Known as "The Spice of the Caribbean," visitors will be enticed by the sweet scents of nutmeg, cinnamon, ginger and vanilla wafting on the balmy breeze. In fact, there are more spices in Grenada per square mile than anywhere else on the planet. Nutmeg is the most abundant spice, and Grenada produces about a third of the world’s supply.
Grenada’s capital, St. George’s, is known as the most picturesque city in the Caribbean. Its horseshoe-shaped harbour is surrounded by a pastel rainbow of dockside warehouses and the red-tiled roofs of traditional shops and homes. Rich in English, French and West Indian history, St. George’s is filled with beautiful well-preserved examples of French and British Colonial architecture.
As for cuisine, visitors can indulge in some of the most exciting in the region, from native Grenadian fare, made from the fresh bountiful produce that is found in the bustling markets to some of the finest creations in international cuisine. West Indian cuisine is of course popular, with restaurants featuring creative local cuisine such as callaloo soup, a melange of fresh local seafood, and meats prepared with a true West Indian flare.
This small nation consists of three islands: Grenada, Carriacou (pronounced Carry-a KOO), and Petite Martinique (pronounced Pitty Mar-ti-NEEK). Grenada is by far the largest of the three, with a width of twelve miles (18 km) and a length of twenty-one miles (34 km). Its 133 square miles are mountainous, volcanic terrain, reaching heights of over 2,750 feet atop Mount St. Catherine. This topography provides Grenada with one of the loveliest and most varied environments in the Caribbean, including crater lakes as well as a variety of plant and animal life. Dwarf forests high atop Mount St. Catherine descend to the montane rainforests of middle altitudes, which give way in turn to the dry forests of the lowlands. Those forests shift to mangrove at the coast, giving way to stunning white sand beaches, brilliant blue water and exquisite coral reefs.
Grenada’s smaller sister island, Carriacou, is hilly but not mountainous. With smoother terrain, Carriacou is an ideal destination for walking. It possesses fine sand beaches and natural harbours, as well as excellent views of the northern Grenadine islands.
Petite Martinique, the third and smallest island in the state, consists of little more than the tip of a volcanic cone poking through the water. It lies 2.5 miles off the northeast coast of Carriacou. It is only now being developed for visitors.
Location
The three islands of Grenada, Carriacou & Petite Martinique are located in the eastern Caribbean at the southern extremity of the Windward Islands, only 100 miles north of Venezuela. To the north lie St. Vincent and the Grenadines and to the south lie Trinidad and Tobago.
Climate
Average temperatures range from 75ºF to 85ºF (24ºC to 30ºC), tempered by the steady and cooling trade winds. The lowest temperatures occur between November and February. Due to Grenada’s remarkable topography, the island also experiences climate changes according to altitude. The driest season is between January and May. Even during the rainy season, from June to December, it rarely rains for more than an hour at a time and generally not every day.
People
Approximately 101,400 people inhabit Grenada, including the 8,000 inhabitants of Carriacou and the 600 residents of Petite Martinique. The nation’s citizens are primarily of African, East-Indian and European descent, with the largest proportion of the population, approximately 75%, of African descent. Grenada is an English-speaking nation.
Music
With its African origins, Calypso is the music of the native Grenadian. Though the mini-buses now play reggae and pop, it is still the music of choice at Carnival time. Ex-tempore is an art form where the musician sings to a standard tune but has impromptu lyrics.
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The following details relate to holders of adult normal passports (requirements for children may be different), if any other type of passport or travel document is held, entry requirements should be checked with the relevant embassy or consulate
Required, but NOT by the following:
1) Holders of proof of citizenship issued to nationals of Grenada
2) For a stay up to 6 months by nationals of Antigua & Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Canada, Dominica, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Montserrat, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent & Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad & Tobago, United Kingdom & United States, provided holding two documents proving citizenship, one with a photograph (eg driver's licence with photo, expired passport plus voter's registration card or birth certificate) & tickets & documents for onward travel
Passport must be valid for 6 months from date of departure
The following DO NOT require a visa:
1) Nationals of Grenada
2) British subjects being `Citizen of the United Kingdom & Colonies'
3) Nationals of Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Bermuda, Botswana, British Virgin Islands, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Cameroon, Canada, Cayman Islands, Chile, Cook Islands, Cyprus, Czech Rep, Denmark, Dominica, Estonia, Falkland Islands, Fiji, Finland, France (including Overseas Departments), Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Gibraltar, Greece, Guyana, Hong Kong (S.A.R. passport holders), Hungary, Iceland, India, Ireland Rep, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, Korea (South), Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lesotho, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Mauritius, Moldova, Montserrat, Namibia, Nauru, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Niue, Norfolk Island, Norway, Papua New Guinea, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent & Grenadines, Samoa, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Tonga, Trinidad & Tobago, Turkmenistan, Turks & Caicos Islands, Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine, United States, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Zambia & Zimbabwe
4) Holders of re-entry permits |
