Getting Around Pétion-Ville
Pétion-Ville sits in the hills above Port-au-Prince, and getting around it means relying on road transport. There is no rail, metro, or tram network in the city or connecting it to the capital, so every trip you make will be by vehicle or on foot.
Tap-Taps and Buses
The main form of public transport is the tap-tap: brightly decorated passenger pickup trucks that run along prescribed routes throughout the city. Buses also serve the area. Both are cheap, but they are crowded, and the source material notes they can be dangerous.
- Most tap-tap routes cost around G10 (roughly 25 cents).
- To cross the city you may need to use several routes, and each one charges separately.
- Tap-taps can be intimidating if you aren't familiar with them, so it helps to ask locally which route serves your destination before you board.
Taxis
Taxis are the more comfortable option, but they come with important practical cautions.
- Expect to pay around G500 for a taxi trip.
- Use taxis only during daylight hours.
- After dark, prices rise substantially and the risk of being mugged increases significantly.
The source material does not describe any ride-hailing apps operating in Pétion-Ville, so plan on arranging taxis directly or through your hotel.
Walking
Pétion-Ville is a residential and touristic district, and many of its roads are quite scenic, with views back toward Port-au-Prince. Walking can be pleasant in the areas where visitors tend to stay, but the city is built on hills, and the source material gives no indication that the whole city is comfortably walkable. For longer trips, or after dark, use a vehicle.
Getting In from the Airport
Port-au-Prince airport (PAP) is the arrival point for most visitors, and it is served by several major airlines, primarily American Airlines and Delta, along with smaller flights from the Dominican Republic, Cuba, and elsewhere in the Caribbean.
- Taxi: A taxi from the airport to your destination in Port-au-Prince runs about US$20 as a standard fare. Try to bargain down to around US$15.
- Tap-tap: Tap-taps going to all places past the airport cost about G10 (25 cents).
Note that these fares are quoted for destinations in Port-au-Prince; Pétion-Ville lies further out in the hills, so confirm the price with your driver before setting off.
Arriving from Santo Domingo by Bus
If you are coming overland from the Dominican Republic, two operators run services that connect to Pétion-Ville.
- Caribe Tours runs a once-daily bus to Pétion-Ville, with an office at Angle Rue Clerueaux et Gabart, Petite Ville (tel. +509 4-722-0082).
- Capital Coach Lines connects Tabarre and Pétion-Ville to Santo Domingo on two separate routes, operating Monday to Saturday, 7AM–3PM. Their main office is at 102 Route de Frere angle Delmas 95 (tel. +509 2942-1880, or +1 610 232-9534 in the USA), and in Pétion-Ville they have an additional station at Angle rues Aubrant & Derenoncourt (tel. +509 2813-7313). Fares are about US$40 one way or US$75 round trip.
By Car
Driving yourself is possible, but be prepared for traffic: getting in and out of Pétion-Ville is congested. The compensation is the scenery — many of the roads offer fine views back toward Port-au-Prince.