carnival; It is the promise of a country that wants to be a pearl in the Caribbean.
Haiti is a beautiful island, full of natural resources and beautiful colonial cities like Port-au-Prince, Cap Haitien and Jacmel. In addition to the cities, there are very attractive sightseeing Castle Barbancourt, the Ville Bonheur, its pristine beaches and black sand.
It has an area of 27 thousand 400 square kilometers and occupies the western third of the island of Santo Domingo. It is the second largest island of the Antilles and is located in the center of the archipelago, near the Tropic of Cancer.
Haitian Government Palace
government palace
discovering Haiti
Port au Prince, Haiti's capital, is a city that never stops. During the day, vibrates under a blazing sun; at night, it illuminated by the lights of street vendors. The dizzying spectacle of the streets remind travelers to places like Istanbul, Bangkok and New Delhi, but with a unique flavor that is only found in the Caribbean.
Here most peculiar is public transportation made up the famous tap-taps, which are concentrated in the Iron Market or Mercado "Vallières" a peculiar building as the city, which hides treasures as dinnerware mahogany sculptures wood crafts, among other things.
In Port au Prince is the National Palace, copy of the Petit Palais de Versailles, a huge building of luminous whiteness; the Champ de Mars plaza, surrounding the National Palace, is full of many buildings of the thirties. It contains the Museum of Art National Pantheon and Defly House, adorable turn of the century building, converted into a museum of Creole life and antiques store.
Sans Souci Palace
Royal Palace of Sans Souci
In the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity you can observe biblical murals depicting the birth of the current art Naif forties.
Tap-Taps
Tap-Taps
Cap Haitien is one of the most interesting places in this country where the colonial architecture is appreciated. Called the Paris of the New World, has streets, squares and colonial buildings of great beauty, while south of the city the ruins of the Royal Palace of Sans Souci emerge, opened in 1813 and then abandoned in 1848; occupies an area of 51 meters long by 25 meters wide, and next to it the administrative complex consisted of school, hospital, printing, chapel, prison, arsenal, barracks, stables and other outbuildings are located.
The Citadel La Ferriere
the Citadel
This place was built in the era of civil war after independence from Haiti and the death of Dessalines. 8 hectares and there occupied the court of King Henri Christophe, Henry I, which was formed by four princesses eight dukes, earls and 37 barons 2, all property owners in the north was installed.
The Citadel (Citadelle) is a mountain fortress, which was built between 1805 and 1820, with walls four meters wide and 40 meters high, on top of Cerro La Ferriere, 875 meters high.
It was complemented by the Fortifications of Ramiers, which formed an annex consisting of a residence and four smaller pillboxes. For its historical and cultural value were declared a World Heritage Site in 1982 for its panoramic views and dimensions.
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Distillery Barbancourt
One of the busiest tourist areas is the Barbancourt Rum Distillery. This place produces rum enriched with mango, coconut, orange and coffee, among other flavors. For decades, Haiti has been famous for its exquisite rums facts, not molasses, but from juice fermented and distilled cane. But more interesting is the legend of Barbancourt Castle, home of classic love story between a European businessman and a Haitian beauty.
Beaches in Haiti
Beaches in Haiti
In the thirties, the German manufacturer of perfume Linge Rudolph met and fell in love with the then Miss Haiti, Jane Barbancourt. They married and returned to their native country. Thanks to extensive sugar cane plantations of the family of his wife and his privileged nose for scents, Linge started mixing rum liquors successfully.
One day, the couple wanted to see a movie, but as there was no film on the island, flew to New York, where he saw "Cinderella" of Walt Disney and was delighted with the castle appeared in the film. He bought a photograph cinema owner, came home, put it on the table of an architect and asked him: "build me this castle." Thanks to this building, Linge, who died in 1991, is remembered among Haitians.
Cathedral of the Holy Trinity
Cathedral of the Holy Trinity
Their beaches
Outdoor activities are great in Haiti, especially water sports, especially diving. Anyone with or without experience as an athlete, you can easily make the walk to Sand Cay (Cayo Arenoso).
This is done by boat with glass bottom to appreciate all it offers the most beautiful Caribbean reef. There, visitors can put on scuba gear to enjoy watching the capricious coral formations, the multitude of different colored fish and other underwater wonders.
In several beach resorts you can rent boats for sailing and skiing. In some diving programs they are organized in depth, with instruction and issuance of the respective certificates.
Forests of the Sierra
Forests in the mountain range
In the waters of Haiti veteran divers can enjoy the best conditions to practice their sport Caribbean, as the coast is not yet overcrowded by tourists.
Another underwater spectacle worthy experience is the exploration of the marine debris that houses the Gulf of Gonaives. Dozens of British, Dutch, French and Spanish boats lie at the bottom of the Haitian coast, as a sign of the struggles for conquest took place. Become divers accompanied by expert guides and enjoy the most exciting and new underwater museum that you can imagine.
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Also interesting are the excursions to the beaches of Ibo, Kyona and Ouanga. But the black sand beach near Jacmel and Labadie beach, stand out as being a strip of land that can be reached by boat.
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Among the tourist natural sites on the island, a pleasant visit and within walking distance of the city of Jacmel is the Bassin Bleu. This natural area is characterized by a series of three splendid waterfalls. Make an interesting route is passing through Mount Puilboreau, where the northern plain appreciated. Other points of interest are Boutillier and Pic la Selle, 2 thousand 674 meters above the sea level.
Night life
The nightlife in Port au Prince is concentrated in the residential district, Pétionville. Here the lush nature and leisure areas, where travelers can enjoy a nice dinner, enjoying the scenery and the elegance of the restaurants are mixed. If you are in the mood, you should visit the bars. Highlights include the Café des Arts, Regis and Oloffson, where live musical performances and dance sessions. If you still have strength to continue, you can finish the night in nightclubs in the area.
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If you want to know other places to enjoy leisure time offer can go to the city of Jacmel, where you will find many fun ...
Around Port au Prince
50 km northwest of Port au Prince, toward the Dominican border, after Croix des Bouquets and Mirebalis, is Ville Bonheur, the magical center of the island and the destination of thousands of pilgrims between 12 and July 16 each year.
Here, in the middle of the last century, in a palm tree next to a huge waterfall at Saut d'Eau, it is said that the Virgin Mary appeared to a local man called Fortuné. When he told his vision to the clergy, these, unbelievers, rushed to the scene, which since then is sacred not only for Christians Haitians, but also for those who believe in voodoo, who believe that the Virgin Mary is his goddess Maitresse Erzulie.
