Les Cayes, formerly Aux Cayes, is a town and seaport in southwestern Haiti with a population of approximately 45,904 people (1995 estimate). It is one of the chief ports of the nation, with export trade concentrating on mostly coffee and sugar, although shipments of bananas and timber are also large.On Christmas Eve, Simon Bolivar arrived in Les Cayes with much support and sympathy from the residents, including lending necessary weapons and even troops to his cause. It's the hometown of several presidents, such as Boisrond Canal, Antoine Simon, charles Herard, brother of Riviere Herard, Lysius Felicite Salomon Jeune, Michel Domingue, Jean-Bertrand Aristide.John James Audubon, an ornithologist (person who studies birds), artist, and naturalist, was born in Les Cayes in 1785, Audubon's father was a French sea captain; his creole mother died when he was six months.
In order to reach Les Cayes, Haiti's third largest city, enjoy the coastal drive down RN2. In Aquin, there are lovely rivers and one can see a tiny island, which has a ruins of an English fort. A good time to visit Les Cayes is in August, during The Fête de Notre Dame. Locals dance, eat and drink till the early morning hours. A daily ferry crosses to Ile-â-Vache, where one can see Indian remains and enjoy good beaches. Also of worth, the caves at Counouboua.
From the village of Dubreuil, take the one day excursion and visit Fortresse des Platons, the impressive ruins of the fortress Dessalines had built in 1804. Enjoy the hill resort at Camp Perrin and rent horses to reach Saut Mathurine, Haiti's biggest waterfall. Continuing up the steep climb, one enters Macaya National Park. At 2,347m, it is home to Haiti's last virgin cloud forest, lush flora and endangered fauna. There are basic camping facilities at Plaine Durand. Only the adventurous should attempt to climb Pic Macaya.A 90 min. drive from Les Cayes, a visit to Port Salut is a must. One of the most beautiful wild beaches in Haiti, the white sand juts into the water, creating tiny islands. There is also a little waterfall outside of the city where one can swim.Grand-AnseKnown as "the city of poets", Jérémie is good five hour 4WD drive along RN7 northwest of Les Cayes. Birthplace of many poets, politicians and writers such as Alexandre Dumas's father, and composer Orthello Bayard ("Haiti Chérie"), this famous town near the tip of the peninsula is somewhat remote, spattered with vestiges of magnificent mansions, verdant with wild rivers, and sandy beaches. Some of the islands last rain forests are in this region. Currently,work is being done on a large Catherdral in the center of town and the roads are consistantly being worked upon.In order to visit some of the lovely beaches long the coast, fork right off the Jérémie road at Kafou Zaboka heading south towards the village of Pestel. This port town is dominated by a French fort and off the coast is the island of Grande Cayemite (chartered boats available). A great time to visit Pestel is during Easter weekend due to the Rara bands, which animate the streets with music and dancing late into the night.Music
