Grenada

At Home in Grenada

This sleepy tropical Caribbean Island of Greneda has friendly locals, lush interiors and lovely white sandy beaches. It is crisscrossed by unspoiled trails and has dozens of lonely coves. It is not the ideal destination for a serious party animal and definitely not for gambling action seekers. It is perfect for visitors, who enjoy snorkeling, sailing and fishing and for people who love to relax on the beach, under the warm tropical sun.
Grenada Real Estate, Economy and Infrastructure The economy of Grenada is based primarily on agricultural produce, especially spices like nutmeg, mace and cocoa. It suffered heavy damage from Hurricane Ivan, which also damaged and destroyed many tourist facilities, which is another major foreign exchange earner. Reconstruction is going strong. Grenada is a member of the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union, Caribbean Community and Common Market. Tourism is the main source of foreign exchange. A boom in the Grenada real estate, construction and manufacturing industries, combined with a developing offshore financial industry has contributed to economic growth.

Grenada real estate is some of the most sought-after in all of the Caribbean. For a foreigner to purchase real estate in Grenada, an application to the Government is required for an Alien Land-Holding License. This costs about 10% of the agreed purchase price and is a simple process that any local lawyer can handle. You should have a banker’s reference letter, character references and police references from your country of residence to support your application. The property must be identified and upon gaining the license, the buyer must pay the 10% Alien Land Holding Tax. The entire purchase can take 4 to 6 months. Local financing can be obtained as well. If you decide to sell your property through a local agent, commissions are 5% of the agreed price with a further Government Sales Tax of 15% for foreigners. Building costs are between U.S. $75 and U.S. $100 per square foot for a house, not including the fencing, driveway, perimeter walls and pool. The procedure to secure Grenada real estate is simple and the locals are more than willing to assist foreigners.

Grenada Activities, Dining and Entertainment

Grenada is also known as the ‘Spice of the Caribbean’ and is great for nature lovers, including hikers and mountain bikers, birdwatchers and waterfall buffs. Sports enthusiasts will also find the Caribbean island ideal, with a range of activities and facilities available such as scuba diving, snorkeling, kayaking, sailing, parasailing and cruising. Sightseeing and visits to local historical sites, along with unique shops selling local handicrafts and the great cuisine are very appealing.

The Grenada Golf Country Club is a nine-hole course located near Grand Anse and provides club rentals, instructions and a clubhouse that serves snacks and has a bar and caddy service. Visitors interested in tennis will find many hotels with top facilities. There are also public courts in the Grand Anse area. From exotic spices to duty-free bargains, shopping is a good way to explore Grenada. St. George’s market offers a range of fresh produce, spices and handicrafts, with souvenir, gift and handicraft shops. Local batik and screen-printed textiles, handicrafts, leather crafts and woodcarvings are unique and worth buying.

Grenada has an irregular coastline, dotted with small bays and inlets offering secluded and private beaches. There are also black sand beaches, where the sand is finer and softer. The Caribbean Island nation has preserved its natural environment and many national parks have been developed which attract nature enthusiasts. Charter companies offer half and full-day deep-sea fishing trips. The Annual Spice Island Billfish Tournament is held in mid January, attracting professionals from all over the world. Grenada waters offer some of the best sailing opportunities and are a premier yachting destination. Local tour companies offer whale watching or sight seeing cruises. Most diving facilities are located in the south and the dive sites are close to Grand Anse Beach.

Carnival in Grenada is held during the second week of August. There are shows like the Calypso Monarch, Carnival Queen and Steel band Competition, all culminating in a Dimanche Gras on Carnival Sunday. The following morning, thousands of people take to the streets and celebrate Monday Night Mas, with steel bands and masqueraders in parades marching to Calypso. Tuesday afternoon has steel bands and mas bands that add to the beauty of procession with their vividly colored costumes.

Grenada’s cuisine combines African, French, Spanish and Indian styles. Visitors can find the most exciting cuisine in the region, from native Grenadian fare to the finest international cuisine. West Indian cuisine is popular and restaurants serve local favorites like callaloo soup. Grenadian cuisine is available everywhere on the island, including trendy restaurants. Chefs use local spices and skillfully combine locally grown fruits and vegetables with fresh fish.

If you prefer to dine in, the island’s hotels and resorts provide a range of options, including elegant restaurants with international as well as local delicacies.

Grenada Climate

The Caribbean Island of Grenada has the typical tropical, wet climate. The average temperature range is 75ºF to 85ºF, cooled constantly by steady tradewinds. The lowest temperatures are between November and February. The climate changes with altitude. The driest season is between January and May. The rainy season is from June to December, but it is rare to get more than an hour of rain at a time, making Grenada real estate one of the best values in the Caribbean. Yearly precipitation is generated by moisture-laden trade winds and varies between 350 centimeters on windward mountainsides, to around 150 centimeters in lower areas.

The months from June to November are also the months of tropical storms and hurricanes. The highest humidity is around 80 percent during the rainy months and 68 to 78 percent in the drier periods.

Grenada Location and Travel

Located 100 miles North of Trinidad and 68 miles South West of the Caribbean Island of St. Vincent, the nation includes the islands of Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique and has an area of 131 square miles. It extends for 21 miles northeast to southwest and about 12 miles southeast to northwest, with a coastline of 75 miles. Saint George’s is its capital and is located on the southwestern coast of Grenada.

The main airport is Point Salines International, which is served by British Airways, Virgin Atlantic and Golden Caribbean. Some British Airways flights are to the Caribbean islands of Antigua, Barbados, St. Lucia and Trinidad. Air Jamaica and American Eagle service Grenada from New York and Puerto Rico and Air Canada has weekly service from Toronto during the winter, with connections from Halifax, Montreal and Ottawa. Year round, Air Canada and BWIA have scheduled flights to Barbados and Trinidad connecting to the Caribbean Island of Grenada.

Traveling around the islands is made easy with car rental companies, taxis and buses. In St. George’s, water taxis take you to the Esplande or Grand Anse Beach. A local driving permit requires a valid driver’s license and can be bought from the traffic department at the Central Police Station on the Carenage for EC$30.00. Car rental companies can also issue local driving permits. Driving is on the left. Daily ferry service is available from Grenada to Carriacou and Petite Martinique and back, the same day. A flight gets you there in half an hour, while the ferry ride takes ninety minutes.

There is an 8% tax levied by hotels and restaurants and generally, a 10% service charge. Additional tipping is discretionary. All major credit and travelers checks are accepted everywhere. The dress code is casual and light during the day and formal in the evening, depending on the venue chosen. Bathing suits or short shorts are not appreciated in the streets or the stores. The law forbids debarking the trees, poaching and smuggling coral.

Grenada Culture and History

Grenada’s recorded history begins with Christopher Columbus, when he first discovered the island in 1498 and called it Conception Island and later Granada. Before that, it was inhabited by Kalinago Caribs. Later, the English failed in their settlement attempts, but the French conquered it in 1650. The French ceded the colony to the United Kingdom in 1763 and then later, made a Crown Colony in 1877. It was a province of the short-lived West Indies Federation between 1958 and 1962 and in 1967, became an Associated State of the United Kingdom, responsible for its own internal affairs. Independence came in 1974 and in 1979 there was an attempt to set up a socialist state. In 1984, a general election re-established the Caribbean Island’s democratic government.

July and August are the most festive months of the year and excitement and energy mark the period. Three major celebrations take place during this time, the Carriacou Regatta, the Rainbow City Festival and the Grenada Carnival. These events present a wide range of shows, races and competitions, parades and expositions, pageants and exhibits for the locals as well as visitors.

Flag Coat of Arms

Motto

“Ever Conscious of God We Aspire in the name of Justice, Build and Advance as One People”

Anthem

“God Save the Queen”

National Song – “Hail Grenada”

Capital

St. George’s

Official Languages

English

Government

Queen HM Queen Elizabeth II

Governor General Daniel Williams

Prime Minister Keith Mitchell

Parliamentary Democracy

Constitutional Monarchy

Independent from the United Kingdom since 7^th February 1974

Area

344 km² (203rd) 132.8 sq mi

Water 1.6%

Population

2005 Estimate: 103,000 (193rd)

Density

259.5 /km² (45th) 672.2 /sq mi

GDP (PPP)

2005 Estimate Total:

$440 million (210th)

Per Capita

$5,000 (134th)

Currency

East Caribbean Dollar (XCD)

Time Zone

(UTC-4)

Internet TLD .gd

Calling Code

+1-473

Maps Grenada Island Map