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Anyone who has sailed on Royal Caribbean in the last decade or so has probably had a stop in Labadee, Haiti. But what is it, and is Labadee worth visiting? Review the map before disembarking to help orient yourself to the various areas.
Where is Labadee, Haiti?
Labadee is a Royal Caribbean-developed 260-acre area of Haiti located on the north coast of the island, not far from Cap-Haitien. A mountain range separates Cap-Haitien from this small town on the beach.
The small town of Labadee only housed a few hundred inhabitants before Royal Caribbean moved in. Once Royal Caribbean bought the northern beach, they developed and upgraded the nearby village, including developing an infrastructure for utilities, building a hospital, and several schools. The cruise company promotes education for the children and residents of Labadee.
The town has grown to about 15,000 people, primarily working for Royal Caribbean. Cruise ships from Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, and Azamara include Labadee in their Caribbean itineraries. It is the single most significant tourism income-producing area of Haiti.
Is Labadee, Haiti, safe?
Given the political situation in Haiti, you may be concerned or worried about whether it is safe to pick a cruise itinerary including a stop in Labadee. In addition to political unrest, rampant gangs, and a slow recovery from earthquakes and hurricanes, the atmosphere is ripe for danger.
But tales of the situation in Haiti generally do not apply to Labadee. Labadee is almost a six-hour drive from the Haitian capital, Port-au-Prince. Visitors to Labadee are not permitted to leave the area owned by Royal Caribbean.
What should I expect in Labadee?
Like other Royal Caribbean-owned properties, Labadee offers visitors an opportunity to enjoy a beautiful Caribbean beach while remaining on company-owned property. If you have the drink package, for example, it will be valid in Labadee – just show your cabin card to benefit from your prepaid plan. Bring some cash for tips for tours, bartenders, and if you plan to purchase crafts. The pier is big enough to house several ships without requiring tenders (a plus for those who hate them!).
The best time to visit Labadee is from November to March. If you travel between April and October, expect hot weather (over 80 degrees). Avoid May if you can. Nobody wants it to rain on their tropical holiday!
Getting around Labadee
You’re in luck! Whether you like to use your own foot power or prefer to ride under something else’s power, Labadee has you covered.
Footpaths
Because Royal Caribbean maintains the property, the pathways are wide and well cared for. With signs everywhere, you won’t have any difficulty getting around. The cruise company even provides fat tired wheelchairs and strollers to make getting around easier.
Tram
Tired of walking? Or want to check out the lay of the land? Hop on the free tram that covers Labadee. You can ride from the main pier area to the market and the farthest beach area with three main stops. The tram runs all day while cruise ships are in port, so a few minutes wait is all you’ll have to put up with.
What activities will you find in Labadee?
Labadee is like an adventure park in the tropics. Many of the activities you would like to do can be found here.
Dragon’s Breath Zipline
Ride the world’s longest over-water zipline, which is over 2600 ft in length. You’ll get a bird’s eye view of beautiful beaches, cruise ships, and Haiti’s natural inhabitants. Flying at speeds of 40-50 mph, you can zip feet first or head first (“superman”). That’s almost a minute of air time, but expect the entire process from sign-in to landing to take about an hour. Reserve ahead of time through the shore excursions desk or in the app.
Dragon’s Tail Coaster
This summer toboggan (alpine) coaster is 2230 ft long. You’ll reach speeds up to 30 mph. Catch a glimpse of the ocean as you coast through curves, twists, and 360-degree turns. This one is fun for most of the family. The ride lasts 3-5 minutes (depending on your speed and the person in front of you). The entire experience from signing in lasts about 25 minutes—Reserve ahead of time through the shore excursions desk or in the app.
Arawak Aqua Park
Located in the Columbus Beach area, the Arawak Aqua Park features
Labadee Beaches!
The beaches are the main attraction in Labadee. No matter where you go, you’ll find plenty of lounge chairs and umbrellas. If you want to be close to the water, you’ll want to arrive early.
Adrenaline Beach
Located at the farthest end of the resort, Adrenaline Beach lies under the pathway of Dragon’s Breath Zipline. The only swim-up bar on the island can be found here. Pose on cute little swings for photo ops. On the far end, reserve a sun bed if you want to lay out in comfort. This is where you’ll also find volleyball, basketball, and soccer courts to pass the day.
Columbus Cove
Located on the island’s far end (there is a tram stop here), this beach is prettier than Adrenaline Beach, but it is home to Arawak Water Park and Dragon’s Splash Water Slide. While there are plenty of facilities and accommodations here, it is not the quietest due to the water activities.
Barefoot Beach Club
This beach is reserved for suite guests but arrive early to find a shady spot. If you’d like to book a cabana, plan on doing so at least a month in advance, or only the most expensive options will be available.
Nellie’s Beach
The quietest of the beaches, Nellie’s is the launch pad for kayak adventures, but other than at those times, enjoy the quiet solitude of this beach. However, it lacks the drink and food facilities of the other beach areas.
Dragon’s Beach
A vast beautiful beach ending at Adrenaline Beach is located along the left side of the property. You’ll find plenty of lounge chairs dotted with blue beach umbrellas. This area is best for sunbathing rather than swimming.
Buccaneer’s Bay
Located to the right as you enter Labadee, Buccaneer’s Bay is the starting point for water-bound adventures. Jet skis, standup paddle boards, kayaks, and more all start here. Parasailing and speedboat adventures also start and stop here.
Artisan’s Market and Artisan’s Village
Locals hawk their wares in a craft market. The market is indoors while the village is outdoors. The sales pitches are aggressive, so be ready to walk on politely if you’re not interested.
Where to eat in Labadee
Various places throughout the island offer hot dogs, hamburgers, BBQ, and assorted sides. These artisans only accept cash for payment, so make sure you bring some if you want to be tempted by the woodwork and work of other artists you’ll find here.
Is a stop in Labadee worth it?
The answer is maybe. I preferred CocoCay to Labadee, which seems ridiculous, considering CocoCay is 100% artificial. But I found the food options and beaches better at CocoCay.
Many Royal Caribbean itineraries stop at CocoCay and Labadee, such as ours. If you have to choose between the two, I’d recommend CocoCay unless you’re looking for thrills like the zip line and coaster.
Have you visited Labadee? What did you think? Share with us below.
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Happy travels,
Annick, The Common Traveler
Raised as a third culture kid living in South America and Europe, Annick caught the travel bug early. As an empty-nester, Annick enjoys sharing her tips for traveling for those with champagne taste and beer budgets.
beautiful place, thank you for creating this article