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General
Information
 This small nation consists
of three islands: Grenada, Carriacou
(pronounced Carry-a KOO), and
Petite Martinique (pronounced
Pitty Mar-ti-NEEK). Grenada is
by far the largest of the three,
with a width of twelve miles (18
km) and a length of twenty-one
miles (34 km). Its 133 square
miles are mountainous, volcanic
terrain, reaching heights of over
2,750 feet atop Mount St. Catherine.
Grenada, known as "The Spice
of the Caribbean" is a beautiful
rolling and mountainous island
abounding in tropical flowers
and spices. Friendly people populate
the picturesque tows that dot
the island. Dozens of sandy beaches
and quiet, secluded coves border
the island providing a getaway
from the hustle of the real world.
Grenada - Caribbean Islands Vacation
Information, Services and AccommodationsGrenada’s
smaller sister island, Carriacou,
is hilly but not mountainous.
With smoother terrain, Carriacou
is an ideal destination for walking.
It possesses fine sand beaches
and natural harbours, as well
as excellent views of the northern
Grenadine islands.
Petite Martinique, the third and
smallest island in the state,
consists of little more than the
tip of a volcanic cone poking
through the water. It lies 2.5
miles off the northeast coast
of Carriacou. It is only now being
developed for visitors.
Activities abound on Grenada.
From hiking to horseback riding,
golf to tennis, and of course
diving and snorkeling.
 The underwater scenery in Grenada
is every bit as breathtaking as
it is above the waves, and just
as accessable. Most of the diving
facilities in Grenada are located
in the south of the island, and
most of the dives sites are within
15 minutes of the Grand Anse Beach.
The diving in Grenada is some
of the best in the Caribbean,
and boasts the largest shipwreck
in the Caribbean as well as an
underwater volcano!
From lazy drift dives over coral
gardens to an eerie and challenging
exploration of the wrecks of the
Bianca C, these waters are captivating
more and more visitors each year.
Grenada has at least 30 dive sites
including, reefs, wrecks and walls
most within 15-20 minutes from
the dive shops. Sites vary from
20 feet/ 8 meters to 120 feet/
40 meters.
Climate Annual Average 80F 26C
Water Temp 80 - 84F 27 -29C
Visibility 60 - 100 ft 18 -30
m
Getting
There
Airlines
serving Point Salines Internatinal
Airport, which is open daily 5:00
AM - 11:00 PM
In the UK, British
Airways, Virgin
Atlantic and Monarch service Grenada
with weekly direct flights. from
London's Gatwick Airport.
From the U.S., American
Airlines services Grenada with
direct flights from Miami and connections
in San Juan, Puerto Rico with American
Eagle. Delta
Air also provides non-stop flights
from John F. Kennedy International
Airport in New York to Grenada.
In addition, Caribbean
Airlines also services Grenada
with flights to Orlando, New York
and Miami..
In Canada, Air
Canada Vacations operates a
weekly service from Toronto to Grenada
during the Winter season (December
to April) with easy connections
from Halifax, Montreal and Ottawa.
Year round, Air
Canada operates regularly scheduled
flights from Toronto and Montreal
to Barbados and Trinidad respectively,
with connections into Grenada via
LIAT.
LIAT
and Caribbean
Airlines provide connections
into Grenada's Point Salines International
Airport, from various Caribbean
islands along with connections to
International flights from Antigua,
Barbados, St. Lucia and Trinidad.
Conviasa
Airlines provides a twice weekly
service from Porlamar, Margarita
into Grenada.
Carriacou's Lauriston Airport
is serviced by daily flights from
Grenada and St. Vincent with SVG
Air.
Entry Requirements
A valid passport and return or onward
ticket is required for all visitors.
However, proof of citizenship bearing
a photograph is acceptable from
British, Canadian and US citizens.
Please note however that as mandated
by the United States Department
of Homeland Security, all US travellers
must provide a passport to enter
or re-enter the US from both vacation
and business travel. A visa is not
required from citizens of the US,
Canada, UK, British Commonwealth,
most Caribbean countries, most European
countries, South Korea, and Japan.
Departure Tax
Persons 13 years of age and older
are required to pay EC$50 (approximately
US$19.) Departure tax for persons
from 5 to 12 years of age is EC$25
(approximately US$9.50.) Children
under 5 years are exempted.
Travel
Tips
Getting Around
Once you've arrived, travelling
around is just as easy, with a variety
of car rental companies, taxis and
buses. In the capital town of St.
George's, there are even water taxis
who will take you across the Carenage,
to the Esplande or even as far as
Grand Anse Beach.
Spend some time in Grenada's beautiful
sister islands of Carriacou and
Petite Martinique. Daily Ferry services
will carry you from Grenada to Carriacou
and Petite Martinique and back all
in one day. If you're in a hurry
travel by air and get there within
half an hour, or you can try out
your sea legs on the ferry and enjoy
the one and a half hour ride up
the coast.
Driving
To obtain a local driving permit,
a bona fide driver's license must
be presented at the traffic department
at the Central Police Station on
the Carenage. The cost is EC$30.00.
Most car rental firms also issue
local permits. There is a network
of approximately 650 miles of paved
roads and most of the main roads
are in good condition. Please note
that driving is on the LEFT.
Activities
With its lush and mountainous interior,
Grenada, "The Spice of the
Caribbean", is being steadily
discovered by nature lovers of all
types including hikers, mountain
bikers, birdwatchers and waterfall
buffs. Recreational sports enthusiasts
will find the island offers an abundance
of activities and facilities to
keep them entertained - scuba diving,
snorkeling, parasailing, kayaking,
sailing and cruising. And for those
looking to experience the true essence
and character of Grenada, sightseeing
and historical sites abound as well
as unique shops and outstanding
cuisine.
Shopping
From exotic spices to duty-free
bargains, shopping in Grenada offers
something of interest for everyone.
Offering a wide assortment of fresh
produce, spices and handicrafts,
St. George’s market is the center
of island life. Souvenir, gift and
handicraft shops are also prevalent
in the St. George’s district, especially
on Young Street and the Carenage.
The best buys in Grenada are batik
and screen printed textiles, locally
made handicraft, leather craft,
and wood carvings.
If you like the larger shopping
centers, the Grand Anse Shopping
Centre and LeMarquis Complex offer
shops, clothing stores, restaurants
and art galleries. The new Spiceland
Mall also has a wide variety of
shops and boutiques.
Tax & Tipping
There is an 8% Government Tax at
hotels and restaurants. Most also
add a 10% service charge. Additional
gratuities are at your discretion.
Credit Cards & Currency
Major credit cards are accepted
by most hotels, car rental companies,
and shops. Travellers cheques are
accepted everywhere. The Eastern
Caribbean Dollar, linked to the
US Dollar, is the local currency.
Banks will exchange EC$2.67 for
US$1.00 cash, and EC$2.68 for US$1.00
in travellers cheques. It is advisable
to exchange currency at the banks,
as the most favourable exchange
rates may not be obtained elsewhere.
Business Hours
Banking hours in Grenada are usually
Monday to Thursday from 8:00 a.m.
- 3:00 p.m., and Fridays from 8:00
a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Shops are generally open from 8:00
a.m. - 4:00 p.m., Monday to Friday,
and 8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. on Saturdays.
Supermarkets and shopping centers
are usually open from 9:00 am. -
7 pm. And there are one or two who
are even open on Sundays.
Often when cruise ships are in port,
the craft and souvenir shops will
open on a Sunday or Bank Holiday.
Government offices are generally
open from 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.,
Monday to Friday, but closed from
12:00 to 1:00 pm for lunch.
Churches
There is a good representation of
many of the major religious denominations
in most towns and villages including
Roman Catholic, Anglican, Presbyterian
and Methodists.
Dress
Casual, light cottons are ideal
during the day; in the evenings,
elegantly casual attire is appropriate.
Bathing suits or mini shorts should
not be worn in the streets or stores.
Long pants and hiking shoes are
recommended for hiking.
Electricity
Voltage is 220 volts - 50 cycles.
Appliances rated at 110 volts (US
standard) normally work satisfactorily
with a transformer. Most hotels
provide dual voltage shaver units,
but an adaptor plug is necessary
for small appliances.
Language
English is the official language
but it is not uncommon to hear a
French-African patois spoken.
Medical Facilities
There is a General Hospital in St.
George's, a smaller hospital in
Mirabeau on the east coast, and
one in Carriacou. Clinics and doctors
can be found throughout the islands.
Postal Information
The General Post Office is on Lagoon
Road by the Port in St. George's.
There are sub-post offices in all
towns and villages. Post Offices
are open 8:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m., Monday
to Thursday; Fridays until 4:30
p.m. Efficient local, regional and
international mailing is enhanced
by international couriers, Federal
Express, DHL and UPS; and the General
Post Office has an Express Mail
service.
Preservation
The barking of trees and taking
of wildlife from the forest and
rivers, and corals from the sea
is strictly forbidden.
Radio & Television
There are currently four radio stations
(AM 535 kHz; AM 1400 kHz / FM90
kHz / FM96.3 kHz; FM 101.7 kHz;
FM105.5 kHz) and three television
stations. Many hotels have satellite/cable
television.
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