Labadee, Haiti

20 minutes by car north of Haiti’s capital is the small Labadee Peninsula, adjoining the mountain range that provides panoramic views of the blue waters of the calm Atlantic Ocean. Labadee has a special charm. In just one place, it brings together everything best from the Caribbean coast- from an engaging history to a vibrant, colorful palette of arts and crafts.

On the eastern side of the peninsula is the world-famous Labadee Beach-a private beach that the cruise company Royal Caribbean has rented and equipped exclusively for the rest of passengers of its liners. Labadee Beach is one of the best-kept and best-preserved in the country.

Soft sand, coral reefs, the boundless ocean, and entertainment facilities on the shore make it an ideal place for fun throughout the entire port stay amid pristine nature and crystal-clear waters. Entertainment and dining on the island are arranged just like onboard-under the “All inclusive, except alcoholic beverages” system.

Guests can enjoy the Arawak Waterpark with trampolines, water slides, and other water-activity attractions. The most impressive are the Breath Flight Line Dragon water slides-the longest slide over the ocean-and the 300-foot Dragon Splash Waterslide, featuring 10 turns and ending in the splash zone at Columbus Cove.

Food is served in special outdoor areas, where you can choose from a wide variety of barbecues, grill hamburgers, hot dogs, fruits, vegetables, and refreshing drinks. The bar with alcoholic beverages operates throughout your stay at Labadee. Be sure to try the signature cocktail Labaduzee, which is a favorite among vacationers.

The entire beach is equipped with loungers, hammocks, and umbrellas. You can rent masks, scuba gear, volleyball equipment, jet skis, kayaks, and much more. There is also a shop selling handmade souvenirs by local artists.

You can also reserve separate individual cottages for the entire duration of your stay-cabins with a sea view or with a view of the beach. Renting a luxurious cottage includes 2 floating beach mats, a buffet from the Columbus Cove café, “Dragon” or the Labadee café, a water cooler with 6 bottles of water, use of beach towels, and service from a dedicated attendant waiter.

The climate in the country is tropical trade-wind. It changes the air temperature by splitting the year not into seasons, but into days: during the day the average temperature rises to +38 degrees, while at night it drops to +17.

The best time to travel to Haiti is from December to March. This is the dry season, which begins here a few weeks earlier than in the Lesser Antilles. Rain mostly falls at night, which allows Haiti to be considered the sunniest country in the region. The northern coast and the north-eastern areas of the country are drier. Temperatures in Haiti are high all the time, but the heat is made more bearable by the wind.