Good Time to Visit

Weather

The weather in Haiti is tropical, with intermittent rain throughout the year. There is high coastal humidity and hill resorts experience much cooler temperatures.

Visitors are advised to bring tropical lightweights with rainwear and warm clothing for hill regions.

Festivals

The most festive time of the year in Haiti is Carnival (or Mardi Gras). The Carnival is held from a few days before Ash Wednesday in Port-au-Prince over three days. Festivities include music and parade floats; the streets are full of people singing and dancing and all-night parties ensue. The Peasant Carnival continues where the Carnival left off, with celebrations each weekend throughout Lent. A vivid image of voodoo culture is visible during this time, with costumes, rare musical instruments and rituals.

Public Holidays

The following table shows the public holidays celebrated in Haiti:

Date Holiday
1 January New Year's Day
2 January Ancestors' Day
February/March (variable) Mardi Gras
March/April (variable) Good Friday
14 April Pan-American Day/Bastilla's Day
May/June (variable) Ascension
1 May Labour Day
18 May Flag and University Day
7 June Corpus Christi
15 August Assumption Day
17 October Dessalines Day
24 October United Nations Day
1 November All Saints' Day
2 November All Souls' Day
18 November Battle of Vertièrés Day
25 December Christmas Day