Haiti · Safety report last updated
As of July 2026, Port-au-Prince scores 15/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: elevated risk — reconsider. No — Port-au-Prince is currently one of the world’s most dangerous capitals for visitors, with a HIGH RISK rating and Level 4 government advisories advising against all travel. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (high risk) and robbery (high risk).
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Haiti · Assessed 28 July 2026
15
/ 100
Safer than ~4% of countries
Score capped at 18 — Level 4 advisory — "Do Not Travel". No other indicator can raise the score above this.
What drives this score
01 · Official Guidance
Advises against all travel to parts of the country
“Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). Consular support is also severely limited where FCDO advises against travel.”
Updated 2025-12-10T13:57:03Z
Full advisory →Avoid all travel
“Canada's official risk level for Haiti: avoid all travel.”
Updated 2026-07-08T09:16:45.370000-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Homicide rate
Robbery / mugging
HighArmed robbery and carjacking are common in gang‑controlled districts such as Cite Soleil and Martissant, especially near transport hubs and markets
Pickpocketing
HighPickpocketing and bag‑snatching occur frequently in crowded market areas and on tap‑tap buses, even during daylight hours
03 · Environment
04 · Institutions
05 · Field Research
Traveller sentiment score
Extremely negative
31/100
Recent traveler reports and forum discussions describe feeling unsafe, with many canceling trips and citing fear of kidnapping or violent protests.
No — Port-au-Prince is currently one of the world’s most dangerous capitals for visitors, with a HIGH RISK rating and Level 4 government advisories advising against all travel.
The multi‑database safety profile assigns Port-au-Prince a composite safety index of 12/100 (HIGH RISK) and caps it at 18 because of a Level 4 “Do Not Travel” advisory. Crime scores are extremely high (16/100), while rule‑of‑law and governance indicators remain low, reflecting pervasive gang violence, kidnappings, and limited state capacity. Recent news confirms ongoing gang clashes, protests, and the suspension of cruise‑ship visits, underscoring the volatile environment.
Recent developments
Common scams
Full briefing
Port-au-Prince is currently one of the world’s most dangerous capitals for visitors. The composite safety index of 12/100 and the capped score of 18 reflect a HIGH RISK rating, driven by pervasive gang violence, frequent kidnappings, and a Level 4 “Do Not Travel” advisory from Canada, the UK, and the U.S. Recent headlines confirm that cruise lines have suspended calls, the FAA has extended its flight ban, and a student was shot during a hospital‑relocation protest, illustrating how quickly situations can turn violent.
For a traveler, the practical reality is stark: armed robbery and pickpocketing are both rated HIGH, especially in neighborhoods such as Cite Soleil, Martissant, and the area around the national palace where gangs exert control. Public tap‑tap buses and even private drivers can be targeted, so arranging trusted, pre‑vetted transportation is essential. Petty theft and scams — including fake travel‑agency fees and overpriced driver services — are common in crowded markets and airport zones.
The recent dossier highlights several concrete incidents: a July 2026 New York Post report that Royal Caribbean extended its suspension of Haiti cruise visits through 2027; a July 2026 shooting of a student during a protest over hospital relocation; and a U.S. Embassy advisory warning that family members of embassy staff cannot join employees due to kidnapping risks. These events underscore the volatility of the security environment and the limited capacity of local authorities to protect visitors.
If you still consider travel, register with your embassy’s travel‑registration service, keep documents secure, avoid all public transport, and stay indoors after dark. Limit movement to areas deemed safe by trusted local contacts, carry minimal cash, and be wary of scams that prey on tourists. Above all, heed the official advice: avoid all travel to Port‑au‑Prince until the security situation materially improves.
06 · After Dark
Armed robbery and carjacking are common in gang‑controlled districts such as Cite Soleil and Martissant, especially near transport hubs and markets
No specific districts were flagged as no-go areas after dark, but the usual night-time rules apply: stay in lit, populated areas and keep your phone out of sight.
07 · Trip Profiles
Who's travelling changes which risks matter. These re-weight Port-au-Prince's category data for common trip types — same data, different emphasis. Run your own profile from the interactive checker.
08 · Questions
No — Port-au-Prince is currently one of the world’s most dangerous capitals for visitors, with a HIGH RISK rating and Level 4 government advisories advising against all travel. The multi‑database safety profile assigns Port-au-Prince a composite safety index of 12/100 (HIGH RISK) and caps it at 18 because of a Level 4 “Do Not Travel” advisory. Crime scores are extremely high (16/100), while rule‑of‑law and governance indicators remain low, reflecting pervasive gang violence, kidnappings, and limited state capacity. Recent news confirms ongoing gang clashes, protests, and the suspension of cruise‑ship visits, underscoring the volatile environment. (Assessed 28 July 2026.)
No districts were flagged as no-go areas for visitors at the last assessment.
Port-au-Prince scores 15/100 — see the Haiti safety overview for country-level data.
The score blends 12+ public data sources — government advisories, UNODC/World Bank crime statistics, WHO health data, live air quality and disaster alerts — with AI field research over current local reporting. The databases carry 82% of the weight; the traveller-sentiment score from field research carries 18%. Full methodology.
Browse the Haiti safety overview or all destinations. Raw data: port-au-prince.json (CC BY 4.0).
