Nutmeg, cinnamon, turmeric and cloves: the flora of Grenada reads like the ingredients list for a Creole curry. Our specialists have explored this isle of spice, from its mountainous interior to the never-busy beaches, and can suggest how to include it on your trip through the Caribbean. Stay where your suite leads straight onto the beach or spend time on a privately crewed yacht, flitting between marinas.
Your Grenada holiday could include time in the capital, Saint George’s, which is curved around a horseshoe bay, or sailing between deserted coves. On an island that’s quieter and less developed than many of its neighbours, you can also veer inland to explore rainforests, waterfalls and woodland. Journey north and you’ll find fishing villages, 18th-century rum distilleries and chocolate factories. And, diving into or snorkelling above the clear shallows off the southwest coast, you’ll find Grenada’s underwater sculpture park, a display of artwork on a regenerated reef.
Suggested tours for Grenada
These tours give you a starting point for what your holiday to Grenada could entail. Treat them as inspiration, as each trip is created uniquely for you.
Where to stay in Grenada
We know that where you stay is an important part of your trip. That’s why we’ve hand-picked the best properties in Grenada, from beachside hideaways to activity-filled family resorts.
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Blue Horizons Garden Resort
Grenada -
Responsible ChoiceWe've hand-selected a range of tours and stays across the world that go above and beyond to be a force for good by supporting local businesses, educating staff, challenging local norms, or promoting conservation and biodiversity efforts. Your Responsible Choice helps increase the positive impact of your trip.
Calabash
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Petite Anse
Grenada
Why travel with Audley?
- 100% tailor-made tours
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Best time to visit
Our specialists advise on the best months to visit Grenada, including information about climate, events and festivals.
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Useful information for planning your holiday in Grenada
English is the official language of Grenada, though most people also speak one of two creole languages. One is based on English and the other on French, but both creoles also draw on African and Indian influences, reflecting Grenada’s complex history.
The currency of Grenada is the Eastern Caribbean dollar (EC$ or XCD), which is tied to the US dollar. You’ll find ATMs in larger towns, and can pay by credit card in most shops, hotels, and restaurants. US dollars are also widely accepted, but you’ll usually be given change in EC dollars, and at a lower exchange rate.
In Grenada, you should try the national dish, oildown, a stew of salted meat, breadfruit, vegetables, and dumplings steamed in coconut milk. Another local staple is roti, an Indian-style wrap filled with curried meat or vegetables.
The island is known for its spices, and you’ll find nutmeg used in just about everything, including deliciously fragrant nutmeg ice cream. The island has also become known in recent years for its production of organic cocoa, led by the pioneering Grenada Chocolate Company.
There are several rum distilleries on the island producing potent rums in a variety of flavours.
A 10% tip is generally expected in Grenada unless a service charge, which is normally 18%, has already been added to your bill.
For the latest travel advice for Grenada, including entry requirements, health information, and the safety and security situation, please refer to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office website.
In Grenada, you can visit dazzling white, rarely busy beaches, an underwater sculpture park, dense rainforest, and historic plantations. The island is quieter than many others in the Caribbean, and its tranquil beaches and laid-back lifestyle make it a relaxing spot for an island escape.
Once you’ve had your fill of pool-side cocktails and reading in the sun, there’s excellent diving and snorkeling with sunken artwork on a regenerated reef, a variety of wreck dives, and the chance to spot manatees, dolphins, or whales.
Inland, the lush forests are laced with waterfalls, cocoa and nutmeg plantations, and small villages. You could go in search of armadillos, mona monkeys, and opossums, visit 18th-century rum distilleries and bean-to-bar chocolate makers, or sail along the coast to quiet coves and brightly painted fishing villages.
In Grenada, you can stay in intimate beachfront hotels, luxury resorts, private villas, or local guesthouses. You might like a suite that opens right onto the beach, a resort with complimentary water sports, or a private yacht to take you from place to place so you can tour the island in full.
Our specialists will help you find a stay that’s right for you, whether a family-owned guesthouse set in tropical gardens, a beachfront boutique hotel, or waterfront cottages are what you’re after. To get some ideas, take a look at our places to stay in Grenada.
Most visitors head to the southwest of Grenada where hotels cluster around soft-sand beaches. The powdery sands and excellent diving at Grand Anse make it a popular base, while just to the north, the island’s capital, St George’s, offers heritage architecture, an engaging museum, and lively Saturday markets.
Inland, at Grand Etang National Park and Forest Reserve, you can hike through lush forest on the lookout for wildlife, or head for Levera National Park in the northeast for coastal walks that lead to dramatic volcanic landscapes.
In the northwest, you could visit nutmeg and cocoa plantations or visit a rum distillery, and if you have time, you could take a short trip to tiny Carriacou Island to the north, where you’ll find the aptly named Paradise Beach.
It takes around 11 hours to fly from the UK to Grenada. The route usually involves landing in Barbados or Saint Lucia along the way (staying on the plane for around 50 minutes) before setting off again.
The time zone in Grenada is UTC-4 hours. Daylight Savings Time is not observed in Grenada.
The best way to get around Grenada is by taxi as distances are short. Alternatively, you could charter a boat and sail around the coast visiting hidden coves and small marinas as you go.
Use our travel tool to find up-to-date visa and passport requirements for Grenada. Enter where you’re travelling to and from (including any stopover destinations en route or flight layovers), along with your intended travel dates and passport details, for a full list of requirements.
Speak to your doctor about vaccine advice for Grenada. You can also check the suggested vaccinations on the Travel Health Pro website. It’s also a good idea to ensure you’re up to date with the recommended vaccinations at home.
Grenada in pictures
Our expert guides to travelling in Grenada
Written by our specialists from the viewpoint of their own travels, these guides will help you decide on the shape of your own trip to Grenada. Aiming to inspire and inform, we share our recommendations for how to appreciate Grenada at its best.
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My travels in the Caribbean
Marketing Manager Narelle captured this footage when she went island-hopping around the islands of the Caribbean, stopping off at Barbados, Grenada and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
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Boutique hotels of the Caribbean Boutique hotels of the Caribbean
Boutique hotels of the Caribbean
You can opt for an intimate experience in the Caribbean by staying at boutique properties. Hidden Beaches specialist Annabel picks out some of the best hotels, from a cocoa plantation in Saint Lucia to one of Nelson’s beloved spots on Nevis.
Read this guide -
What to do in Grenada: our highlights guide What to do in Grenada: our highlights guide
What to do in Grenada: our highlights guide
Utterly charming and laid back, Grenada is known as the ‘Isle of Spice’. This little island at the southern tip of the Grenadines is an alluring balance of lush rainforest, sparkling waterfalls and powdery white beaches.
Read this guide
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