The Official Site of the Grenada Board of Tourism

Banks
Many of Grenada’s banks are either subsidiaries of Regional or International Banks including RBTT (Royal Bank), Republic Bank Grenada Ltd, Scotiabank and First Caribbean International Bank (formerly Barclays Bank Plc). ATM machines are available in most parts of the country and many will accept CIRRUS system cards as well as regular Credit Cards. Banking hours in Grenada are usually Monday to Thursday from 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., and Fridays from 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. See our list of Banks in the Facilities section for more detailed information.

Business Hours
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 who are even open on Sundays.

Often when cruise ships are in port, the craft and souvenir shops will open on a Sunday or Bank Holiday.

Government offices are generally open from 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Monday to Friday, but 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 (EC) Dollar, is the local currency, so visitors from the other OECS countries do not need to exchange any currency. For the other countries, many banks will change your local currency into EC dollars at varying rates.

The EC dollar is linked to the US dollar and most 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.

Approximate Exchange Rates
TT $1.00 $0.50 EC
BDS $1.00 $1.35 EC
US $1.00 $2.67 EC

Departure and Entry Taxes
Seaport Entry Fees. Visitors entering Grenada by sea are required to pay the following fees :-

CRUISE PERMIT (YACHTS)
Less than 40ft EC$ 50.00
40 –60ft 75.00
60-80ft 100.00
Over 80ft 150.00

CRUISE(VISITORS) LEVY
Per person US$3.00

Seaport Departure Fees.
Visitors arriving by air and leaving by sea, are required to pay an Embarkation Tax of EC $1.00 per person, to the Immigration office at the time of departure.

Airport Departure Fees
Visitors leaving Grenada by air are required to pay the following –

13 years and older EC $50
5 to 12 years EC $25
Under 5 years Exempted

Visitors remaining on island for less than 24 hours are not exempt from paying the departure taxes, only in-transit passengers are exempt.

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.

OECS Travel Programme
Under the OECS Travel Facilitation Programme, citizens of other OECS countries may enter Grenada using a valid identification card. Provided that the Identification Card -

Carries the Photograph of the beare
Carries the Nationality* of the bearer
Is valid at the date of entry.

Valid ID cards are -

Driver's Licence
Voter's Registration Card
Social Security Card
National ID Card

*When the ID Card does not indicate Nationality, it must be supported by a Birth Certificate. The Birth Certificate must be consistent with the information on the Identification Card.

For more information about the OECS Travel Facilitation Programme contact -
The Department of Immigration
Ministerial Complex, Botanical Gardens
St. George’s.
Tel - 473 440-2456 or 473 440-4765

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 on the east coast, and one in Carriacou. Clinics and doctors can be found throughout the islands. See the Health facilities page for more detailed information.

Postal Information
The Grenada Postal Corporation (GPC) has its Head Office on Port Highway, St. George's, but also maintains a network of sub-post offices in all towns and villages. Post Offices are generally open from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, Monday to Thursday, and 8:00 am to 4:30 pm on Friday. The GPC also hosts Internet Cafes at many of its post offices at very good rates.

Efficient local, regional and international mailing is enhanced by international courier services from Federal Express, DHL, UPS as well as the Express Mail service from the the Grenada Postal Corporation.

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 four 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.

Cable & Wireless Caribbean Cellular Service (USA AMPS Systems), is available to 60% of Grenada, parts of Carriacou, Petit Martinique and much of the surrounding waters. Roaming service is available to all AMPS compatible cellular phone owners. Please contact Cable & Wireless at 473 440-1000 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 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.

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) 440-3080.