Avoid all travel to Haiti due to the threat of kidnappings, gang-related violence and possible civil unrest throughout the country. The security situation remains unstable in Haiti. You should consider leaving the country by commercial means if you can do so safely.

Border with the Dominican Republic :

On October 30, 2023, the Government of the Dominican Republic reopened its air border with Haiti. Land and sea borders remain closed to travellers.

Canadian citizens arriving from the Dominican Republic will be only be able to enter Haiti by air. The Embassy of Canada in Port-au-Prince cannot help you enter the Dominican Republic from Haiti by land or sea.

Security situation :

The security situation remains extremely volatile in Haiti.

Gang violence is concentrated in certain areas. It is escalating in the capital, Port-au-Prince, and extends to the Artibonite region. Gangs are increasingly attacking residential neighbourhoods and kidnapping groups of people. Armed gangs control most of Port-au-Prince.

Since April 2023, vigilante groups have violently attacked and killed alleged gang members in some neighbourhoods of Port-au-Prince and in the department of Artibonite

Gatherings by protesters are spontaneous and unpredictable. They sometimes lead to clashes with security forces and violent acts. Protestors may suddecely erect roadblocks and burning barricades, disrupting major roads in various regions, including Port-au-Prince and the area around the Canadian Embassy.

Access to Toussaint-Louverture International Airport could be affected.

Telecommunications and Internet access could also be disrupted.

Crime rates are high in large centres such as downtown Port-au-Prince, where armed gangs operate, as well as near the border with the Dominican Republic.

The number of violent incidents has been increasing since 2020, especially kidnappings in and around Port-au-Prince.

There has also been an increase in home invasions. These incidents generally occur in middle-class neighbourhoods, but have increased in number in affluent neighbourhoods in Port-au-Prince and outside Pétion-Ville.

Criminality increases in the periods leading up to the holiday season in December, Carnival in February or March and the beginning of the school year in late August or early September.

Foreigners are viewed as wealthy and may arouse envy. To avoid becoming a target:

Metropolitan region of Port-au-Prince :

Several areas in greater Port-au-Prince continue to be dangerous due to criminal activity and kidnappings. Local authorities may have difficulties assisting during an emergency in these areas :

- Artibonite Central

- Bas-Delmas

- Bel Air

- Carrefour

- Carrefour Drouillard

- Champs-de-Mars

- Cité Soleil

- Croix-des-Bouquets

- Downtown Port-au-Prince

- Fontamara

- Jalousie

- Laboule 12

- Martissant

- Portail Léogane

- Road to the airport

- Santo

- Tabarre

- Torcelle

- Toussant Brave

Police presence is not guaranteed in these areas and your personal safety might be at risk. Due to the local environment, security forces may not be able to provide emergency assistance in due time.

Pour plus de détails et conseils visitez : https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/haiti#risk

Advice for women travellers : https://travel.gc.ca/travelling/health-safety/advice-for-women-travellers

HL/ HaitiLibre