Maurice Bishop International Airport operates on the southwestern coast near Point Salines, eleven kilometers from St. George's. The facility opened in 1984 after a construction project initiated during Maurice Bishop's government and completed following the U.S. intervention in October 1983. American Airlines connects through Miami, JetBlue through New York JFK, Caribbean Airlines through Trinidad, and British Airways operates seasonal service from London Gatwick. Lauriston Airport on Carriacou handles inter-island flights and regional turboprop connections. Ferry service operates between Grenada and Carriacou via Osprey Lines, departing from the Carenage in St. George's, with crossing times averaging four hours depending on sea conditions.
Immigration requires a passport valid for the intended stay duration. Citizens of the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, and European Union member states receive entry stamps permitting stays up to three months without advance visa applications. Visitors must present return or onward tickets and demonstrate accommodation arrangements. The immigration form distributed on inbound flights requests local contact information and intended departure dates. Agricultural inspection occurs before baggage claim due to Caribbean biosecurity protocols protecting the nutmeg and cocoa industries from external pests. Officers confiscate fresh fruits, vegetables, seeds, and soil-containing materials. Fines begin at 500 Eastern Caribbean dollars for undeclared restricted items.
Ground transportation from Maurice Bishop International includes taxis operating on government-set fares without meters. The taxi stand outside arrivals posts a rate board showing St. George's runs at 25-30 Eastern Caribbean dollars per vehicle during daytime hours, with 50 percent surcharges applying after 6 PM. Rides to Grand Anse Beach hotels cost 15-20 Eastern Caribbean dollars. No public bus serves the airport directly. Rental car counters from local and international agencies operate in the arrivals hall, requiring credit cards for deposits and minimum driver ages of 25 years. A temporary Grenadian driving permit costs 30 Eastern Caribbean dollars and requires presentation of a valid home license at the rental counter or police traffic department. Grenada drives on the left side following British road conventions.
The Carenage harbor in St. George's receives cruise ships on a dock extending from the commercial port. Most vessels anchor offshore and tender passengers to the Melville Street landing. The cruise terminal building provides currency exchange, tourist information, and taxi dispatch. Ships typically dock from 8 AM to 5 PM on scheduled port days. Yacht arrivals clear customs and immigration at designated ports of entry including St. George's, Prickly Bay, and Hillsborough on Carriacou. Arriving captains must contact Grenada Port Authority on VHF Channel 16 before entering territorial waters and proceed directly to the customs dock without disembarking crew or passengers.
The Eastern Caribbean dollar serves as official currency, sharing use across eight island nations in the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union. The exchange rate maintains a fixed peg to the United States dollar at 2.70 Eastern Caribbean dollars per 1 U.S. dollar, established by the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank in Saint Lucia. This rate applies at all banks and remains unchanged since 1976. U.S. dollars circulate widely and most businesses accept them, typically applying a 2.60 conversion rate that benefits the merchant. Change returns in Eastern Caribbean dollars regardless of payment currency.
Republic Bank, Scotiabank, and First Citizens Bank operate branches in St. George's with additional locations in Grenville and Grand Anse. Banking hours run Monday through Thursday 8 AM to 2 PM, Friday 8 AM to 4 PM. ATMs dispense Eastern Caribbean dollars exclusively and accept major international networks including Cirrus, Plus, Visa, and Mastercard. Machines located at Maurice Bishop International Airport, the Carenage cruise terminal, and hotel lobbies in the Grand Anse tourist area provide 24-hour access. Withdrawal limits range from 500 to 1,000 Eastern Caribbean dollars per transaction depending on the bank. Foreign transaction fees apply according to the visitor's home bank policies.
Credit cards see acceptance at hotels, established restaurants, tour operators, and larger shops, with Visa and Mastercard processed more reliably than American Express or Discover. Small vendors, market stalls, bus operators, and local eateries outside tourist zones operate cash-only. The Spiceland Mall in Grand Anse and IGA supermarket accept cards. Payment terminals often require chip insertion rather than contactless tap, and staff may request identification matching the card name. A three percent processing fee appears on some credit transactions, particularly at smaller establishments posting signs near registers.
Currency exchange counters operate at Maurice Bishop International Airport in the arrivals hall and at Republic Bank branches. Rates match the official 2.70 peg for U.S. dollars. Canadian dollars, British pounds, and euros require exchange at banks rather than hotels or shops due to limited circulation. Travelers checks have declined in acceptance since 2010 and face refusal at most establishments outside major hotel front desks. No black market exists for currency exchange due to the widespread acceptance of U.S. dollars and stable official rate.