Grenada
Caribbean
- Coastline
- Verdant spice island
- Coast Life
- Uncommercial, uncrowded, uncontrived
Our tip – get to Grenada before the rest of the world does. Somehow, this nutmeg-scented island has remained untouched by major tourism and has the real-deal kick-back Caribbean vibe.
With no OTT heritage trail spoiling the island, visitors are free to explore the lush rainforest and waterfalls of the interior, 45 heavenly beaches and buzzing harbour city of St George’s. The community feel is the stuff of nostalgic fantasy for Brits, with schoolchildren in pristine pressed uniforms walking home together along the side of the road in the afternoons.
Pictured: Laluna
Boutique hotels in Grenada
Our round-up of the hippest hideaways and boutique hotels in Grenada
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Getting there
Planes, trains, automobiles, or maybe even helicopter – we tell you the best way to go.
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Worth getting out of bed for
Highlights the best Grenada has to offer, from art and culture to fun-packed activities; we've even found the most inspiring place to enjoy the views from.
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Eating, drinking & dancing
We've tracked down the best cafés for people-watching, the bars with the coolest cocktails, the most accomplished restaurants and the liveliest local nightlife in Grenada. All you have to do is make sure you've packed your favourite threads…
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Smith Maps
Here is the map of Grenada; each Mr & Mrs Smith hotel is marked by a flag; click it for more details.
moreLocal knowledge
- Taxis
- Ask the hotel to arrange an airport pick-up. The ride to the hotel will give you a feel for how bumpy the roads can be.
- Tipping culture
- 10 per cent service charge is added to the bill at most restaurants. Further gratuities are at your discretion.
- Packing tips
- Leave your watch at home, go with the flow, and feel the stress drift away on the breeze.
- Recommended reads
- Tide Running or Buxton Spice by Oonya Kempadoo, English-born and Guyana-raised, now resident in Grenada. Spice: The History of a Temptation by Jack Turner.
- Cuisine
- Fresh fish and seafood in abundance, with bananas, mangoes, coconuts and spices filling in the gaps. Grenada’s national dish is called ‘oil-down’. Adored by islanders, it gets its name from the way the oil in the coconut milk used sinks to the bottom layer of breadfruit. Take your chances and report back to us… Fish Fridays take place weekly in Gouyave, when locals hang out from 4pm, often with live music and entertainment, until the fish, rum and beer run out. It’s best to share a cab from the hotel, since it’s a 25–30-minute drive up the coast.
- Currency
- The US dollar is accepted in most places, but the best way to fit in with the locals is to use the East Caribbean dollar.
- Time zone
- Atlantic Standard Time zone, so GMT -4 hours.
- Dialing codes
- The international dialling code for Grenada is +1 473.
- Do go/don't go
- The average year-round temperature is around 25˚C, so it’s lovely all year, with tropical breezes to keep you cool. The rainy season lasts from June to December, but showers are short and don’t fall every day.
