Jacmel is a coastal town on Haiti's southern coast, about four hours from Port-au-Prince by road. It is one of the most charming towns in the country — a port with a well-preserved historic centre of Victorian-era ironwork houses, a lively iron market, and a thriving arts scene centered on papier-mâché workshops, carved wood animals, and painting.
The town is known throughout the Caribbean for its carnival, held in the weeks before Lent. The elaborate handmade costumes and papier-mâché masks are extraordinary — this is one of the most artistically rich carnival traditions in the region, and far more intimate than the massive Port-au-Prince celebration.
The main natural attraction nearby is Bassin Bleu, a series of crystal-clear turquoise pools fed by waterfalls in the hills above the town. It requires a hike and a local guide (guides can be arranged at the trailhead), but the pools are worth the effort. The beaches at Raymond les Bains and Cyvadier, both within easy distance, are also excellent.
Jacmel has a real café culture and some of the best cooking in provincial Haiti. It is a good place to slow down.