Grenada

Highlights

• st-georges: the hillside capital surrounds a deep harbor and is full of narrow twisting streets and distinctive Creole houses.
• grand-anse-beach: one of the most famous beaches in the region, its white sand is legendary.
• carriacou: you won’t have difficulty finding rooms, views or uncrowded beaches on this slow-paced, low-key rural island.
• grand-etang-national-park: there are plenty of trails to take you through the rainforest to crater lakes and waterfalls.
• spice-country: is accessed by a road that winds through picturesque fishing villages. You can see a modern spice plantation and factory at the Dougaldston Estate.
• petite-martinique: most of the accommodation here is small and intimate, making it a good place to get away from the crowds in other parts during the dry season.

The dry season runs from January to May, while the rainy season runs from June to December and features rain about 22 days a month. Although you won’t have to fight the crowds in the wet season, you’ll probably end up sharing the beach with no one else but goats for company.

Festivals & Events

Many of Grenada’s big events involve either music or sailing.

• January: Grenada Sailing Festival sees races with both international yachts and traditional boats, and is a great excuse to hang out at the beach and party.
• February: Carnivale, the yearly pre-Lent celebration in Carriacou, can add a little Calypso and a lot of spice to you holiday.
• April: Tivoli Drum Festival and the Carriacou Maroon Music Festival offer a whole lot of music, dancing and good food thrown in too.
• May: Grenada Drum Festival has traditional, modern and international beats served up beside traditional cuisine.
• August: if you miss the party in February, or just can’t get enough, celebrate Carnivale all over again.

• Diving: the island of Carricou is also known as the ‘Island of Coral Reefs’ and has excellent marine life and good diving conditions.
• Yachting: where there are islands in the Carribbean, there is good yachting, but when you are in Grenada, the chances are that there will also be some kind of festival or regatta celebrating the sport.
• Hiking/walking: there are trails in a few national parks throughout the country, most of which offer excellent opportunities for bird-watching, spotting spectacular flowers and climbing to crater lakes.
• Deep sea fishing: marlin, wahoo, tuna and sailfish are to be found relatively close to shore, so go out for a day and bring back a big one.

If you are looking to get to Grenada in a hurry, Miami offers the highest number of direct flights to Point Salines International Airport. There are several international ports including St George’s where you can enter Grenada from abroad, and it is easy to rent a yacht or hire a boat to travel between islands once you are here. There are several car rental agencies as well as plenty of taxis; on weekdays, before sundown that is.

Street crime can be a concern in Grenada, although probably not much more so than in most major American cities. Since tourists are often the targets of petty crime, it is a good idea not to travel alone after dark, especially in tourist areas and near beaches, hotels and large restaurants.

If you are planning on hiking in Grenada, be sure to bring mosquito repellant, as there is a chance of getting dengue fever. Most health concerns among tourists in Grenada however can be easily prevented by wearing hats, sunscreen and drinking lots of water.