When talking about Haiti, some people think almost immediately of poverty, scarcity, of people who have suffered the unjust domination of the imperialists who enslaved many countries, however, Haiti is much more than that, it is a Caribbean country with a fascinating nature. and with very interesting customs and traditions, which make it possess a wonderful charm that attracts many tourists from all over the world.
However, this poverty and the traces left by natural catastrophes such as the earthquake of January 12, 2010, which caused more than 300,000 deaths, a similar number of injuries, close to 1.5 million victims and the almost total destruction of its capital , Port-au-Prince, conceal a spectacular historical and cultural heritage and natural charm.
That natural charm that can be found in Haiti through hundreds of kilometers of paradisiacal beaches, places it as the third largest country in the Antilles with 27,750 km², and has been considered an Afro-Caribbean country, because it does not have a language. Iberian as Spanish and Portuguese and for having a population that is mostly descended from West African slaves.
On the other hand, the official languages of this country located in the central area of the Antilles, whose capital is Port-au-Prince, are two Romance languages such as Creole and French, which give a special touch that differentiates it from most countries. of America, however, has some similar customs and traditions that make it identify with some countries that make up the American continent.
Haiti is surrounded by spectacular beaches, due to its geographical location that limits it to the north with the Atlantic Ocean and to the south with the Caribbean Sea, while to the east it limits with the Dominican Republic and to the west with the Paso de los Vientos, which separates this country from Cuba.
For the year 2018, Haiti had a population of 10,981,229 with a population density of 396.7 inhabitants/km², which is spread over a territory that to its credit has a group of beautiful islands such as Tortuga, Vaches, Gonâve and the archipelago of the Cayemite Islands, as well as other islets in its territorial waters.
This beautiful country full of history and magical natural settings has had sad and complicated episodes, which have led its population to live strong periods that warranted the intervention of the UN through the detachment of the United Nations Stabilization Mission (MINUSTAH) in in 2004, as well as humanitarian aid in the catastrophe caused by the earthquake in 2010.
Despite all this, Haiti has been considered a suitable place to develop tourism, where diverse peoples and races converge, due to the fact that its inhabitants largely come from a group of Maya-Quiche settlers there during emigration to Yucatan, and that later mixed due to the French colonization at the beginning of the 18th century, through the black slave trade of multiple origins, which originated different phenomena of racial mixtures and exchanges that have deeply marked Haitian traditions and customs.
On the other hand, tourism in Haiti apparently started with a series of popular travel books, mainly in the period of 1915-1934 when the US occupation took place and there was a western capitalist expansion through the Caribbean, which allowed that later, between the 1940s and 1950s, tourists visited the coastal area of Port-au-Prince on cruise ships, to walk from the docks to the famous cultural attractions.
These cultural attractions attracted famous people of the time such as Truman Capote and Noël Coward, who, attracted by the tales of travel books, came to Haiti to stay at the Hotel Oloffson, which was a 19th-century mansion set in a lush garden. tropical, which offered the opportunity to visit the Arab-style Iron Market, and enjoy the contagious dances and lively music, casino games or Voodoo shows.
After years of delay, in the 1970s Haiti became a fashionable tourist destination, managing to attract an average of 150,000 visitors a year, including Hillary and Bill Clinton who spent their honeymoon there. in 1975.
Therefore, Haiti represents a tourist alternative within the context of the Caribbean paradise, with a spectacular, magical and sunny setting, like those shown in the movies, full of golden beaches and crystal clear waters, with stretches of sand that magically spread over kilometers. on the horizon, which are adorned with dreamy sunrises and sunsets.
So, for all those who like adventure, paradisiacal landscapes and culture, this country will surely attract your attention with a magical touch that basically comes from the historically known «voodoo», the predominant religion in Haiti, to which they resorted. the slaves when they were brutally mistreated during the invasion of the French, who considered themselves slave owners, and distorted its meaning and rites, since they considered it as a threat to their goals of colonization.
Hence, voodoo represents for Haitians that opportunity to be free, that emancipatory element that freed them from oppression and slavery, considering the spirits of voodoo as the entities that inspired the revolution against the French colonizers in Haiti. more than 200 years ago, becoming the second independent nation in the Americas after the United States and the first to abolish slavery.
But, leaving the negative aside, we can say that Haiti offers wonderful things to all the tourists who visit it, its music, its magical culture, an interesting gastronomy, the sunsets in wonderful shades, turquoise waters, crystal clear and warm. , typical of the Caribbean Sea, its paradisiacal beaches, landscapes and unique natural settings, as well as amazing caves and a great historical heritage, which make it an interesting and different option for all lovers of adventure, culture and especially landscapes. full of vegetation, radiant sun, sand and warm waters.
All this series of advantages and positive aspects are taken into account by Bruno Jacquet (2015), a specialist at the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), who affirms that «Haiti is a country that has a special attraction to invest, since it has creativity , dynamism, ability in languages and an enormous cultural and historical wealth, with one of the greatest heritages in the Caribbean”.
All the special attractions of this Caribbean tourist alternative make it an ideal place to spend your vacations and enjoy incredible beaches where you can rest, observe splendid landscapes, dance to the sound of Caribbean music and learn about a culture rich in traditions and customs.
For all of the above, below we recommend some of the most beautiful and recognized beaches not only in Haiti but also in the Caribbean Sea and the American continent:
Labadie Beach: One of the best beaches in Haiti, located near Cap Haitien in secluded Pointe Honore, it is an ideal place for nature walks, diving and swimming.
Kyona Beach: Known for its crystal clear waters, full of warm bright blue-green waters, it has become one of the main tourist attractions in Haiti.
the turtle: This wonderful beach stands out for its crystal clear waters and its creamy sands are recognized as one of the most beautiful in the entire Caribbean paradise.
Cormier Beach: This beach is a hidden paradise, where tourists staying at the hotel have exclusive access to the beach, with a section with a privileged location to visit many tourist attractions in Haiti, such as the Laferrière Citadel, rich in culture. There guests are virtually unable to leave the beach here opting to stay in beachfront rooms.
Wahoo Bay Beach: It is part of a complex located north of the city of Port-au-Prince and has become a romantic destination that offers the opportunity for adventures such as kayaking, snorkeling and climbing, while enjoying the lush green mountains of the surroundings.
Port-Salut: Port-Salut: it’s a relaxing beach destination, with glorious pink and orange sunsets over the crystal blue ocean, where everything from restaurants offering the best of local cuisine, to chic boutiques and luxury seaside hotels, exist.
Jacmel Beach: This coastal city in southern Haiti, with hotel complexes, shops and restaurants, was home to art and film festivals before the tragic earthquake that shook the French colonial city in 2010, which has been tried to rescue in recent years .
Ils-a-Rat Beach: This small beach is full of rich vegetation and colorful coral reefs that are visible from the coast, making it an excellent place to dive and snorkel.
Chouchou Bay Beach: This beach, located in the north of Haiti, is surrounded by green mountains that beautifully adorn the landscape that surrounds the ocean. With coral formations at the western end of the beach, it is another impressive Haitian destination for diving.
Grann Do Beach: It represents one of the best tropical environments in the southeast of Haiti, full of palm trees that charmingly populate its coast, where tourists can take the opportunity to take boat trips to contemplate a truly exuberant and paradisiacal setting.
Kokoye Beach: Calm, crystal-clear waters surround Kokoye Beach, a lonely, sandy treasure. A bit off the beaten track, the journey to get here, through unpaved roads and dense vegetation, represents a perfect destination for those who love adventure and get away from civilization.
Gelee Beach: At Gelee Beach in southern Haiti, you have the chance to see cows in the grassland that overlooks the beach. Unlike many Haitian beach destinations that are surrounded by mountains, this place exudes a feeling of openness and is surrounded by wide open spaces.