Have we forgotten something? If you have a question that has not been answered on this page, send us an e-mail grenadainfo@lma.net and we will post it on the site. LOCATION/HISTORY Q. Where exactly is Grenada? A. The three islands of Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique are located in the eastern Caribbean at the southern extremity of the Windward Islands, approximately 100 miles off the coast of Venezuela. Q. I recall something about US Military involvement in Grenada. Is it a safe place to visit? A. Grenada is indeed a safe place for Canadians to take a holiday. Twenty years ago, the American military did launch a minor mission to the island. In the intervening two decades, Grenada has acquired a reputation as a democratic, peaceful, stable vacation spot. The inhabitants of Grenada are by nature an industrious and progressive people. The island has the highest literacy rate in the Caribbean and education is universally accessible. Q. Is Grenada a "family-friendly" vacation spot? A. Absolutely. There are plenty of things to keep the kids active and amused on the island. Snorkeling, swimming, sailing, whale watching and mountain biking are just a few of the things that families can do together in Grenada. You can even sneak in a little education on the island. The forts, museums, and visit to Grenville's cocoa co-op, which shows how chocolate is made, (and offers free samples!!!!) will keep the kids entertained without making them feel like they are still in school! For parents who need a break, many hotels and resorts offer an excellent variety of kid's activities guaranteed to give you downtime. Q. Do they speak English in Grenada? A. Yes. Grenada is a former British colony that achieved independence in 1974. English is the first language of the residents of Grenada. Q. What time zone is Grenada in? A. Grenada is in the Atlantic Standard Time Zone, one hour ahead of Eastern Standard Time. CURRENCY Q. What currency is used in Grenada? A. The currency used in Grenada is the Eastern Caribbean Dollar (ECD). For more information on the ECD and the latest rate of exchange against the Canadian dollar, click here. WEATHER Q. What's the weather like in Grenada? A. Beautiful. For the most part the temperatures hover around 30 degrees all year round. For more information on the climate and the latest forecast in Grenada, click here. TRAVEL Q. How do I get to Grenada? A. A number of flight options to Grenada are available from most major urban centers in Canada. For up-to-date information on flights from Canada to Grenada, click here. Q. Do I need a visa to get into Grenada? A. No. Canadian citizens do not require a visa to enter Grenada. All that is required for Canadians to enter the country is a valid passport and proof of a return (or onward) ticket. For Canadians with dual citizenship who are traveling under non-Canadian passports, some foreign nationals do require a tourist visa. Tourist visas can be purchased upon arrival in Grenada for ECD $25. MARRIAGE Q. I want to get married in Grenada. What documentation do I need? A. Many resorts on the island organize weddings for their guests and will make all of the legal arrangements for you once you have arrived. In order to get married in Grenada, Canadians must be residents on the island for three days (including weekends and public holidays) before a license application can be made. To apply for a marriage license, the following documents are required: Valid Canadian (or other) passport Birth certificates for both parties If one or both of the parties are divorced, proof of a Decree Absolute Proof of Single Status (an affidavit or letter from a clergyman, or lawyer stating that the parties involved have not been married previously and are free to marry.) If either party has been widowed, a death certificate is required If either party is under the age of 21, parental consent in the form of a notarized affidavit is required. Please note: all documentation must be in English. If the originals are in another language, they must be translated and certified. Application for a marriage license is made at the Prime Minister's Office and a fee is charged. This process takes approximately two days. No blood test is required. TRANSPORTATION Q. Do I need a special driver's license in Grenada? A. To drive in Grenada a local driving permit is required. A valid Canadian (or other) driver's license must be presented at the traffic department at the Central Police Station on the Carenage to obtain a permit. The cost is ECD$30.00. Most car rental firms also issue local permits. Q. Where can I rent a car? A. There are a number of local and international car rental agencies on the island. For a list of rental agencies click here. Drivers must be 21 years or older to rent a car. REMEMBER: Grenada is a former British colony and driving is on the LEFT! Q. Are taxis readily available in Grenada? A. Yes. Taxis and minibuses available for hire are identified by license plates beginning with the letter "H". Taxis are more plentiful in the cities, but your hotel or one of the shops or restaurants will be happy to call one for you. DINING Q. What types of restaurants are there in Grenada? A. There are a number of options when dining out in Grenada. Visitors have the choice between local and international cuisine. The island's cuisine is influenced by its indigenous spices. Nutmeg is found in many dishes, sweet or savoury, prepared on the island. Locally grown cocoa, ginger, allspice, clove, cinnamon and vanilla all make an appearance in Grenadian cooking and the spice infused national dish, the "Oil Down" is considered a national treasure. Q. What is the dress code for dining out on the island? A. Like most other things on the island, the dress is casual and sportswear is acceptable in most places. Most hotels restaurants and finer establishments expect guests to wear long trousers for dinner and "short" shorts and bathing suits should not be worn in the hotels, streets, shops or restaurants. Q. What is the local policy on tipping? A. A 10% service charge is automatically added by most hotels and restaurants. Further gratuities are at the discretion of the guest. Q. Do they take credit cards in Grenada? A. Yes. The major credit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Amex, Discovery Card, are accepted by most hotels, restaurants, and shops in Grenada. BANKING Q. Are there banks on the island that will take my ATM card? A. The banks operating on the island include a mix of international and indigenous financial institutions. Most do have cash machines, and for customers of the Scotiabank, there are 2 branches on the island that offer Cashstop services. For more information on banks and banking hours, click here. SHOPPING Q. What is the shopping like in Grenada? A. Shopping in Grenada is both plentiful and varied. From precious gems to locally made crafts, textiles and works of art, it is difficult to leave the island without at least a little something as a souvenir. Much of the shopping is located in the capital city of St. George's where boutiques and shops line the main street. In keeping with Grenada's desire to remain one of the few truly unspoiled Caribbean islands, the shopping in Grenada is mostly locally owned and operated and few chain stores can be found on the island. There are currently only three malls or shopping centers in Grenada. For more details on shopping in Grenada click here. Q. Are there grocery stores on the island where I can pick up some snacks? A. There are a number of grocery stores on the island that feature many of the products found in Canada. If you are feeling a little homesick, you can even stop by the IGA on the island for a taste of home! GENERAL Q. Can I drink the water? A. Yes. The tap water on the island is safe to drink. Bottled water is also readily available. Q. What's on TV? A. There are three television stations and an extensive array of cable channels. Most hotels have satellite television so you can keep an eye on the hockey scores and have a good chuckle over the weather back home. Q. Will my cell phone and Blackberry work in Grenada? A. That really depends on the type of cell service package you have. Please contact your cell phone service provider to check if your cell phone will work in Grenada. Rogers and Bell Canada services work perfectly in Grenada. Please note that cell phones can be easily applied for at Cable and Wireless Grenada Ltd. Tel 473 440 1000. Q. Is it easy to make long distance calls from the island? A. Yes. Cable & Wireless Grenada operates a fully digital telecommunications service and offers worldwide direct dialing from all over the island. Most hotels offer international direct dialing service. Rates are charged on a per minute basis. Q. What is the voltage in Grenada? A. Voltage is 220 volts - 50 cycles. Appliances rated at 110 volts (North American standard) normally work with a transformer. Most hotels provide dual voltage shaver units, but an adaptor plug is necessary for small appliances. Q. I have never been scuba diving before, but Grenada looks like a good place to try it. Can I dive in Grenada without certification? A. All divers require proof of certification to go scuba diving in Grenada. If you are interested in learning, many resorts and dive tour operators offer certification courses that can be completed in as little as two days. Q. Where do I get more information on Grenada? A. To request a brochure click here. Canadians interested in visiting Grenada, can contact the Grenada Board of Tourism in Toronto at 416-595-1339 for further information.