Gonaïves
Haiti · Artibonite · 5 m
Description
Gonaïves calls itself the city of independence because Jean-Jacques Dessalines stood on its Place d'Armes on the first of January 1804 and declared the colony of Saint-Domingue finished, making Haiti the first black republic in the world. A white obelisk with his figure at the foot of it marks the spot. Three of the country's most important vodou lakou stand just outside, Souvenance, Soukri Danache and Badjo, and thousands come out to them at Easter and again in August. The Artibonite rice plain begins south of the town and runs to the horizon. Hurricane Jeanne drowned much of the city in 2004 and Hanna did it again four years later.
Length of stay
Recommended length of stay: 1 to 3 days (optimal 2 days)
Travel season
Best time to visit: December – April
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Highlights
- Place d'Armes, where independence was declared
- Souvenance vodou pilgrimage at Easter (approx. April)
- Obelisk with the figure of Dessalines
- Independence Day on the square (1 January)
- Lakou Soukri Danache festival (14 August)(Day trip)
- Market of Gonaïves
- Lakou Badjo, the third of the three(Day trip)
- Rara bands through Holy Week (approx. April)
- Fishing boats on the bay
- Artibonite rice plain south of the town
Getting there
- Nearest airports:
- PAP