Okap / Cap Haïtien

Cap Haïtien is the second biggest city in Haiti, and an important part of Haiti's colonial period when it served as the capital of the French Colony. Henri Christophe was the "King of the North"* after the slave revolution that brought Haiti's independence on January 1st 1804. 

The canal/water front in the middle of the city.

From Port-au-Prince, the road to Cap Haïtien is...well...quite bumpy. But you can also take a 25 minute flight instead of the 5-6 hour drive, if you don't mind spending about 200$US roundtrip. I have to say I started regretting my trip up North when I was on the road past the city of Hinche (where the road hasn't yet been paved). 

Cap Haitien's Cathedral

But the end justifies the means. Cap isn't much different from PaP in that it's still very busy. But the streets are cleaner,  "white people" don't get stared at like it can happen in PaP, and almost every house of building has balconies and huge wooden doors from the colonial architecture. 

Virgin island off the coast of Labadee

I think the most impressive view though is the one when on the road towards Labadee beach, heading West from Cap. The ocean is Jolly rancher/Kool Aid/ Skittles blue (can you tell I love and miss candy!?) and the mountains are huge. 


Although Labadee beach is closed to Haitians because it was bought by Americans and only cruise ships have access to it, there are beautiful beaches along the coast accessible by small boats. 


I took a 50 minute boat ride to a virgin island off the coast and spend the afternoon there. It was an unforgettable day. 

The beautiful coastline

* Yes, just like in Game of thrones, a great TV show I highly recommend!