Place d'Armes

Haiti


Cap's pretty main square, bordered on the southern side by the Notre-Dame cathedral on Rue 18, has a dark past. François Mackandal, leader of a pre-revolutionary guerrilla slave war, was burned at the stake here in 1758. Subsequent revolutionary Vincent Ogé was broken on the wheel here in 1791. But nowadays things seem extremely relaxed, at least during the daytime: benches clustered around a small statue of Jean-Jacques Dessalines are invariably occupied by students and other friendly chillers.

At night, the scene comes alive into a huge block party, with breakdancing kids and DIY roulette wheels. BYOB for a seriously locals-only vibe, but be prepared for some hassle if you don't pass for Haitian. This is not a place frequented by foreigners, especially after sunset. If you want to check it out at night, get a moto-taxi there, and have him wait for you while you have a look. After hours, solo foreign women should avoid altogether.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Haiti attractions

2. Marché de Fer

0.27 MILES

The city's iron market sprawls over four city blocks and offers everything from vegetables and clothing to toiletries.

3. Île-à-Rat

8.07 MILES

Your basic paradise, this tiny island offers white sand, a lush core of trees, and turquoise water where snorkelers encounter centuries-old cannon and…

4. Sans Souci

10.87 MILES

Built as a rival to Versailles in France, Henry Christophe’s palace of Sans Souci has lain abandoned since it was ruined in the 1842 earthquake. The years…

5. Citadelle Laferrière

13.25 MILES

Haitians call the Citadelle the eighth wonder of the world and, having slogged to the 900m summit of Pic Laferrière (or ridden horseback for US$15), you…