Travel to Cap Haitien from POP

ZMont Jolie, Roi Cristophe and the new one are the three hotels. To see? Most importantly Le Citadele and San Souci. Can't really think of much anything.

I would not really recommend such a trip. Sorry. Things are still tough and go and your safety on the trip from Ouanaminthe to Cap Haitien would be iffy...at best. Unless you can get a Haitian or to to escort you!!

HB

Cap Haitien is a short trip from the border. If you need a Haitian a have a few trustworthy friends that could accompany you provided you speak Spanish.

If you cross the border with people who know the area and the language, your potential risks drop big time. Of course, you have to take precautions as you would travelling to any third-world country, however, things in Cap are much more quiet in comparison to the capital, Port-au-Prince.

There are lodging options outside of the city of Cap that would take you to some of the most beautiful beaches that the Caribbean has to offer. Cormier Plage is a lovely place to visit...nice rooms, tasty and safe food/drinks, and plenty of gorgeous beach, English speaking owners as well. There is also Labadee, the private beach area where the cruise ships stop. You can purchase a day-pass to enter and visit the sites and shops there.

Of course, the Citadelle and the Cathedral in Cap are worth seeing and could be done so within 1 to 2 days, that is really all you need in the city itself. It's the beaches that make the trip across the border worthwhile. They are, by far, some of the most beautiful I have seen in all of the Caribbean and Central America.

Google Cormier as well as the hotels listed in the other postings to see additional photos and reviews. The Mont Joli has nice, simple rooms and a nice pool with a killer view of the bay as the hotel is slightly above the city. If you would like to rent a nice small cabana inside of Labadee, PM me and I will send you the contact info for a nice Canadian man that rents properties there.

If you are referencing the US Gov Travel Warnings, Haiti will never be safe to visit. I suggest that you find a contact that could guide you in the right direction. Would be happy to assist!

Cap Haitien is where i live and it is a quiet place but has so very nice places and things to do in and around okap/ ((Cap Haitien)),
there are several disco techs that have compas music and zouk acts in the carrinage area, as well as the lakay restaurant that has live music and DJs from time to time and also has great food.
the christoph hotel is a good place to socialize and meet both Haitian and foreign element in the area at there bar/restaurant.
there are several parks and historic sites and fort picolet and several historic ruins lay on the out skirts of cap haitien you can visit.
labadee beach resort is near by but i think the only way you can enter the resort is to be with the caribbean cruise line right now.
go to cormier plage resort that is right near labadee.
many good deals in shoping downtown and in the market area.
milot is near b and milot several historic ruins and a cultural center it is a place worth checking out.
there are a few other things but. if you need a guide/translator send me a personal message i would be glad to help.

Is travel to Cap Haitien for a 2 or 3 day vacation trip still questionable?
Either driving ourselves or bus from Santiago?

CFA123 said:

Is travel to Cap Haitien for a 2 or 3 day vacation trip still questionable? YES

Either driving ourselves or bus from Santiago?

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Yes, it is still not a good idea. No to driving yourself, not possible. If you go, the Caribe tours bus is the best way, by far.

RV429 said:

Yes, it is still not a good idea.

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I'm sorry, but where do you take this information from? Have you been to Haiti yet? I just traveled from POP to Cap-Haitian: I took a publico to Navarrete, from there a Bus to Dajabon and crossed the border. On the dominican side I had to pay 20 US$ (I don't know why, but I guess just because they can...) and on the haitian side 1 US$. It was totally straight forward although it was a friday (market day).
I dont speak creol and french neither... So I asked a motoconcho driver in spanish to bring me to the bus to Cap-Haitian. It was a 3 hour bus ride to Cap-Haitian. I didnt feel unsafe at all.
In Cap-Haitian I stayed to nights, visited the ruins north of the city and la Citadelle.
I really don't get why people say it is soooo dangerous. Of course you should use your common sense like in all third-world countries, but that's it!

Since you are evidently Dominican, I can see why you were able to get through this trip. Try and imagine a white, English-speaking tourist trying to do this. It is not really a wise or sensible thing to do. You can take a direct bus to Cape Haitian from Santiago. That is doable.
We are not saying it can't be done, we are saying that you have to be very careful if you decide to do it.

HB & others

What a bus!

RV429 said:

Yes, it is still not a good idea. No to driving yourself, not possible. If you go, the Caribe tours bus is the best way, by far.

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We took the Caribe Tours bus out of Santiago to Cap Haitian 2 years ago and were very impressed! NOT your ordinary bus! It was like flying first class in a plane. One row of seats consisted of 3 wide, comfortable, fully adjustable seats. The capacity of this bus was 25-26 passengers. It even had an attendant who brought you sandwiches and beverages, no alcholic beverages tho. Never dreamed one could travel to Cap Haitian in that level of luxury and comfort. Road from Dajabon to Cap Haitian is great, nice, new asphalt. Lots of slowing down tho due to speed bumps spaced every 2 miles or so. Stayed and ate at the Mont Joli. The bartender, Tony, set us up with a guy who speaks 5 languages and had a huge, safari style Land Cruiser. Saw the Citadel and Sans Souci. Incredible! Went to Cormier Plage. Fairly long drive on a really bad road but was worth it as this is a really neat place. Beautiful beach, good food, and modern, clean accomodations...if you want to stay there.

Please remember that this info is 2 years old and some things may have changed in that much time. It was a great trip then and we plan on going again when we get back to the DR this January. PM me if you have any questions about the trip.

Is it possible to drive across the border at Dajabon?

Hillbilly said:

Since you are evidently Dominican, I can see why you were able to get through this trip. Try and imagine a white, English-speaking tourist trying to do this. It is not really a wise or sensible thing to do. You can take a direct bus to Cape Haitian from Santiago. That is doable.
We are not saying it can't be done, we are saying that you have to be very careful if you decide to do it.

HB & others

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No, I'm actually not Dominican, but a white, English(and Spanish)-speaking tourist and 20 years old.

@kimbjorkland you mean with your own vehicle? It's not that easy, you need a special permission from the Haitian Embassy if I got that right...

Thank you. Would you know if it's possible to drive someone elses car across the border? ie. would they give the said 'permission' with that scenario?

I have been traveling to Haiti since 1987, and have never experienced a problem. Cap Haitien is really trying to build up its tourist market and there is supposed to be a new airport built to enhance flights from the US, Canada, and other parts of the Caribbean, such as San Juan, PR. you won't experience any issues going to Haiti.

sirlurksalot said:

We took the Caribe Tours bus out of Santiago to Cap Haitian 2 years ago and were very impressed! NOT your ordinary bus!

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Apparently the bus from Santiago no longer operating. Route listed on schedule, but "no disponible". Thereare buses from Santiago to Dajabon for RD$200. I gather from martes-dr's post that you can get transport there for rest of trip.

Day Trip to La Citadelle?

Now that there's a new highway (I've read) between Dajabon and oCap, is it possible to:

1. cross border really early
2. see la citadelle
3. get back to fronterra before it closes?

has anyone tried this as a day trip?

martes_dr said:

I'm sorry, but where do you take this information from? Have you been to Haiti yet? I just traveled from POP to Cap-Haitian: I took a publico to Navarrete, from there a Bus to Dajabon and crossed the border. On the dominican side I had to pay 20 US$ (I don't know why, but I guess just because they can...) and on the haitian side 1 US$. It was totally straight forward although it was a friday (market day).
I dont speak creol and french neither... So I asked a motoconcho driver in spanish to bring me to the bus to Cap-Haitian. It was a 3 hour bus ride to Cap-Haitian. I didnt feel unsafe at all.
In Cap-Haitian I stayed to nights, visited the ruins north of the city and la Citadelle.
I really don't get why people say it is soooo dangerous. Of course you should use your common sense like in all third-world countries, but that's it!

Click to expand...

Do you know of any regional flights that can take me from POP to Cap-Haitian?