The Bahamas Government Issues Updated Travel Advisory on Haiti
Updated Travel Advisory for Haiti – 17th July 2025. 7:06 pm - Nassau, N.P., The Bahamas
SUMMARY - Avoid all travel to areas in Haiti impacted by gang violence, widespread kidnappings, political instability, and severe shortages of essential supplies. All but essential travel is advised to other areas as described below. There is a high risk of violent crime, including armed robbery, murder, and kidnapping; frequent civil unrest; limited access to airports and borders; and natural disaster risks (hurricanes, earthquakes).
AVOID ALL TRAVEL TO: Port-au-Prince (Bel Air, Carrefour, Cite Soleil, Martissant and other areas); the following Departments: Artibonite, Centre, Nord-Ouest, Nippes, Ouest, Grand Anse. Also avoid border regions with the Dominican Republic.
AVOID ALL BUT ESSENTIAL TRAVEL TO The following Departments: Nord, Nord-Est, Sud, and Sud-Est including Cap-Haïtien, Jacamel, and Fort Liberte. Travel with caution and refer to travel advice before departure.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS - Required Documents:
- Passport Must be valid for at least 6 months from entry date with at least one blank page.
- Visa: Not required for most stays for tourism or business. A USD 10 tourist tax is payable upon arrival (cash only, in USD, EUR, or CAD; exempt for children under 5 and diplomatic passport holders).
- Alien Registration: Stays over 90 days require registration with the Directorate of Immigration and Emigration. Non-compliance may result in fines or deportation.
- Financial Proof: No specific solvency requirements, but travellers should carry sufficient funds for their stay.
- Travel Documentation: Return/onward ticket required. Proof of accommodation may be requested.
- Vaccinations: Yellow fever vaccination mandatory if arriving from a risk area.
- By Sea: Same requirements as air travel. Private vessels require clearance from Haitian authorities; contact the Haitian Coast Guard for details.
- Immigration and Customs Declaration: Declare cash or goods over USD 10,000 to avoid fines or confiscation.
- A “Départ/Sòti” card is issued upon entry; retain it for departure, as loss may cause delays or fines.
- Border Screening: Expect rigorous inspections, including document verification and luggage checks.
- Electronic devices (phones, laptops) may be inspected; refusal to unlock may lead to delays, confiscation, or entry denial.
- Unaccompanied minors or those with one parent need notarized consent from both parents or a death certificate if applicable.
- Criminal records may result in entry denial at the discretion of Haitian authorities.
- Permanent Residents and Extended Travel: Bahamian permanent residents of Haiti face increased scrutiny if absent for over 6 months. Apply for a re-entry permit before leaving.
Contact Haitian Immigration Service for details.
- TRAVEL BY AIR: The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has extended its prohibition on U.S. commercial flights to Port-au-Prince until September 2025, following gang attacks on aircraft in November 2024, which disrupted international operations.
Domestic flights from Port-au-Prince’s Toussaint Louverture International Airport to provincial cities (Cap-Haïtien, Jacmel, Les Cayes, Jérémie) have resumed as of June 12, 2025.
Cap-Haïtien International Airport in northern Haiti and the newly designated Antoine Simon International Airport in Les Cayes in the south serve as the primary entry points for international travelers. These entry points are considered safe.
Travelers can connect to Port-au-Prince via domestic flights from Cap-Haïtien or Les Cayes, though costs and security concerns may affect accessibility and reliability.
Bahamasair operates flights between Nassau and Cap-Haïtien on Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturdays. Additional booking information is available here.
SAFETY AND SECURITY- Crime: Gangs control significant areas of the Port-au-Prince, including key roads and neighbourhoods like Cité Soleil, Martissant, Croix-des-Bouquets, and Bel Air.
Artibonite, and certain areas of Jeremie are also seeing increased gang activity.
Extremely high levels of violent crime, including armed robbery, murder, and kidnapping, especially in Port-au-Prince, Cap-Haïtien, and Artibonite.
Crime is less extreme in other areas but is still very prevalent, as gangs attempt to extend their reach beyond the capital region.
Rape is increasingly common in areas with high gang activity.
- Safety Tips: Avoid all travel to dangerous zones; only lodge at secure locations.
Stockpile essentials (water, food, fuel).
Avoid public transport, walking, or driving at night.
Use secure vehicles with locked doors and tinted windows.
- Haitian National Police (HNP) Police Nationale d’Haïti (PNH)
Police presence is not guaranteed in all regions and departments.
There are rogue elements of the Haitian National Police, please exercise caution when approaching or being approached by HNP.
- Demonstrations and Civil Unrest: Frequent violent protests in Port-au-Prince, Cap-Haïtien, and other cities, often with road blockades and attacks on infrastructure.
A nationwide state of emergency is in effect, with curfews and enhanced police powers.
- Advice: Avoid protests, monitor local media, and comply with curfews.
- Terrorism: Capital and nearby zones beset by gang violence, with crowded areas (markets, transport hubs) as potential targets due to instability.
Stay vigilant and avoid large gatherings.
- Cultural Sensitivities - Ethnic Considerations: While The Bahamas and Haiti share a common heritage, the current security crisis transcends cultural or racial lines. The primary danger for any traveller, including Bahamians, stems from the perception of being foreign or affluent.
- Produce and agricultural goods: The import of agricultural goods from Haiti is legal, but importers much ensure proper phytosanitary documentation is available. Endangered species such as conch and other seafood require CITES-compliant documentation to be approved for entry.
- Firearms: Firearms are widespread among gangs and civilians. Avoid areas with gunfire, especially at night.
Do not attempt to supply or procure firearms in Haiti under any pretext.
HEALTH - Medical Care:
Healthcare is severely limited, with under-equipped hospitals and frequent closures due to violence. Payment is required upfront, even with insurance.
Public hospitals, especially those attached to Universities, have frequently become the target of gang efforts to destroy, terrorise, or vandalise premises.
Obtain travel insurance covering hospitalisation and medical evacuation.
- Vaccinations and Diseases:
Mandatory: Yellow fever (if from risk areas).
- Recommended: Cholera, hepatitis A/B, typhoid, tetanus, diphtheria, polio, rabies, and malaria prophylaxis.
- Diseases: Ongoing cholera epidemic (since October 2022), dengue, chikungunya, zika, and malaria. Use mosquito repellent, long clothing, and bed nets.
- Water and Food Safety: Drink only bottled or boiled water; avoid tap water and ice.
- Eat well-cooked food; avoid raw fruits/vegetables unless peeled.
- LAWS AND CUSTOMS -Legal Status and Identification:
Carry a passport copy with entry stamp at all times; police may demand proof of legal status.
Failure to produce ID may lead to detention or fines.
- Restricted Items: Medications: Carry prescriptions in original containers, limited to stay duration plus one week. Include a doctor’s note.
- Controlled Substances: Cannabis and other drugs are illegal, with penalties including 1–15 years imprisonment and deportation for foreigners.
- Agricultural Products: Fresh fruits, vegetables, and seeds are prohibited. Declare all food; fines up to USD 10,000 for non-compliance.
- Alcohol/Tobacco: Limited to 1 carton of cigarettes and 3 liters of liquor per adult; declare excess.
- Natural Disasters - Hurricanes: Season runs June to November, with heavy rains, floods, and landslides. Monitor National Hurricane Center and follow evacuation orders.
- Earthquakes: Haiti is seismically active (e.g., 2010 and 2021 quakes). Tsunami risks exist in coastal areas.
- Climate Differences: Tropical climate with temperatures of 25–32°C and high humidity.
- Rainy seasons: April–June, October–November.
- Pack lightweight clothing, rain gear, and sunscreen.
Beach/Coastal Safety: Strong currents and lack of lifeguards make swimming hazardous. Avoid isolated beaches due to crime risks.
- CONTACT(S) FOR OVERSEAS OFFICES
If you are in urgent need of consular assistance, please email: consularcrisis@bahamas.gov.bs.
- Embassy of The Bahamas in Haiti Contact information:
12 Rue Goulard Place Boyer
Pétion-Ville, Haiti
Telephone: 242-376-8785
Telephone: 011-509-47345895
E-mail: bahamasembassyhaiti@bahamas.gov.bs,
- Local Emergency Services:
- Police: 114
- Medical Emergency: 117 (Ebola-specific; general services limited)
- Haitian Coast Guard: +509 2811 1111
