Port-au-prince Travel Guide

Port-au-Prince feels like a small town. In reality it has more than four million inhabitants and it's by far the largest city of the country. The fact remains that there are mostly two-story buildings and only two “skyscrapers” (both less than 20 stories).

Port-au-Prince was a place to be avoided until recently. With an average of 35 kidnappings a week and frequent exchanges of fire between police until early 2007, United Nations troops and, now, less active and depleted criminal gangs that dominated the city's coastal slums, this is a location that still requires caution, but is reasonable to visit with proper guidance.

The Petionville area of the city is far more secure, with nightlife and business proceeding with an air of normalcy that is a stark contrast to other parts of this city.