The Plaine du Cul de Sac in Hispaniola is one of the most remarkable tourist destinations in Haiti. While there are many popular landmarks in the country, this is definitely one of the highlights.
Location and How to Get to This Specific Site
The site is located close to Haiti’s border with the Dominican Republic. It goes from southeastern Haiti all the way to the Dominican Republic’s southwestern portion. Port-au-Prince is only 20 km away and can be reached by public transportation.
What to See There
The Plaine du Cul de Sac in Hispaniola is very popular among nature lovers. The lowland is home to different kinds of wildlife. Some of the animals you will see are ducks, flamingos and herons. There are also several lakes in the area. These include Trou Caiman and Etang Saumatre. The lakes of Caballero and Enriquillo are at the Dominican Republic side.
The town of Croix des Bouquets is worth a visit for its huge cattle market. Trou Caiman is well known for its ibis and other birds. The pine forests are also worth checking out.
History
The earliest known inhabitants of the island were the Taino Indians. The arrival of the Spaniards would lead to the decimation of the Taino people. During the 17th century, the French came and colonized the island.
In 1697, Spain finally ceded control of the whole island to the French. The French would oversee the development of coffee and sugar plantations. On August 1791, half a million slaves staged a revolt. Plantations were burned and all Frenchmen on the island killed. In 1804, Haiti gained independence.
Cost
Haitian taxis are in the form of trucks or SUVs. The fare is around $11.53 (this is about 450 Haitian Gourdes). Bus fares are lower, but the ride is not as comfortable. Tap taps (trucks or vans) are even cheaper but nowhere near as comfortable as taxis. Majority of routes cost about 10 Gourdes (2 Haitian dollars, $0.25 USD).
Other Info
The Plaine is a fascinating place all its own. But there are also other nearby attractions. Apart from Port-au-Prince, there is also Jacmel which is 56 km away. Other places you can visit are the National Historic Park, Jarabacoa and Hinche. Citadel Laferriere and Santo Domingo can also be reached from the site.
If you are going to the Plaine du Cul de Sac in Hispaniola, remember that the climate is tropical. Also remember that very strong rainfall is expected from June to November.
