Audioguides Port-au-Prince

November through March is the dry season and the most comfortable time to visit, with temperatures around 28-32C and lower humidity. April through June and August through October bring the rainy seasons, with heavy downpours common in the afternoons.

Haitian Creole is the primary language of Port-au-Prince, spoken by virtually everyone. French is also an official language and used in formal contexts. In tourist areas and Petionville, English is spoken by some hotel and restaurant staff. Learning basic Creole phrases like mesi (thank you) and bonjou (hello) is appreciated by locals and goes a long way.

The Galerie Nader in Petionville is one of the finest galleries in the Caribbean, with serious historical and contemporary Haitian art. The Iron Market downtown, a distinctive Victorian-era structure, has crafts and art alongside everyday goods. Petionville's main streets have several smaller galleries where you can often meet the artists directly.

Griot, chunks of pork marinated in citrus and Scotch bonnet pepper then fried crispy, is the defining Haitian dish and is served with pikliz, a spicy pickled vegetable condiment. Haitian rice and beans, cooked with coconut milk, is unlike any other rice and beans dish in the Caribbean. Akra, fried malanga fritters, are a popular snack throughout the city.