Things To Do
in Carrefour
Carrefour is a densely populated suburb and commune just southwest of Port-au-Prince on the Tiburon Peninsula, characterized by busy markets, coastal communities, and strong neighborhood ties. It is primarily an urban, working-class area where daily life centers on commerce, street vendors, local churches, and informal transport like tap-taps and moto-taxis. The coastline and nearby hills offer glimpses of Haiti’s natural scenery, while day trips to Port-au-Prince, Île de la Gonâve, or Pic la Selle are straightforward from Carrefour.
Visitors should come prepared for an authentic, grassroots Haitian experience and exercise typical urban safety and logistical precautions, as services and infrastructure are limited compared with tourist centers.
Day Trips
Spend a day exploring around
Start your day by visiting the bustling Carrefour Market, where vibrant stalls brim with fresh produce, spices, and handmade crafts. Engage with friendly vendors and learn about traditional Haitian ingredients and cooking methods. Capture the lively atmosphere filled with colorful textiles and the sounds of local music.
Attend a cooking workshop in a nearby community kitchen where you can learn to prepare classic Haitian dishes like griot and pikliz. Savor the flavors of your homemade meal while chatting with local cooks about cultural food traditions. Afterwards, stroll through nearby neighborhoods to admire street art reflecting Haiti’s rich history and resilience.
Relax at a local eatery serving authentic Haitian seafood while enjoying live Kompa music performed by local bands. Watch the sun set over the nearby hills as the town’s energy shifts into a warm, communal vibe. End the evening by joining a casual dance gathering where locals welcome visitors to experience Haitian rhythms first-hand.
Begin your day with a short drive to the nearby coastal area where you can walk along pristine, sandy beaches lined with swaying palm trees. Enjoy the fresh sea breeze and watch local fishermen casting their nets in the early light. Capture photos of colorful fishing boats and the tranquil blue waters stretching to the horizon.
Participate in a guided snorkeling excursion to explore the vibrant underwater world just off the coast. Discover coral reefs teeming with tropical fish and perhaps spot sea turtles gliding gracefully beneath the surface. Afterward, relax on the beach with a refreshing coconut drink from a beachside vendor.
Dine at a seaside restaurant where freshly caught fish is grilled to perfection, paired with traditional Haitian side dishes. Take a moonlit walk along the shore, listening to the gentle waves and the distant sounds of local storytelling. Consider joining a small bonfire gathering where locals share folklore and songs under the starry sky.
Prices
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| 🍽️Street-food meal | $2-6 |
| 🍜Casual restaurant meal | $6-15 |
| 🚕Short taxi or tap-tap ride | $0.25-3 |
| 🏨Mid-range hotel (per night) | $30-80 |
| 💧Bottled water (1.5L) | $0.50-1.50 |
Strengths and Weaknesses
- Authentic, everyday Haitian urban life and culture close to Port-au-Prince.
- Affordable food and markets with vibrant street-level experiences.
- Proximity to the coast and options for day trips to nearby islands and hills.
- Limited tourist infrastructure and services compared with established destinations.
- Elevated security concerns and need for vigilance about personal safety.
- Unreliable public utilities and occasional disruptions to transport and communications.
- "Bonjou" - Good morning / Hello
- "Bonswa" - Good evening
- "Mesi" - Thank you
- "Tanpri" - Please
- "Ki kote mache a ye?" - Where is the market?
- "Konbyen sa koute?" - How much does this cost?
Places to Visit in Carrefour
Visit one of these nice places.
Vibrant street scenes full of color, produce stalls, and daily commerce—excellent for candid portraits and market-detail shots (ask permission before close-up portraits).
Sunrise or late-afternoon light over the bay offers dramatic water and city vistas—good for wide landscapes and fishing-boat silhouettes.
Capture craft processes like metalwork, painting, and flag-making in nearby artisan communities—ask artisans first and consider buying as thanks.
Architectural and cultural focal points where festivals, music, and daily rituals provide evocative photo opportunities—respect services and customs.
Food in Carrefour
Carrefour Famous Food
Signature dishes, delicacies and famous food
Crisply fried marinated pork, often served with pikliz (spicy pickled vegetables) and bannann peze (fried plantain); widely available at roadside stalls and local restaurants.
Must-Try!
Rice cooked with red or black beans, often served as the staple with stews or fried meats; a daily staple found everywhere.
Pumpkin-based soup traditionally eaten on Independence Day but also enjoyed year-round; hearty and spiced with root vegetables and beef.
Fresh sea bivalves and fish cooked in creole sauces or grilled at coastal shacks near Carrefour; freshness depends on the seller and time of day.
Food Markets
Explore local food markets
Open-air markets where you can find fresh produce, spices, fried snacks, pastries, and small hot-cooked meals; try pâté (savory pastry), bannann peze, and freshly fried akra (malanga fritters).
Small seaside vendors sell grilled fish, lambi, and seafood plates—best tried midday when catches are fresh; check local recommendations for the cleanest stalls.
Weather
How to Behave
Tips on cultural norms and respectful behavior
Polite greetings are important—say bonjour or bonswa (French) or bonsoir/bonjou in Kreyòl and shake hands when meeting people. A brief greeting before launching into requests or questions is customary.
Dress modestly in public, especially in residential neighborhoods and places of worship. Show respect for elders and community leaders.
Always ask permission before photographing people, especially in intimate or religious settings. Many vendors expect a small purchase or tip if you take close portraits.
Religion plays a strong role—respect church services and be sensitive when discussing voodou (Vodou), which is a complex spiritual system with deep cultural roots.
Safety
Tipping in Carrefour
Ensure a smooth experience
Tipping is appreciated but not always expected; small tips for restaurant servers (5–10% if service isn’t included), drivers (a few dollars for short rides), and guides are common. In informal food stalls, tipping is not required but leaving small change is welcome.
The Haitian gourde (HTG) is the official currency but US dollars are widely accepted, especially for tourism-related services. ATMs are limited and may not always work—carry enough cash, use reputable exchange points, and be cautious when handling money in public.
Best Time to Visit
And what to expect in different seasons...
One of the most pleasant times to visit: drier, slightly cooler temperatures, and clearer skies—good for outdoor activities and travel between towns.
Warming temperatures and the start of more humid conditions; occasional heavy showers increase toward late spring—be prepared for heat and sun.
Hot and humid with frequent afternoon showers and heightened hurricane season risk; expect higher humidity, possible disruptions from storms, and busy local markets during harvest times.
Peak of the Atlantic hurricane season through early November—stay alert for storm warnings and travel delays; otherwise warm with intermittent rain.
Carrefour at Night
Hiking in Carrefour
Immerse in an unforgettable hike.
The highest mountain range in Haiti — trails require a guide and a full day; offers cooler temperatures, forested slopes, and panoramic views for those prepared for a strenuous hike.
Smaller, informal paths around Carrefour’s hills are suitable for short hikes or walks with local guides; these provide perspectives over the bay and community life.
Shorter, organized hikes in the hills above Port-au-Prince or toward Pétion-Ville can be arranged with local operators and are accessible from Carrefour with a taxi or driver.
Airports
How to reach Carrefour by plane.
The main international airport serving Port-au-Prince, approximately 20–40 minutes from Carrefour by car depending on traffic; the usual entry/exit point for international travelers.
Regional airport serving Jacmel on the south coast; useful for accessing southern beaches and arts communities, a longer drive from Carrefour or a short regional flight from Port-au-Prince.
Northern international airport serving Cap-Haïtien and northern attractions; farther away but an option for travelers planning to visit the north of the country.
Walkability
Demographics
Explore demographics in this area.
Most residents in Carrefour are working-class Haitians who commute locally or into Port-au-Prince for work; neighborhoods are dense and family-centered.
A large portion of the population is involved in informal commerce—market sellers, craftspeople, and street vendors who form the economic backbone of the area.
Many residents are migrants from rural areas who moved to the commune for work and trade, contributing to a mix of urban and rural traditions.
Popular Sports
Explore popular sports in region.
The most popular sport nationwide—local pickup games and community matches are common in open lots and fields.
Basketball has a strong following in urban areas; courts and informal games are popular with youth and adults alike.
Coastal communities engage in small-scale fishing, both as livelihood and sport; you can often observe or join local fishermen for shoreline activities.
Traffic
Accomodations
Find the best place to stay when visiting Carrefour.
Dietary Restrictions
Tips for restricted diets.
Vegetarian options exist but are limited—rice and beans, fried plantains, and vegetable stews are common. Communicate clearly (in French or Kreyòl) and avoid assumptions: request no meat or fish stock and confirm ingredients at small eateries.
More challenging outside major hotels—many dishes use lard or meat-based broths and wheat-based pastries. Bring snacks or rely on markets for fresh fruit, legumes, and boiled root vegetables; ask about preparation methods.
Stick to busy vendors with high turnover and cooked-hot foods; avoid raw salads unless you’re confident about water and washing practices. Prefer bottled water and avoid ice of uncertain origin.