Travelers should be aware that there are some risks associated with travel to Port-au-Prince.  Major concerns include:

• Weather – Hurricanes have been known to cause devastation in the area.  For information on times of greatest travel risk, see http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g14... .
• Local violence – In general, tourists remain widely unaffected by violent crime when visiting Port-au-Prince.  However, they should be aware that street violence does occur in the area, with shootings in major public areas harming innocent people in the recent past.  For a first-hand account of a travel experience which touches on this topic, visit http://research.unc.edu/endeavors/fal... .
• Health concerns – Port-au-Prince harbors a population marred by poverty which means that there are numerous untreated health conditions in the area.  As with violence, these problems rarely affect travelers, especially those with proper immunizations.  However, travelers should make themselves aware of the proper embassy information for their point of origin and should contact the embassy in case of health emergency, as Port-au-Prince hospitals are not generally considered to be up to international standards.
• Street crime – The most common safety problem affecting travelers is petty theft.  This is generally in the form of pick pocketing.  It most often occurs in heavily crowded places where people are jostling up against each other.  Travelers should take standard precautions to protect themselves.