Haiti – Level 4: Do Not Travel

There was no change to the advisory level or risk indicators. Advisory summary was updated.

Do Not Travel to Haiti due to the risk of crime, terrorism, kidnapping, unrest, and limited health care. Read the entire Travel Advisory.

Advisory Summary
On July 27, 2023, the Department of State ordered non-emergency U.S. government employees and their family members to leave Haiti due to safety risks. Haiti has been under a national state of emergency since March 2024. This state of emergency remains in effect.

U.S. government employee travel restrictions 
U.S. government employees working in Haiti are not allowed to travel away from the U.S. Embassy for non-essential reasons due to safety risks. The U.S. government has an extremely limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in Haiti because of security-related travel restrictions.

Air Travel 
U.S. commercial flights are not currently operating to or from Port-au-Prince. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) that prohibits U.S. air carrier flights to Port-au-Prince due to ongoing instability. For more information, U.S. citizens should consult the Federal Aviation Administration’s Prohibitions, Restrictions and Notices.

Crime

• Violent crime is rampant in Haiti, especially in Port-au-Prince. The expansion of gang, organized crime, and terrorist activity has led to widespread violence.
• Crimes involving firearms are common. 
• Crimes include robbery, carjackings, sexual assault and kidnappings for ransom.
• The escalation of clashes between armed groups has led to a rise in sporadic gunfire incidents. There is a substantial risk of being struck by stray bullets, even for people not directly involved in the violence.
• Local law enforcement has an extremely limited ability to respond to serious crimes, particularly outside Port-au-Prince and Cap Haitien.
• When traveling to Haiti, do not engage in activity or behave in a manner that could be in violation of local law and subject you to arrest and detention. Be mindful of potential violations of law.

Kidnapping

• Kidnapping is widespread. U.S. citizen kidnapping victims have been hurt or killed. 
• Kidnappers often demand ransoms. Ransom demands are typically in the high tens of thousands to high hundreds of thousands of thousands of dollars. 
• Kidnappers target and attack vehicles, including commercial busses, and can even attack convoys.

Terrorism
Terrorist violence, including attacks on citizens and other violent gang activity, happens frequently in Haiti. Some Haitian gangs are designated by the U.S. Department of State as terrorist organizations. Visit the U.S. Department of State’s country reports on terrorism to learn more. 

Unrest

• Protests, demonstrations, and roadblocks are common and unpredictable. Protesters and demonstrators sometimes damage or destroy infrastructure and can become violent. 
• Armed, anti-gang vigilante groups attack and, in many cases, have killed individuals, including U.S. citizens, suspected of being gang members based only on rumors or incorrect information.
• Neighborhood watch groups have built improvised barricades and gates to control the flow of traffic in certain areas. Watch groups often harass or detain individuals who are not known to be residents of their neighborhoods.

Health

• Hospitals and clinics in Haiti have limited trained staff and lack basic resources. Medical providers almost always require payment in cash before treatment.
• Most medical providers speak little or no English.

For U.S. citizens in Haiti:

• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to get important updates and alerts from the U.S. embassy or consulate. Enrolling helps the U.S. embassy or consulate contact you or your emergency contact in an emergency. 
• Review the Country Security Report for Haiti.
• Choose one family member to serve as the point of contact. If you are kidnapped or taken hostage, that person can communicate with kidnappers or hostage-takers, media, U.S. or foreign government agencies, and members of Congress.
• Establish a proof of life protocol with your loved ones. If you are kidnapped, your loved ones will know specific questions (and answers) to ask the kidnappers to confirm that you are being held captive and are alive.
• Review our information on Terrorism, Travel to High-Risk Areas, U.S. Citizens Missing Abroad, Crime Abroad, and for Victims of Crime.
• Keep your travel documents up to date and easy to access.
• Make a communication plan with your family, employer, or host organization. Decide how and when you will check in to confirm you are safe.
• Prepare a will and any last instructions. Designate appropriate insurance beneficiaries or prepare a power of attorney.
• Refer to our list of medical providers medical providers.
• Make sure your insurance includes medical evacuation coverage.
• Have a plan to leave in an emergency that does not depend on U.S. government help. Review our information on Crisis and Evacuations.
• We highly recommend that you buy travel insurance before you travel. Check with your travel insurance provider about evacuation assistance, medical insurance, and trip cancelation coverage.
• Consider purchasing medical evacuation insurance. Medical evacuation from Haiti is very expensive and the U.S. government may not be able to assist should you need emergency medical care.
• Monitor local media for breaking news. Be prepared to adjust your plans.
• Do not physically resist any robbery attempt.
• Use caution when walking or driving at night.
• Keep a low profile.
• Stay aware of your surroundings.
• Do not display signs of wealth, like expensive watches or jewelry.
• Stay alert when visiting banks or ATMs.
• Consider hiring a professional security organization.
• Check with your doctor about required vaccines and shots for high-risk exposure before you go to Haiti. Review the Health section in the Travel Guidance for Haiti.
• Bring enough supplies of over the counter and prescription medicines to last not only for your entire planned stay in Haiti but for several extra weeks in the event you are unable to depart due to security restrictions that may occur at any moment.
• Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website for the latest Travel Health Information.