Table of Contents:
Getting to Grenada (back to top)By air: Point Salines International Airport located on the southern tip of Grenada, accommodates commercial jets from North America and Europe, as well as smaller, inter-island carriers. Air Jamaica provides up to five non-stop flights between New York and Grenada each week. There is daily service to and from San Juan, Puerto Rico aboard American Eagle with connections to the USA aboard American Airlines. US Air flies weekly to Grenada from Toronto via Boston and Philadelphia. ZOOM offers a direct weekly service between Toronto and Grenada seasonally June to September and two weekly flights in December. Air Canada can get you to Barbados, Trinidad and Antigua, where connections to Grenada via Caribbean Star and LIAT are available. Grenada could also be reached from Canada June to September by Sky Services through GG Tours and during the winter months by Air Canada Vacations’ weekly non-stop flights booked through agents IATA. From London, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic and Excel Airways operate a weekly service to Grenada. Between November and March British Airways offers an additional weekly flight. Condor provides service once a week from Frankfurt between November and April. ConViasa operates three weekly flights to Grenada from Porlamar and Caracas. In addition, British West Indies Airways serves Toronto, New York, Miami and London with connections via Barbados and Trinidad.
By water: A submerged volcanic crater forms St. George’s naturally deep water harbour. One of the most picturesque in the region, it is a port of call for yachts, ferries, cargo and other boats. A modern purpose built port located close to the entrance to the harbour caters to several cruise lines. Boats can also clear customs and immigration at Grenada Yacht Club, St. George’s; Prickly Bay, Lance aux Épines; Grenada Marine, St. David; and at Hillsborough and Tyrell Bay in Carriacou.
Required Documents (back to top)All visitors must present a valid passport and a return or onward ticket. It is acceptable for British, Canadian, and US citizens to present two documents proving citizenship, including at least one with photo identification. These can include a driver’s license, voter registration card, expired passport, or birth certificate. Visas are not required from citizens of Canada, the USA, UK, British Commonwealth, Caribbean countries, member countries of the European Union, Japan and South Korea. A passport is required of travelers in transit through Grenada.
Money Matters (back to top)Grenada’s currency is the Eastern Caribbean (EC) dollar, which is linked to the US dollar at approximately $2.67 EC to $1 US. It is advisable to exchange money at the banks, where rates may be better than at hotels. Both local and international Banks are open daily between 8 am and 2 pm, Monday through Thursday, and from 8 am to 4 pm on Friday.
Major credit cards are accepted by most hotels, car rental companies and shops. Traveller’s checks are accepted everywhere. Practice the same safety measures for your money and valuables as you would at home: avoid taking valuables or large amounts of cash to the beach or on hiking trips; leave some in safekeeping at your hotel. (We mention this not to scare you, but because people on holiday often forget normal precautions.)
The Land (back to top)Located in the southeastern Caribbean just north of Trinidad and Venezuela, the tri-island state of Grenada is made up of three islands: Grenada, and twenty miles to the North, Carriacou, and Petite Martinique. Grenada is the largest of the three, occupying 120 square miles. Its volcanic origin has produced a topography of great beauty and environmental variety, ranging from mountainous rainforest to dry lowlands and coastal mangroves. Springs, streams and waterfalls abound, and crater lakes mirror the sky. The sea coasts are indented with an equal variety of bays and beaches, some with black volcanic sand, some white, and some black and tan. The numerous natural harbours make these islands a welcoming stopover for a variety of vessels. Grenada is also known as the Isle of Spice. There are more spices here per square mile than any other place on the planet! Cloves, cinnamon, ginger, turmeric, cocoa, nutmeg and mace grow in abundance. Nutmeg is the country’s biggest export; Grenada produces one third of the world’s supply.
Getting Around (back to top)Grenada offers a number of alternatives for getting around; taxis, buses, and rental cars are easily obtained. All of the main roads in Grenada are paved and most are maintained and in good condition. Local driving permits are issued by most car rental companies, or you can get one by presenting a valid driver’s license at the Traffic Department or the Inland Revenue Department, both on the Carenage. The cost is about US $12 for periods up to 3 months. Taxi rates are set by the government, but it is wise to confirm the cost to your destination before setting off. Taxis can also be hired for a day of guided sightseeing.
If you seek authenticity, close contact with local people, and breathtaking vehicular audacity, try taking public transportation, which consists of minibuses. They leave from the bus terminus Melville Street, St. George’s, and cost between $2.00 and $9.00 EC, depending on the distance traveled.
St. Vincent Grenada Air flies several times a day between Grenada and Carriacou. However, boats are the main mode of transport between Grenada and its two sister islands. They run regularly between the Carenage in St. George’s, and Hillsborough in Carriacou. The Osprey Express is faster and more comfortable than the cargo boats, and takes about 1½ hours. The cost is US $15 one way or US $30 round trip per child, US $27 one way or US $53 per adult.
Climate (back to top)At 12 degrees north of the equator, Grenada enjoys a tropical climate with cooler conditions high in the hills. The average temperature is in the low 80s F, made more comfortable by the trade winds. September is the hottest month. The dry season is normally between January and May. Although the rest of the year is “the rainy season,” showers are usually short and do not necessarily occur every day.
Island Dressing (back to top)Pack cool, casual clothing for daytime and expect to dress up just a bit more in the evenings, as many hotel restaurants require men to wear long pants at night. Jackets and ties are not required. Out of respect for the local sense of propriety, bathing suits and similarly revealing clothing should not be worn in the streets, in stores, or for dining. For hiking and off-road exploring, long jeans and appropriate shoes are recommended.
Electricity (back to top)Voltage is 220, 50 cycles. Dual voltage shaver units are provided at most hotels. Also available at hotels are transformers and adapter plugs for appliances rated at 110 volts.
Business Hours (back to top)Banks: 8 am to 2 pm, Monday to Thursday; Friday 8 am to 4 pm.
Government offices: 8 am to 4 pm, Monday to Friday.
Post office (called The Grenada Postal Corporation): 8:00 am to 3:30 pm, Monday to Friday. (Located near the pier at Burns Point, South of the Carenage.) There are sub-post offices in all towns and villages.
Telecommunications (back to top)The area code for Grenada is 473. Telecommunications are provided mainly by Cable and Wireless, and operate 24 hours a day. Coin and card phones are available for both local and overseas calls. Prepaid cards can be purchased at Cable & Wireless offices and agents, and at the Grenada Board of Tourism. Most hotel rooms provide international direct dialing, with calls on a per-minute basis plus a 10% government tax and hotel surcharge. Most hotels also provide FAX and internet service.
Inbound roaming for mobile users is provided by Cable & Wireless and Digicel Grenada. Internet, telex and facsimile services are available at Cable & Wireless located on the Carenage Grand Anse and Hillsborough, Carriacou. Digicel is headquartered close to Point Salines Airport with outlets located in most towns and on the islands of Carriacou and Petite Martinique. Business hours are generally Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, Saturday from 8:00 am to 1 pm.
Medical Matters (back to top)Grenada offers access to numerous good doctors and clinics located throughout the islands. There is also the General Hospital in St. George’s, a smaller hospital in Mirabeau, St. Andrew and a very basic one on the sister island of Carriacou.
For those taking prescribed medicines, it is wise to bring more than you think you will need for your time in Grenada, as well as a copy of the prescription itself. You may or may not be able to find your specific medicine in Grenada’s pharmacies.
Tropical Smarts (back to top)Sun protection: Sunburn can occur well before you know it, even on cloudy days. Be sure to apply lotion before going outdoors for any length of time.
Plant life: Coconuts do fall off trees so avoid sitting under ripe ones. Found on most beaches, the Manchineel has fruit that looks like tiny green apples. Both the fruit and sap of this tree are poisonous, causing painful blisters. Don’t shelter under Manchineels in the rain.
Insects: Centipedes (distinctly segmented and flatter than the harmless millipedes) do bite. Although they are not lethal, these bites cause pain and swelling. Antihistamine tablets or creams help. In serious cases, see a doctor. Sand flies and mosquitoes are most active in the evening and early morning. Repellents, such as mosquito coils (a repelling incense) and vapour mats (the electrical version) can be purchased at supermarkets. Dengue fever is carried by some (not all) mosquitoes. It rarely occurs, but can be serious. Symptoms include fever, rash, headache and muscle and joint pain. Do NOT use aspirin if you suspect you have dengue fever. See a doctor immediately, as this condition can be diagnosed with a simple blood test.
Sea urchin spines: If broken under the skin, these spines will dissolve in time. To remove protruding ones, apply soft candle wax, let it harden, then pull out. Some people recommend urinating on the wound to relieve the pain!
Water (back to top)Tap water is safe to drink however a wide variety of bottled water is available.
Shopping (back to top)Most shops in St. George’s are opened 8am to 4pm Monday to Friday and Saturday 8am to 1pm; while shops in Grenville are closed on Thursday afternoon and open all day Saturday. In Grand Anse shops are opened from 9am to 5 pm, Monday to Saturdays. The Grand Anse area offers a mall and a number of shopping plazas, as well as a craft and spice market accessible from the beach. St. George’s open air bustling market square is an experience not to be missed if you enjoy local colour and contact with people going about their daily lives. It is filled with fruit, vegetable and spice stalls as well as some crafts and other products, all sold by lively vendors. Talking with them can be quite educational. Surrounding the square are other shops, and the view from the hill shows how chockablock this red-roofed city is.
Illegal Purchases (back to top)Some of the souvenirs you buy in the Caribbean, including Grenada, could end up costing you a lot more than you paid for them, as many souvenirs are made from protected plant and animal species and are illegal to export. You also undermine wildlife and conservation efforts. BUYERS BEWARE! Think twice about buying the following items:
• Products made from sea turtles.
• Animals, especially parrots.
• Corals, including black coral
• Amerindian artifacts
If you are offered souvenirs made from any of these products and you are tempted to buy, ask questions about the product’s origin and the species status. If the vendor seems poorly informed, think twice about your actions. When in doubt - don’t buy.
Taxes and Tipping (back to top)Expect to pay more than the listed price. An 8% government tax is added at hotels and restaurants. Most will also add a 10% service charge, not all of which will necessarily go to your waiter. Additional gratuities are at your discretion and would of course be appreciated.
The People (back to top)Grenada’s population is just under 100,000. About 75 % are of African descent; the remainder are of European, East Indian and Middle Eastern decent.
Language (back to top)The official language of Grenada is English, but you may also hear a French-based patois.
Festivals and Holidays (back to top)
The most exuberant of all is Carnival (held on the second Monday and Tuesday in August), a giant street party where brilliantly costumed revelers dance to the local music. Watch out for the Jab Jab Molassi, who wear, devilish costumes daubed with charcoal, engine oil and paint; you may not want to bump into them, literally. The week leading up to Carnival is filled with steel band and calypso competitions. Carriacou’s Carnival, held in February is on a smaller scale but has a more neighbourly atmosphere. The Parang Festival there in mid-December features music with considerable bite, highlighting local rumours provocatively fashioned into song. Almost every parish has a celebration of it’s own at sometime during the year and residents from all over the island and visitors converge to join in the celebration. There is Rainbow City Festival in Grenville, Fisherman’s Birthday in Gouyave, St. Patrick’s Day and St. David’s Day celebrations, as well as the Carriacou Regatta. All of these festivals are infused with the history of the Parishes.
The Spice Island’s reputation as the ultimate yacht spot has inspired various regattas and the annual La Source Grenada Sailing Festival. The Spice Island Bill Fish Tournament lends another competitive focus to water sports. Day and night partying accompany these events, marked by genuine Grenadian friendliness.
Places of Worship (back to top)Numerous Christian denominations are represented by churches on the islands: Roman Catholic, Christian Scientist, Presbyterian, Anglican, Baptist, Methodist, Seventh Day Adventist, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Mennonite, Pentecostal, and Church of Christ among others. Also present are the Interdenominational Living Word World Outreach, Islam, and Bahai. Most hotels can provide the time and locations of services. Alternatively, check the telephone directory for numbers to call.
Grenada Through The Centuries (back to top) The tranquility and beauty of Grenada belie a history fraught with upheavals, beginning with its volcanic eruption from the sea thousands of years ago. Its first known inhabitants were Arawak Indians, who canoed from the nearby continent all the way up the Caribbean island chain. They were followed by another, fiercer group, the Caribs, who supplanted them.
In 1498 the island of Grenada was spotted and named Concepcion by Christopher Columbus. No doubt the then-resident Carib Indians and their predecessors had their own name for this mountainous green island, but they have all perished. Reminded of Andalusia, a region of southern Spain, passing Spanish sailors began calling it Granada, and in one form or another, the name stuck as the island subsequently changed hands. It was the British who gave it the current spelling and pronunciation (Gre-NAY-da.)
The British tried in 1609 to get a grip on Grenada, but were routed by the Caribs. In 1650, some Frenchmen from Martinique tried to “buy” land from them, but peace was not included in the purchase, and running battles ensued. By 1651, only 40 Caribs were left. Man, woman and child all jumped to their death from a cliff at the northern end of Grenada rather than submit to European rule. The site is now named Morne des Sauteurs, or Leapers’ Hill.
The French and British battled for possession of Grenada for the next 90 years, leaving a legacy of forts, cannon, and French place names. Overlooking St. George’s Harbour are enduring relics of that struggle, Fort Frederick, Fort Matthew and Fort George. In the early 1700s, sugar and tobacco were Grenada’s main products. Later, this was to include cocoa, coffee and cotton.
With the Treaty of Versailles in 1783, Grenada was ceded to Britain. The British proceeded to import large numbers of slaves from Africa and to extend their sugarcane plantations. Their rule was challenged again in 1795, when under the leadership of Julian Fedon, a French Mulatto planter inspired by the French Revolution; the slaves rebelled and for a short time gained virtual control of Grenada. The rebellion was soon put down, and slavery continued as the mainstay of an agricultural economy until emancipation in 1834.
One of the nation’s most important dates is 1843, the year that nutmeg (clandestinely taken from Dutch-occupied Indonesia) was introduced into Grenada. In those days the commodity was nearly as precious as gold, due to its healing, preservative and flavouring qualities. Grenada’s soil and climate proved so hospitable that the island is the world’s second largest supplier of nutmeg and mace, the lacy red covering on the shell. Its export is second only to tourism in generating foreign exchange. It is grown by many individuals and processed cooperatively, a far cry from the plantation system that dominated Grenada’s early colonial days.
In 1877, Grenada became a Crown Colony, a status that lasted until 1967, when Grenada gained control of its internal affairs by becoming an associated state within the British Commonwealth. In 1974, full independence was achieved under the controversial leadership of Sir Eric Gairy.
A mere 5 years afterwards, Maurice Bishop and his radical New Jewel Movement seized power and established a socialist/communist government with ties to Cuba and the Soviet Union. In 1983, when Bishop and several aides were arrested and later executed by a faction within his party, the Governor-General called for military intervention. The USA, Jamaica and the Eastern Caribbean States responded with the now-famous “rescue mission” that restored order. In 1984 a general election was held, re-establishing a democratic government and a tranquility that befits the beauty of these little islands.
The last two decades has been one of development, especially in the tourism sector. At the same time, the tri-island nation has taken steps to preserve its magnificent natural environment, developing national parks and instituting protective measures for the rainforest and the coral reefs.
For more information about Grenada, contact the Grenada Board of Tourism or Grenada Hotel & Tourism Association, or one of the Grenada Tourism Offices located in the U.S.A, Canada, the U.K. and Germany.