Local Laws

CRIMINAL PENALTIES: While you are traveling in Haiti, you are subject to its laws. Foreign laws and legal systems can be vastly different than our own. In some places you may be taken in for questioning if you don’t have your passport with you. In some places, it is illegal to take pictures of certain buildings. In some places driving under the influence could land you immediately in jail. These criminal penalties vary from country to country. There are also some things that might be legal in the country you visit, but still illegal in the United States, and you can be prosecuted under U.S. law if you buy pirated goods. Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime prosecutable in the United States. If you break local laws in Haiti, your U.S. passport will not help you avoid arrest or prosecution. It’s very important to know what’s legal and what’s not where you are going.

Persons violating Haiti's laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested or imprisoned. Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Haiti are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines. The judicial process in Haiti is usually extremely slow; progress is often dependent on considerations not related to the specific case, including personal disputes. Detainees have waited months or years for their cases to be heard before a judge or to have legal decisions acted upon by the authorities. Bond is not usually available to those arrested for serious crimes and as a result suspects often remain in custody for many months before formal indictment. Judges have more or less unfettered freedom to detain individuals for prolonged periods of time without the possibility of release or sanctions.

To bring a firearm into Haiti, it is incumbent upon the owner to obtain written permission IN ADVANCE from the Director-General of the Haitian National Police (HNP) at www.policehaiti.com   They may also be reached at cropnh@yahoo.fr or by telephone at 509-3835-1111.  Haitian Customs will confiscate any firearms brought into the country without prior written permission from the HNP Director-General. 

Based on the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, bilateral agreements with certain countries, and customary international law, if you are arrested in Haiti, you have the option to request that the police, prison officials, or other authorities alert the U.S. Embassy of your arrest, and to have communications from you forwarded to the U.S. Embassy.

SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES: The official currency of Haiti is the gourde (pronounced “gude”, rhymes with “food”), which has a fluctuating exchange rate. Visitors will notice that establishments in Haiti price items in gourdes, U.S. dollars, or in an unofficial currency known as the “Haitian dollar.” (One Haitian dollar is equivalent to five gourdes.) It is always a good idea to clarify with vendors which currency -- the gourde, Haitian dollar, or U.S. dollar -- is being used in a given transaction, as price tags often bear a number without indicating currency. The currency itself shows a value in gourdes. U.S. dollars are the currency of choice at the Labadee Beach cruise ship port-of-call.

Travelers' checks are often difficult to change in Haiti, but credit cards are accepted at many restaurants and shops and some establishments accept or cash personal checks. At least one local bank chain has ATMs around Port-au-Prince that are compatible with some U.S. ATM cards. These ATMs are frequently out-of-order and there have been reports of overcharging and robberies at the ATMs.

Haiti, like most Caribbean countries, can be affected by hurricanes and other storms. Hurricane season runs from approximately June 1 - November 30 each year. In August 2012, Hurricane Isaac swept through southern Haiti causing flash flooding, and in October 2012, Hurricane Sandy hit.  The combination of drought and hurricanes destroyed many crops in 2012, contributing to food security issues. The Government of Haiti led a professional and organized response during and following Hurricane Sandy. Nevertheless, the lack of infrastructure and rescue services, combined with impassable roads and bridges, hindered rescue and relief efforts.

Daily weather information in Haiti is available from national and international media. The Haitian meteorological service provides hurricane warnings via national radio. Local media broadcast most information only in Creole and/or French. Warnings are also available on the internet from many sources, one of which is the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). General information about natural disaster preparedness is available from the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Real Estate: Real estate investments in Haiti require a high level of caution, as property rights are irregularly enforced and  clear title to land is very difficult to obtain. Title searches in Haiti may not undergo the same rigorous examination as in the United States. Consult with a reputable attorney before signing documents or closing on any real estate transactions.  U.S. citizen property owners have been the subject of both legal and physical takeover attempts. Absentee landlords and absentee owners of undeveloped land are particularly vulnerable.

Squatters, sometimes supported by governmental or non-governmental organizations, have invaded properties belonging to U.S. citizens, threatening violence and blocking the owners from entering their property. In some instances, U.S. citizen landowners were physically assaulted by squatters or armed gangs sent by rival landowners. On several occasions, U.S. citizens have faced lawsuits founded on false documentation that result in costly, protracted court proceedings. Litigation can last for years, preventing any productive use of the property. Eviction of squatters can also take years. The U.S. Embassy does not generally attend property dispute hearings on behalf of U.S. citizens and encourages you to take the necessary steps to safeguard your investment by researching the situation thoroughly beforehand. The Embassy maintains a list of attorneys on its website that can be consulted should legal representation be necessary.

WOMEN TRAVELER INFORMATION: If you are a woman traveling abroad, please review our travel tips for Women Travelers.

LGBT RIGHTS: While there are no laws in Haiti restricting the rights of LGBT individuals or advocacy groups, anti-LGBT sentiment exists.  Persons openly identified as LGBT may be targeted for harassment, discrimination, or physical attacks. LGBT travelers should review the LGBT Travel Information page.

ACCESSIBILITY: While in Haiti, individuals with disabilities may find accessibility and accommodation very different from what is found in the United States. Businesses and institutions in Haiti generally do not make special accommodation for persons with disabilities. Additionally, Haitian authorities do not effectively enforce laws mandating access to transportation, communication, and public buildings by persons with disabilities.

Pedestrian sidewalks and walkways are limited and, when present, are frequently congested by sidewalk commerce and often end abruptly, causing accidents. Accommodations and reduced fares on public transportation are not offered for elderly individuals or persons with disabilities. Pedestrian crosswalks are rarely established and are not adhered to, creating risk for pedestrians traversing roads in both business and residential areas.