If you’re planning a trip to Port-au-Prince or just trying to wrap your head around how money works in the Caribbean’s first independent nation, prepare for a bit of a head-scratching experience. Honestly, the first thing you need to know is that what you see isn't always what you get.
Haiti’s official currency is the Haitian gourde (HTG). You’ll see it on every official bank note, every coin, and every government document. But here’s the kicker: if you walk into a market and ask for the price of a mango, the vendor might look at you and say, "Two dollars."
They don’t mean American dollars. And they definitely don’t mean a physical bill with "Haitian Dollar" printed on it—because those don't exist.
The Mystery of the Haitian Dollar
So, what is the "Haitian dollar"? Basically, it’s a phantom currency. It’s a conceptual unit of measurement that locals use to simplify prices. For over a century, the gourde was pegged to the US dollar at a fixed rate of 5 to 1. Even though that official peg vanished in 1989 and the gourde started floating (and often sinking) against the USD, the mental math stuck.
In Haiti, one "Haitian dollar" always equals five gourdes.
It’s a fixed ratio that never changes. If someone tells you something costs 20 Haitian dollars, you’re actually paying 100 gourdes. You won't find a $20 Haitian bill in your wallet; you’ll be handing over a 100-gourde note. It’s confusing as heck for outsiders, but for Haitians, it’s just how life works.
Understanding the Haitian Gourde in 2026
As of early 2026, the exchange rate has hovered around 130 to 131 gourdes for every 1 US dollar.
The Banque de la République d’Haïti (BRH), which is the country’s central bank, works pretty hard to keep things from spiraling. They’ve been pushing "prudent" monetary policies lately to keep the rate stable near that 130 mark. Why? Because Haiti imports a massive amount of its food and fuel. When the gourde loses value, the price of a bag of rice in Pétion-Ville shoots up instantly.
The gourde itself is divided into 100 centimes. You might see some small coins (5, 10, 20, and 50 centimes), but with inflation being what it is—averaging around 27% to 30% in recent years—those tiny coins are mostly just souvenirs at this point.
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Banknotes You’ll Actually Handle
The bills are colorful and tell a lot of history. You’ll find denominations of:
- 10 gourdes
- 25 gourdes
- 50 gourdes
- 100 gourdes
- 250 gourdes
- 500 gourdes
- 1,000 gourdes
If you’re holding a 1,000-gourde note, you’re carrying about $7.60 USD at today’s rates. It features Florvil Hyppolite, a former president known for his massive public works projects. But be careful with those big bills. In small "tap-taps" (the brightly painted public buses) or at street stalls, breaking a 500 or 1,000-gourde note is nearly impossible.
Why the Currency Fluctuation Matters
Haiti’s economy has been through the ringer. Between political instability and natural disasters—like the lingering effects of Hurricane Melissa in late 2025—the gourde has had a rough ride.
Most people in Haiti survive on a mix of local currency and remittances. Remittances are the money sent back home by Haitians living in the US, Canada, or France. In fact, this money accounts for nearly 15% to 20% of the entire country’s GDP. Because that money usually arrives in US dollars, the "real" economy in Haiti is deeply dual-currency.
You can use US dollars in most big supermarkets, hotels, and high-end restaurants in Port-au-Prince. They’ll take your greenbacks happily, though they might give you your change in gourdes. And they’ll likely use a slightly less favorable exchange rate than the bank would.
Practical Tips for Handling Money in Haiti
If you’re heading there, don’t expect to rely on your credit card. While big hotels and some grocery stores in the capital take Visa or Mastercard, Haiti is a cash-first society.
- Bring US Dollars, but keep them crisp. Seriously. Many banks and exchange houses in Haiti will refuse US bills if they have even a tiny tear or too much ink. They want them looking brand new.
- Learn the "multiply by 5" rule. If someone gives you a price and it sounds way too low to be in gourdes, they’re probably talking in Haitian dollars. Multiply by five to get the gourde amount.
- Use the BRH Reference Rate. Don't just trust a random guy on the street for the exchange rate. The BRH publishes a "taux de référence" every day on their website and social media. Use that as your benchmark.
- ATM safety is huge. Only use ATMs inside banks or secure hotels. Not only is there a security risk, but many ATMs frequently run out of cash or won't accept international cards.
- Exchange little by little. Because the gourde can be volatile, don't trade all your USD at once. Exchange what you need for a few days. You don't want to be stuck with a pile of gourdes if the value drops suddenly.
The Bottom Line on Haiti's Money
Understanding Haiti’s currency is less about math and more about culture. It’s a reflection of a country that has had to be incredibly resilient. The "Haitian dollar" is a ghost of a stable past, while the "gourde" is the reality of the present.
If you're buying something, just clarify: "Goud oswa Dola?" (Gourdes or Dollars?). That one question will save you a lot of headaches and probably a few bucks, too.
To stay on top of your finances while visiting or doing business, download a reliable currency converter app and set it to HTG. Check the rate daily, as 24-hour fluctuations of 1-2% aren't uncommon. Most importantly, always carry a mix of small gourde notes for everyday purchases to avoid the "no change" trap that catches almost every traveler.