Les Cayes & its surroundings
5 days
Les Cayes – Camp Perrin – Port à Piment – Ile à Vache – Coteaux – Port Salut
You will love :
- Visit the botanical garden of Les Cayes
- Taking the boat to Ile à Vache
- Explore Marie-Jeanne cave
Welcome to Les Cayes!
Haitians will tell you that in Les Cayes, the city is flat and well marked out! Indeed, it is difficult get lost in the southwest city of Haiti.
It’s in the city center that the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption with the Place d’Armes in front of it, where you will want to spend the day sitting on a bench to soak up the hustle and bustle of the city.
If you already have a crush on the city of Les Cayes, wait to discover the surroundings of this coastal city that will seduce you just as much! You will have the opportunity to discover what makes the region so pleasant: botanical garden, dream beaches, caves, the famous Cow Island, and more!
You will understand, everything is done so that you can spend an unforgettable time in Les Cayes.
- Beach
- Mountain
- Encountering
- Transport
Your itinary
Day 1: City tour + Botanical Garden of Les Cayes
You will start your day with a walk in the city of Les Cayes. As you stroll through the city, you will clearly have the impression of traveling through time!
In the center of Les Cayes, buildings dating from the colonial empire add to the charm of this city. You will take the opportunity to walk to the market where you can find a good variety of cheap fruits and vegetables.
Take the opportunity to get closer to the sea and enjoy the view of the bay of Les Cayes.
After a good traditional (or continental) meal, you will continue your discovery of the city by
going for a walk in the Botanical Garden of Les Cayes which extends over 8 hectares. Our guide will be happy to make you discover the flora and fauna of the region.
The Cayes Botanical Garden includes ethnobotanical gardens, a breeding area, a plant conservatory endemic, an area for games and a space reserved for the education not only of students, but also teachers and families.
This visit promises to be very flowery!
Visit duration: on demand
Accommodation: Guesthouse
Meals included: Lunch – Diner
Day 2: Saut Mathurine + Camp Perrin
Today PAP’PADAP! Travels takes you to discover Saut Mathurine which is the pride of the town. How not to fall in love with this magnificent waterfall!
Located in the middle of a lush forest, this place is a real treasure. This magnificent waterfall is about 30 meters wide and falls 27 meters high.
The water comes from the Cavaillon river and is used in the production of electricity. Prepare your camera, you will be able to take very beautiful pictures there!
You will take advantage of this stage to refresh yourself, take a dip or even observe divers, proud to show their talent.
We invite you to continue your day at Camp-Perrin, a pretty little town renowned for its generous population. This is where we will have lunch!
The town of Camp Perrin was created in the 18th century by the 3 Perrin brothers who came to study the potential of coffee, cotton, etc. After the departure of his 2 brothers, Saint-Aubin Perrin had a military camp built to protect his domain. Characterized as a humanist settler, he was the refuge of ill-treated slaves. During the Haitian revolt, he decides to leave the country so that you don’t have to fight against those who served him.
Walking through the quiet and typical streets of Camp Perrin, you will have the impression of finding yourself in a village in the French provinces!
Transfert: about 45 min by car – 27 km
Accommodation: Guesthouse
Meals included: Breakfast – Lunch – Diner
Day 3: Île à Vache (Cow Island)
After a hearty breakfast prepared by your host, get ready for a day full of adventure: Head to Ile à Vache (Cow Island)! Little corner of paradise located 20 minutes by boat from the port of Les Cayes.
Ile à Vache extends over 128 km2 off the Caribbean Sea. The history of the island says it was a refuge for pirates and buccaneers from where it acquired the nickname “Treasure Island”.
Its port is named after Captain Henry Morgan, more commonly known as Captain Morgan, one of the most famous pirates of the Caribbean in the 17th century.
No cars here! Everything is done on foot or on the back of mules, which really makes this place so authentic. You can go explore the island, meet the locals to fully enjoy your immersion experience.
After a good meal, you can snorkel or, as an option, go discover the “Lovers Island” a few minutes by pirogue.
Take the opportunity to appreciate the magnificent sunsets that will offer you a breathtaking show! #Sunsetlovers alert!
Option: 1 additional night at Ile à Vache
Distance: about 30 min by boat – 10 km
Accommodation: Guesthouse
Meals included: Breakfast – Lunch – Diner
Day 4: Marie Jeanne Caves / Port à Piment + 500 steps / Coteaux
PAP’PADAP! Travels is taking you this time to Port à Piment for a new adventure.
We invite you to explore the famous Marie Jeanne cave, which is the longest cave in the entire Caribbean!
Before we get there, we will stop on the road at Port Salut for lunch, because you will need strength to get to the cave! You first have to walk up a hill, then a little climbing before finding Marie-Jeanne Cave, hidden like a treasure in the vegetation.
Composed of fifty caves on 5 levels, the Marie Jeanne Cave invites you to discover all its mysteries, including some archaeological engravings dating from the time of the Tainos, the first indigenous people on the island.
Your exploration of the undergrounds finished, you will take the road for Coteaux to go climb the 500 steps de la Médaille Miraculeuse (of the Miraculous Medal).
A sacred sanctuary for many Catholics in the country that makes its mark on the pilgrimage route, this sacred place calls for meditation.
We will resume the road to Port Salut where we will spend the night.
Transfer: about 1h40min by car – 61km
Accommodation: Guest house
Meals included: Breakfast – Lunch – Diner
Day 5: Port Salut + Return to Les Cayes
Take advantage of your last day at Port Salut to bask on the white sand beach lined with palm and coconut trees.
Renowned as one of the most beautiful beach in the country, this place is a real piece of paradise! You will spend a lovely lazy morning! On the menu: fresh fish and seafood! For the vegetarians or those who simply do not like seafood, you can discover other local flavors.
You will then resume the road to Les Cayes by making a stop by Gelée, one of the longest beach of the country. This will be an opportunity to sip a last cocktail before returning to city.
Transfert: about 1 hour by car – 35km
Meals included: breakfast – lunch
What's included/not included
What’s included
- A welcome cocktail
- ground transportation between stages
- full board during the stay
- accommodation
- the activities included in the circuit
- snacks (water, snacks)
- contact with our teams before and during the stay
- a surprise gift!
What is not included
- International flights
- airport taxes/ fees
- tips to local guides
- soft drinks and alcohol
- optional activities not included in the program
Available options
- Ile à Vache – Overnight stay Chez Jerome Guesthouse
- Airport transfer
Transportation
Airport transfers, those to your accommodation and during the activities will be carried out either by 4×4 vehicles, Pap padap minivan/buses, or traditional tap tap depending on the size of the group, the type of road in the areas visited and the availability of vehicles from our local partners.
Airport transfer is an available option.
Accommodation +
To guarantee an authentic experience, PAP’PAPDAP! Travels welcomes you in Haitian guesthouses and hotels. Depending on the size of the groups and availability, we have selected the most cozy establishments with unique charms so that these moments of relaxation are the most memorable.
Access to hot water available on request (heated by fire) / No internet access in accommodation but purchase of a SIM card is possible
Electricity not available during the day in the Guesthouse (activated on request)
Our solidarity partners
Botanical Garden of Les Cayes
Located at the entrance to the city of Les Cayes, the botanical garden of Les Cayes is the only one in Haiti. With its 8 hectares of plants and flowers, this botanical garden highlights all the diversity that can be found in Haiti.
You can find exotic plants from Haiti, invasive plants, medicinal plants, aromatic plants, honey plants, as well as native plants for the development of horticulture.
Their mission ? Connect visitors to nature.
Through its various programs, the botanical garden of Les Cayes is an educational and scientific place where children and adults can learn more about horticulture.
Saut Mathurine Tourist Office
The Saut Mathurine waterfall tourist office, located at the site entrance, has an art shop where visitors can purchase an authentic souvenir from their magical visit. The office and local workers are fighting for the preservation of the site which can accommodate visitors but also the organization of cultural and musical events. Its preservation brings this community to life, living in the lush forest of Camp Perrin.
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