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Caribbean

GrenadaTravel guide

Explore Grenada visa rules

Grenada is a Caribbean country made up of three larger islands: Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique, plus several tiny islands. Known as the Spice Isle, it produces nutmeg, cloves, ginger, cinnamon, vanilla and cocoa.

Why go

  1. Explore St George's harbour, old streets and Fort George.

  2. Relax on Grand Anse or the quieter Morne Rouge Beach.

  3. Visit Grand Etang crater lake, waterfalls and nature reserves.

  4. Tour spice plantations, chocolate producers and rum distilleries.

  5. Dive or snorkel on reefs near Grenada and Carriacou.

Best time to go: January to April is slightly drier and cooler. Temperatures stay close to 27°C (80°F) throughout the year, and rainy-season showers seldom last more than an hour.

Getting there

By air

  • Maurice Bishop International Airport is the main arrival point, 8 km from the capital. It has flights from North America, Europe and nearby islands.
  • Lauriston Airport on Carriacou has daily flights from Maurice Bishop International Airport.
  • Carriacou also has direct flights from Saint Vincent, with connections from Barbados and other islands.

By sea

  • Cruise ships dock in St George's, with ships usually visiting from October to May.
  • Carriacou has no dock for large ships. Some anchor offshore and bring passengers ashore in small boats.

Customs

  • Private boats must complete immigration and customs checks at St George's or Prickly Bay on Grenada, or Hillsborough on Carriacou. Petite Martinique has no official entry point.
  • Check your home country's customs rules before buying food or spices to take home. Fully sealed spices are usually allowed.
  • Very strong rum may count as two bottles within your personal allowance.

Getting around

  • Minibus

    Minibuses are the main public transport. Eight routes leave from St George's bus terminal beside the cruise dock. Route 1 runs very frequently to Grand Anse and Calliste. Route 9 crosses the north of the island between Grenville and Sauteurs. On Carriacou, routes spread out from Hillsborough.

  • Taxi

    Taxis have an H on their licence plates. Find taxis at the airport and bus terminal, or flag one down on the street. Hiring a taxi for a day can make touring easier. Drivers know the poorly marked turns, potholes and landslips.

  • Rental car

    Some international rental companies can issue a temporary Grenada driving permit when you collect the car. With a local rental company, getting your permit may require a two-hour visit to a police station. Roads can have poor signs, potholes and landslips.

  • Water taxi and ferry

    A water taxi runs between St George's cruise dock and Grand Anse Beach. Osprey ferries connect Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique.

What to see and do

  • St George's

    Explore the natural harbour called the Carenage, Fort George and the historic Church Street district. Some buildings are run-down or remain damaged from the 2004 hurricane.

  • Grand Anse Beach

    This palm-lined beach is the main base for water sports. Erosion has narrowed the sand, and waves may wash over it.

  • Morne Rouge Beach

    Also called BBC Beach, this is a much quieter beach beyond the headland west of Grand Anse.

  • Grand Etang

    This crater lake and nature reserve has Mona monkeys, birds and tropical flowers. Mount Qua Qua rises above it.

  • Annandale, Seven Sisters and Honeymoon Falls

    These are among the best-known waterfalls on the slopes around Grand Etang.

  • Antoine and Levera

    Visit other crater lakes and parks in the northeast and north of Grenada.

Food and drink

  • Fish and chicken

    These are staple foods, seasoned with island spices.

  • Pelau

    A rice dish cooked in a pot.

  • Cassave Pone

    A dessert commonly eaten in Grenada.

  • Grand Anse hotel restaurants

    The source describes these as having the best dining, and most welcome people who are not staying at the hotel.

  • St George's lunch places

    Food businesses mainly serve people working in town and close early.

  • Water

    Tap water is safe and pleasant to drink, and restaurants serve it on request. Bottled water is also available.

Money

East Caribbean dollar, written as EC$ or $, with the currency code XCD.

  • The fixed exchange rate is US$1 to EC$2.70.
  • US dollar notes are accepted throughout Grenada, but US coins are not. Change may be given in East Caribbean money, or the total may be rounded up.
  • There is no currency exchange at the airport. Bring enough US dollars to cover your needs until you can reach a bank.
  • Small businesses, including taxi drivers, seldom accept cards.

Language

  • Standard British English is the official language and is understood throughout Grenada.
  • Locals also speak a fast English dialect among themselves. People working with visitors use standard English.

Staying safe

  • Keep valuables secure and avoid displaying expensive jewellery.
  • Roads can have potholes, landslips and poorly marked turns. A local taxi driver can make touring easier.
  • Be careful with rum in local bars, as it can be very strong.

Staying healthy

  • The sun can burn you quickly, even when it is cloudy or breezy. Use shade, high-factor sunscreen, a wide-brimmed hat and long clothing.
  • Keep outdoor activity to a minimum from noon to 3 pm, when heat and the sun's damaging rays are strongest.
  • Drink plenty of water in the heat and high humidity. Tap water is safe to drink.
  • Use mosquito repellent before going outdoors after sunset.

Phone and internet

  • Flow and Digicel provide 4G mobile coverage across almost all three islands. There are a few areas without coverage in the mountains.
  • The source says 5G mobile service had not started as of January 2023.

Where to stay

  • Most accommodation on Grenada's main island is around Grand Anse, near the airport. There is very little in St George's.
  • Rooms are expensive, while packages combining long-distance flights and accommodation may cost little more.
  • Carriacou has small, mid-range places, mainly in Hillsborough, with a few in Tyrell Bay.
  • The source says Petite Martinique's accommodation had not reopened after Covid as of 2023.

Outdoor adventures in Grenada

Grenada offers sandy beaches, reef diving, snorkelling, surfing and sailing. Inland, Grand Etang has a crater lake, monkeys and birdlife, with waterfalls on the surrounding slopes. January to April is slightly drier and cooler, but the weather stays hot and humid all year.

  • Grand Anse Beach

    BeacheGrenada main island

    Visit the beach for its palm-fringed sand and water sports facilities. Dive operators are also based here.

    • Erosion has narrowed the beach, and waves may break right over it.
    • Use sun protection and limit outdoor activity from noon to 3 pm.

  • Grand Etang crater lake and nature reserve

    WildlifeCentral Grenada

    January to April is slightly drier and cooler.

    Visit the inland crater lake and nature reserve to look for Mona monkeys, birds and tropical flowers.

    • Drink plenty of water in the high humidity.
    • Limit outdoor activity from noon to 3 pm.

  • Bianca C wreck dive

    Scuba divingOff Grenada main island

    Ask a dive operator based at Grand Anse about visiting the wreck.

    • The wreck lies at a depth of 90–160 ft.
    • Currents are usual in the diving area.

  • Reef diving west of Grenada

    Scuba divingWest coast of Grenada

    Use a dive operator at Grand Anse. Operators offer training, and dive sites are a 5–10 minute boat ride away.

    • There is usually a current, so dives generally follow the moving water.

  • Reef snorkelling west of Grenada

    SnorkellingWest coast of Grenada

    Ask the dive operators concentrated at Grand Anse about reaching the shallow reefs.

    • Currents are usual around the reefs.
    • Use sun protection even when it is cloudy.

  • Reef diving west of Carriacou

    Scuba divingCarriacou

    Dive the reefs a mile or two west of Carriacou. Departure points and local operators are not specified.

    • There is usually a current, so dives generally follow the moving water.

  • Reef snorkelling west of Carriacou

    SnorkellingCarriacou

    Visit the shallow reefs west of Carriacou for snorkelling. Departure points and local operators are not specified.

    • Currents are usual around the reefs.
    • Use sun protection even when it is cloudy.

  • Morne Rouge Beach

    BeacheWest of Grand Anse, Grenada

    Head beyond the headland west of Grand Anse to reach this quieter beach.

    • Use sun protection and limit outdoor activity from noon to 3 pm.

  • Paradise Bay

    BeacheBeyond Morne Rouge Beach, Grenada

    Continue beyond Morne Rouge Beach towards Sandals resort.

    • Use sun protection and limit outdoor activity from noon to 3 pm.

  • Black Bay

    BeacheWest coast of Grenadanear Concord

    Visit Black Bay near Concord on the west coast. Detailed access directions are not specified.

    • Use sun protection and drink plenty of water.

  • Annandale Waterfall

    More to doWest side of the Grand Etang slopes, Grenada

    January to April is slightly drier and cooler.

    Visit the waterfall on the western slopes below Grand Etang. Transport and walking details are not specified.

    • Drink plenty of water in the high humidity.

  • Seven Sisters Waterfalls

    More to doEast side of the Grand Etang slopes, Grenada

    January to April is slightly drier and cooler.

    Visit the waterfalls on the eastern slopes below Grand Etang. Route and guide details are not specified.

    • Drink plenty of water in the high humidity.

  • Honeymoon Falls

    More to doEast side of the Grand Etang slopes, Grenada

    January to April is slightly drier and cooler.

    Visit the falls on the eastern slopes below Grand Etang. Route and guide details are not specified.

    • Drink plenty of water in the high humidity.

  • Antoine crater lake and park

    More to doNortheastern Grenada

    January to April is slightly drier and cooler.

    Visit the crater lake and park at Antoine in the northeast. Access details are not specified.

    • Use sun protection and drink plenty of water.

  • Levera lake and park

    More to doNorthern Grenada

    January to April is slightly drier and cooler.

    Visit the lake and park at Levera in the north. Access details are not specified.

    • Use sun protection and drink plenty of water.

  • Prickly Bay surfing

    SurfingSouth of Grand Anse, Grenada

    Head to Prickly Bay south of Grand Anse, where waves are often suitable for surfing. Lessons and rental details are not specified.

  • Northeast Atlantic beaches surfing

    SurfingNortheast-facing coast of Grenada

    Look to the northeast-facing Atlantic beaches for surfable waves. Individual beaches and operators are not specified.

    • These beaches are exposed to the Atlantic.

  • Grenada hashing trails

    More to doVarious locations on Grenada main island

    Hard Usually Saturday afternoon.

    Join a hashing event, a run along a trail set up at a changing location on the main island.

    • Expect very steep slopes, muddy ground and scratchy vegetation.
    • Drink plenty of water in the high humidity.

  • Grenada day sailing

    SailingGrenada

    Day trip

    Book a day sailing charter through one of the companies offering these trips.

    • Use sun protection even when the breeze feels cool.

  • Grenada dinghy tours

    More to doGrenada

    Rent a dinghy for your own outing. Rental locations and routes are not specified.

    • Use sun protection even when the breeze feels cool.

  • Tibeau beach

    BeacheEast coast of Carriacounear Tibeau

    Visit the beach at Tibeau on Carriacou's east coast. Detailed access directions are not specified.

Airports, metros and trains in Grenada

Airports with scheduled flights

  • GNDMaurice Bishop International AirportSaint George'sMain international airport

People and safety in Grenada

Religion

Most people are Christian. Mostly one faith.

  • Christian97%
  • Folk religions1%
  • No religion1%
  • Hindu<1%

LGBT+ travellers

Same-sex relationships are illegal

  • The law allows imprisonment.
  • Some laws protect against discrimination.

Check your own government's travel advice before you go, and be careful with public displays of affection and dating apps.

Women travellers

Ranked #49 of 181 countries for women's safety, inclusion and justice.

61% of women say they feel safe walking alone at night where they live.

Who can visit without a visa

Travellers from 119 of 198 countries can visit Grenada easily: no visa, a visa at the airport, or a short online form.

  • Visa not required112
  • Freedom of movement1
  • Visa on arrival6
  • Visa required79

Who can visit easily, by part of the world

For each part of the world: how many countries' travellers can come easily. Easy means no visa, a visa at the airport, or a short online form.

  • Europe42 of 46 countries
  • Americas27 of 34 countries
  • Oceania11 of 14 countries
  • Asia19 of 50 countries
  • Africa20 of 54 countries

Questions

When is the best time to visit Grenada?

January to April is slightly drier and cooler. Temperatures stay close to 27°C (80°F) all year.

Which airport should I fly to?

Maurice Bishop International Airport is the main arrival point, 8 km from the capital. Carriacou has a smaller airport called Lauriston.

Can I travel between the islands by boat?

Yes. Osprey ferries carry foot passengers between Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique.

Can I get around without renting a car?

Yes. Minibuses are the main public transport, taxis are available, and a water taxi links St George's with Grand Anse Beach.

What money should I bring?

Bring US dollar notes to cover your needs until you reach a bank, as there is no airport currency exchange. Small businesses seldom take cards, and US coins are not accepted.

Will I be able to communicate in English?

Yes. Standard British English is the official language and is understood throughout Grenada.

Is tap water safe to drink?

Yes. Tap water is safe to drink, and restaurants serve it on request.

Where is most accommodation?

Most accommodation on the main island is around Grand Anse, near the airport. On Carriacou, most places are in Hillsborough, with a few in Tyrell Bay.

What local food can I try?

Try spiced fish or chicken, pelau rice and Cassave Pone dessert.

Will my phone have mobile coverage?

Flow and Digicel provide 4G coverage across almost all three islands. A few mountain areas have no coverage.

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