Jacmel, Haiti

How I got to Jacmel I traveled with a group of writers and photographers to Haiti in October. We were based in the community of Thomassin, a suburban area about 40 minutes from central Port-auPrince, the capital city. Local acquaintances helped us to charter a private van for $125 USD to take us to Jacmel. It took about 3 hours to travel roughly 50 miles from Port-auPrince to the historic seaside city of Jacmel. Once outside of Port-auPrince, you’re awakened to the natural beauty of Haiti. We snaked our way past sparkling Caribbean bays, and emerald coffee and mango fields. The roads shifted from being paved to being knotted red-earth. We weaved up mountains where white clouds greeted us and spectacular views of forests and fields took our breath away. When to travel My time in Jacmel was serene. If you desire a more lively experience, head there during Carnival season. It’s extravagant and festive and showcases the reason that Jacmel is known as the arts capital of Haiti. The two biggest festivals both occur on the weekends before Mardi Gras. This year the National Carnival is Feb. 2-4, and the Students Carnival is Feb. 9-13. But smaller revelries continue throughout February, too, until rara season, a celebration of strength and revitalization that merges voodoo and Catholic traditions. It lasts until Easter. In addition, the other festival that brings in tens of thousands of visitors each year is Jacmel’s patron saints festival, the Festival of Saint Jacques and Saint Philippe on May 1 each year.