Getting Your Bearings
Carrefour is a large commune on the outskirts of Port-au-Prince, and for a visitor it functions as a busy, spread-out extension of the capital rather than a separate destination with its own transport system. There is no unified public transport network in Haiti, so getting around means piecing together several different modes — tap-taps, buses, motorcycle taxis, and pre-booked private drivers — each with its own rules, fares, and etiquette. Fares vary by route and tend to fluctuate with gasoline prices, so treat any figure you hear as a starting point rather than a fixed rate.
Rail, Metro and Tram
There is no rail, metro, or tram network serving Carrefour or the wider Port-au-Prince area. Visitors should not expect to find one, and no such service appears in the available transport guidance for the country. All movement around the commune and into the capital is by road or, in some parts of the country, by boat.
Tap-Taps: The Workhorse of Local Travel
Tap-taps are the most common way to move short and medium distances. The name means "quick-quick," and they are brightly painted minibuses running on predetermined routes that connect suburbs and outlying towns — exactly the kind of service that links Carrefour with neighbouring districts and the capital.
- Flagging one down: You can hail a tap-tap along its route if there is space. Vehicles fill up tightly, so expect to squeeze in.
- How to ask: Hail the vehicle and ask the driver "Bonjou, [destination]?" — but name a district the route passes through rather than your final stop. For example, asking for "Nazon" tells the driver which corridor you want.
- On board: Say "Padon!" (excuse me) if you bump into other passengers.
- Getting off: Announce "Mèsi!" loudly to signal that you want to stop.
- Paying: Payment is made after you get off, through the window. Change is returned if the driver has it, so carrying small notes makes life easier.
Buses
Buses are the cheapest option alongside tap-taps, and they are the better choice for longer journeys. The main private companies — Capital Coach, Haiti Trans, San Souci Tours, Caribe Tours, and Terra Bus — run large air-conditioned coaches, typically with around 52 seats.
- Where they go: Capital Coach runs cross-Port-au-Prince routes. Haiti Trans connects Port-au-Prince with Cap-Haïtien. San Souci Tours serves Gonaïves, Plaisance, Limbé, Cap-Haïtien, and Ouanaminthe, usually with one midway stop for food, drink, and phone charging. Caribe Tours and Terra Bus run international routes to Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic.
- Booking: Reservations are made in person, the day before travel. Arrive about two hours before departure.
Motorcycle Taxis (Motos)
Motos are privately owned motorcycle taxis and effectively serve as the local substitute for cabs, since street-hailable taxis do not exist in Haiti. They are best kept to short trips.
- Safety: No helmets are provided, and longer rides are considered dangerous. Avoid riding with more than one passenger per moto.
- In transit: You can ask the driver to slow down.
- Paying: Pay after reaching your destination. Drivers are often reluctant to give change, so have small bills ready.
Taxis and Private Drivers
There are no street-hailable cabs. If you want a private car and driver, you must book in advance — through a travel agent, your hotel, or a tourism desk. This is the most comfortable and predictable option, and for many visitors it is the sensible default for anything time-sensitive.
Walkability
Walking is realistic only for short, local errands rather than as a way to cross the commune. Carrefour is spread out and its transport is organised around vehicles, so plan on using tap-taps, motos, or a booked driver for anything beyond your immediate surroundings.
Money and Practicalities
- Carry small bills in Haitian Gourdes — 10, 25, 50, and 100 HTG notes, plus 5 HTG coins. Large bills are hard for drivers to break.
- Fares are not standardised; they vary by route and shift with fuel prices.
- As a rough sense of scale, published example fares from 2018 included Delmas to Champ-de-Mars at 25 HTG and Pétion-Ville to Thomassin at 20 HTG. Treat these as illustrative of how modest local fares are, not as current prices.
Boats
Public water taxis are common and relatively cheap in Haiti's north and south, serving towns and landmarks that are not connected by road. Private boat operators also exist but are significantly more expensive. This is relevant mainly if you are extending your trip beyond the Port-au-Prince area rather than moving around Carrefour itself.
Arriving from the Airport
Because there are no street-hailable taxis, the practical way to get from the airport into the city is to arrange your transfer in advance — through your hotel, a travel agent, or a tourism desk — and have a private driver meet you. Do not count on finding a rail link, metro, or scheduled public bus at the airport. If you are travelling light and confident, a moto may be an option for a short hop, but for arriving with luggage the pre-booked private driver is the reliable choice.
Quick Tips for Visitors
- Book any private driver ahead of time; you cannot flag one down on the street.
- Keep a stack of small gourde notes for tap-taps and motos.
- Learn two phrases: name a district when boarding a tap-tap, and call out "Mèsi!" to get off.
- Use motos for short trips only, and never with more than one passenger.
- For intercity travel, buy your bus ticket in person the day before and arrive two hours early.