From Wikitravel

Grenada [1] is a group of three larger islands (Grenada, Carriacou, and Petite Martinique) and several tiny islands (Area: 344 sq km) in the Caribbean, or West Indies. It lies just northeast of Trinidad and Tobago, and southwest of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. It is famous for spices and is known as the spice isle, being a major source of nutmeg, cloves, ginger, cinnamon, and cocoa.

Contents 1 Districts 2 Cities 3 Other destinations 4 Understand 4.1 History 4.2 Climate 5 Get in 5.1 By plane 5.2 By boat 6 Get around 7 Talk 8 Buy 9 Eat 10 Drink 11 Sleep 12 Stay safe 13 Stay healthy 14 Respect 15 Contact

Districts

Grenada has the following districts:

• St. George
• St. John
• St. Mark
• St. Patrick
• St. Andrew
• St. David
• Carriacou & Petit Martinique

Cities

Grenada has the following towns and cities:

• St. George's - the main capital and capital of the St. George district
• Grand Anse - main tourist area
• Gouyave - capital of the St. John district
• Sauteurs - capital of the St. Patrick district
• Grenville - capital of the St. Andrew district
• Hillsborough (Carriacou)

Other destinations

• Grand Etang Nature Reserveis located in St. Andrew and is famous for it´s Craterlake.
• Mt. Qua Qua is a mountan within the Grand Etang Nature Reserve.
• Mt. St. Catherine is with 840 metres (2756 feet) the highest mountain in Grenada.
• Concord Waterfalls are 3 Waterfalls in St. John.
• Annandale Waterfall in the St. George district.
• Mt. Carmel Waterfall is the highest Waterfall in Grenada.
• Seven Sister Waterfalls is a group of 7 Waterfalls close to the Grand Etang Nature Reserve in St. Andrew
• Honeymoon Waterfall is secluded in the rain forest close to the Seven Sister Waterfalls.
• River Antoine Rum Distellery is the oldest Rum Factory in western hemisphere and still operating with a water wheel.
• Clark´s Cort Distellery is in St. George district and famous for it´s products.
• Dougladston Estate is the oldest Spice Plantagen in Grenada close to Gouyave.
• Gouyave Nutmeg Factory one of the "must do" in Grenada the "spice island".
• Carib's Leap a historic place in the north of the island where the last Carib Indians jumped from a high cliff.
• Grand Anse Beach the most famous beach in Grenada and the main tourist area.
• Morne Rouge Bay one of the most beautiful beaches in Grenada. (close to the Grand Anse)
• Levera Beach nice secluded Beach in the north of Grenada with view of the Grenadiens.
• Bathway Beach a famous beach in the north of Grenada with a save nature pool.
• Black Bay Beach secluded black beach on the west coast of Grenada (close to the Concord Waterfalls)
• Fort George´s above the main town St. George´s with beautiful view of the town and the Carenage.
• Fort Frederick high above the sea with oustanding views of St. George´s, Grand Anse, Grand Etang and the southern part of the island.
• Marketplace nice caribbean market with newly renovated spice market hall in St. George´s
• Bay Garden a tropical Garden with a rain forest style. (in St. Paul`s)

Understand

History

Christopher Columbus discovered Grenada in 1498. The island was already inhabited by the Carib Indians, who had migrated from the South American mainland, killing or enslaving the peaceful Arawaks who where already inhabitants here. The Amerindians called their island Camerhogue, but Columbus renamed it Concepcion. However, passing Spanish sailors found its lush green hills so evocative of Andalusia that they rejected this name in favor of Granada.

In 1979, an attempt was made to set up a socialist/communist state in Grenada. Four years later, at the request of the Governor General, the United States, Jamaica, and the Eastern Caribbean States intervened militarily. Launching their now famous "rescue mission," the allied forces restored order, and in December of 1984 a general election re-established democratic government.

The last 20 years have been a peaceful, democratic and fruitful back to normal existence, which has included many new building structures and vastly improved infrastructure.

Climate

Average temperatures range from 24C/ 75F to 30C/ 87F, tempered by the steady and cooling trade winds. The lowest temperatures occur between November and February. 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.

Get in

A valid passport and return or onward ticket is required. Visas are not required from citizens of the USA, Canada, United Kingdom and its dependencies, British Commonwealth countries, Caribbean countries (except Cuba), European Community countries and their dependencies, Norway, Japan, and Israel. Commonwealth of Independent States such as Russia and the Ukraine and the Baltic States such as Estonia and Latvia, and other eastern European countries such as Hungary, Romania and Slovenia are required to purchase a tourist visa on arrival in Grenada and costs EC$ 25. Duty Free Allowances - Personal items, one quart in total wines and spirits, half-pound tobacco or 50 cigars or 200 cigarettes. No restrictions on the amount of money that can be brought in. Restricted items are fruits, vegetables, meat, soil, illegal drugs, firearms and ammunition.

By plane

Point Salines International Airport is on the main island of Grenada, located on a peninsula in the extreme southwest corner. It is about 4 miles from the capital of St. George's. British Airways, BWIA, American Eagle, Monarch, USAir, Air Canada, Virgin Atlantic, Caribbean Star, Liat, Air Jamaica, Condor (Germany) and Excel Airways provide direct service to Grenada; connections can be made on other carriers via Trinidad and Barbados.

By boat

Many cruise ships dock in St. George's. A brand new cruise ship terminal was recently completed, allowing up to 5 ships to be docked at once. Private moorings are available all around the island.

Ferry service is available to the islands of Carriacou and Petite Martinique via Osprey Lines Limited.

Charters of various sizes and crews can be found by inquiring at hotels or the carenage in St. George's.

Get around

Most of the travel in and around St. George's is limited to taxis and buses. To hail a taxi, one must simply be standing on a street corner. The independently owned, but government licensed, cars and vans will stop and ask if one wants a ride. Some standard fares include EC$30.00 from the airport to St. George's and EC$25-35.00 for trips from most hotels to the various dining spots around the city.

Buses in Grenada are the standardized form of transportation. They are vans that hold between 15-19 people, and they have route numbers and signs on them. In town, there are designated bus stops, however, once you leave town, you can signal a stop by either knocking on the wall or pressing the stop button. Conductors and drivers are always very friendly, so do not hesitate to ask them where you should stop. Bus fares vary between EC$2.00-8.00 depending on the distance. They are lively trips, with great music and a nice breeze.

Car rentals are available, rates comparable to those in the US. With a valid license from your home country you will qualify for a temporary Grenada license for a small fee which the rental company will take care of for you. Drive on the left and make frequent use of the cars horn when coming around the numerous blind corners in the moutains.

Talk

English is spoken throughout the country with a Grenadian accent that can sometimes be confused for a different language. However, it is in fact English! French Patois used to be the dialect language spoken within Grenada, but it only remains within the older generations. Most Grenadians only know a few words.

Buy

Nutmeg is Grenada's cash crop, so be sure to bring some home in some form - whole, jam, jelly, syrup, Nutmed (medicinal ointment). In addition, you can purchase nutmeg flavored ice cream, which has an unusual flavor that is difficult to find elsewhere. Due to Hurricane Ivan in September of 2004, over 90% of Grenada's nutmeg crop was destroyed, but thankfully, you will still see an abundance around the market, town, and tourist shops.

Real vanilla is a steal in the markets, sometimes it can be found for as little as $1US for a 1/2 litre bottle. The concentration of the fluid does vary, but in its pure form there is a noticeable (and very pleasant) difference from the vanilla extract that most North Americans are used to.

Eat

• Aquarium Restaurant & Bar [2] located at Point Salines and is famous for it´s Sunday BBQ - great location on the beach.
• Coconut Restaurant & Bar is located at the Grand Anse Beach
• Beach House Restaurant & Bar is located at Point Salines.
• The Red Crab in Lance Aux Epines at the main road and has a fabulous menu.
• The Spice Land Mall at the Grand Anse has a local fruit and soup joint.
• Marquis Complex at the Grand Anse with Nick´s Donut World, Carib Sushi and Le Boulangerie
• De La Grenade [3] manufacturer of nutmeg products including liqueur, syrup, pepper sauce, jams and jellies.
• Grenada Chocolate Facotory [4] produces organic dark chocolate with vintage machinery run by solar power. You should be able to find the colorfully packaged bars in stores throughout the island. Tours of the factory itsself are also very interesting.

Drink

Grenada is known for many of its rum distilleries. All three offer educational tours that demonstrate the sugar production for rum. The three largest companies are Clarke's Court, Westerhall and River Antoine. They are all located on different parts of the island with only Clarke's Court and River Antoine being the true remaining distilleries. Although Westerhall is not completely produced here, their special rum (with the wax casing) is probably the best rum on the island. Clarke's Court makes both light and special dark rums which are also quite delicious. Be forewarned about Rivers. It has a 75% alcohol content which you are not allowed to export. (They make a version with 69% for exporting.) At all the distilleries you can buy small bottles and rum is sold in most grocery stores and rum shops.

Sleep

There are a lot of different types of accommodation in Grenada:

• Mango Bay Cottages [5] located on the west coast of Grenada with a lovely sea view and breathtaking sunset.

Stay safe

Grenada is a fairly safe country.

Stay healthy

There is a General Hospital in St.George's, a smaller hospital at Mirabeau on the east coast and one in Carriacou. A small private hospital in St. Paul, clinics and doctors are available. House-calls can be made.

It is safe to drink the water, which is chlorinated.

Respect

Although Grenada is a West Indian island in the Caribbean, Grenadians do not spend the majority of their time "liming" on the beach. Grenadians are very serious about their jobs and many workplaces require specially-tailored suits. St. George's Town is a place of commerce with the many banks, businesses, and governmental offices. Do not confuse it for the beach. It is often seen as rude or disrespectful for people to walk around Grenada inappropriately dressed, especially if you are dressed for the beach and you are not on it. Do not confuse the laid-back attitude for lazy, as Grenadians have a very formal and conservative attitude about their lifestyle and workplace.

Contact

• The Grenada Board of Tourism, PO Box 293, St. George’s, Grenada. Tel: 473 440-2279, Fax: 473 440-6637, Email: gbt@spiceisle.com, [6].

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