Haiti Currency & Money Guide: Exchange, Cards, and Tips

Haiti uses the Haitian gourde (HTG), but travellers should carry a mix of gourdes and small US-dollar notes because cash remains essential. In mid-October 2026, indicative market data showed approximately 1 SGD = 102 HTG, while 1 USD was about 131 HTG; rates can change quickly, so check a live converter before exchanging. Cards work mainly at better hotels and international restaurants, ATMs can be unreliable, and contactless payments are uncommon. Budget extra for exchange fees, keep emergency cash separately, and confirm whether prices are quoted in gourdes, US dollars, or the informal “Haitian dollar.”

For a smoother trip to Haiti, exchange money through a bank or established hotel desk rather than on the street, count every note before leaving, and avoid displaying large amounts of cash. A practical daily reserve for independent travellers is around US$30–70 for local meals, transport, entrance fees, and small purchases, excluding accommodation and private security. Hello’s expense tools can track HTG, USD, and SGD together with automatic exchange-rate conversion, helping you see your real spending while travelling.

The Haitian gourde is Haiti’s official currency, while US dollars are widely used for tourist-facing purchases; Singapore-dollar travellers should treat every rate as indicative and verify it on the day. Currency World and Wise data in October 2026 placed 1 SGD at roughly 102 HTG, with 1 HTG worth about S$0.0098, although Haiti’s exchange market can move substantially between updates.

The gourde is divided into 100 centimes, but centime coins are rarely useful for visitors. Notes commonly encountered include 10, 25, 50, 100, 250, 500, and 1,000 gourdes. Carry smaller denominations because taxi fares, market purchases, street food, and small guesthouses may not have change for a large note.

A confusing local convention is the “Haitian dollar,” an informal accounting unit equal to five gourdes. It is not a separate banknote or the same as a US dollar. If a seller says something costs “20 dollars,” ask clearly: “American dollars, Haitian dollars, or gourdes?” A price of 20 Haitian dollars means 100 HTG, not US$20.

Before departure, record the live SGD-to-HTG rate in the Hello app or another trusted converter. Hello’s multi-currency expense tracking automatically converts purchases, making it easier to compare a 1,500-HTG meal with your Singapore-dollar budget.

The safest Haiti exchange-rate strategy is to use a bank, reputable exchange desk, or established hotel counter and avoid informal street changers. Banks and major hotels in Port-au-Prince and other visitor areas may exchange US dollars into gourdes, while established bureaux de change can be useful when operating normally. Availability and opening hours may vary, so ask your accommodation to recommend a currently operating location.

US dollars are generally easier to exchange than Singapore dollars, so many travellers convert SGD into USD before travelling and then exchange only what they need into HTG. Bring clean, newer US$10, US$20, and US$50 notes; damaged or heavily marked bills may be rejected. Do not exchange your entire travel budget at once, because carrying a large visible cash balance increases risk.

Use this comparison as a practical guide:

Option	Best use	Main caution
Bank or established exchange desk	Larger, documented exchanges	Check hours and identification requirements
Reputable hotel desk	Convenience and safer surroundings	Rate may be slightly less competitive
Airport exchange counter	Immediate arrival expenses	Compare the displayed rate and commission
Street changer	Generally avoid	Short-counting, counterfeit notes, and personal-safety risks
ATM withdrawal	Smaller emergency top-ups	Machines may be empty, offline, or fee-heavy

Count the gourdes yourself before leaving the counter, keep the receipt, and confirm the total in writing when possible.

Visa and Mastercard are most useful in Haiti’s upscale hotels, international restaurants, and selected businesses, but travellers should assume that local transport, markets, smaller eateries, and rural services require cash. American Express may be accepted at some high-end properties but is less dependable elsewhere. Ask about card acceptance before ordering, particularly in Port-au-Prince, Cap-Haïtien, Jacmel, or outside tourist areas.

ATMs are concentrated in major cities, including Port-au-Prince and Cap-Haïtien, but machines can run out of cash, lose connectivity, or reject foreign cards. Withdraw during daylight from a bank branch or secure indoor location rather than relying on a standalone machine. Your home bank may charge an international withdrawal fee, while the Haitian bank may add its own fee or impose a withdrawal limit. Notify your bank before departure and carry two cards separately.

Contactless payment is not a dependable everyday option. Apple Pay, Google Pay, WeChat Pay, PayPay, and similar international wallets have limited practical use, so do not build your budget around tap-to-pay. Keep a small cash wallet for daily spending and a concealed emergency reserve in separate denominations.

For connectivity, an eSIM from Hello can provide mobile data after arrival, helping you contact your hotel, check maps, confirm payment arrangements, and monitor Hello’s live expense totals without searching for public Wi-Fi.

Tipping in Haiti is usually appreciated rather than rigidly fixed, with around 10–15% customary in restaurants when service is not already included. Check the bill before adding anything, especially at hotels and tourist-oriented restaurants where a service charge may already appear. Tip in gourdes when possible, or use small US-dollar notes if the recipient clearly accepts them.

Typical guidelines include:

• Restaurants: about 10–15% for good service, unless a service charge is included.
• Hotel porters: around 100–250 HTG per bag, depending on the property and assistance.
• Housekeeping: approximately 100–300 HTG per night for helpful service.
• Private drivers and guides: agree on the price first, then add a discretionary tip for safe, attentive service.
• Taxis: rounding up is usually more practical than calculating a percentage; confirm the fare before departure.

Costs vary sharply by location and security arrangements. A simple local meal may cost roughly 300–800 HTG, while an international restaurant meal can reach US$15–30 or more. Bottled water, transport, and hotel services may be priced in US dollars. Keep small notes ready so tipping does not require displaying a large wallet.

Hello can scan receipts in different currencies and categorise meals, transport, and tips automatically. That makes it easier to see whether your actual Haiti money tips are keeping pace with your planned daily budget.

The best Haiti money-saving advice is to reduce unnecessary exchanges, verify every quoted price, and protect your cash as carefully as your passport. Common problems include short-counting at informal exchange points, confusing “Haitian dollars” with US dollars, inflated prices for visitors, unofficial airport helpers, fake drivers, and requests to hand over cash or personal documents. Travel-scam reports also describe fraudulent agencies demanding thousands of US dollars for promised international travel, so never pay a supposed agent without independent verification.

Use these habits to limit losses:

• Agree on taxi, guide, driver, and porter prices before service begins.
• Ask whether a quote is in HTG, US dollars, or Haitian dollars.
• Count exchanged notes yourself and separate large bills from daily cash.
• Avoid exchanging money in public, near ATMs, or in front of strangers.
• Use hotel-arranged transfers and verify a driver directly with the property.
• Keep one emergency reserve separate from your wallet and luggage.
• Pay in HTG when a local vendor gives a fair gourde price; paying in dollars can produce poor change.
• Choose accommodation with secure payment facilities and ask about card surcharges.

Track spending as it happens in Hello, including shared costs with travel companions. Its expense-splitting feature handles multiple currencies and automatic conversion, which helps prevent disagreements when one person pays in USD and another reimburses in SGD.

Travellers can manage money in Haiti successfully by carrying cash in two currencies, using cards only as a backup, and checking exchange calculations before every major transaction. These answers cover the questions most visitors ask before departure.

Should I bring US dollars or Haitian gourdes? Bring both. Small US-dollar notes are useful for hotels and some tourist services, while gourdes are better for local purchases, transport, tips, and markets.

Can I use Singapore dollars in Haiti? Do not expect shops or exchange desks to accept SGD conveniently. Convert to USD before the trip or exchange through a reputable financial institution after arrival.

Are ATMs safe and reliable? Major-bank ATMs in large cities may work, but outages, cash shortages, withdrawal limits, and foreign-card fees are common. Make an initial withdrawal in a secure location and keep cash reserves.

Can I pay by card in Haiti? Cards are most dependable at upscale hotels, international restaurants, and selected businesses in Port-au-Prince. Smaller businesses and rural areas are largely cash-based.

Is contactless payment available? Contactless cards and international wallets are not reliable for everyday travel. Carry physical cards and cash.

How much cash should I carry? Carry enough for one or two days plus an emergency reserve, rather than your entire trip budget. A hotel can advise on current local conditions.

How can I track costs accurately? Hello combines receipt scanning, voice expense entry, bank-statement imports, budget tracking, and automatic multi-currency conversion in one travel companion app available for iOS and Android.