Business
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 15%.
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $1,200 per m² (Note: Real estate is usually quoted in USD for expats; $48,000 for 40 m²).
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $800 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $32,000 in emerging areas like Tabarre).
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $1,100 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $66,000 in Pétion-Ville).
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $750 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $45,000).
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $1,050 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $84,000).
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $700 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $56,000).
- Corporate Tax
- 30% standard rate.
- Tax System
- Territorial/Residential; residents taxed on worldwide income, but enforcement for nomads is low.
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 30% for income over 1,000,000 HTG.
- VAT
- 10% (TCA - Taxe sur le Chiffre d'Affaires).
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Moderate rules; largely focused on large-scale commercial entities.
- Property Tax
- CFPB (Contribution Foncière des Propriétés Bâties) - approx. 15% of annual rental value.
- Property Transaction Tax
- Approx. 3-5% for registration and notary fees.
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- No specific digital nomad visa; tax compliance for remote workers is currently not standardized.
Essentials
- City
- Port-au-Prince, Ouest Department, Haiti
- Population
- Approx. 1,200,000 (Metropolitan area approx. 2.9 million)
- Internet Speed
- Starlink is now the primary reliable option (up to 100 Mbps); terrestrial fiber like Natcom or Digicel ranges from 5-20 Mbps in stable areas.
- Currency & Banking
- Haitian Gourde (HTG). 1 USD ≈ 132 HTG. US Dollars are widely used but change is often given in Gourdes.
- Tap Water
- Not drinkable. Always use bottled water (Culligan or Bon-Sel) for drinking and brushing teeth.
- Power
- 110V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A/B (same as USA). Power outages are frequent; solar backup or generators are essential.
- SIM Card
- Digicel or Natcom. A 30GB monthly data plan costs approx. 2,500 HTG ($19 USD).
- Banking for Expats
- Sogebank or Unibank. Cash is king; ATMs often run out of cash or have low withdrawal limits (approx. $100-200 USD equivalent).
- Accommodation
- Secure guesthouses or hotels in Pétion-Ville; Airbnb is available with security-focused listings.
- Cashless Friendly
- Limited. Only high-end hotels and supermarkets in Pétion-Ville accept Visa/Mastercard.
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb is the standard; look for listings mentioning "24/7 electricity" and "security."
- Budget Accommodation
- Park Hotel (Downtown) or smaller guesthouses in Delmas, ranging from $45-$60/night.
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Pétion-Ville (specifically the hills like Laboule or Thomassin for safety and cooler air).
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Pétion-Ville or Morne Calvaire due to proximity to supermarkets, private security, and better infrastructure.
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Impact Hub Port-au-Prince (Pétion-Ville) - Monthly memberships approx. $150 USD.
- Best Cafe for Work
- Api Coffee (Pétion-Ville) - High-quality coffee with relatively stable Wi-Fi and backup power.
- Networking Events
- CCIH (Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Haiti) events and networking nights at Hotel Montana.
- Social Events for Expats
- Weekly dinners at Quartier Latin or Sunday brunch at Karibe Hotel.
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Haiti's ride-share market is volatile; 'Tap Taps' are local but 'Nick's Taxis' (private call-in) is the standard for safety.
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Not recommended due to road conditions and safety; most expats use private drivers or armored SUVs.
- Best Beach Nearby
- Côte des Arcadins (approx. 1.5 - 2 hours north). Wahoo Bay Beach Club or Moulin sur Mer.
- Top Regional Airline
- Sunrise Airways (Flights to Cap-Haïtien, Santo Domingo, Miami).
- Top International Airline
- American Airlines, JetBlue, and Spirit Airlines flying primarily from Toussaint Louverture International (PAP).
- Highway Access
- Route Nationale 1 (North), Route Nationale 2 (South). Note: Travel is currently restricted due to security blockades.
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- No train system. The main transport hubs are the Tap Tap stations at Champ de Mars and Pétion-Ville.
- Public Transport Passes
- Not applicable. Tap Taps are paid in cash per ride (approx. 25-50 HTG).
- Regional Travel
- Domestic flights via Sunrise Airways are the safest way to travel to Cap-Haïtien ($100-150 one way).
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Hôpital Bernard Mevs (Village de Solidarité) - Best for trauma and emergencies; Hôpital Canapé-Vert for general care.
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Ayiti Yoga (Pop-up classes in Pétion-Ville and at Karibe Hotel).
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Gold's Gym Haiti (Pétion-Ville) - Monthly membership approx. $80 USD.
- Laundry Services
- Pressing de la Place (Pétion-Ville) - Professional dry cleaning and wash/fold services.
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- Nidom (Local delivery app service focused on Pétion-Ville restaurants).
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Griot (Fried Pork) with Pikliz and Banan Peze (Fried Plantains).
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Magdoos (Lebanese cuisine in Pétion-Ville) offers excellent falafel and hummus options.
- Best Dessert Spots
- Marie Béliard (Pétion-Ville) - Iconic bakery famous for 'Pâté Haïtien' and fine pastries.
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Giant Supermarket or Eagle Market for groceries; local markets like Marché Salomon (exercise caution).
- E-commerce/Online Store
- No major domestic equivalent; most residents use freight forwarders (e.g., Chatelain Logistics) for Amazon orders.
- Grocery Delivery
- Monoprix (Pétion-Ville) offers phone ordering and delivery for specialty items.
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Pétion-Ville (Place Boyer area); Quartier Latin has live music and a great atmosphere.
- Local Brewery
- Brasserie Nationale d'Haïti (BRANA), producers of the legendary Prestige Beer.
- Wine Bars
- Le Florville (Kenscoff) - Offers a cooler mountain climate and an extensive wine list.
- Street Food Stalls
- Fritay stands (fried food) found on street corners in Pétion-Ville (approx. 300-500 HTG for a plate).
- Popular International Cuisine
- La Kay (French/Haitian Fusion), Papaye (Asian/Fusion), and Muncheez (Pizza/American).
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- The remains of the National Palace, MUPANAH (Musée du Panthéon National Haïtien).
- Museums & Art Venues
- Galerie Nader and Galerie Monnin for world-renowned Haitian Naive art.
- Historical Sites
- The Iron Market (Marché en Fer) - A historic landmark for crafts and culture.
- Religious Sites
- Cathédrale Notre-Dame de l’Assomption (Ruins from 2010 earthquake) and local Vodou temples (Peristyles).
- Annual Events
- Kanaval (February) and Rara festivals (leading up to Easter).
- Cultural Districts
- Noailles (Croix-des-Bouquets) - Famous village of metal sculptors (check security status).
- Theater Venues
- Triomphe Cinema & Theatre (Champ de Mars).
- Local Markets
- Marché de Pétion-Ville for local fruits, spices, and handmade crafts.
- Music Scene
- Live 'Compas' music at Yanvalou or Hotel Oloffson (RAM band).
- Street Art
- Grand Rue Artists (Ciné-Théâtre) - Part of the Atis Rezistans movement.
- Cooking Classes
- Occasional workshops at the Haitian Academy of Gastronomy.
- Art Galleries
- El-Saieh Gallery (Downtown) for high-end historic Haitian masters.
- Historic Buildings
- Hotel Oloffson - A famous gingerbread-style mansion that inspired Graham Greene’s novels.
- Local Heritage
- Freedom Soup (Soup Joumou) - A UNESCO-listed cultural heritage dish eaten on Independence Day.
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Bassin Bleu (Jacmel) - stunning blue waterfalls (requires 3-hour drive).
- National Parks Nearby
- La Visite National Park (Mountain pine forests and hiking trails).
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- No dedicated paths; hiking in the Kenscoff and Furcy mountains is popular with locals.
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Observatoire (Boutilliers) - Offers a panoramic view of the entire city and bay.
- Birdwatching Locations
- The mountain areas of Furcy for endemic Caribbean species.
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Private residences or beach resorts in Côte des Arcadins.
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- DHL (Pétion-Ville) and FedEx are operational for international shipping.
- Tech Repair Services
- CompHaiti (Delmas 83) for official hardware repair and IT support.
- Table Tennis Spots
- Primarily found in private sports clubs like the Pétion-Ville Club.
- Language Classes
- Institut Français d'Haïti (French and Haitian Creole classes).
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Bibliothèque Nationale d'Haïti (Downtown) and FOKAL (Cultural center).
- Community Centers
- FOKAL (Fondasyon Konesans Ak Libète) - Major hub for arts and education.
- Gaming Lounges
- Limited; mostly specialized internet cafes in Pétion-Ville.
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- King's Casino at Karibe Hotel.