Les Cayes, Haiti

Capital City

Les Cayes is a major port city, but don't expect the comforts of a cosmopolitan hub. With a population of just 151,696, it's isolated from the political chaos of Port-au-Prince, yet infrastructure remains a persistent headache. As the world's largest exporter of vetiver, the city relies heavily on agriculture, coffee, and sugarcane - industries prone to disruption from natural disasters. In 2021, a powerful 7.2 magnitude earthquake killed over 2,200 people in Les Cayes and the surrounding areas. For those seeking an authentic taste of small-town Haitian life, far from the crowds, this sleepy coastal city may be worth a visit. But those craving modern amenities would do better to look elsewhere.