How Visitors Get Around Delmas
Delmas sits within the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area, and getting around it means relying on the same informal, privately run transport that serves the capital as a whole. There is no unified public transport system, and there are no metered or yellow cabs to flag down. Instead, visitors typically move around by tap-tap, bus, motorcycle taxi, or a pre-booked private driver. Fares are paid in Haitian Gourdes, so carry small bills and coins — drivers often cannot break large notes.
Rail, Metro and Tram
There is no rail, metro, or tram network to use in Delmas or the wider Port-au-Prince area. Ground transport is entirely road-based, so plan your movements around the road options described below.
Buses and Tap-Taps
Buses and minibuses — known locally as tap-taps — are the cheapest way to travel. Tap-taps are brightly painted minibuses that run predetermined routes, connecting suburbs and towns. To board one, go to the nearest tap-tap or bus station, or simply flag one down along its route if it passes your location. Drivers fit passengers in tightly, so expect a full vehicle.
Because many tap-taps and buses share the same roads, it helps to state your destination clearly when you board. A common approach is to greet the driver and name the area or route the vehicle passes through, rather than its final terminus. For example, to travel from Delmas toward downtown Port-au-Prince, you might hail a bus and say "Bonjou, Nazon?" — Nazon being an area the bus passes through, not its final stop.
- Announce "Mèsi!" loudly to signal that you want to get off.
- Say "Padon!" (sorry) if you bump into someone.
- Pay through the window after you get off; the driver returns change if they have it.
- Ask your hosts or locals for the current fare on your route, since prices vary by route and fuel costs.
For longer inter-city journeys, several private bus companies operate large air-conditioned coaches. These include Capital Coach, Haiti Trans, San Souci Tours, Caribe Tours, and Terra Bus. Caribe Tours and Terra Bus run routes to Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic, while San Souci Tours connects Port-au-Prince with destinations such as Gonaïves, Plaisance, Limbé, Cap-Haïtien, and Ouanaminthe, usually with one midway stop for food, drink, and phone charging. Haiti Trans also serves the Port-au-Prince to Cap-Haïtien route, and Capital Coach handles cross-Port-au-Prince travel. To secure a seat on these coaches, reserve in person the day before and arrive at the departure point about two hours before departure.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
There are no street-hailable cabs in Delmas or the rest of Haiti. If you want a private car and driver, you must book it in advance through a travel agent, your hotel, or a tourism desk. Motorcycle taxis, called motos, fill the gap that cabs would otherwise serve. They are privately owned, widely available, and best suited to short trips. Note that no helmets are provided, and longer rides are considered dangerous. You can ask the driver to slow down, and you should avoid carrying more than one passenger per moto. Carry small notes, as drivers are often reluctant to give change, and pay after you reach your destination.
Walking
Walking is possible for short hops, but the practical guidance from transport sources focuses on vehicles rather than pedestrian routes. For anything beyond a brief stroll, tap-taps, motos, or a pre-booked driver are the realistic options.
Getting from the Airport into the City
If you are arriving by air, the most reliable way into Delmas is to arrange a private driver in advance through your hotel, a travel agent, or a tourism desk, since there are no street-hailable cabs at the airport or elsewhere. Public buses and tap-taps are the cheapest alternative if you are comfortable navigating the informal system, and motos are available for short trips, though they are not ideal for arriving with luggage. Fares are paid in Haitian Gourdes, so have small bills ready, and ask your hosts or locals about the current rate for your route before you set out.
Boats
Public water taxis are common and relatively cheap in Haiti's north and south, connecting towns and landmarks that are not linked by road. Private boat operators also exist but are much more expensive. These services are not part of getting around Delmas itself, but they can be useful if your trip extends to coastal areas elsewhere in the country.