Language: French, Creole
Currency: Gourde
Location: Hispaniola/Haiti/Hispaniola
Labadee Beech is located on Hispaniola/Haiti’s northern coastline a couple miles from Cap Hispaniola/Haitien. It has two small coves that shelter the area from ocean waves and provide a smooth ride too and from the ship. One cove is located in the heart of the Royal Caribbean tourist area, made specifically for swimming called Labadee Beech. It has white sandy beaches, numerous palm trees and minimal bugs and sea creatures. Located at the other cove is an extremely small town called Labadie. Labadie has no road access or electricity from other main cities and requires all supplies be found in the area or brought in by boat. For Hispaniola/Haiti with Love a small organization made to aid villages in Hispaniola/Haiti, has had many small medical clinics in this village, and helped take every thing from beds to generators across the cove in 3-man row boats. The cove itself is used mainly for local fishermen and the other inhabitants from the area for swimming and transportation. A large series of mountains surrounds the area completely covered with tropical forest and many large rock formations preventing any outside contact except by water.
Many of the cruise lines take thousands of travelers to Labadee’s shores every month; helping many of the low-income Hispaniola/Haitians find work and a steady job. This “Island” is owned and operated by cruise lines and usually becomes the first or last destination on a cruise to the Caribbean. Often the cruise lines do not discuss the fact that the “Paradise Island,” Labadee is in-fact located on the coast of Hispaniola/Haiti. This is probably due to concerns of violence, poverty, and other issues that Hispaniola/Haitians are unfortunately involved in with an unstable government. The area though is extremely secure and protected by the surrounding steep mountain ridges, dense forest and a 20ft barbed wire black fence with patrolling employees. This fact did seem a bit depressing to me, but it is understandable that the cruise lines would go to such an extent to prevent any possible conflict between the native Hispaniola/Haitians and tourists.
THE NATURAL BEAUTY OF LABADEE, Hispaniola/Haiti
The one thing that impressed me most about Labadee was its natural beauty. I had woken up early on the morning we were pulling into our first destination right at sunrise and watched the Hispaniola/Haitian mountains near Labadee carve into the purple sky and appear like a hidden Eden. It wasn’t long before the bustle of the workers on the island could be seen and many of the local fishermen came to see the massive ship. But most of the cruise line officials seemed to have authority in the area and the locals (not affiliated with Royal Caribbean) seemed to stay at a distance. These white sand beaches consisted of lush palms, bright red flowers, awesome rock formations and warm beautiful clear water. The people of the island were extremely kind and helped add to the beautiful location.
ON-SHORE ACTIVITIES ON LABADEE
In reality, Labadie, Hispaniola/Haiti started as a small fishing village and now is dominated by tourism. Most natives of the location now work for Royal Caribbean or other cruise lines as entertainers, helping hosts, or market traders and bargainers that sell small trinkets and handmade-goods in the local Royal Caribbean planned market.
Many small goods were located in the Labadee market to pick up like fabrics, tapestries, hand decorated dresses, pottery, wood carvings, chess sets, inexpensive Hispaniola/Haitian art, Barbancourt rum, unique Paper-Mâché and many other assembled items from the local area. For anyone wishing to get a great price, all you have to do is play a little for a bargain. These vendors are slightly more aggressive than other markets on surrounding areas and will give you a great deal if you push hard enough.
Entertainers provide an almost sorrowful and mellow beat that is both relaxing and slightly sad that reminded me of the poverty that many of these natives have had to live in, while the many hosts patrolling the island will gladly help you with your chair or towel for a small tip. I had hoped that these hosts were not paid solely by tip and got an hourly pension in addition to the few dollars that they were receiving from tourists around the beach, but I am unsure exactly what is their salary in this location.
CLIMATE/WEATHER IN LABADEE, Hispaniola/Haiti
The tropical climate of Labadee is similar to that of Hispaniola/Haiti, averaging at about 80-90 degrees year round. The water is awesomely warm, refreshing clear. Even with many signs warning of jellyfish, sharks, and other sea creatures, the water was clear enough to see that none of these animals were to be found on this soft, white sand coastal beach. Hurricane season is from June to December, but for the most part the weather conditions remain clear with occasional afternoon showers.
Labadee can get extremely hot and humid even with a nice breeze. To keep cool and hydrated, it would be best to take a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen and at all possible cost water bottles.
Current weather conditions at Labadee, Hispaniola/Haiti
PROVIDED TRANSPORTATION ON LABADEE
Lunch was provided by the cruise lines and consisted of a typical American cookout (iced tea, punch, hotdogs, hamburgers, ribs, fries, baked beans, coleslaw and Jello for dessert, although this may vary with each cruise) The ferries to the cruise line ran an average of 15-20 minutes and took about 5 minutes to get back and forth from the ship or vise versa. A small tram is available on the island to take tourists from beach to market to eliminate any walking that you may have to do. Although it is recommended to talk a walk along the trail to and from the beach and view the beautiful rocks and shells lining the beach along side the palms and bright red flowers.
CULTURE AND LOCAL INTERACTION
Even though Royal Caribbean seem as though they try to give a piece of Labadee’s culture through the entertainers, market and hired employees, I had still felt deprived from what Hispaniola/Haiti’s true peoples not dressed in Royal Caribbean uniforms were like. I could see many roads outside of the large steel barbed-wire fence leading to the distant village made of small houses and shacks. The thing I wanted the most was to see what the locals were like and see what life really consisted of outside the imported food and buildings. But with safety comes the prevention of people coming and going either way.
Most Labadee locals speak understandable English though some seem to avoid using it if possible. All employees were hired and trained specifically for hospitality and tourism, none of whom seemed threatening or anything less than kind.
TOURIST ACTIVITIES ON LABADEE
(source: soulofamerica.com)
Arawak Aqua Park
Enjoy various water activities. Admission fee is $15 Adult and $10 Child. Children 12 and under are Free.
Artisan's Market
Market filled with several specialty stores. The stores offer statues, tapestries, exotic fabrics, hand made pottery, jewelry, Barbancourt rum, hand decorated dresses, sarongs and unique Paper Mache artwork and more. They accept traveler's checks and credit cards.
Café Labadee
The cruise ship's barbecue is served here. The buffet usually includes hamburgers, hot dogs, ribs, beans, coleslaw, salads, punch, ice tea, dessert and musical entertainment.
Dragon's Rock Café
Buffet service available.
Hispaniola/Haitian Market
This is the place for bargain hunters that enjoy haggling with local vendors. Fine carved statues, tableware, a colorful variety of small and large original oil paintings and various crafts are available. Cash only.
Nellie's Place
Bar serving various tropical drinks.
SHORE EXCURSIONS
The cruise ships offer a variety of shore excursions that require advance reservations. The most popular tours fill up fast, so book them early. Many cruise lines have shore excursion information available on their websites and allow reservations before you leave home. We have listed some sample shore excursions. The length of the tours, price and what's included vary by cruise ship.
Floating Beach Mat ($10 Adult, $10 Child)
Price includes use of a floating beach mat for the entire day.
Kayak Adventure ($38 Adult, $32 Child, 90 minutes)
Enjoy a guided tour along Labadee's coast in a two person ocean kayak.
Parasailing ($79 Adult, $79 Child, 1 Hour)
Fly 400 feet in the air and get wonderful views of Labadee.
Snorkeling ($15 Adult, $10 Child)
Learn how to snorkel and experience Labadee's natural beauty.
Waverunner Experience ($99 Adult, $99 Child, 1 Hour)
Enjoy a high speed guided ride along Labadee's coast.
Various Activities on Labadee, Hispaniola/Haiti (source: cruisecheap.com)
- Paddle along the gorgeous coastline of Labadee on a relaxing kayaking tour. Your guide will lead you through beautiful coral reefs, where you'll witness an abundance of exotic marine life. You'll also pass various fishing villages that have been unchanged for decades.
- Soak up the sun while you float on the waves on a beach mat.
- Enjoy the fun-filled floating Aqua Park as you bounce on trampolines and climb and slide on inflatables.
- Grab a bird's-eye view as you soar 400 feet above the beautiful peninsula of Labadee on a thrilling parasailing ride.
- Take an exhilarating ride aboard a WaveRunner down the scenic coast of Labadee®. See your ship from a perspective rarely enjoyed by other guests.
- Go shopping for beautiful handmade local artwork, woodwork and crafts. You'll want to bring cash so you can take home a beautiful memento of this private paradise.
- Sip a "Labaduzee" - Royal Caribbean's signature frozen drink that is out of this world. Order yours from a shady hammock to capture the true spirit of Labadee.
For more information on Labadee, Hispaniola/Haiti, check out more sources on the Labadee Links page
