Grenada

Americas · 5,316 words
In-Depth Sections
Why Visit Grenada? Honest Guide to the Spice IsleGrenada People, History & Culture | Population & IslandsGrenada Airport & Arrival Guide: Money & EssentialsWhat to See and Do in Grenada: St. George's & AttractionsGrenada Food Culture & Calendar: Oil Down National DishGetting Around Grenada: Roads, Transport & Travel Tips

PRACTICAL ESSENTIALS AND RELATED DESTINATIONS

**Entry Requirements and Documentation**

Grenada requires a valid passport for all international visitors. Citizens of the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, and European Union member states do not require a visa for stays up to 90 days. Visitors receive an entry stamp on arrival at Maurice Bishop International Airport or at Grenada's seaports. The official government portal for visa requirements is maintained at gov.gd. Travelers from countries not on the visa-exempt list must apply through Grenadian embassies or high commissions before travel. Extensions beyond 90 days require application to the Immigration Department in St. George's. All visitors must present proof of onward or return travel and demonstrate sufficient funds for their stay.

**Currency and Banking Infrastructure**

The Eastern Caribbean Dollar serves as Grenada's official currency, shared with seven other Eastern Caribbean states and pegged to the US dollar at approximately 2.70 EC dollars to 1.00 US dollar since 1976. Banks operate Monday through Thursday from 0800 to 1500 hours and Friday until 1700 hours. Republic Bank, Grenada Co-operative Bank, and Scotiabank maintain branches in St. George's with ATM networks extending to Grenville, Gouyave, and Grand Anse. US dollars are accepted at most hotels and larger restaurants though change returns in Eastern Caribbean dollars. Credit cards function at major establishments but cash remains necessary for markets, smaller restaurants, and public transportation. ATMs dispense Eastern Caribbean dollars only. Bank wire transfers typically process within three business days. Currency exchange services operate at Maurice Bishop International Airport during all commercial flight arrivals.

**Telecommunications and Internet Access**

Flow and Digicel provide mobile phone service across Grenada with 4G LTE coverage in St. George's, Grand Anse, and along the southwestern coastal corridor. Coverage extends to approximately 85 percent of Grenada's main island. Carriacou and Petite Martinique maintain coverage in populated areas but experience gaps in rural sectors. Prepaid SIM cards cost 20 to 40 Eastern Caribbean dollars and require passport presentation for registration. Tourist SIM packages with data allocations of 2 to 10 gigabytes sell for 30 to 100 Eastern Caribbean dollars. Hotels in Grand Anse and St. George's provide wifi as standard. Internet cafes operate in St. George's market square area at 5 to 10 Eastern Caribbean dollars per hour. Mobile data speeds reach 20 to 40 megabits per second in urban zones. Fixed broadband through Flow reaches 100 megabits in select areas. International calls cost 1.50 to 3.00 Eastern Caribbean dollars per minute without data applications.

**Electrical Standards**

Grenada operates on 230 volts at 50 hertz using Type G three-pin rectangular blade plugs identical to United Kingdom standards. North American devices rated for 110-120 volts require both voltage converters and plug adapters. Modern laptop computers and phone chargers with 100-240 volt input ratings require only plug adapters. Hardware stores in St. George's sell adapters for 15 to 30 Eastern Caribbean dollars. Hotels sometimes provide adapters at reception. Power outages occur several times monthly in St. George's and more frequently in rural areas, typically lasting 30 minutes to 3 hours. The Grenada Electricity Services Limited monopoly manages the national grid. Surge protectors merit consideration for sensitive electronics.

**Health Infrastructure**

The General Hospital in St. George's operates as Grenada's primary public medical facility with approximately 240 beds and emergency department services. Princess Alice Hospital in Grenville serves the eastern parishes with approximately 50 beds. Princess Royal Hospital in Carriacou maintains 30 beds. Private facilities include the St. Augustine Medical Services near Grand Anse and the Grenada General Hospital's private wing. Dialysis services exist at the General Hospital. The country maintains no hyperbaric chamber for diving emergencies. Serious trauma, cardiac events, and complex surgical cases often require medical evacuation to Trinidad, Barbados, or Miami. Air ambulance services operate through Caribbean Air Ambulance and other regional providers at costs starting from 15,000 US dollars. Pharmacies stock basic medications but specialized drugs require advance ordering. Tap water in St. George's and major towns meets treatment standards though bottled water is widely consumed.

**Transportation Networks**

Maurice Bishop International Airport, located 8 kilometers north of St. George's, serves as the sole international gateway with a 2,743-meter runway accommodating Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 aircraft. Caribbean Airlines operates multiple weekly connections through Trinidad. American Airlines connects through Miami. JetBlue serves New York JFK and Boston seasonally. Air Canada links Toronto during winter months. Lauriston Airport on Carriacou features a 953-meter runway serving domestic flights and small regional aircraft. SVG Air operates the 20-minute Grenada-Carriacou route multiple times daily. The Osprey Lines catamaran ferry connects Grenada and Carriacou in approximately 90 minutes for 80 Eastern Caribbean dollars round trip, departing Grenada at 0900 hours and returning at 1730 hours Monday through Saturday. No scheduled ferry serves Petite Martinique directly from Grenada's main island.

Information reflects conditions at time of writing. Verify all critical details — entry requirements, health advisories, and current conditions — through official sources before travel. Visiearth accepts no liability for decisions based on this content.