Vehicles

1. Taptap

   Tap tap (shared painted truck)

   Usage

   Haiti's signature shared transport: a brightly painted truck with benches in the back. To get off you tap the body of the vehicle, which is where the name comes from

2. Kamyonèt

   Kamyonèt (shared minibus)

   Usage

   A slightly larger shared vehicle than a taptap, used on city and suburban routes

3. Moto-taksi

   Motorcycle taxi

   Usage

   The fastest option for short hops. Agree the fare before getting on; helmets are often not provided

4. Moto

   Motorcycle

   Usage

   The vehicle itself; the rider is a "motosiklis"

5. Machin

   Car

   Usage

   The same word also means "machine"; context makes it clear

6. Machin lwe

   Rental car

   Usage

   "Mwen vle lwe yon machin" = I want to rent a car. Ask for four-wheel drive; rural roads are rough

7. Taksi

   Taxi

   Usage

   Meters are rare, so negotiate the fare before you get in

8. Bis

   Bus

   Usage

   Usually a large intercity bus; in-town rides are taptap or kamyonèt

9. Kamyon

   Truck

   Usage

   A cargo truck; converted for passengers it becomes a taptap

10. Bisiklèt

    Bicycle

    Usage

    Also called "bekàn"; either word is understood

11. Anbilans

    Ambulance

    Usage

    There are few of them and they can be slow. "Rele yon anbilans!" = call an ambulance!

12. Bato

    Boat / ship

    Usage

    Any vessel, large or small; used for crossings to islands such as Lagonav

13. Kannòt

    Small boat

    Usage

    Fishing and ferry skiffs; they are sometimes overloaded, so wait for the next one if it looks too full

14. Avyon

    Airplane

    Usage

    Domestic flights use small aircraft, e.g. Port-au-Prince to Cap-Haïtien

15. Elikoptè

    Helicopter

    Usage

    Used by aid organisations and for medical evacuation

16. Woulib

    A lift / free ride

    Usage

    "Ban m yon woulib" = give me a lift. Everyday in rural areas, but avoid riding alone with strangers

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