooth.
Social media can also be risky in destinations where there are social or political tensions, or laws that may seem unreasonable by Australian standards. Travellers have been arrested for things they have said on social media. Don't comment on local or political events on your social media.
More information:
Demonstrations and protests
The political situation is very unstable. There's a constant risk of violence and social unrest.
Limit your movements. Monitor local media to stay informed on the evolving situation. Avoid areas where demonstrations and large gatherings are taking place. Follow the instructions of local authorities.
There are ongoing violent protests, roadblocks, and food and fuel shortages.
Local authorities, including the police, may be unable to control the developing situation or to help you.
Carry your proof of identity and documents for your vehicle in case you pass a security checkpoint.
Roadblocks are common, particularly in Port-au-Prince and on major highways.
To protect yourself during periods of unrest:
More information:
Kidnappings are common in Haiti. Since September 2020, hundreds of foreign nationals have been abducted. Victims have included missionaries, aid workers and children. Most victims are released in exchange for ransom. In some cases, victims have disappeared or been killed. Be aware of your surroundings and be extremely vigilant wherever you are in Haiti.
If you travel to Haiti despite our advice, consider organising professional security arrangements and have contingency plans prepared.
Be careful in the waters around Haiti. You risk piracy and assault in these areas.
The Australian Government's longstanding policy is that it doesn't make payments or concessions to kidnappers.
More information:
Haiti experiences natural disasters and severe weather, such as:
Emergency services can't deal with major disasters. Be ready to leave at short notice. Keep your travel documents current.
To protect yourself if a natural disaster is approaching:
More information:
Hurricanes and severe weather
The hurricane season is from June to November. Tropical storms and hurricanes can happen any time of year.
Heavy rainfalls can cause flooding, landslides and mudslides, disrupting essential services and infrastructure.
If you're travelling during hurricane season, ask your tour operator if tourist services at your destination have been affected. Check for updates from the US National Hurricane Center. The direction and strength of hurricanes can change suddenly.
If there's a hurricane or severe storm:
Severe weather may also affect:
If a hurricane is approaching:
More information:
Earthquakes and tsunamis
Haiti is in an earthquake zone. Earthquakes may happen. Get information from the United States Geological Survey.
Infrastructure from a 2010 earthquake is still damaged, including:
Damaged water and sewerage systems have increased disease outbreaks.
Tsunamis
Tsunamis may occur in Haiti. A tsunami can arrive within minutes of a tremor or earthquake. Be alert to warnings.
Register with the Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System to receive tsunami alerts.
If you're near the coast, move immediately to high ground if advised by local authorities, or if you:
Get comprehensive travel insurance before you leave.
Your policy needs to cover all overseas medical costs, including medical evacuation. The Australian Government won't pay for these costs.
If you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel. This applies to everyone, no matter how healthy and fit you are.
If you're not insured, you may have to pay many thousands of dollars up-front for medical care.
Confirm:
Consider your physical and mental health before you travel, especially if you have an existing medical condition.
See your doctor or travel clinic to:
Do this at least 8 weeks before you leave.
If you have immediate concerns for your welfare or the welfare of another Australian, call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305 or contact your nearest Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate to discuss counselling hotlines and services available in your location.
More information:
Not all medication available over the counter or by prescription in Australia is available in other countries. Some may even be considered illegal or a controlled substance, even if prescribed by an Australian doctor.
If you plan to bring medication, check if it's legal in Haiti. Take enough legal medication for your trip.
Carry a copy of your prescription or a letter from your doctor stating:
More information:
The rate of HIV/AIDS infection is high. Use protection if you participate in activities that put you at risk of infection.
Insect-borne diseases
Illnesses spread by insects are common, especially during the wet season from June to December.
Disease risks include:
Zika virus is widespread. If you're pregnant, the Australian Department of Health recommends you:
To protect yourself from disease:
Get medical advice if you have a fever, muscle pain, rash or bad headache.
More information:
Cholera and other infectious diseases
Waterborne, foodborne and other infectious diseases are common. These include:
Serious outbreaks sometimes occur.
Cholera is an ongoing risk in parts of Haiti. Cholera causes diarrhoea and vomiting. It can be fatal if left untreated.
To protect yourself from illness:
If you're bitten or scratched by an animal, get medical help immediately.
Get medical advice if you have a fever or diarrhoea.
An earthquake in 2010 severely damaged hospitals and continues to put a strain on medical facilities. As a result:
Medical facilities are scarce and well below Australian standards.
Private medical care can be expensive. Doctors and hospitals will ask you to pay cash before treating you.
If you become seriously ill or injured, you may need to be evacuated to a place with suitable facilities. Medical evacuation can be very expensive.
You're subject to all local laws and penalties, including those that may appear harsh by Australian standards. Research local laws before travelling.
If you're arrested or jailed, the Australian Government will do what it can to help you under our Consular Services Charter. But we can't get you out of trouble or out of jail.
Penalties for drug offences are severe. They include fines and long prison sentences in local jails. Prison conditions in Haiti are very poor.
More information:
Same-sex relationships are legal. No laws restrict the rights of LGBTI people or groups, but anti-LGBTI attitudes exist.
LGBTI travellers may face:
More information:
Some Australian criminal laws still apply when you’re overseas. If you break these laws, you may face prosecution in Australia.
More information:
More information:
Every country or territory decides who can enter or leave through its borders. For specific information about the evidence you'll need to enter a foreign destination, check with the nearest embassy, consulate or immigration department of the destination you're entering.
Entry and exit conditions can change at short notice. You should contact the nearest embassy or consulate of Haiti for the latest details.
Travellers must provide a COVID-19 vaccination certificate before boarding a flight to Haiti.
You'll need to pay an arrival fee at Toussaint Louverture International Airport.
You won't have to pay the fee if you're:
You must pay a tourist fee if you cross the land border from the Dominican Republic. You must pay cash in US dollars.
If you plan to do volunteer work in Haiti, arrange a placement before you arrive. You'll be unlikely to find a placement when you get there.
Travel via the United States
If you're travelling to Haiti through the US, you must also meet US entry or transit requirements.
Check your visa requirements with a US embassy or consulate before travelling.
More information:
Yellow fever vaccination
You may need a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate to enter Haiti. Some airlines may want to see one when you leave.
Find out about returning to Australia after exposure to yellow fever.
More information
Validity
Some countries won't let you enter unless your passport is valid for 6 months after you plan to leave that country. This can apply even if you're just transiting or stopping over.
Some foreign governments and airlines apply the rule inconsistently. Travellers can receive conflicting advice from different sources.
You can end up stranded if your passport is not valid for more than 6 months.
The Australian Government doesn't set these rules. Check your passport's expiry date before you travel. If you're not sure it'll be valid for long enough, consider getting a new passport.
Lost or stolen passport
Your passport is a valuable document. It's attractive to people who may try to use your identity to commit crimes.
Some people may try to trick you into giving them your passport. Always keep it in a safe place.
If your passport is lost or stolen, tell the Australian Government as soon as possible:
In Australia, contact the Australian Passport Information Service.
If you're overseas, contact the nearest Australian embassy or consulate.
Passport with X gender identifier
Although Australian passports comply with international standards for sex and gender, we can't guarantee that a passport showing 'X' in the sex field will be accepted for entry or transit by another country. Contact the nearest embassy, high commission or consulate of your destination before you arrive at the border to confirm if authorities will accept passports with 'X' gender markers.
More information:
The basic currency is the Gourde (HTG). US dollars are also widely accepted.
Exchange US dollars or traveller's cheques at established banks. Some banks accept other foreign currencies.
Don't change money on the street.
Driving permit
You can drive in Haiti with your:
You must get your IDP before leaving Australia.
Road travel
Road travel is dangerous in Haiti.
Hazards include:
Avoid taking public transport or driving after dark. You may be forced to make a detour into a dangerous area.
Avoid driving during bad weather, even in the city.
Keep your fuel tank at least half full. Fuel supply is often disrupted.
Carry a mobile phone and emergency contact numbers with you. Roadside assistance services are lacking. Mobile phone coverage is patchy in rural areas.
You can drive between the Dominican Republic and Haiti at 4 crossing points, but the queues are long. Ensure you and other passengers have the correct vehicle and travel documents.
Sometimes, criminals dressed as police officers carjack vehicles close to the border on Dominican roads. See Safety
More information:
Sea travel
If you take the ferry, keep an eye on your belongings.
Don't board a vessel that looks overloaded or unsafe.
More information:
Air travel
DFAT doesn't provide information on the safety of individual commercial airlines or flight paths.
Check Haiti's air safety profile with the Aviation Safety Network.
More information:
Depending on what you need, contact your:
Always get a police report when you report a crime.
Your insurer should have a 24-hour emergency number.
Call 113.
Check the Consular Services Charter for what the Australian Government can and can't do to help you overseas.
Australia doesn’t have an embassy in Haiti. The Canadian Embassy in Port-au-Prince provides consular help for Australians under the Canada-Australia Consular Services Sharing Agreement.
Passport services are provided by the Australian High Commission in Trinidad and Tobago. You can also get consular help from the Australian High Commission in Trinidad and Tobago.
Canadian Embassy, Port-au-Prince
Delmas between Delmas 75 and 71
Port-au-Prince
Haiti
Phone: (+11 509) 2812 9000
Fax: (+11 509) 2249 9920
Email: prnce@international.gc.ca
Website: www.canadainternational.gc.ca/haiti
Check the Canadian High Commission website for details about opening hours and any temporary closures.
Australian High Commission, Port of Spain
18 Herbert Street, St Clair
Port of Spain
Trinidad and Tobago
Phone: +1 868 235 7950
Email: ahc.portofspain@dfat.gov.au
Website: trinidadandtobago.highcommission.gov.au
Facebook: AusHighComTT
Check the High Commission website for details about opening hours and any temporary closures.
24-hour Consular Emergency Centre
In a consular emergency, if you can't contact an embassy, call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on:
Be the first to know official government advice when travelling.