Grenada Travel Tips

Travel tips

What to know before you go

Written by Joy van Niekerk, founder of Grenada Concierge. Checked on the island, October 2026.

Everything here is what our guests ask us before they fly: money, getting around, the sea, the rules and what to pack. Where a rule comes from the government, we link to it. Where it comes from our own experience on the island, we say so.

Before you fly

Do I need a visa to visit Grenada?

No. Visitors from the UK, the US, Canada and the European Union do not need a visa for a holiday. Your passport must be valid for at least six months after the day you arrive. Immigration sets your length of stay on arrival: usually up to three months for UK visitors and up to 90 days for Canadian and EU visitors. Immigration may ask to see your return or onward ticket.

Sources: UK government travel advice, Government of Canada.

What is the Grenada ED card?

It is Grenada’s arrival form, now online. Since 2 March 2026 you complete it at edcard.gov.gd before you land, in place of the paper forms. It opens 72 hours before arrival and asks for your flight details and a photo of your passport photo page. Keep the confirmation to show on arrival. Use only edcard.gov.gd; ignore look-alike sites.

Source: Caribbean Journal, 2 March 2026.

What can I bring through customs?

The duty-free allowance is 200 cigarettes (or 50 cigars, or 250 g of tobacco), 1 litre of wine or spirits, and other goods up to EC$1,000. Fresh fruit, vegetables and plants are not allowed in. Camouflage clothing is illegal to bring in or wear, for adults and children alike.

Sources: Grenada Airports Authority, Government of Canada.

Is there a departure tax?

It is included in your plane ticket. There is nothing to pay at the airport when you leave.

What vaccinations do I need?

Make sure your routine vaccinations are up to date; hepatitis A and B are also advised. You only need a yellow fever certificate if you are arriving from, or have transited through, a country with a yellow fever risk. Check with your doctor, or TravelHealthPro (UK) or the CDC (US), about eight weeks before you travel.

Sources: CDC, reviewed 25 Aug 2026, Government of Canada.

Money

What currency is used in Grenada?

The Eastern Caribbean dollar (EC$), fixed at EC$2.70 to US$1 since 1976, so the US rate never changes. Only EC dollars and US dollars are accepted in Grenada; pounds, euros, Canadian dollars and other currencies are not taken anywhere.

US$1 = EC$2.70 (fixed)
£1 = about EC$3.60
€1 = about EC$3.00

The pound and euro figures are only a guide to prices: you cannot pay in them here. Those rates move with the markets; the figures above are from October 2026.

Source: Eastern Caribbean Central Bank.

Can I use US dollars in Grenada?

Yes, US dollars are accepted almost everywhere, but your change will come back in EC dollars, usually at the shop’s own rate, which is a little below 2.70. Pounds, euros and other currencies are not accepted, so bring US dollars or EC dollars, or draw EC dollars from an ATM when you arrive.

Bring clean, undamaged US notes. Notes that are torn, marked or worn are refused, by banks as well as shops, and even the slightest blemish or tear is enough. Small notes are the most useful.

Where can I get cash?

From bank ATMs, which give EC dollars and take the major foreign cards. Republic Bank has the largest network, with machines in St George’s, Grand Anse, Gouyave, Grenville, Sauteurs and Hillsborough on Carriacou. There are no bank ATMs listed on Petite Martinique, so take cash with you. Your own bank sets your withdrawal limit and may charge a fee.

Cards are taken in most hotels, restaurants and larger shops. Keep cash for minibuses, market stalls, small vendors, the ferry and the sister islands.

Source: Republic Bank Grenada, branches and ATMs.

Do you tip in Grenada?

Most restaurants add a 10% service charge, so check your bill first. If someone has made your day, a cash tip handed to them directly is the best way to say thank you.

Why is there VAT on my bill?

VAT in Grenada is 15% on most goods and services, and 10% on hotel rooms and dive operations. Any service charge is separate.

Source: Ministry of Finance.

Getting there and around

How do I get to Grenada?

Maurice Bishop International Airport (GND) sits about 8 km south of St George’s, with flights from London (British Airways and Virgin Atlantic), from Miami, New York, Atlanta and Charlotte in the US, and from Toronto. Schedules change by season, so check with your airline.

How much is a taxi from the airport?

Airport taxis are not metered. Fares run from about US$20 to US$60 per person, depending on the standard of vehicle. Agree the price, and whether it is in US or EC dollars, before you set off. If you would like a driver waiting for you when you land, we can arrange it.

Can I get around Grenada without a car?

Yes. Minibuses are the island’s buses: cheap (about EC$2.50 to EC$6.50), lively, and running roughly 6am to 9pm, Monday to Saturday. They leave from the terminus on Melville Street in St George’s; wave one down at the roadside, pay the conductor in EC dollars, and tap the roof or say “bus stop” when you want to get off. On Sundays, plan on a taxi. For days out, private drivers and tours can be booked in This is Grenada, by Grenada Concierge.

Source: Pure Grenada, Getting around.

Can I drive in Grenada?

Yes, on the left. You need a temporary local driving permit as well as your own licence. It costs EC$60, is valid for 90 days, and car hire companies can issue it, or you can get it from the Central Police Station on the Carenage. Roads are narrow, steep and winding, with blind corners and little lighting after dark, so first-time visitors are best off driving in daylight.

Sources: Pure Grenada, UK government travel advice.

How do I get to Carriacou and Petite Martinique?

By ferry or by a short flight. The Osprey Lines ferry leaves from St George’s, but its sailing days are irregular, so always check the current timetable with Osprey Lines before you plan around it: ospreylines.com or +1 473 440 8126. Bring cash for the ferry. SVG Air flies to Carriacou in about 20 minutes. Petite Martinique has no airstrip; it is a short crossing from Carriacou. We are happy to arrange the whole journey for you.

Staying well and safe

Is Grenada safe to visit?

Grenada is a welcoming, easy island to travel in, and the usual sensible precautions apply. In January 2026 the US government moved its advice for Grenada to Level 2, “exercise increased caution”, citing crime. Canada advises normal precautions, and the UK describes mostly opportunistic crime. In practice: use your hotel safe, take licensed taxis, keep valuables out of sight, avoid quiet beaches after dark, and lock up if you are staying on a yacht. Travelling alone? Read the solo travel guide.

Sources: UK government, Government of Canada, 26 May 2026, NOW Grenada, 9 Jan 2026.

Can you drink the tap water?

On the main island, tap water is treated and safe to drink. On Carriacou and Petite Martinique, where water comes mainly from rain and desalination, stick to bottled water.

Sources: Pure Grenada FAQs, Caribbean Authority.

Are there mosquitoes in Grenada?

Yes, and the ones that carry dengue bite by day. Dengue cases rose in August 2026, so use insect repellent during the day as well as at dusk, and cover your arms and legs in the evening.

Source: Ministry of Health via NOW Grenada, 27 Aug 2026.

Is the sea safe for swimming?

The Caribbean side, the west and south coasts, is calm and made for swimming; the Atlantic east coast can have strong currents. Grand Anse and Bathway have lifeguards; most beaches do not. Never shelter under a manchineel tree: its sap, leaves and small green apples burn skin and eyes, and the trees are not always marked.

Sources: UK government, WebMD.

What are the emergency numbers?

911 for police and fire. For an ambulance: 434 (General Hospital, St George’s), 724 (Princess Alice, Grenville), 774 (Princess Royal, Carriacou). Serious medical cases may need evacuation by air, so travel insurance with medical evacuation is essential.

Source: UK government travel advice.

When to go

What is the best time of year to visit Grenada?

The driest months are February to April, the best time for beaches, hikes and days at sea. It is warm all year, with average temperatures between about 26 and 28°C. June to November is the wet season, greener and quieter, with short heavy showers more often than all-day rain.

Source: CIMH country profile.

When is hurricane season?

1 June to 30 November. Grenada is not outside the hurricane belt, whatever some sites say: Hurricane Beryl struck Carriacou in July 2024. Carriacou has worked hard to rebuild, and the Carriacou Regatta returned in 2026. If you travel in hurricane season, take insurance and keep your plans flexible.

Sources: Government of Canada, Republic Bank Grenada, July 2026.

When is Carnival in Grenada?

Spicemas is in August. In 2027, J’ouvert and Monday Night Mas fall on Monday 9 August and the Fancy Mas parade on Tuesday 10 August. Other highlights: Grenada Sailing Week (31 January to 5 February 2027) and the Carriacou Maroon and String Band Music Festival at the end of April.

Sources: Spicemas Corporation, Grenada Sailing Week.

Culture, rules and what not to do

What should I wear in Grenada?

Whatever you like on the beach, and proper clothes everywhere else, including in town and in shops. A beach cover-up is not restaurant wear: dress for dinner, as some restaurants have strict dress codes. Cover your shoulders and knees in church. Never wear camouflage, which is illegal for everyone, including children.

What is illegal in Grenada for visitors?

• Camouflage clothing, for adults and children. Police report fines of up to EC$10,000.
• Littering, with an on-the-spot fine.
• Flying a drone without permission from the Royal Grenada Police Force.
• Cannabis in public. Small amounts were decriminalised in 2026; that does not make it legal, and public use is still penalised.
• Spearfishing without the Chief Fisheries Officer’s permission.
• Taking turtles or sea eggs in the closed season, and buying turtle-shell products at any time.
• Swearing in public, which is an offence in Grenada.

The law also still criminalises certain same-sex acts between men, and public displays of affection are uncommon for any couple.

Sources: UK government, Government of Canada, CARICOM, Human Dignity Trust, 2 Oct 2026.

What should I not do in Grenada?

• Don’t skip the greeting. A “good morning” or “good afternoon” comes before any question, in a shop, a taxi or on the street.
• Don’t photograph anyone without asking first. Always ask, and respect the answer.
• Don’t get into a taxi without agreeing the fare.
• Don’t bring damaged or marked US notes.
• Don’t swim on the Atlantic coast unless you know the beach.
• Don’t sit under a manchineel tree.
• Don’t wear a beach cover-up to a restaurant.
• Don’t wear swimwear away from the beach. It is frowned upon in town, in shops and in restaurants, so cover up.
• Don’t use a white torch, phone light or camera flash on a turtle watch; only red light is allowed.
• Don’t drive unfamiliar roads after dark.
• Don’t take coral or shells from the reef.

What language do they speak in Grenada?

English. Day to day you will hear Grenadian Creole English, and “liming” means relaxing with friends. For the island’s past, read The Story of Grenada, a free history and heritage guide.

What food should I try in Grenada?

Oil down, the national dish, cooked in one pot with breadfruit and coconut milk; anything with nutmeg; local rum, including River Antoine, distilled since 1785 with a working water wheel; and Grenada’s own bean-to-bar chocolate.

Can I see turtles nesting in Grenada?

Yes. Leatherback turtles nest on Levera Beach in the north east, roughly from March to July, busiest from April to June, and hawksbills nest there too. Watching is only allowed at night with a licensed guide, and only red light is permitted: never a white torch, a phone light or a camera flash, which disturbs the turtles. We can arrange the guided watch and the transfer to Levera.

Do I need to pay to snorkel at the Underwater Sculpture Park?

Yes. The marine protected area fee is US$7 per person from 1 October 2026, rising to US$10 in October 2027, paid through the Pure Grenada portal. When you book a day on the water with us, we include it in the arrangements.

Source: Grenada Tourism Authority.

Practicalities

What plugs does Grenada use?

UK-style three-pin plugs (type G), 230 volts. UK visitors need nothing extra; visitors from the US, Canada and Europe need a type G adaptor, and a converter for any device that only runs on 110 volts.

How do I get a SIM card or eSIM?

The two networks are Digicel and Flow, with shops at the airport and in town, or buy a travel eSIM before you leave home.

What should I pack for Grenada?

• A type G plug adaptor (unless you are coming from the UK)
• Insect repellent for daytime as well as evening
• Mineral sunscreen and a rash vest, kinder to the reef
• Sunglasses and a hat
• Proper clothes for town, and a smarter outfit for dinner (some restaurants have strict dress codes)
• Water shoes for rocky beaches and sea urchins
• A light rain jacket from June to November
• Good walking shoes if you plan the rainforest trails
• A small torch for unlit roads
• Small, clean, undamaged US notes
• Your ED card confirmation
• Your own driving licence, if you plan to drive
• Travel insurance with medical evacuation
• Any medicines in their original packaging
• Nothing in camouflage