If you’re planning a trip to Port-au-Prince or just curious about how things work in the Caribbean’s first independent nation, you’ve probably heard some confusing things about the money. Is it the gourde? Is it the dollar? Honestly, it’s both, but also neither.
The official currency of Haiti is the Haitian gourde (HTG). You’ll see it written as "G" on menus and price tags. As of January 2026, the exchange rate hovers around 131 gourdes to 1 US dollar. But here’s the kicker: if you walk into a market and someone tells you a bag of mangoes costs "10 dollars," they almost certainly do not mean 10 American dollars. They’re talking about a ghost currency called the Haitian dollar.
The Mystery of the Haitian Dollar
This is where almost every traveler gets tripped up. There is no physical "Haitian dollar" bill. It doesn't exist. It’s a conceptual unit of account left over from a time when the gourde was pegged to the US dollar at a 5:1 ratio.
Even though that peg was broken decades ago, the math stuck in the collective memory of the country. To calculate a price in Haitian dollars, you basically just multiply by five to get the gourde amount.
- 1 Haitian Dollar = 5 Gourdes
- 10 Haitian Dollars = 50 Gourdes
- 100 Haitian Dollars = 500 Gourdes
If you're buying a soda and the vendor asks for "two dollars," give them 10 gourdes. If you hand over two American dollar bills, you’re overpaying by a massive margin, and they might just let you do it. Always clarify if the price is in dola ameriken (US dollars) or dola ayisyen (Haitian dollars).
What Does the Money Look Like?
The Banque de la République d'Haïti (BRH) issues the banknotes, and they’re actually quite beautiful. They’re vibrant, colorful, and tell the story of the country's revolutionary past.
Current Banknotes in Circulation
The most common bills you’ll handle are:
🔗 Read more: Buying a 700k Home: What Your Lender Isn't Telling You About the Monthly Payment
- 10 Gourdes: Features Sanité Bélair, a female sergeant in Toussaint Louverture's army. Haiti was actually one of the first countries to feature a woman on its paper money.
- 25 Gourdes: Depicts Justice Jean-Baptiste Belley.
- 50 Gourdes: Features Lescot.
- 100, 250, 500, and 1,000 Gourdes: These larger denominations are used for bigger purchases, though the 1,000-gourde note (depicting Florvil Hyppolite) is less common in everyday street transactions.
Coins exist too, specifically 1 and 5 gourde pieces, along with smaller centimes (5, 10, 20, and 50 centimes), though inflation has made the centimes almost invisible in daily commerce. Most people just round to the nearest gourde.
Can You Use US Dollars in Haiti?
Yes. Sorta.
In major grocery stores, hotels, and upscale restaurants in Pétion-Ville, US dollars are widely accepted and often preferred because the gourde can be volatile. However, don’t expect the neighborhood tap-tap (bus) driver or a street-side fritay vendor to have change for a $20 bill.
✨ Don't miss: The Mosaic Plant City Florida Operation: Why This Massive Site Matters More Than You Think
Cash is king here. While credit cards work in high-end establishments, the infrastructure for digital payments is spotty. If you’re heading outside the main hubs, you’ll need a roll of gourdes in your pocket.
A Quick Warning on ATMs
ATMs in Haiti are notoriously finicky. Some only dispense gourdes, while a few select ones in high-security areas might give out USD. They also run out of cash frequently, especially during times of political unrest or holidays. It is always smarter to bring some US cash with you—small, crisp bills are best—and exchange them at a bank or a reputable bureau de change once you arrive.
The Economy and Your Purchasing Power
Inflation has been a tough hill to climb for Haiti. In late 2025, inflation rates were sitting around 28%, which means prices for basic goods like rice, fuel, and charcoal can jump unexpectedly.
💡 You might also like: Canada Dollar to Cedis: Why the 2026 Exchange Rate is Shifting
For a visitor, this makes Haiti relatively affordable if you have a "hard" currency like USD or Euros, but it makes life incredibly expensive for locals. When you’re bargaining at the Marche Valliere, keep in mind that a few gourdes might not mean much to you, but it’s a big deal for the person selling the goods.
How to Handle Your Money Like a Pro
- Check the daily rate. Use an app like XE or OANDA to know the mid-market rate, but expect to get a slightly worse rate at a physical exchange counter.
- Split your stash. Keep some USD for hotels/emergencies and a healthy amount of gourdes for everything else.
- Learn the "Five Times" rule. If you hear "dollar," think "five gourdes" first.
- Avoid the black market. You might see guys on street corners waving stacks of bills. It's tempting, but the risk of counterfeit notes or getting caught in a scam isn't worth the extra few cents.
To get the most out of your money, stick to using gourdes for small daily expenses like food and transport. This avoids the "tourist tax" that often comes when you try to pay for a 50-cent item with a US dollar. For your next step, download a reliable currency converter that works offline, as data signals can be unreliable once you leave the city center. This will help you navigate the 5:1 mental math of "Haitian dollars" without getting a headache.