Best Time to Visit
January to May (dry season, outside hurricane belt)
Language
English (official), Grenadian Creole
Currency
Eastern Caribbean Dollar (XCD); USD widely accepted
Time Zone
AST (UTC-4)
Airport
Maurice Bishop International (GND)
Population
~125,000 (island-wide)
Climate
Tropical, avg 24-32°C year-round, rainy season June-December
Safety Rating
Generally Safe (Level 1) — exercise normal precautions
Known For
Nutmeg (world's 2nd largest producer), cocoa, underwater sculpture park
A 3-km crescent of white sand consistently ranked among the Caribbean's best. Free access. Lounger and umbrella rental ~US$10. Water taxis to St. George's run ~US$5. Best snorkeling at the southern end.
The world's first underwater sculpture park, created by Jason deCaires Taylor. Over 75 concrete figures at 3-8m depth. Snorkel trips from Grand Anse ~US$40-50, scuba ~US$70. Allow 2-3 hours including boat ride.
A 10-meter waterfall with a swimming pool at its base, just 15 minutes from St. George's. Entry ~US$2. Local cliff jumpers often perform for tips. Allow 1 hour. Combine with a spice garden visit nearby.
See how Grenada's famous nutmeg is processed by hand in this working factory in the fishing village of Gouyave. Entry ~US$2. Open weekdays 8AM-4PM. The aroma alone is worth the 40-min drive from St. George's.
The oldest functioning water-powered rum distillery in the Caribbean, operating since 1785. Tours ~US$5, include a tasting of their potent 150-proof Rivers rum. Open Mon-Fri 9AM-4PM. Allow 1 hour.
Grenada's picturesque capital harbor lined with colorful Georgian buildings, spice shops, and local eateries. Walk the Sendall Tunnel, visit Fort George for panoramic views (free). The Saturday morning market is unmissable.
A series of cascading waterfalls in Grand Etang National Park. The 45-min jungle hike requires a guide (~US$15). Swimming in the pools is the reward. Bring water shoes — the trail is slippery. Best visited in the morning.
Arrive at Maurice Bishop International (GND). Transfer to Grand Anse Beach area — a 3-km crescent of white sand that's your base for the trip.
Airport transfer to Grand Anse(15 minutes)
Taxi US$15-20 — agree on price before boarding. Unmetered. The drive is short and scenic
Check-in(1 hour)
Guesthouses from US$50-80/night along Grand Anse. Radisson Grenada Beach Resort for mid-range. Coyaba Beach Resort for boutique
Afternoon at Grand Anse Beach(2 hours)
3 km of white sand, consistently ranked among the Caribbean's best. Free access. Lounger and umbrella US$10. Best snorkeling at the southern end
Dinner at Umbrellas Beach Bar(1.5 hours)
Right on Grand Anse. Grilled lobster tail, jerk chicken, rum punch. Mains US$12-20. Feet-in-the-sand dining
Explore Grenada's picturesque capital — one of the prettiest harbor towns in the Caribbean.
Water taxi to St. George's(15 minutes)
Water taxis from Grand Anse run ~US$5. More scenic and faster than driving. Dock at the Carenage harbor
St. George's Carenage harbor walk(1 hour)
Colorful Georgian buildings, spice shops, and local eateries line the inner harbor. Walk the Sendall Tunnel to the other side
Fort George panoramic views(45 minutes)
Walk up to the hilltop fort for 360-degree views of St. George's, the harbor, and the coastline. Free entry. The site of the 1983 events
Saturday Market (if Saturday)(1 hour)
Grenada's most vibrant market at the foot of the Carenage. Spices, nutmeg, cocoa, fruits, and vegetables. Arrive by 8 AM for the full experience
Lunch at The Nutmeg Restaurant(1 hour)
Waterfront institution overlooking the Carenage. Callaloo soup, grilled snapper, lambi (conch). Mains US$10-18
Spice shopping on the Carenage(45 minutes)
Buy nutmeg, mace, cinnamon, and cocoa. Grenada produces 20% of the world's nutmeg. Small packets from US$2-5
Explore the world's first underwater sculpture park at Moliniere Bay — over 75 concrete figures colonized by coral.
Snorkeling trip to Underwater Sculpture Park(3 hours)
Over 75 concrete figures by Jason deCaires Taylor at 3-8 m depth. Snorkel trips from Grand Anse US$40-50, scuba US$70. Allow 2-3 hours including boat ride. Book through Dive Grenada or Aquanauts
Lunch at BB's Crabback on the Carenage(1 hour)
Caribbean-international fusion. Their crabback (stuffed crab shell) is famous. Mains US$12-22
Afternoon at Magazine Beach(2 hours)
Quieter alternative to Grand Anse, south of the airport. Calm water, fewer people. Aquarium Bar serves drinks on the beach
Dinner at Patrick's Local Homestyle Cooking(1.5 hours)
The legendary Patrick cooks a set menu of 20+ dishes at his home in Lagoon Road. US$35 per person including rum punch. Book in advance — he only cooks when there are reservations
A day trip along the west coast to two of Grenada's most iconic working facilities — the nutmeg processing station and the oldest rum distillery in the Caribbean.
Drive to Gouyave (west coast)(40 minutes)
Scenic drive through fishing villages. Rent a car (US$45-60/day with local permit EC$30) or take a taxi (US$25 one-way)
Gouyave Nutmeg Processing Station(1 hour)
See how nutmeg is processed by hand. Entry ~US$2. Open weekdays 8 AM-4 PM. The aroma alone is worth the drive
Lunch in Gouyave town(1 hour)
Fishing village with simple local restaurants. Fried fish and provisions (root vegetables) for US$5-8
River Antoine Rum Distillery(1.5 hours)
Oldest functioning water-powered rum distillery in the Caribbean, since 1785. Tours US$5 including tasting of their potent 150-proof Rivers rum. Open Mon-Fri 9 AM-4 PM. The cane-crushing water wheel still works
Return via Concord Falls(1 hour)
Three-tiered waterfall just off the main road. The first tier is a 5-minute walk from the parking area. Swimming pool at the base. Free entry
A relaxed day exploring Grenada's quieter beaches and deepening your relationship with the Spice Island's food scene.
Morne Rouge Beach (BBC Beach)(2 hours)
Just south of Grand Anse — smaller, calmer, and less crowded. Pink-tinged sand. No vendors hassling you. Free access
Lunch at La Sagesse Beach restaurant(1.5 hours)
A secluded beach hotel on the southeast coast, 30 min from Grand Anse. The restaurant serves excellent Creole cuisine in a tranquil setting. Mains US$12-20
Oil-down cooking demonstration(2 hours)
Grenada's national dish — breadfruit, callaloo, dumplings, and salted meat slow-cooked in coconut milk. Ask your guesthouse or a local cooking host. The process takes hours — the sharing is the point
Head into the mountainous interior for Grenada's best waterfall hike through the Grand Etang National Park rainforest.
Drive to Grand Etang National Park(30 minutes)
A winding road into the mountains. The cloud forest is a dramatic change from the coast. Mona monkeys often spotted roadside
Grand Etang Lake and Visitor Centre(45 minutes)
A crater lake in the caldera of an ancient volcano. Short walking trails around the lake. Visitor center has displays on local wildlife
Seven Sisters Falls guided hike(3 hours)
A series of cascading waterfalls in the jungle. 45-min hike each way. Guide mandatory (~US$15). Swimming in the pools is the reward. Bring water shoes — trail is slippery
Lunch at a roadside stall on return(45 minutes)
Roti or stew chicken with rice and peas from a roadside cook. EC$15-25 (~US$6-10)
Friday Night Fish Fry in Gouyave (if Friday)(3 hours)
Every Friday night — street food festival with grilled lobster, lambi, and fresh fish from EC$10-25 (~US$4-10). Arrive by 7 PM. Where locals and tourists mix
Final morning at Grand Anse Beach, last-minute spice shopping, and transfer to Maurice Bishop International.
Morning swim at Grand Anse(1 hour)
Last dip in the Caribbean. The beach is quietest before 9 AM
Last-minute shopping(1 hour)
Nutmeg products, Grenada chocolate (Grenada Chocolate Company bars are excellent), and rum at duty-free or the Spiceland Mall
Airport transfer to GND(15 minutes)
Taxi US$15-20. Allow 2 hours before international flights
US, UK, EU, and Canadian citizens receive visa-free entry for up to 90 days. You need a valid passport and proof of return/onward travel. There is no departure tax — it's included in your airline ticket.
Local minibuses run fixed routes across the island for EC$2.50-6 (~US$1-2.25). They depart when full, not on schedule. Taxis are unmetered — agree on a price before boarding. Airport to Grand Anse costs ~US$15-20.
A temporary local driving permit (EC$30 / ~US$12) is required to rent a car. Roads are narrow, hilly, and left-hand drive (British style). A compact 4WD is recommended. Rental cars start at ~US$45-60/day.
Grenada is cheaper than St. Lucia or Barbados. Guesthouses from US$50-80/night, local lunch plates (stew chicken, oil-down) US$4-7. A rum punch at a beach bar is US$3-5. Supermarket groceries are expensive though — eat local for savings.
Grenada has low violent crime. Grand Anse and St. George's tourist areas are safe day and night. Avoid isolated beaches after dark. Keep valuables locked up — petty theft from cars and beaches does occur. Hurricane season is June-November.
Every Friday night the fishing village of Gouyave hosts a street food festival with grilled lobster, lambi (conch), and fresh fish from EC$10-25 (~US$4-10). Arrive by 7PM for the best selection. It's where locals and tourists mix freely.
Travel GuidesWorld's first underwater sculpture park, the oldest rum distillery in the Caribbean, and nutmeg that grows on the trees lining the road. Here's everything you need.
StoriesI floated over concrete faces being swallowed by coral, watched a barracuda patrol a circle of statues, and briefly forgot that I was in the Caribbean and not on another planet.
StoriesMarcus has lived in Grenada for 37 years, fishes off Gouyave harbor daily, and has strong opinions about where tourists should and shouldn't eat.
