A tiny island, with an area of only 133 square miles, Grenada is the most southerly of the Windward Islands in the Caribbean. Grenada has a population of about 100,000, and is 21 miles long and 12 miles wide. Grenada has a great deal to offer its visitors in terms of hiking, exploring, sailing, diving and much more.

Grenada is known as the "Island of Spice" due to the production of nutmeg and mace crops of which Grenada is one of the world's largest exporters. Cloves, cinnamon, ginger and vanilla are just a few of the other scented treasures found here. As well as frangrent spices, music is also an important part of life on Grenada, and the calypso tunes dancing over the island serve to evoke Grenada's African origins.

By visiting the mesmerizing island of Grenada, you can enjoy one of the most incredible natural wonders of the world. This beautiful island features more than 45 beaches full of countless opportunities for adventure, snorkeling, or just plain relaxing. Even better, all beaches on this island are public. That means no matter how exclusive or expensive looking the area, it is open for all to enjoy. In fact to protect this right, Grenada has initiated guidelines for all developers requiring them to provide an access point for the public to get to and enjoy relaxing on the beach or spending the day snorkeling in the water.

 

2011 PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
07-Feb	Independence Day	01-Aug	Emancipation Day
22-Apr	Good Friday	08-Aug	Carnival Monday
09-Mar	Ash Wednesday	09-Aug	Carnival Tuesday
24-Apr	Easter Sunday	25-Oct	Thanksgiving Day
25-Apr	Easter Monday	25-Dec	Christmas Day
02-May	Labour Day (substitute day)	26-Dec	Boxing Day
23-Jun	Corpus Christi

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Climate	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Average Temp (C)	28	30	30	31	32	32	32	32	32	31	30	30
Average Rainfall (mm)	102	66	71	69	122	205	227	257	223	203	207	161

 

The lowest temperatures occur between November and February. It is cooler in the hills. Driest season is January to May. Rainy season is June to December.

 

GMT -5 (GMT -4 in summer)

Bay Gardens

Located in St. Paul's, the gardens depict a true version of a tame tropical paradise.

Carenage

The Inner harbour is a perfect horseshoe shape and is the centre of marine activity in St. George's. Georgian buildings add character to the island.

Carib's Leap/Leapers Hill

Directly North of the town of Sauteurs is a steep cliff face that descends vertically for more than 100 feet. This is an important historic and cultural landmark where the Carib Indians chose self-imposed genocide rather than surrender to the French Colonists in 1651.

Dougaldston Spice Estate

An historical monument to Grenada's past where most of the spices are grown and receive primary processing.

Dunfermline Rum Distillery

Located in St. Andrew's parish just three miles from Grenville. This privately owned distillery was built in 1797 and still operates with a watermill. Rum may be purchased on site.

Gouyave & Grenville Nutmeg Processing Stations

The largest nutmeg processing factories on the island. Grenada accounts for a third of the world's nutmeg supply.

La Sagesse Nature Centre

This once privately owned estate can now be enjoyed by all, including bird life, a mangrove estuary, three beautiful beaches, coral reefs and cactus woodlands.

Market Square

Bustling, noisy and colourful, the market is the centre of activity in St. George's. It is the main site for buying and selling local produce; also the location of parades; political speeches and religious activities. This is also a good point to catch a mini-bus to other areas of the island.

Roads are narrow and winding. Vehicles are available to hire in St George's, Grand Anse or St Andrew's from local car rental firms. Credit cards are not always accepted. Some rental companies impose a minimum age of 21. Speed limits are not posted and are dictated by the state of the roads.

A temporary local driving licence is required and available for a fee from the traffic department at the central police station on Carenage or from most car hire companies, on presentation of a valid driving licence.

An International Driving Permit is recommended, although it is not legally required.

East Caribbean Dollar EC$1 = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of EC$100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of EC$1, and 50, 25, 10, 5, 2 and 1 cents. The US$ is accepted everywhere but change might be given in EC$.

St. George's General Hospital, located on Grandetang Road, St. George's (tel. 473/440-2051), has an X-ray department and operating room.

Private doctors and nurses are available on call.

Mirabeau and Carriacou have small hospitals.

Health insurance is strongly advised.

Hotels and restaurants include a government tax and 10% service charge, check the bill to see if this is included. Taxi drivers expect at least 10-15%.

Mains water is normally chlorinated and relatively safe, but there is still some risk of diarrhoea, particularly in rural areas. Bottled water is recommended.

Taxis are the most efficient means of transport. They are available from the airport, the Carenage and most hotels. Buses are cheap but slow.

Mon-Thurs 0800-1500, Fri 0800-1700. ATMs are mostly in St George's.

220/240 volts AC, 50 Hz.

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