• United States!

    United States: Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Go Now!

    United States
    Explore the vast openness and wildlife found roaming in the western United States, including Theodore Roosevelt National Park (pictured) in North Dakota. Begin Your Journey!

  • Trinidad & Tobago!

    Trinidad & Tobago: Beautiful Coastline. Go Now!

    Trinidad & Tobago
    These Caribbean islands mix Indian, African, and European cultures alongside beautiful beaches. Go Now!

  • Cuba!

    Cuba: Sandy beach. Go Now!

    Cuba
    Many people fear the unknowns of Cuba, but the history, culture, food, and impressive beaches lure many visitors every year. Explore Cuba!

  • Honduras!

    Honduras: Children. Go Now!

    Honduras
    The original banana republic, Honduras has made a name for itself with the banana trade; however foreign influences have also vastly altered the culture. Go Now!

  • Mexico!

    Mexico: Sunrise over the mountains in Puerto Vallarta. Go Now!

    Mexico
    Although many people just go for the beaches, Mexico offers impressive mountain vistas (pictured in Puerto Vallarta), great food, and historic ruins that compete with the best in the world. Begin Your Journey!

  • Barbados!

    Barbados: Pier on the beach. Go Now!

    Barbados
    This Caribbean island has hints of British culture, but is wholly Caribbean as well. Explore Barbados!

Social Life in Haiti

WARNING: Safety is a concern in Haiti, please read this travel warning before going!

Behavior

The Haitians are conservative in most aspects of their lives and this is best seen in their behaviors, dress, and dining etiquette. They tend to dress and act conservatively, much of which is based on the doctrines of their Catholic faith. However, there is also great variety in the way the Haitians behave as the country is quite diverse ethnically and geographically.

As a visitor to Haiti try to follow the lead of the locals by dressing conservatively (see below for details), dining in the local etiquette (see our Haiti Dining & Food Page), and avoid sensitive conversation topics, such as politics, finances, and business unless initiated by your local counterpart. Also try to avoid being loud, rude, showing off wealth, or getting noticeably drunk in public.

Dress

The traditional dress in Haiti for women is a dress called a karabela dress. This dress tends to be a long, loose-fitting dress with short sleeves and a ruffled blouse. This dress can come in numerous colors and styles, but tends to be in red and white or a similar color pattern.

Today the karabela dress and other traditional clothing is only worn on special occasions for festival and performances. Today nearly everyone in Haiti wears modern western-styled clothing and, due to the country's many beaches and hot weather, they can be fairly liberal in their dress as shorts and short-sleeved shirts are common. However, as a visitor to Haiti try to dress for the occasion as in religious, political, and business settings the dress is more conservative and formal as pants and long-sleeved shirts are common. However, due to the warm weather an many beaches, the dress is more often than not on the casual side.

This page was last updated: December, 2013