Grenada Vacation Packages

The three islands of Grenada get progressively smaller and more secluded. Grenada is the main island and the busiest in terms of people and tourist attractions. It’s got beaches, forests and tons of cultural sites. This island is also home to the biggest resorts. Carriacou, the very quiet neighbor of Grenada, has a population of 6,000 and offers a tranquil getaway for those on an extended stay. Though there are a handful of resorts, daytrips to the island are more popular. Petite Martinique is the even smaller, quieter, other neighbor of Grenada. This island serves almost exclusively as a day trip destination. It is only 10 minutes from the main island so you can take a short boat ride and explore the pristine beaches. There’s an island for everyone here.

The seabed around these islands is bursting with sights. Reefs, marine life, cliffs, underwater sculptures and even Kick-‘em Jenny, an active underwater volcano all populate Grenada's submarine environment.

 

Kick-‘em Jenny is off the coast of Carricou. The volcano helps the sea life thrive. Vibrant reefs house many different kinds of fish and marine creatures.  Carricou also offers access to some really spectacular diving off of Molinere Point.

 

Off Grenada, you can find Molinere Reef which features a sea wall that plunges to a depth of 65 feet. Molinere also hosts more than 55 underwater, life-sized sculptures that serve as an artificial reef. Coral grows on and in the sculptures for a surreal, yet oddly beautiful effect. The Bianca C, a cruise ship that sank in the 1960s is also off the coast of Grenada. You'll find tons of fascinating scuba sites to explore here.

The Concord and Annandale Falls near St. George are beautiful and relaxing retreats. Whether you're a lounger or an adventurer, you'll find a waterfall to fall for.

 

Concord Falls is a series of three waterfalls a few miles north of St. George. The first is easily accessible from the road, and you can sometimes swim under the deluge. To reach the other two, you’ll hike for about an hour on a trail through a nature preserve. The third is particularly stunning, as water plummets 65 feet into the pool below. 

 

Also close to St. George is Annandale Falls. Here, water cascades 40 feet into a swimmable pool. The path to the pool is paved, and a trail leads to the top of the waterfall. Exotic foliage surrounds the pool and waterfall, making this a popular spot to spend an afternoon picnicking and swimming.

Sugar and spice are very important in Grenada. From culture to cuisine to economy, the spices Grenadine farmers harvest influence the daily life on this small, volcanic island. So, your trip won't be complete without a visit to a couple of the places where all this sweet, spicy magic happens.

 

Head to Gouyave and Grenville to tour the nutmeg processing facilities. Take in the intoxicating smells as you learn about nutmeg and its uses and see the workers sift through, sort and package the crop. At Laura Herb & Spice Garden, you’ll tour the grand 6-acre facility, learning about the many herbs and spices of Grenada. The long list includes cinnamon, clove, cocoa, nutmeg, pimiento, turmeric and more. Spice it up!

For you eco-enthusiasts and outdoor adventurers, Grand Etang National Park & Nature Preserve is heaven. The park protects, among many different species of plants and animals, Grand Etang Lake, which fills an extinct volcano crater. Grenada's rich soil leads to an array of plants and animals, and the park trails lead you through dramatic landscapes of mountains, streams and lakes.

 

Explore miles of hiking trails, and discover memorable vistas from lookouts around the park. Search for the colorful avian inhabitants of this bird sanctuary. Or grab your rod and cast away in the fishing streams. Before you go, visit the Forest Center to learn about the park and the life within. That should scratch your eco-itch for a while.

Grenada's history twists and turns through war and prosperity, and that long path leaves us with some beautiful architecture. St. George is the site of two fascinating forts and two charming churches.

 

Fort George overlooks St. George harbor, and was built in 1705 by French colonial forces. It’s now open to the public to visit. Fort George also serves as a police headquarters, so don't misbehave. Fort Frederick provides a sweeping view of part of Grenada and the inland side of the harbor.

 

St. George’s Methodist and St. George’s Catholic churches are both beautiful, dating to the early 19^th century. The Methodist church is older, but the Catholic church’s gothic tower is the city’s most visible landmark.

Language: 

English

 

Currency: 

Eastern Caribbean Dollar (EC) 

 

Electricity: 

220 V/50 cycles – US plugs require an adapter.

 

Passport/Immigration: 

All U.S. citizens must have a valid passport when traveling to and from Grenada.

 

Drinking Water: 

Tap water is chlorinated.

 

Time Zone: 

Eastern Standard Time (UTC/GMT -4 hours)

 

Peak Season: 

January - April

Get some unconventional insight into history with a visit to Pearls Airport. The Caribbean became an unexpected theater of the Cold War, when US military forces invaded Grenada in 1983. The island's old airport, Pearls Airport, is home to a couple of abandoned Cuban and Soviet planes. Cuban agents left the aircraft behind when they were expelled by US Marines, during the invasion. Now you can just barely make out the old Soviet and Cuban markings on the exterior. You can take a peek inside to see the controls and avionics, but be careful! They're antiques, after all.

 

The airport now serves a couple of new functions. The runway is a useful shortcut between Grenville and the River Antoine Distillery, and animals graze on the surrounding grassy land. The airport also now serves as a base for local law enforcement. That's helpful since this site is a bit more secluded. So just head out here in the daytime, watch your step and get an awesome history lesson.

Located at The Spice Basket, a center for Grenadine culture and art, West Indies Cricket Heritage Center delivers the history of not just Grenadine cricket, but of Caribbean cricket. Delve into this sport that hasn't made it big in America but is loved in many other parts of the world, and you'll learn about cricket's importance to the fabric of Caribbean culture. 

 

Even if you don’t know much about cricket, you’ll appreciate this museum. For the true sportsman, any competition is interesting, and cricket has a long a global history. Several nations are represented in the memorbilia and stories of cricket legends. Part of that narrative is the destruction of racial barriers in the early 20th century. Round out your understanding of global sports, and who knows? You may be inspired to take a crack with the cricket bat!

Lake Antoine National Landmark is not as famous as Grand Etang, but it offers beauty all on its own. The lake is a filled-in crater, and the lush vegetation and smaller size of the lake makes the area feel like a piece of Eden.

 

Also, the River Antoine Distillery is near the lake, and it features the last working waterwheel in Grenada. Take the scenic trip to see this distillery using time-tested and old world methods to create their rum.

 

Lake Antoine may only be the second largest lake in Grenada, but don't let that fool you. When it comes to beauty and awesome experiences, Antoine and Etang are in a dead heat.

Aggie’s Restaurant, near Bathaway Beach, is run by Aggie. She is both the server and the cook, and her concoctions are a delicious complement to a day at the beach.

 

The restaurant is just across from Bathaway Beach at the north end of the island. Look for a yellow sign with green letters. Ask for directions if you need. It's a small operation, so don't expect a waitstaff or a valet. But if it's food you really care about, stop here for some authentic Grenadine cuisine.

 

You'll have to wait and see what Aggie is serving up that night before you order, but whatever you get, you're going to have a great Grenadine dinner.

Wander along the beach of Petite Martinique for gorgeous scenery and insights into the local culture. The seclusion and laid back atmosphere make time seem almost frozen on this little island. 

 

You can see boat builders at work, or you might encounter a boat race. Festivals and weddings are hosted on this beautifully remote island, so you may see beachfront revelry.

Maurice Bishop International Airport (GND) is located in the southwestern corner of Grenada in St. George's Parish, about 5 miles south of Grenada's capital, St. George. The terminal includes two runways and five departure gates and services many major airlines.

With passport, return ticket and customs paperwork in hand, proceed to the immigration area. You will either proceed through the Red Channel or the Green Channel. Choose Red if you have goods to declare. For example, if you need to pay taxes on goods you are bringing into the country or need to fulfill customs formalities, enter the Red Channel. Choose the Green Channel if you do not need to pay taxes or do not have to fulfill customs formalities, and you are not carrying any forbidden or restricted goods. You will receive a customs form to fill out either on the plane or after landing. Fill these out, noting goods to be declared.

Taxis and buses are available at the airport. A taxi ride from the airport to Coyaba Beach Resort should take about 15 minutes and cost around $16 USD. The buses can be quite crowded, so this may not be a good idea if you have luggage with you. Make sure a bus route to your resort is available before pursuing this option.

Taxis are available in St. George's and across the island. They can be expensive, however. Make sure you establish a fare for your trip before you get in the taxi. Suggested rates for taxi rides to different parts of the island are also available on the airport’s website. If you're in St. George's, you can take a bus, there's a central bus station, and the buses follow routes. Bus stops are spread throughout the city, so this can be a relatively inexpensive alternative to taxis. Water-based transportation is available in St. George's at the Carneage which is the dock on the harbor. Here, water taxis will take you from St. George's harbor to Grand Anse Beach, and ferries will take you to Grenada's sister islands, Carriacou and Petit Martinique.