Animals, Banks, Business Hours, Churches, Credit Cards
and Currency, Departure Tax,
Banks
Many of Grenada’s banks are either subsidiaries of
Regional or International Banks including RBTT Grenada
Ltd., Republic Bank Grenada Ltd., Scotiabank and First
Caribbean International Bank. 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. – 4:00 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 $2.00 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
Driving
To obtain a local driving permit, a bona fide driver's license
must be presented at the traffic department at the Central
Police Station on the Carenage. The cost is EC$30.00. 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. Visas are not required from citizens of
Caribbean countries (except Cuba).
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 -
*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 three television stations anf ten radio stations
including AM 535 kHz; AM
1400 kHz / FM90 kHz / FM96.3 kHz; FM 101.7 kHz and FM105.5
kHz. 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 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) 440-2532 or email: ministry.labour.gd@gmail.com
