What to Wear in Haiti

General Style Tips

Haiti is the poorest of all the Caribbean islands, and our advice would be to leave all valuables at home if you don't want to stand out.
Casual clothes in lightweight natural fabrics (cotton, silk and linen) will work best in this tropical climate – it is warm and sunny but not unbearably hot all year round.
However the nights tend to be a little cooler so a sweater or wrap is worth popping in your case.
Daytime essentials for the beach or hotel pool include t-shirts or camisoles, sarong and shorts.
But keep your swimwear and shorts for the beach, beach bars and hotel pools; cover up with a kaftan or t-shirt when walking around public areas and get dressed properly when away from your hotel.
Always wear plenty of sunscreen (we love the Riemann P20 range for 10 hour protection), sunglasses, and a sunhat.
Mosquitoes can be a problem, so take insect/mosquito repellent and cover up with long sleeves and pants when you can, particularly in the evenings if you are outdoors. Avoid wearing any scent or perfume.

If you are exploring the country, take some comfy shoes for walking. We love Hotter shoes, for total comfort along with style.
Our advice would be to pack some flat sandals for the beach. We love the Lindsay Phillips Switch Flops range – using interchangeable shoe and flip-flop bases with snap-on decorations, you can change your look from day to evening in an instant whilst still packing light.

A few well-chosen pieces of costume jewelry will transform any outfit.
And a pashmina is a versatile piece that will dress up any outfit too – as well as keep off a chilly breeze or cover you from the sun.
The humidity can play havoc with your hair – so think about accessories or a scarf to keep it looking neat and tidy.

If you're looking for versatile and stylish beachwear, try the Madda Fella range of shirts, shorts, polos and swimwear.
For great versatile travel jackets with multiple pockets including RFID security options, we love the SCOTTeVEST range.

The rainy season tends to be May, June and July for the central and southern regions, and November, December and January in the north. A light raincoat or travel umbrella will be useful at these times. During August, September, October and November there can be tropical storms and hurricanes throughout.
We love the Weather+ app – it gives an accurate 6 day forecast for day and night, which when you're planning from home is really helpful. You can keep all the places you've been to too – a nice way to remember your trip 🙂 Download for iPad/iPhone or Android

Go for comfort over style if you are keen to trek the trails in Parc National La Visite or the cloud forests of Pic Macaya National Park. Be sure to pack suitable footwear and also a fleece, because despite the heat and humidity of the coast it will be a good deal cooler at altitude.

Not all areas have access to clean drinking water, so it's best to avoid tap water even when brushing your teeth. Consider taking a LifeStraw Filtration Water Bottle – you can fill up from any source for clean, safe water without wasting plastic bottles.
A lightweight day sack or beach bag will come in handy to carry your sightseeing essentials.
Look after your mobile phone with a phone bunjee – it protects against loss, theft and damage. A solar powered charger can be useful too as a back-up for your battery.
To use electrical gadgets you may need a travel adapter plug, and also a step up voltage converter if your devices are not designed for local voltage (110V).
When traveling around the country a soft-sided rucksack is more practical than a hard suitcase, and using packing cubes can help to keep your belongings tidy whilst compressing the volume too.
Avoid paying unexpected baggage fees – use an accurate luggage scale to ensure you keep within the weight allowance. Don't forget to leave room for souvenirs on the way home! There are lots of local crafts to buy including bracelets, painted cards and wood carvings – do try to support the local industries where you can.