Grenada.

Grenada is a tropical Atlantic island, three islands (Grenada, Carriacou, Petite Martinique), mountainous interior with peak Mount Saint Catherine at 840m. Climate: 22–32°C year-round.

Tropical-Atlantic-trade-wind pattern:

• Dry season (January–May): clear sunny skies, lower humidity, comfortable temperatures.
• Rainy season (June–December): afternoon thunderstorms, peak rains September–November. Hurricane risk moderate, Grenada is south of the main belt at 12°N (hurricanes do hit; Hurricane Ivan 2004 devastated the island; Hurricane Beryl 2024 hit Carriacou).

Best months:

• February–April: peak, dry, comfortable.
• January and May: shoulder peaks.
• June–July: light hurricane risk; lower hotel rates.
• September–October: peak hurricane risk.

Festivals worth scheduling around:

• Carriacou Maroon and String Band Music Festival (April): traditional music celebration on the sister island.
• Spicemas (Grenada Carnival, mid-August): 10-day Carnival celebration, smaller than Trinidad's but distinctive with J'ouvert street party.
• Christmas-New Year: peak tourism with hotel rates 2–3× shoulder.
• Independence Day (February 7): parades.
• Pure Grenada Music Festival (April): international Caribbean music.

Currency: Eastern Caribbean Dollar (XCD), fixed at 2.7 XCD = 1 USD. USD widely accepted.

Grand Anse Beach, 3 km of golden sand, consistently rated among the world's best Caribbean beaches. Resort row (Spice Island Beach Resort, Sandals, Coyaba) at the calm Atlantic-side bay. Plan 4–5 nights.

Underwater Sculpture Park (Molinere Bay), the world's first underwater sculpture park by Jason deCaires Taylor 2006 (he's gone on to create others in Cancún, Lanzarote). 75+ sculptures at 2–8m depth, accessible via snorkel ($30–50/person) or scuba dive ($50–80/person). Plan half-day from St. George's. Best months: January–May.

St. George's (capital), picturesque colonial harbor city. Highlights: Carenage (the harbor with colonial-era buildings curving around), Fort George (1705 British fort, where Maurice Bishop was executed during 1983 Grenada revolution), Market Square, Catholic Cathedral, Grenada National Museum. Plan half-day.

Spice plantations and Annandale Falls:

• Belmont Estate, working organic plantation with chocolate, nutmeg, mace, cocoa, ginger, cinnamon, vanilla; restaurant; tours $25–50/person.
• Diamond Chocolate Factory, chocolate production tours.
• River Antoine Rum Distillery, 18th-century waterwheel-driven rum distillery (the oldest functioning in the Caribbean), $10/person tour with rum tasting.
• Westerhall Estate, newer rum distillery.
• Annandale Falls, accessible 30-minute drive from St. George's (15-meter waterfall, jumping into pool, Mona monkeys feeding nearby).
• Concord Falls, 3 falls accessible by hiking, more challenging but more rewarding.

Carriacou (sister island, 35 km from Grenada), quieter, more authentic. Highlights: Anse La Roche (secluded beach), Sandy Island (uninhabited cay accessible via 15-minute boat), Carriacou Maroon and String Band Music Festival (April), Boatbuilding heritage (Windward village). Reach via: 30-minute Osprey Lines fast ferry from St. George's ($40–60 round trip) or 15-minute SVG Air flight. Plan 2–3 nights. Note: Hurricane Beryl (July 2024) hit Carriacou hard, recovery ongoing.

Levera National Park (north tip), leatherback turtle nesting April–August. Permit-required night beach walks.

A clean two-week structure: 4 nights Grand Anse → 1 night St. George's → 2 nights spice plantations / Annandale Falls inland → 3 nights Carriacou → 4 nights Grand Anse return.

Visa-free 90 days for citizens of the US, UK, EU member states, Canada, Australia, NZ, Japan, South Korea, and most Caribbean Community countries. Stamp on arrival. Passport must be valid for 6+ months.

Currency: Eastern Caribbean Dollar (XCD), fixed at 2.7 XCD = 1 USD. USD widely accepted. Card acceptance widespread.

Transport.

• International airports: Maurice Bishop International (GND), main hub, direct flights from US East Coast (American, JetBlue), UK (BA, Virgin Atlantic), Canada (Air Canada).
• Inter-island flights: SVG Air Grenada–Carriacou 15-minute flight ($80–150 round trip).
• Inter-island ferry: Osprey Lines Grenada–Carriacou 30-minute fast ferry ($40–60 round trip).
• Buses: minibuses cheap.
• Rental cars: feasible. Drive on the LEFT (British Commonwealth heritage). Visitor's permit required ($23 USD).
• Taxis: abundant; rates fixed.

Safety. Among the safest islands in the Caribbean for tourism. Resort areas, Carriacou: very safe. Petty crime in St. George's around cruise ship arrivals. Solo female travelers report consistently positive experiences. English official language. Tap water generally safe. Always check current US/UK FCDO advisories.

Health. No vaccinations required. Tap water generally safe in Grenada and Carriacou tourist areas. Mosquito-borne illness: dengue, zika present year-round.

Plug: Type G (UK 3-pin), 230V, bring UK plug adapter.

Grenada is moderate-to-expensive by Caribbean standards, comparable to Saint Lucia.

Daily budget guidelines for 2026 (excluding international flights):

• Backpacker / hostels: $60–110/day. Hostel dorm rare; budget guesthouse $50–100; restaurant meals $12–25.
• Mid-range / 3-star hotels: $200–360/day per couple. Mid-tier hotel $130–250/night; restaurant meals $20–40/main.
• Comfort / 4-star and resorts: $450–1,200+/day per couple. Top hotels: Spice Island Beach Resort, Calabash Hotel, Sandals Grenada, Silversands, Mount Cinnamon Resort.

For two adults, 14 days, mid-range: budget $4,000–7,500 on the ground, plus international flights ($500–1,000/person from US East Coast).

For two adults, 14 days, comfort tier: $12,000–30,000+ on the ground.

Where the costs hide:

• Underwater Sculpture Park: $30–50/person snorkel; $50–80/person dive.
• Spice plantation tours: $25–50/person.
• Carriacou ferry: $40–60/person round trip.
• River Antoine Rum Distillery: $10/person.
• Tipping: 10–15% standard.

Where to save:

• Travel rainy season (carefully), hotel rates 25–35% off peak.
• Stay at Grand Anse boutique guesthouses ($80–150/night) instead of luxury resorts.
• Self-guide spice plantations instead of expensive multi-stop tours.
• Use buses ($1–2 USD).