Currency and Financial Transactions

Currency:

    The unit is the gourde, divided into 100 centimes. Small denomination notes are in appalling condition and there is always a shortage of them.

Coins Bills/Gourde Notes

5 centimes / .05 Gourde 1 Gourde 50 Gourde 20 Centimes / .20 Gourde 2 Gourde 100 Gourde 50 Centimes / .50 Gourde 5 Gourde 250 Gourde 100 Centimes / 1.0 Gourde 10 Gourde 500 Gourde 500 Centimes / 5.0 Gourde

Exchange:

Haitians routinely refer to their own money as dollars, based upon the time of the US occupation when the exchange rate was 5 Gourde to 1 US dollar. From the time of the September 1991 coup to the present the value of the Gourde has significantly dropped against the US dollar. Current exchange rates are based on Gourde to US dollar (20 G. to $1 US) or Haitian dollars to the US dollar ($4 H to $1 US). Exchange methods and rates vary among merchants. The exchange rate varies on a daily basis.

5 Gourdes is called a Haitian dollar, 10 Gourdes is 2 dollars, 25 Gourdes is 5 dollars, etc. Prices in shops are usually in Haitian dollars, therefore multiply by 5 to get the price in Gourdes. Visitors must constantly clarify whether the price being quoted is in Haitian or American dollars, or Gourdes. The best exchange rate is obtained from banks. Money changers are often found along the streets or work out of offices. It is perfectly legal. The best currency to exchange in Haiti is US dollars or French Francs. Other currencies can be exchanged, but only at a loss.

Banks & Money Changers

    Unibank, Delmas 105 / Rte Freres and Rue Darguin, Petion-Ville; Sogebank, Delmas 105 / Rte Freres, Petion-Ville; Promobank, Rue Faubert #13, Petion-Ville; Citibank, route de Delmas #242; Capitol Bank, 149-151 Rue des Miracle, and Petion-Ville, Lamarre and Loverture. There are long lines in most banks for any kind of service. Banks hold personal and Traveler's checks for 21-30 days for clearance.

Credit Cards & Traveler's Checks:
    Visa, Mastercard and American Express are widely accepted. Discover Cards are not used in Haiti. Traveler's Checks are accepted by some venders, but banks generally will not cash them. Haiti ATM machines are for Haiti bank accounts only and are in Gourdes.

Note: To dial these numbers from the United States, you must dial 011 509, then the #.

Return to Team Planning & Information Page

Return to Home Page

The information contained within this file was found via the Internet at Adex3.flycast.com. We make no representation as to its accuracy or the reliability of the information.