Best Times 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 |