Safety and Security

While hundreds of thousands of U.S. citizens safely visit Haiti every year, the Department of State urges U.S. citizens to be mindful of the security situation and weak emergency response infrastructure while in country.

Many U.S. citizens come to Haiti to contribute to humanitarian efforts in country. If you intend to work for an organization involved in humanitarian efforts, be aware that living conditions are difficult. You should confirm that the organization has the capability to provide safe transportation and secure shelter for its paid and volunteer workers and that can demonstrate it has solid infrastructure, evacuation options, and medical support systems in place.

Kidnapping of U.S. citizens has been in decline as the overall national rate has decreased. Five cases were recorded in 2013 and one in 2014. Most kidnappings are financial crimes of opportunity and kidnappers make no distinctions based on nationality, race, gender, or age. While the Haitian National Police (HNP) and the UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) personnel patrol many areas, travel within Port-au-Prince can be particularly challenging and certain areas of the city have more crime. U.S. Embassy personnel are under an embassy-imposed curfew of 1:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m. and must remain in their homes or in another safe location during the curfew. This may constrain the Embassy’s ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in Haiti.

Many areas are off-limits to embassy staff. Embassy employees are prohibited from entering Cite Soleil and La Saline and their surrounding environs due to significant criminal activity. Other high-crime zones in the Port-au-Prince area are Croix-des-Bouquets, Carrefour, Martissant, the port road (Boulevard La Saline), urban route Nationale #1, route Nationale #9, the airport road (Boulevard Toussaint L'Ouverture) and its adjoining connectors to the New ("American") Road via Route Nationale #1.

This latter area in particular has been the scene of numerous robberies, car-jackings, and murders. Neighborhoods in Port-au-Prince once considered relatively safe, such as the Delmas road area, Petionville, and Vivy Mitchel, have been the scenes of an increasing number of violent crimes, including murder.

Demonstrations, which are common occurrences in Haiti and can quickly become violent, may occasionally limit embassy operations to emergency services, even within Port-au-Prince. We recommend that you avoid all large gatherings, as crowd behavior can be unpredictable. Visitors encountering roadblocks, demonstrations, or large crowds should remain calm and depart the area quickly and avoid confrontation. Assistance to individuals from Haitian authorities is often unavailable. Be particularly cautious on days when political activities are planned. Take common-sense precautions and avoid any event where crowds may congregate.

To stay connected:

• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program so we can keep you up to date with important safety and security announcements.
• Follow the Bureau of Consular Affairs on Twitter and Facebook.
• Bookmark the Bureau of Consular Affairs website, which contains the current Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts as well as the Worldwide Caution.
• Follow the U.S. Embassy in Haiti on Twitter and visit the Embassy’s website.
• In the event of an emergency, contact us at 1-888-407-4747 toll-free within the United States and Canada, or via a regular toll line, 1-202-501-4444, from other countries.
• Take some time before traveling to consider your personal security and checking for useful tips for traveling safely abroad.

CRIME: Crimes such as kidnappings, death threats, murders, armed robberies, home break-ins and car-jacking are not uncommon in Haiti. While the Embassy does not believe that U.S. citizens are targeted because of their nationality, historically they have been victims of violent crime mainly in the Port-au-Prince area.  U.S. citizens of Haitian descent are often targets of such crimes likely because they are viewed as having resources.  In recent years, the security situation has changed with a considerable decrease in the incidence of kidnapping of U.S. citizens, but a rise in armed robberies.  The incidence of kidnapping in Haiti has diminished from its peak in 2006 when 60 U.S. citizens were reported kidnapped to only one in 2014. 

Since May 2014, there have been incidents involving travelers arriving in Port-au-Prince who are attacked and robbed after driving away from the airport (The Embassy is aware of cases involving 64 U.S. citizens, resulting in three fatalities and several injuries).  All cases have involved armed robbers by thieves on motorcycles pulling alongside vehicles in congested traffic.  U.S. citizens of Haitian descent have accounted for almost all of the victims.  Police authorities believe criminals may target travelers arriving on flights from the United States based on advance information gained from local contacts. Travelers are encouraged to have their host/organization meet them at the airport upon arrival and/or have pre-arranged airport transfers and hotels. As in the case of travel anywhere, U.S. citizens in Haiti should stay vigilant and be aware of their surroundings.  If conditions makes you feel uncomfortable, you should act on that intuition and remove yourself from the situation.

As with other countries that have significant poverty, it is important for travelers to exercise a high degree of caution throughout the country. Keep valuables hidden, ensure possessions are not left in parked vehicles, use private transportation, alternate your travel routes, and keep doors and windows in homes and vehicles closed and locked. Remain alert for suspicious onlookers when entering and exiting banks, as criminals often watch and subsequently attack bank customers. Avoid withdrawals of large amounts of cash. You should avoid night-time travel due to poor road conditions and increased criminal activity after dark.

Avoid using public transportation, including "tap-taps" (private transportation used for commercial purposes). The Embassy prohibits its employees from using this kind of public transportation  due to the safety and security risks associated with its use. When arriving in Haiti by air, arrange for someone you know to meet you at the airport, as reliable taxi service is not available.

Criminal perpetrators often operate in groups of two to four individuals, and may occasionally be confrontational and gratuitously violent. Criminals sometimes will seriously injure or kill those who resist their attempts to commit crime. In robberies or home invasions, it is not uncommon for the assailants to beat or shoot the victim in order to limit the victim's ability to resist. If an armed individual demands the surrender of a vehicle or other valuables, we recommend that you comply. This recommendation also applies in the event of a kidnapping. Exercise caution at all times and review basic personal security procedures frequently.

You should decline all requests to carry items for others to or from Haiti. Traffickers of illegal drugs have duped unsuspecting travelers into helping transport narcotics aboard commercial airlines.

Use cameras and video cameras only with the permission of the subjects; violent incidents have followed unwelcome photography. Avoid photography/videography in high-crime areas.

Holiday periods, especially Christmas and Carnival, can bring an increase in criminal activity. Haiti's Carnival season is marked by street celebrations in the days leading up to Ash Wednesday. In recent years, Carnival has been accompanied by civil disturbances, altercations and severe traffic disruptions. People attending Carnival events or simply caught in the resulting celebrations have been injured and killed. Roving musical bands called “rah-rahs” operate during the period from New Year's Day through Carnival. Being caught in a rah-rah event may begin as an enjoyable experience, but the potential for injury and the destruction of property is high. A mob mentality can develop unexpectedly, leaving people and cars engulfed and at risk. During Carnival, rah-rahs continuously form without warning; some rah-rahs have identified themselves with political entities, lending further potential for disturbances.

While the size of the Haitian National Police (HNP) is increasing and its capabilities are improving, it is still understaffed and,  under-equipped.  As a result, it is unable to respond to all calls for assistance. There are allegations of police complicity in criminal activity. The response and enforcement capabilities of the HNP and the weakness of the judiciary often frustrate victims of crime in Haiti. U.S. citizens involved in business and property disputes in Haiti are sometimes arrested and detained without charge and can spend considerable time in pre-trial detention.

Do not buy counterfeit and pirated goods, even if they are widely available.  Not only are pirated goods illegal in the United States, if you purchase them you may be also breaking local law.

VICTIMS OF CRIME: If you or someone you know becomes the victim of a crime abroad, you should contact the local police and the nearest U.S. Embassy or consulate.  We can:

• Replace a stolen passport.
• Help you find appropriate medical care if you are the victim of violent crimes such as assault or rape.
• Put you in contact with the appropriate police authorities, and, if you want us to, contact family members or friends.
• ·Help you understand the local criminal justice process and direct you to local attorneys, although it is important to remember that local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting the crime.  

The local equivalent to the “911” emergency line in Haiti is 114.

Please see our information for victims of crime, including possible victim compensation programs in the United States.