Jacmel
Haiti · Sud-EstHT
Commune in Sud-Est, Haiti
Jacmel is a commune in southern Haiti previously founded by the Spanish in 1504 before the relocation of dominicans to the eastern side of the island after the Devastation of Osorio and repopulated by the French in 1698. It is the capital of the department of Sud-Est, 24 miles (39 km) southwest of Port-au-Prince across the Tiburon Peninsula, and had a population of 221,965 at the 2024 Census. The town's name is derived from its indigenous Taíno name of Yaquimel. In 1925, Jacmel was dubbed as the "City of Light," becoming the first in the Caribbean to have electricity.
Read more on Wikipedia →- Population
- 221,965
- Coordinates
- 18.234, -72.535
- Timezone
- America/Port-au-Prince
- Elevation
- 43 m
Overview of Jacmel
In Sud-Est, Haiti, Jacmel stands out as a medium-sized town. Some 221,965 inhabitants call it home. The northern hemisphere setting is worth noting when you pick dates. Which shapes the pace of a visit. Travel interests covered here include nature, culture and water sports.
Things to do in Jacmel
Nature in Jacmel
(20)For nature, expect Beaches, Caves, Countryside, Desert and Forest. The category holds 20 entries in our dataset. This reflects only what is documented for Jacmel.
Culture in Jacmel
(18)Jacmel records Ancient Ruins, Architectural Buildings, Art Galleries, Bridges and Castles under culture. Everything listed here comes from what Jacmel is actually tagged with. There are 18 tagged experiences in this group.
Water Sports in Jacmel
(16)On the water sports side, Jacmel offers Bodyboard, Canoeing, Diving, Kayaking and Kiteboarding. All of it is drawn from Jacmel's recorded activities. There are 16 tagged experiences in this group.
Sports in Jacmel
(14)Under sports, Jacmel is tagged with Biking, Golf, Hiking, Hiking Trails and Horse Trails. The category holds 14 entries in our dataset. This reflects only what is documented for Jacmel.
Adventure in Jacmel
(12)Jacmel records Abseiling, Adventure, Adventure Parks, Amusement Parks and Boat Rides under adventure. It is a direct read of Jacmel's activity profile. That is 12 tagged options in total, so there is room to pick and choose.
Nightlife in Jacmel
(10)The nightlife shortlist for Jacmel: Bars, Casinos, Clubs, Disco and Events. It is a direct read of Jacmel's activity profile. That is 10 tagged options in total, so there is room to pick and choose.
Wellness in Jacmel
(6)For wellness, expect Farms, Ranches, Spa, Therms and Turkish Baths. The category holds 6 entries in our dataset. This reflects only what is documented for Jacmel.
Family in Jacmel
(4)On the family side, Jacmel offers Aquariums, Playgrounds, Water Parks and Zoo. It is a direct read of Jacmel's activity profile. Small in number, simple to combine into one outing.
Shopping in Jacmel
(2)The shopping shortlist for Jacmel: Food and Shopping. It is a direct read of Jacmel's activity profile. Small in number, simple to combine into one outing.
More to do in Jacmel
(2)Other activities in Jacmel covers Fishing and Secret. Each one is worth building half a day around. Nothing here is guesswork — it reflects the recorded activity data for Jacmel.
Best time to visit Jacmel
Year-round, the indoor and evening side of Jacmel still delivers. For anything on snow, December to February is the season. Outdoor exploring is easiest in April to June and September to October. For anything on or in the water, aim for June to September.
Getting there & around
Public transport from Sud-Est reaches Jacmel without much detour. Jacmel runs on America/Port-au-Prince time.
Similar destinations
Places near Jacmel that share the same kinds of activities.
Frequently asked questions
- What is Jacmel known for?
- In Sud-Est, Haiti, Jacmel stands out for nature, culture and water sports. That mix defines the typical visit to this 221,965-strong destination.
- What can you do in Jacmel?
- Options in Jacmel run to Beaches, Caves, Countryside, Desert and Forest — a practical starting point for an itinerary.
- When is the best time to visit Jacmel?
- Year-round, the indoor and evening side of Jacmel still delivers. For anything on snow, December to February is the season. Outdoor exploring is easiest in April to June and September to October. For anything on or in the water, aim for June to September.
- Where is Jacmel located?
- You will find Jacmel in Sud-Est, Haiti. Neighbouring destinations are listed on the matching region and country pages.
Personal notes
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