Jacmel

Jacmel, (Jakmèl in Kréyòl) also known by its indigenous Taíno name of Yaquimel, is a city in southern Haiti founded in 1698. It is the capital of the department of Sud-Est. Considered the cultural capital of Haiti, Jacmel is a serene port town with an estimated population of 40,000 and growing.

The city has not changed much since the late 19th century when the town was inhabited by wealthy coffee merchants, who lived in gracious mansions that adorned the town. These mansions would later come to influence the home structure of much of New Orleans; the architecture of the city boasted cast iron pillars and balconies purchased in France. Today, many of these homes are now artisan shops that sell vibrant handicrafts, papier-mâché masks and carved-wood animal figures. In recent years, efforts have been made to revitalize the once flourishing cigar and coffee industries. The town is a popular tourist destination in Haiti due to its relative tranquility and distance from the political turmoil that plagues much of the capital.