The story of Grenada
Grenada's first inhabitants were Indigenous peoples who paddled up the island chain from South America, among them Arawak-speaking farmers and, later, the Kalinago, often called Island Caribs. They fished the reefs, grew cassava and left behind petroglyphs still visible on rocks around the island. Columbus sighted Grenada in 1498 but did not land, and for more than a century the Kalinago kept European settlers at bay.
In 1649 the French established a foothold, and fighting with the Kalinago soon followed. A famous local legend holds that the last Kalinago defenders leapt from the cliffs at Sauteurs in the north rather than surrender, and the spot is still called Leapers Hill. Britain took the island in 1763, France briefly recaptured it, and British rule resumed in 1783. Sugar plantations worked by enslaved Africans dominated the economy, and in 1795 Julien Fédon led a major rebellion inspired by the ideals of the French Revolution. Slavery ended in the 1830s, and the introduction of nutmeg in the 1840s laid the foundations for the 'Spice Isle' identity.
Read the full history
Grenada gained independence on 7 February 1974. In 1979 the New Jewel Movement led by Maurice Bishop seized power and set up a revolutionary government, which collapsed in an internal crisis in October 1983, followed by a US-led intervention. Parliamentary democracy was restored, and the country has since rebuilt after severe hurricanes, most notably Ivan in 2004 and Beryl in 2024, which struck Carriacou and Petite Martinique hard.
Visitors today find a small, friendly nation of three islands with a strong cultural identity. Colonial forts overlook the horseshoe harbour of St George's, old estates still process cocoa and nutmeg, and rum is made using a water wheel at a historic distillery, while carnival, string bands and Big Drum dances keep African and Caribbean traditions vibrant.
Timeline
- c. AD 300Arawak-speaking peoples settle the island
- 1498Columbus sights Grenada
- 1649The French establish a settlement
- 1763Britain gains control under the Treaty of Paris
- 1795Julien Fédon leads a major rebellion
- 1974Independence on 7 February
- 1983The revolutionary government collapses and a US-led intervention follows
- 2004Hurricane Ivan causes widespread damage
Entry rules depend on your passport and change often.
- CARICOM – CARICOM member – Caribbean Community citizens often have easier entry.
- Commonwealth – Commonwealth member.
Before you book, check the official rules for your passport:
- Visa policy of Grenada (Wikipedia) ↗
- IATA Travel Centre – passport, visa & health rules ↗
- U.S. passport holders – State Department country pages ↗
- UK passport holders – GOV.UK travel advice ↗
The latest visa and entry news for Grenada appears below as soon as publishers report it.
Grenada Dive Festival Sends Caribbean Adventure Below the Waves with a Conservation Twist Grenada’s Dive and Conservation Festival brings reef dives, marine learning, beach action and Carriacou adventures from 26 October to 1…
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Silversands Beach House in Grenada has shifted to an adults-only model, accepting guests aged 16 and above across its 28 accommodations. The article Silversands Beach House becomes adults-only first appeared in TravelDailyNews…
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Things to do in Grenada
- Swim at Grand AnseLaze on a long curve of white sand with calm water and views across to St George's.
- Snorkel the sculpture parkFloat above the haunting underwater statues of Moliniere Bay, now encrusted with coral.
- Tour a spice estateLearn how nutmeg, mace, cinnamon and cocoa are grown and processed at a working plantation.
- Hike to waterfallsTrek through rainforest to the Seven Sisters Falls or take a dip at Annandale Falls.
- Explore St George'sClimb to Fort George for views over the pastel houses and the picturesque Carenage harbour.
- See a water-wheel distilleryVisit River Antoine, where rum has been produced with the same traditional methods for generations.
- Hop over to CarriacouTake the ferry to the sister island for quiet beaches, diving and Sandy Island's perfect sandbar.
- Taste chocolate bean to barSample locally grown organic chocolate at a cocoa estate or factory.
- Look for turtles at LeveraVisit Levera Beach in the nesting season to see leatherback turtles with a local guide.
- Eat oil downTry the national dish, a one-pot stew of breadfruit, salted meat, dumplings and callaloo in coconut milk.
Where to go in Grenada
- 📍St George'sSouth-west · capitalOne of the Caribbean's prettiest harbour towns, with forts, markets and colourful hillside houses.
- 📍Grand Anse BeachSouth-west · beachGrenada's most famous beach, with soft sand and gentle water.
- Grand Etang National ParkInterior · rainforestA mountain reserve around a crater lake, with hiking trails and mona monkeys.
- CarriacouGrenadines · sister islandA laid-back island known for boat building, regattas and excellent diving.
- 📍Petite MartiniqueGrenadines · small islandA tiny, quiet island with a strong seafaring tradition.
- 📍Sauteurs & Leapers HillNorth · historyA cliff-top town tied to the legend of the last Kalinago stand.
- 📍Moliniere Bay Underwater Sculpture ParkWest coast · snorkellingAn underwater art gallery that is now a thriving artificial reef.
- Belmont EstateNorth-east · heritage plantationA centuries-old working estate offering cocoa tours and local food.
- Tour a spice or chocolate estate
- Snorkel the underwater sculpture park
- Hike to a rainforest waterfall
- Take the ferry to Carriacou
- Oil down – national stew of breadfruit, meat and callaloo in coconut milk
- Nutmeg ice cream – creamy dessert made with local spice
- Callaloo soup – leafy green soup with coconut
- Lambie – stewed or curried conch
Best time to visit Grenada
Grenada is tropical and warm all year, cooled by trade winds. The mountainous interior is wetter and cooler than the beaches of the south-west.
Typical daytime highs and rain in St George's (approximate averages).
- AugustSpicemasGrenada's carnival, famous for the J'ouvert and Jab Jab revellers covered in oil and mud.
- AprilCarriacou Maroon and String Band Music FestivalA celebration of Big Drum dances, string bands and traditional food on Carriacou.
- Late July-early AugustCarriacou RegattaLocally built wooden sloops race alongside festivities ashore.
- June 29Fisherman's BirthdayFishing communities, especially Gouyave, bless boats and celebrate with music and food.
How many days in Grenada?
Days 1-2 explore St George's and relax at Grand Anse. Day 3 tour Grand Etang, waterfalls and a spice estate. Days 4-5 snorkel the sculpture park and visit the north coast for River Antoine and Belmont Estate.
Days 1-6 cover St George's, the beaches, rainforest hikes and the north and east coasts of Grenada. Take the ferry for Days 7-10 on Carriacou, with snorkelling at Sandy Island and a day trip to Petite Martinique.
Backpacker budget: about $60–90 a day
- Local minibuses, numbered by route, are cheap and frequent - flag them down anywhere along the road.
- Guesthouses and apartments around Grand Anse and Morne Rouge are better value than beach resorts.
- Fish fry nights, especially Friday in Gouyave, are a fun and inexpensive way to eat.
- Roti, bake and saltfish and street barbecue are filling, low-cost meals.
- Many trails and waterfalls can be reached by bus, though a local guide is worth it for harder hikes.
Stay safe
- Grenada is relatively safe, but avoid isolated beaches after dark and don't leave valuables unattended.
- Roads are narrow, winding and drive on the left; take care if hiring a car.
- Hurricane season runs June to November - monitor forecasts and keep plans flexible.
- Use insect repellent to protect against mosquito-borne illnesses.
Money
- The currency is the Eastern Caribbean dollar, pegged to the US dollar; US dollars are often accepted, but change may come in EC dollars.
- Cards are accepted at hotels and larger restaurants; carry cash for buses, markets and Carriacou.
- Many bills include a service charge; otherwise tipping around 10-15% is customary.
Emergency: 911 police, fire & ambulance
Maurice Bishop International Airport near St George's has flights from North America, the UK and other Caribbean islands. Carriacou is reached by ferry or small plane, and many visitors arrive by cruise ship or yacht.
✈️ Cheap flights to Grenada: airports, flight times & best time to fly →
- Grenada is one of the world's leading producers of nutmeg, which appears on its national flag.
- Grenada is a nation of three main islands: Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique.
- Its underwater sculpture park was among the first of its kind in the world.
- Grenada's national bird, the Grenada dove, is one of the rarest doves on Earth.
- Carriacou has a long tradition of building wooden boats by hand on its beaches.
Grenada travel questions
Is Grenada safe for tourists?
Yes, Grenada is generally considered one of the safer Caribbean destinations. Take normal precautions, avoid isolated areas at night and secure your valuables.
What is the best time to visit Grenada?
January to May is the dry season and the best time for beaches and hiking. August is lively with carnival, while September to November is the peak of hurricane season.
How many days do you need in Grenada?
Five days covers the main island's highlights. Allow 7-10 days to include Carriacou and Petite Martinique.
Do I need a visa for Grenada?
It depends on your passport. Check the official Grenada government website or your nearest embassy before you travel.
What food is Grenada known for?
Grenada is famous for spices such as nutmeg and for oil down, the hearty national dish. Fresh seafood, roti and locally made chocolate are also highlights.
Approximate daily cost per person (stay, food, local transport).
Cheap local minibuses run along main roads, and taxis or rental cars cover the rest. Ferries and small planes link Grenada with Carriacou.
- Greet people with good morning or good afternoon before asking anything
- Cover up beachwear when walking in town
- Ask before taking photos of people
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