Travel Information

  General Travel Tips

• Preparing for Travel
• Airport Tips
• Your Carry On Bag(s)
• Packing
• In Haiti

   Preparing for Travel

• Know a few words in the country's native language (Thank you, please, restroom, what would you recommend, etc.)
• If traveling through JFK: Leave yourself at least 2 1/2 - 3 hours between flights if you are changing airlines in JFK.
• Even though the locks on luggage are very easy to break, put them on anyway. Just the extra time and effort it would require to break the lock will detour most thieves. Keep in mind that the DHS can break them them to inspect your luggage just because they can.
• Do not use bright pink or outrageous luggage. You WANT your luggage to blend in with everyone else's. You can, however, put colored ribbons, yarn or tape on the luggage for easier identification.
• Call Your Credit Card Company—Let them know you will be in a foreign country along with your travel dates. Many credit cards will be declined if the card holder is not from the country the charge is originating from.
• American Airlines international luggage capacity limits: 2 suitcases per person at 50lbs each. One carry-on, and one personal item (ex. laptop case, brief case, or purse)
• Spirit Airlines allows for one check-in bag at 50lbs. An additional bag at 50lbs may be added for a small fee.
• If you are picking-up your child that is under the age of 2, BUY THE FRIGGIN PLANE TICKET! Lap seats tickets may be cheaper, but they are BIGGEST HEADACHE you could possiblly imagine. Could you imagine a 3-4 month old German Shepherd puppy in your lap for an entire plane ride? It's not much different - just louder.
• Ensure you have MANY (maybe $30 worth) of $1 bills prior to travel for tipping and purchasing small items.
• If you have a GSM/World-Wide cell phone, contact your cell phone company to ensure your International Calling is turned on. Rates are expensive, but in a jam, it may very well be worth it.
• Allow yourself one extra day for travel. If you have an appointment on Wednesday, book your flight to arrive on Monday. If your flight is canceled for one reason or another, flights to Haiti are OFTEN COMPLETELY full. You'll need the extra day to make your appointment on time.
• Leave a copy of your itinerary with someone in the states. If you have to change your return date, calling from Haiti to change your flight is extremely expensive and very difficult. Calling your friend of family member to do it for you is MUCH easier and cheaper. They will need the information on your itinerary.
• Make sure you've registered at the Embassy.

Airport Tips

• Keep money, passports and visas on you at all times in a money belt under your clothes. 
• The airline people have no pity for canceled flights. None. Ziltch. Zero. And they have NO problem with offering NO assistance and providing incorrect information when it occurs. ALWAYS double check and triple check anything negative someone from the airline is telling you. Call the airline's 800 number… Wait til a shift change occurs and ask someone else. Get back in line and hope you land on a different representative when it's your turn again.
• Duty Free purchases… IF you purchase anything from the Duty Free store before your flight, the Duty Free store will meet you at the boarding gate as you board to hand you your purchases to carry on with you – even liquids (liquor, etc.). If your flight gets canceled, you MUST find a way to PACK the Duty Free Purchased items in your CHECKED IN bags (keeping the receipt and container in tact). The additional weight within the checked bag because of the duty free purchase DOES count towards your 50 allotted pounds.
• You will be surrounded by people that want to help you with your luggage at the PAP airport. Be stern with your "No, Merci."
  • The standard tip for someone helping you with your luggage is $2USD

   Your Carry-On Bag(s)

• Examples of a "carry-on" are a laptop case, brief case, purse, diaper bag, book bag, shopping bag, mini-suitcase on wheels
• ALWAYS make sure you have the full name, address, and telephone number of where you will be staying in Haiti. You will need it to fill out the Immigration/Customs forms on the airplane.
• If you are traveling FROM a cold place TO a warm place (or vise versa), keep a change of clothes in your carry on so you can be dressed appropriately when you arrive at your final destination.
• Carry small rolls of toilet tissue or kleenex and wet wipes with you at all times.
  
• Take any special medication & prescriptions with you on the plane.
• With the recent liquid restrictions on airplanes, bring an EMPTY water bottle or two. EMPTY bottles are allowed in your carry-on. These can be used to fill with water in the airport (as long as you drink it prior to boarding), on the airplane, and to refill with filtered water at your destination.

  Tid Bits on Packing...

• Pack a small bottle of detergent or dish soap to wash out clothes in case your stay is extended or to save money by doing your laundry in the sink.
  
• Space bags are an excellent tool when packing clothing, however, they add weight. Make sure to continuously check your baggage weight.
• Zip lock Bags (Dual Purpose)
  • Before Trip: Buy 2 gallon zipping freezer bags and put everything (including clothing) into bags. Squeezing out all of the air saves a lot of space. This can also help you find things easily as you can label the bags and sort them by type of item (child's toys, bathroom things etc.).
  • During Trip: For dirty diapers on plane etc.

   Out & About In Haiti

• Carry small rolls of toilet tissue or kleenex with you at all times. Some restaurants and public buildings did not have any or not like your used to.
  
• Take several travel packs of wet wipes.
  
• Take some travel food with you. You never know when you'll be stuck in long, unexpected lines or traffic. The Haitian concept of time is not exactly what Americans are used to.
  
• Drink only bottled water. Do not even brush your teeth with the faucet water.
  
• Only eat food that has been cooked. Make sure your meat is thoroughly cooked. Do NOT eat street bought food.
  
• Keep money, passports and visas on you at all times in a money belt under your clothes. 
  
• Don't be afraid to speak to people. Even if you don't think they speak English, they may surprise you or you may surprise yourself on how well you understand them if you brushed up on any of the foreign language.
• Do not take a bath while in Haiti. Only take showers.