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Visitors traveling
to Grenada should be aware of the following general information
about the nation to enhance their enjoyment of Grenada.
Animals
Importation of animals
is prohibited without an Import Permit. Proper health documents
must be produced and the Government Veterinary Officer must
be notified of the port of entry and the expected time of
arrival.
Business
Hours
Banking hours in
Grenada are usually Monday to Thursday from 8:00 a.m. –
3:00 p.m., and Fridays from 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. See
our list of Banks in the Facilities section for more detailed
information.
Shops are generally
open from 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Monday to Friday, and
8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. on Saturdays. Supermarkets and shopping
centers are usually open from 9:00 am. – 7 pm. And there
are one or two that are open on Sundays.
Craft and souvenir shops will
open on a Sunday or Bank Holiday, especially if cruise ships
are in port.
Government
offices are generally open from 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.,
Monday to Friday, but may be closed from 12:00 to 1:00 pm for lunch.
Churches
There is a good
representation of many of the major religious denominations
in most towns and villages including Roman Catholic, Anglican,
Presbyterian and Methodists.
Credit
Cards & Currency
Major credit cards
are accepted by most hotels, car rental companies, and shops.
Travellers cheques are accepted everywhere. The Eastern Caribbean
Dollar, linked to the US Dollar, is the local currency. Banks
will exchange EC$2.67 for US$1.00 cash, and EC$2.68 for US$1.00
in travellers cheques. It is advisable to exchange currency
at the banks, as the most favourable exchange rates may not
be obtained elsewhere.
Departure
Tax
Persons 13 years
of age and older are required to pay EC $50 (US $20 or
£14). Departure tax for persons from 5 to 12 years of age
is EC $25 (US $10 or £7). Children under 5 years are
exempt.
Visitors
remaining on island for less than 24 hours are not exempt from
paying the departure taxes - only in-transit passengers are
exempt.
 Dress
Casual, light cottons
are ideal during the day; in the evenings, elegantly casual
attire is appropriate. Bathing suits or mini shorts should
not be worn in the streets or stores. Long pants and hiking
shoes are recommended for hiking.
Driving
Visitors wishing to drive while in Grenada must obtain a local
driving permit from either the traffic department at the Central Police Station on
the Carenage. A bona fide driver's license must be presented
and a fee of EC $30 paid. Most car rental firms
also issue local permits.
There is a network of approximately
650 miles of paved roads and most of the main roads are in
good condition. Please note that driving is on the LEFT.
Electricity
Voltage is 220 volts
- 50 cycles. Appliances rated at 110 volts (US standard) normally
work satisfactorily with a transformer. Most hotels provide
dual voltage shaver units, but an adaptor plug is necessary
for small appliances.
Entry
Requirements
A
valid passport and return or onward ticket is required for all
visitors. However, proof of citizenship bearing a photograph
is acceptable from British, Canadian and US citizens. Please
note however that as mandated by the United States Department
of Homeland Security, all US travellers must provide a
passport to enter or re-enter the US from both vacation and
business travel.
A visa
is not required from citizens of the US, Canada, UK, British
Commonwealth, most Caribbean countries, most European
countries, South Korea, and Japan. Please see the complete
lists of persons requiring visas
and persons exempt from visas.
 Government
The state of Grenada, which includes Carriacou and Petite
Martinique, is an independent nation within the British Commonwealth.
A governor general represents her majesty the Queen. The country
is governed by a 13-member senate and a House of Representatives,
with a Speaker and 15 members, each representing a constituency.
Language
English is the official
language but it is not uncommon to hear a French-African patois
spoken.
Medical
Facilities
There is a General
Hospital in St. George's, a smaller hospital in Mirabeau in
the northern parish of St. Andrew, and one in Carriacou. Clinics and doctors
can be found throughout the islands.
Postal
Information
The General Post
Office is on Lagoon Road by the Port in St. George's. There
are sub-post offices in all towns and villages. Post Offices
are open 8:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m., Monday to Thursday; Fridays
until 4:30 p.m.
Efficient local,
regional and international mailing is enhanced by international
couriers, Federal Express, DHL and UPS; and the General Post
Office has an Express Mail service.
Preservation
The barking of trees
and taking of wildlife from the forest and rivers, and corals
from the sea is strictly forbidden.
Radio
& Television
There are currently
ten radio stations (AM 535 kHz; AM 1400 kHz / FM90 kHz /
FM96.3 kHz; FM 101.7 kHz; FM105.5 kHz) and three television
stations. Many hotels have satellite/cable television.
Tax &
Tipping
There is an 8% Government
Tax at hotels and restaurants. Most also add a 10% service
charge. Additional gratuities are at your discretion.
Telecommunications
The area code for
Grenada is 473. International Direct Dialing is available
from most hotel rooms, please check with your hotel front
desk for their current rates.
Mobile
service is available from Cable & Wireless and Digicel.
Cable &
Wireless Caribbean Cellular Service (USA AMPS Systems), is
available to 60% of Grenada, parts of Carriacou, Petite Martinique
and much of the surrounding waters. Roaming service is available
to all AMPS compatible cellular phone owners. Please contact
Cable & Wireless at 440-1000 for more details.
Phone services
are available at various points throughout the island, Coin
phones for local calls and Card Phones for both local and
overseas calls. Prepaid cards can be purchased at Cable &
Wireless offices and agents, and at the Grenada Board of Tourism's
office in St. George’s.
Time
Zone
Grenada is in the
Atlantic Standard Time Zone, one hour ahead of Eastern Standard
Time and four hours behind GMT.
Water
Tap water is safe
to drink; bottled water is available.
Work
Permits
Work permits are
required for all non-nationals working in Grenada. These are
issued by the Ministry of Labour, Ministerial Complex,
Botanical Gardens, St. George's.
For information, call (473) 440-2532 or email: ministry.labour.gd@gmail.com
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