10 reasons why you should travel to Cap-Haitien instead of Port-au-Prince

Haiti on the world map: Haiti is located in North America. Located in the Western Hemisphere, the sovereign state is spread over an area of 27,750 square kilometers. The state is located on the island of Hispaniola in the Caribbean archipelago of the Greater Antilles. Haiti is the third-largest country in the Caribbean, followed by Cuba and the Dominican Republic. To the east, the Dominican Republic borders Haiti. Cuba is located about 80 km west of the northern part of the Haitian peninsula, and Jamaica is about 193 km west of the southern part of the peninsula. The coast of the country is 1771 km. Haiti on the world map is mostly rugged and mountainous. The Caribbean Sea at 0 m is the lowest point in the country, and the Chesne de la Sel at 2,680 m is the highest point.

Capital of Haiti

Port-au-Prince is the capital, largest city, commercial center and main port of the Republic of Haiti. About 90% of investments and jobs in Haiti are in Port-au-Prince. It is estimated to have about 1.2 million inhabitants (and almost three million in the metropolitan area), and only one city is home to about 12% of the Haitian population. People of African descent make up 95% of the population of Port-au-Prince, the rest of which are Hispanic, Asian, European, and Middle Eastern Haitians. The capital of Haiti, Port-au-Prince is located in the Gulf of Gonave, a wide harbor on the southwest coast of the second-largest island of the Caribbean region - of Latin American origin. In the natural harbor of Port-au-Prince, the capital of Haiti, economic activity was carried out long before the arrival of Christopher Columbus on the island in 1492, when the Arawakans - the Taino Indians who speak the Arawakan language-lived in the region. The city was named after the ship "Prince", which first arrived in the French colony of Saint-Domingue (as Haiti was then called) in 1706, and was founded by the Marquis of Larnage, Charles Bournier, in 1749. In 1770, Port-au-Prince replaced Cap-Haitien as the capital of Saint-Dominu.

Where is Cap-Haitien located?

Located on the northern coast of Haiti, Cap Haitien is a center of Caribbean culture, history, and, of course, beauty. Once the richest city in Haiti, the Caribbean, Cap Haitian, sometimes simply known as "Cap", offers visitors a wide range of interesting and interesting things to do. Discover the rich colonial history of the Caribbean by visiting the city's architectural gems, historical sites, and religious monuments. Or relax on one of the many Cap Haitien beaches. Cap-Haitien is a port city on the coast of Haiti. It is the fourth largest city in Haiti. It is located in a fabulous location on the north coast of the island. Currently, Cap-Haitien is a major port city, which attracts a large number of tourists. Guests of Cap Haitien can enjoy stunning views of the sea. Besides, it is always useful to walk through the city streets to see the amazing buildings in the Spanish style. Thanks to these buildings in the past, the city had an unusual informal name-the Paris of the Antilles. Tourists often fall in love with this beautiful place and want to come back here again. The French founded Cap-Haitien in 1670. Until 1804, when the country became independent, this city had another name - Cap Francisco. Until the end of the 18th century, the city was the capital of a French colony called Saint-Dominu. During the crisis of relations with France and the beginning of the American Civil War, American troops tried to conquer the city of Cap-Haitien. As a result, the old town was almost destroyed in the early 19th century during a long attack.

Cap-Haitien or Port-au-Prince?

In this article, we have collected 10 reasons why choosing the question "Cap-Haitien or Port-au-Prince" will be much easier.

1. Labadie beach

Named after a 17th-century French explorer, Labadie is both a beach and a port located on the north side of Cap Haitien. Owned by the Royal Caribbean Cruise Line, Labadie is aimed at tourists looking to soak up the sun and enjoy spectacular ocean views. Here, visitors can soar down the "Dragon's Tail" or play on several water toys, such as trampolines and slides. Labadi also offers visitors a wide variety of eateries and places to drink.

2. Laferriere Citadel

At the top of a lush green mountain south of Cap Haitien is the famous Laferriere Citadel. This fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a large fortress built in 1805. The citadel is often seen as a symbol of Haiti, as it was built by one of the country's most prominent leaders, Henri Christophe. Visitors can rent a horse or take a hike to the fortress, stopping for drinks or souvenirs along the way. After reaching the Citadel, visitors can learn about the history of this structure and the general history of Haiti while enjoying a magnificent view of the northern coast.

3. Cathedrale Notre-Dame du Cap-Haitien

Located in the Cathedral Square center, the Cathedral of Notre Dame de Cap Haitien is one of the most Instagrammable buildings in Cap Haitien. Completed in the early 20th century, the cathedral serves as an icon of Christian roots in Haiti. The cathedral boasts a massive white facade, stained glass windows, light blue painted domes, and an airy vaulted ceiling above the pews. Visitors can enter through the entrance on the right side of the church.

4. Lakay Restaurant

Visitors looking for somewhere to eat should look no further than Lakai. This Caribbean restaurant is a popular hangout for both locals and tourists. The bright yellow exterior of the restaurant is not to be missed, it is ideally located across the street from Oceanside. Enjoy great sea views and live entertainment while dining in the restaurant's semi-enclosed, half-open-air dining room. Decorated with a blue tablecloth, painted white wooden chairs, and stylish lanterns, Lakay is a perfect balance between casual and relaxed living.

5. Cap-Haitien Paradise

Visitors can take a short water taxi ride from Labadi to Paradis, a small and inviting bay. Paradise positions itself as much more secluded and remote than Labadie and is a great escape from the more touristy Cap Haitien beaches. Here, visitors can settle down, relax and enjoy a relaxed sandy bay set amidst a lush green tropical landscape. Also, there is a small bar and cafe for hungry visitors for a snack or a drink.

6. Kokiyaj Bar & Grill & Food Market

This seaside bar is a fun and popular restaurant where you can go for a light but delicious meal. Known as a lively and entertaining restaurant, previous diners often talk about smiles, both on the faces of the staff and the diners' faces. The restaurant offers a Creole American menu with dishes such as conch and pumpkin soup with fish dumplings, lobster tails and an assortment of sandwiches. Although Kokiyaj is great for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, it is recommended to come to the restaurant early in the evening to enjoy the Instagrammable sunset views.

7. UNESCO World Heritage Site: Sans Souci Palace

At the foot of the Citadel stands the Palace of Sanssouci. Completed in 1913, Sans Souci was King Henri Christophe's main palace, where he hosted lavish celebrations and dances. It was the most important of the nine palaces built by the king and fifteen castles, numerous fortresses, and spacious summer houses on his twenty plantations. Construction of the palace began in 1810 and was completed in 1813. Its name is translated from French as "carefree". Sans Souci had huge gardens, artificial springs, and a water system, and was called the "Versailles of the Caribbean". Sans Souci's impressiveness was part of Henri Christophe's program to demonstrate to foreigners, especially Europeans and Americans, the power and capabilities of the black race.

8. Remnants of Cap-Haitien past

One of the buildings that stood out to me in Cap-Haitien was the Iron Market or Marche au Fer. It was first built in 1890 by the Haitian engineer Alexandre Bobo at President Florville Hippolyte's initiative. Made entirely of cast iron and cast iron, the market is named after Port-au-Prince, which is also located under the iron pavilion. The market is the 34th historical monument in Haiti to enjoy this status, placing it under high state protection. Its inclusion in the national historical heritage list was carried out based on a presidential decree of May 11, 2010. In the 1960s, the Iron Market became a real tourist attraction due to its beautiful architecture and the number of handicrafts sold here, primarily Vodou ritual items. Today, chaos and a rather messy mess among the food vendors and people selling all sorts of trinkets.

9. Cap-Haitien Food

Haitian cuisine consists of the culinary traditions and practices of Haiti. This Creole cuisine is based on a mixture of several culinary styles that inhabited the western part of the island of Hispaniola, namely: African, French, local Italian, Spanish and Arabic influences. Haitian cuisine is comparable to "criollo" (Spanish for "creole") and is similar to the rest of Latin America but somewhat different from its regional counterparts. While the Creole cuisine is unpretentious and simple, its flavors are bold and spicy, showing African and French influences, with notable derivatives derived from local Thai and Spanish techniques. The Levantine influence has made its way into mainstream culture, thanks to the migration of Arabs over the years, creating many businesses. Years of adaptation have led to these dishes merging with Haitian cuisine.

10. Cap Haitien weather

The Republic of Haiti is located on the island of Hispaniola and borders only the Dominican Republic. The weather in Haiti is a humid tropical and warm climate with little change in temperature throughout the year, except in mountainous areas. The Cap Haitien weather consists of two seasons: dry and rainy. In cities located around sea level, the average annual temperature is 79 degrees Fahrenheit. Still, in some cities or villages located at a higher altitude, for example, in the village of Kenshoff, which is located at an altitude of 1,430 meters (4,700 feet), the average annual temperature is 16 degrees Celsius (about 60 Fahrenheit). A visit to Haiti is an amazing experience. This exquisite island is truly a paradise with turquoise waters, eye-catching gold coast, lush green vegetation, sky-high mountains, spectacular, colorful scenery, historical monuments, and a pleasant environment. As such, many tourists around the world visit Haiti to explore the various popular tourist destinations here. If you plan to visit this wonderful Caribbean island, you are already familiar with the most popular places in one of the most beautiful cities in the country. However, let's be honest, if you find yourself in Haiti, any city will seem like a paradise that you do not want to leave.