Planning a trip to Grenada

Fast Facts

Banks -- Banks in St. George's, the capital, include First Caribbean International Bank, at Church and Halifax streets (tel. 473/440-3232); Scotiabank, on Halifax Street (tel. 473/440-3274); the Public Bank of Grenada, at Halifax and Hillsborough streets (tel. 473/440-3566); and the Grenada Cooperative Bank, on Church Street (tel. 473/440-2111). Most have ATMs that, in virtually every case, distribute only Eastern Caribbean dollars. Banking hours are usually Monday through Thursday from 8am to 3pm and Friday from 8am to 5pm.

Currency -- The official currency is the Eastern Caribbean dollar (EC$), which trades at a rate of EC$2.67 to US$1 (stated differently, EC$1 = 37¢), and at a rate of approximately EC$4.27 = £1 (stated differently, EC$1 = 23p). However, U.S. dollars are widely accepted on island. Always determine which dollars, EC or U.S., you're talking about when someone on Grenada quotes you a price. Prices in this chapter are quoted in U.S. dollars.

Documents -- A valid passport is required of U.S., British, and Canadian citizens entering Grenada, plus a return or ongoing ticket. Additionally, a valid U.S. passport is now required for readmission into the U.S.

Electricity -- Electricity is 220-240-volt AC (50 cycles), so transformers and adapters will be needed for U.S.-made appliances.

Embassies & High Commissions -- The U.S. Embassy is located at L'Anse aux Epines Salines, St. George's (tel. 473/444-1173). The British High Commission is on Church Street, St. George's.

Emergencies -- Dial tel. 911 for police, fire, or an ambulance.

Hospital -- 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.

Language -- English is commonly spoken. Creole English, a mixture of several African dialects, English, and French, is spoken informally by most.

Pharmacies -- Try Gittens Pharmacy, which maintains its central headquarters on Halifax Street in St. George's and a branch on Wall Street in Grand-Anse (tel. 473/440-2165 for both branches), is open at both branches Monday to Thursday 7:30am to 7pm, Friday to 8pm, Saturday to 5pm, and Sunday 9am to noon.

Post Office -- The general post office, at the pier in St. George's, is open Monday to Friday from 8am to 4pm.

Safety -- Street crime occurs here, tourists have been victims of armed robbery in isolated areas, and thieves frequently steal U.S. passports and alien registration cards in addition to money. Muggings, purse snatchings, and other robberies occur in areas near hotels, beaches, and restaurants, particularly after dark. Don't leave valuables unattended at the beach. Be cautious when walking after dark, or take a taxi. Report a stolen or lost passport immediately to the local police and the embassy.

Taxes -- A 10% VAT (value-added tax) is imposed on food and beverages. Additionally, there's an 10% room tax. You'll pay a departure tax of $20 when you leave the island.

Telephone -- The area code for all of Grenada is 473. You can call to or from Grenada as you would to or from any other area code in North America. Public phone and fax services are available at the Carenage offices of Grenada Cable & Wireless in St. George's (tel. 473/440-1000 for all offices). The office is open Monday to Thursday from 8am to 5pm, and Friday from 8am to 4pm.

Time -- Grenada is on Atlantic Standard Time year-round, which means it's usually 1 hour ahead of the U.S. East Coast -- except during daylight saving time, when the clocks are the same.

Tipping -- A 10% service charge is added to most restaurant and hotel bills. No additional tip is expected.

Water -- Stick to bottled water.

Weather -- Grenada has two distinct seasons: dry and rainy. The dry season is from January to May; the rest of the year is the rainy season, although the rainfall doesn't last long. The average temperature is 80°F (27°C). Because of constant trade winds, there's little humidity.

Getting Around

By Taxi

Taxi rates are set by the government. Most arriving visitors take a cab at the airport to one of the hotels near St. George's, at a cost of $25 to $35. Add $4 to the fare from 6pm to 6am. You can also use most taxi drivers as a guide for a day of sightseeing; negotiate a price beforehand.

By Rental Car

Remember: Drive on the left. A U.S., British, or Canadian driver's license is valid on Grenada; however, you must obtain a local permit, costing EC$30. These permits can be bought either from the car rental company or from the traffic department at the Carenage in St. George's. The Carenage is both the walkway and the road that loops around the horseshoe-shaped St. George's Harbour. It is the capital's principal thoroughfare.

Try Dollar Rent-a-Car, at the airport (tel. 800/800-3665 in the U.S. and Canada, or 473/444-4786; www.rocrentalsgrenada.com). You can also find a branch of Avis (tel. 800/331-1084 in the U.S.; www.avis.com) at the airport, as well as an office for Thrifty (tel. 800/847-4389 in the U.S., or 473/444-4984; www.thrifty.com).

Warning: There's such a thing as Grenadian driving machismo; the local drivers take blind corners with abandon. An extraordinary number of accidents are reported in the lively local paper. Gird yourself with nerves of steel, and be on the lookout for children and pedestrians when driving at night. Many foreign visitors, in fact, find any night driving hazardous.

By Bus

Minivans, charging 60¢ to $5, are the cheapest way to get around. The most popular run is between St. George's and Grand Anse Beach. Most minivans depart from Market Square or from the Esplanade area of St. George's.