Insiders guide to GRENADA TRAVEL (2024)
If you are considering a trip to the Caribbean,
you might consider the tiny (but BIG)
Caribbean island of Grenada.
In this Grenada travel blog, we discuss some tips, tricks & insights about Grenada & show you two different resorts on the island; Sandals Grenada &
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Grenada Travel Blog & Guide
Grenada Travel Blog & Guide
OUR TOP SUGGESTED WAYS TO BOOK
ROYALTON GRENADA OR SANDALS GRENADA
- Click HERE to get points for a FREE stay (or FREE flight) plus get other travel rewards & credits (**this is how we get the best bang for our buck on our hotels & flights, 99% of the time**)
- WE CAN BOOK your vacation! Click HERE for Royalton Grenada or HERE for Sandals Grenad
OUR TOP SUGGESTED WAYS TO BOOK
ROYALTON GRENADA OR SANDALS GRENADA
- Click HERE to get points for a FREE stay (or FREE flight) plus get other travel rewards & credits (**this is how we get the best bang for our buck on our hotels & flights, 99% of the time**)
- WE CAN BOOK your vacation! Click HERE for Royalton Grenada or HERE for Sandals Grenada & fill out the Q&A. You will always have direct access to us during your travels.
- check rates yourself HERE for the Royalton, or HERE for Sandals
Grenada Travel Blog & Guide
Grenada Travel Blog & Guide
Grenada Travel Blog & Guide
Grenada YouTube Videos
Grenada Travel Blog & Guide
Grenada YouTube Videos
If you truly want to be 'part' of our adventures and get a real, first-hand experience, definitely check out our YouTube video series in Grenada!
TOP THINGS TO DO IN GRENADA
Obviously, as you can tell from the Viator links above (also check Orbitz HERE), there are a bazillion things to do in Grenada!
In true orderly fashion, Nate & I (along with our neighbors at the Royalton Grenada) decided to rent mopeds & explore on our own (see some pictures HERE). We were initially only going to hit just a few locations & turn back, but long story short, we ended up driving the ENTIRE island because we got lost... OMG, that's a story of its own & instead of reading about it, you can watch it HERE in our Grenada series.
If and when we decide to go back, here are a few things to do in Grenada that we would consider doing again, & came highly suggested by some of our favorite locals (shoutout to Andel, Keshia, Nicholson, Varnell & Jason)
- Underwater Sculpture Park- Just below the surface in Molinere Bay, there are 75 sculptures spanning across 800 square meters, just below as you snorkel or dive in the area. This is at the top of our list the next time we visit.
QUICK TIP - Make sure to schedule this one immediately, and be flexible on the days to go out. It seemed like all of the islands' tours (except private tours) had to make sure they got enough people booked, otherwise, they will cancel the tour & reschedule it for a different day (FYI). Also, if you are a germaphobe like us, take your own snorkel & mask. We take THESE ones on EVERY International trip.
- Hike one of these four waterfalls- After chatting with our butlers from the Royalton, they suggested multiple places to check out but said they liked these waterfalls the most:
- Concord Falls- There are two waterfalls here at Concord. Since we were rebels, we hiked back to the second falls by ourselves (watch that video HERE in our Grenada series). I'll be honest, if you have never been to Grenada, take a guide with you! Being in a foreign country & out in the middle of the jungle was a bit sketchy. There were 4 of us, but we were still a bit nervous initially.
- Seven Sisters Falls
- Annandale Falls
- Mt Carmel Falls
QUICK TIP: Take these items WITH YOU on your hikes (if you click the item, it will send you to the same item we utilized) :
> 1 towel,
> SPF Longsleeve Shirt (men's / women's),
> 2nd pair of socks,
> plenty of water,
> energy bar/snack,
> Water shoes with a good sole (or tennis shoes that you don't care to get dirty),
> Portable power bank/charger (take your charging cord too)
> Cash/Visa (I would exchange your currency to the Eastern Caribbean dollar. Most small vendors only take cash & won't have US change, & it's easier to use the islands currency!)
- Eat At The Aquarium - Located on Magazine Beach, facing the Caribbean Sea with stunning views, this restaurant is a MUST to visit! Make sure you make a reservation if you want to grab a bite to eat (both lunch and dinner)! They WILL turn you away (FYI). Click HERE for a short clip of what you can expect when you visit this restaurant! If you are staying at the Royalton, luckily for you, all you have to do is walk down the beach!
- Turtle Watch At Levera Beach National Park (OR grab a beer from the beach shack)- Every year, between April & June, you can get the opportunity to seek out nesting turtles with Caribbean Horizons on the northern end of Grenada! On a side note, if you are traveling to Grenada outside these months, I would still suggest you check this place out! The beach is beautiful & there is a cool little beach shack that you MUST grab a beer at. They are open daily from 9 am - 6 pm & only take cash. Also, if you need to use a restroom, they charge you a couple Eastern Caribbean dollars to use, so be sure to have cash for that as well!
- Belmont Estates Chocolate Factory - This is a place for you chocolate lovers! Belmont Estates is one of the most unique & authentic 17th-century fully functional plantations in Grenada. This is on our list for our next visit!
- Get A Tour With Your Taxi Driver- I know it sounds funny, but nearly EVERY taxi driver is happy to take you on a tour around the island! Even though we saw the island on scooters (I don't recommend this by yourself), it would be WAY comfier in a car & not to mention, they know all about the history & best areas to see! So, when you get a taxi from the airport, ask your driver if they do tours & make sure to get their contact number. We noticed everyone communicated via WHATSAPP (a free app to use via wifi).
One Of Grenada's Underwater Sculpture's
7 MUST KNOW GRENADA travel TIPS
MUST KNOW TIPS WHEN TRAVELING TO GRENADA (PRE DEPARTURE)
**IS IT SAFE TO TRAVEL TO GRENADA? If you're traveling from the USA, check the travel information HERE to make sure there are no warnings on the Grenada Travel Advisory website**
**If you are looking for travel insurance, we always use Travel Insurance Masters. Click HERE to get a quick free quote (you should see my name - Ashley Broders - in the top left corner) **
1. Download all these apps before leaving home (unless you have an unlocked phone or a an International plan)
- Airalo - One of the best apps to utilize if you need mobile data for your cell phone, if your personal phone carrier does not offer coverage! No need to find a physical sim card in a new country, it's all in the app! Click HERE to get 15% OFF if you are a NEW user or click HERE to get 10% OFF if you have used Airalo in the past!
- US Dollar to East Caribbean Dollar - exchange rate calculator for the Grenada currency (and other Caribbean countries)
- Maps.me or download Google maps for an offline map - download before leaving your home! While exploring Grenada on our Mopeds, this was a HUGE HELP! We only got lost twice vs. 900 times! You will ESPECIALLY want this downloaded if you are trying to explore on your own, which we DON'T recommend. Just get a guide!
- Netflix - download whatever series/movie you are watching to your phone while connected to strong wifi & watch without an internet connection... great for the plane ride!
- Your Airlines app - For instance, we flew with American Airlines & downloaded their app. This will allow you to get checked in, see your gate & flight details, and your boarding pass, and it should send you updates for delays & cancelations.
2. Print off ALL your travel information and take it with you!!
Let's be honest... all your travel details will be on your phone & most of the time, this is how you will gain access to them, but trust me when I say... PAPER COPIES ARE A HUGE HELP, and here's WHY I suggest you print ALL your travel documents to take with you:
- Just in case your phone dies... you will not always conveniently be sitting next to a charging port... especially as you are walking around the airport, and this is when you will most likely need them! Do what we do... make sure your portable charger is nearby!
- No access to the internet/wifi... and I'm primarily talking about while walking in/out of customs, on the airplane, or in transit to/from your resort
- If your resort/hotel can't find your reservation or they want proof... we have been lucky so far and have never had to deal with this, but I have heard horror stories. If you have your printed documentation & you need to show them proof of payment & the confirmation numbers, you are better off with the paper document!
- When filling out any customs/airline documentation... having quick access to your destination information is vital while filling out customs forms.... and most of the time, this is when your phone is dead, lol
QUICK TIP: Be sure to stick a pen in your carry-on backpack/bag... 99.999% of the time, the airlines (especially while on the plane) won't have any pens to fill these papers out, and that's when chaos begins.
QUICK TIP #2: Take screenshots of your travel details as well! For obvious reasons, this has ALWAYS served us well, especially when we need the travel details fast!
3. Pack a few snacks & a refillable water bottle for your flight... I don't know about you, but as soon as we step foot into the airport, we see all the snacks & beverages, then end up paying double for a Snickers bar, Pringles & water 🤦♀️ and then do it AGAIN while ON THE FLIGHT 🤦♀️🤦♀️ Don't be like us 😂
QUICK TIP: Most airlines allow you to have a free personal item (purse/backpack) & after flying a bazillion times, I found there are specific items that will come in handy to have immediate access to vs being in your carry-on luggage up above your head. These items are:
- Cell phone
- Pen (black or blue)
- Portable charger, charging cord & cube
- Headphones with a 'regular' old school jack (not wireless) to listen to the TVs on the plane (if your plane offers it)... they might sell you crummy headphones if you didn't bring any, & if you are not sitting in first class
- Light sweater - the plane gets very cool during transit
- Snacks
- Laptop/tablet (make sure it's fully charged!)
- Book or other paperback entertainment
- Sanitizer or wipes for your tray
HOW DO YOU GET AROUND IN GRENADA?
4. FROM THE AIRPORT- Either book your airport transport prior to arriving in Grenada or walk outside and ask for a taxi if your resort doesn't offer it. The Royalton didn't provide a direct transfer. We typically book it online (separately) on Orbitz or Expedia by clicking 'cars,' then 'airport transportation, but on this trip, we just walked out front & asked for a taxi! For a personal transfer to the Royalton, you should expect to pay $10 (Eastern Caribbean) if you walk out. If you want to BOOK before travel, you can expect to pay $30-$40.
- The two largest & most well-known resorts in Grenada (Sandals Grenada & Royalton Grenada) are both LESS THAN 1 MILE from the airport, & you will have no issues getting a taxi!
5. Grab a taxi and make a friend- there is no shortage of taxi's in the 'busy' area (southern end of the island), especially at the airport & even around your hotel (unless you are out in the sticks). We only used a taxi a couple of times & most of your taxi drivers have a business card with their contact information on it & they are pretty quick to answer when you call!
QUICK TIP: Most of the locals use WhatsApp to communicate (see my list of suggested apps on #1 above)
QUICK TIP #2: TAXI'S ONLY TAKE CASH, so make sure you set a price BEFORE you jump in & make sure you know what currency they are referring to! They do accept USD, but be aware of the exchange rate!
QUICK TIP #3: 99% of the taxi drivers will take you on a personal tour! I HIGHLY suggest you use the taxi drivers vs. trying to drive around the island by yourself. Grenada has minimal signage for directions & the roads can get VERY confusing if you have no clue where you are!
6. Hire a tour guide & skip the mopeds- We don't recommend renting mopeds by yourself... learn from us! We discuss WHY we would not recommend the mopeds HERE & would recommend going with a guide, especially if it's your first visit!
QUICK TIP: You can find MULTIPLE tour guides, either check with your resort or join YOUR RESORT'S Facebook Group (see Sandals Grenada HERE, see Royalton Grenada HERE) and ask the other guests who they used!
QUICK TIP #2: You can also look up tours HERE to get an idea of where to go!
Riding Mopeds Around Grenada (we don't suggest it!)
HOW MUCH CASH SHOULD I BRING TO GRENADA
7. Bring tip money/cash
- We noticed the more you tip, the better/quicker the service... plus, it's always our goal to give to those who are working the hardest and giving the best customer service anywhere we go. $1 USD goes a long way in Grenada! Obviously the Eastern Caribbean Dollar work too.... just make sure you know the exchange rate or download the 'US Dollar to eastern Caribbean' app (for US Dollars). With that being said.. when you pay with USD, it's easy to spend more than what you needed... just pay attention to the exchange rate!
- We primarily used our Visa card (click HERE for our suggested travel credit card) when possible, otherwise, it was cash when we were further North or away from the resort.
- Yes... you can exchange cash there, but we know from previous experience, the USD 'talks more' in Grenada and not to mention, all the exchange booths charge a FEE 🥴 I should mention, we only saw one exchange booth in the Airport (fee charged) & our resort also did exchanges as well (free)
- Check with your resort if they can break down your larger bills, most of the time they will do this for FREE & they will also exchange your dollars to Eastern Caribbean
- For 7 days in Grenada, we brought about $500 (USD) in small bills (150 in $1's and the rest broke down however you feel).
- Taxi's ONLY TAKE CASH NOT CARD! So be sure to keep that in mind as well!
STAYING AT THE ROYALTON GRENADA
THE ROYALTON GRENADA IN A SNAPSHOT
As you can probably tell from our video (WATCH IT HERE), we were pumped about the location, and how close it was to the International Airport!
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT (click HERE to see the resort map):
- The hotel is located on one of the most well know beaches in Grenada (Magazine Beach) & only shares the beach with one VERY well-known restaurant in Grenada called The Aquarium. QUICK TIP: Make reservations for the Aquarium restaurant, otherwise, they will turn you away.
- Less than 1 mile from the Maurice Bishop International Airport (GND)
- The staff were incredibly friendly & kind. QUICK TIP: For a GREAT bartender, ask for ANDEL & if you get butlers (diamond club guests - DC), try to request NICHOLSON & KESHIA
- Four restaurants & 6 bar/lounge options on site. QUICK TIP: Be sure to make a reservation at each restaurant ahead of time. With DC, they will make the reservations for you.
- Full-service Gym located inside the main building, right next to the Spa.
- Full-service Spa with sauna & steam room - see services brochure HERE (DC guests get access to sauna & steam for free)
- Free Wifi (worked pretty well around the resort, but not the best by the beach)
- Three pools (including one kid's pool, 1 DC only pool, & the main pool on the cliff side)
- One shopping store onsite - this is also where you will see your pictures if the photographer finds you
- Covid testing onsite if needed ($50-$150)
- 24/7 emergency clinic - located in the tiny building next to the guard shack/gate. This is also where you get your covid test done if needed
- Can host weddings onsite (wedding planners available onsite)
- You can book excursions on-site (check HERE to see things to do in Grenada). QUICK TIP: We learned that many taxi drivers are willing to take you on tours. Also, some of the tours only run on certain days, so either check VIATOR for date/time details or go to one of the three tour desks & check your options.
- Entertainment every night
- Babysitting & childcare available (surcharge)
Don't forget to watch our full ROOM & RESORT tour HERE to get a better idea of what to expect when you stay at the Royalton Grenada!
Royalton Grenada's Private Beach Area
DIAMOND CLUB AT THE ROYALTON GRENADA
WHAT'S INCLUDED WITH DIAMOND CLUB AT THE ROYALTON GRENADA
When you book your room at the Royalton Grenada (or click HERE & we can do that for you 😉), you have the option to select a room with Diamond Club included, or you can upgrade at the resort if available (upgrading at the resort tends to be a little more expensive vs upgrading when you first originally book your room online). Some people say it's not worth it, but we thought it was the past 2 times we have stayed at a Royalton Resort (see our room at the Royalton Chic in Cancun).
When we booked our Beach Walkout Luxury Room (watch the full room & resort tour here), it came with Diamond Club benefits, and we would HIGHLY recommend booking the Beach Walkout Room with DC!
👇 Here is what you can expect with Diamond Club (DC) 👇
- Skip the check-in line upon arrival and get escorted to the Diamond Club Lounge, where you get served specialty drinks, premium liquor, coffee, tea, and grab a quick snack item to hold you over for the check-in process.... and express checkout as a bonus vs waiting at the front counter!
- Access to the Diamond Club Lounge - we always went in and grabbed a quick Nespresso each morning, vs standing at the coffee shop with all the other guests... along with a few bottles of beer to take back to our room for a nightcap (call me a lush lol).
- Free money exchange & large bill breaks in Diamond Club Lounge. Go in the am and let them know it's for tipping (just trust me). We tipped in US at the resort, but once off the resort, we either used our Venture X Travel Card if they accepted credit cards (no foreign fees & BEST travel perks) OR we suggest bringing/getting the local currency (Eastern Caribbean dollar). We learned the hard way, and probably gave away TOO much money using the US dollar! DON'T DO THAT!
- Complimentary early check-in & checkout
- Private Butler, whom you can communicate via WhatsApp, will send you daily activities & entertainment itinerary, you can make reservations & generally get priority, and you can set up a taxi and other appointments too (spa, excursions, etc).
- Access to premium liquors at no additional charge, whereas you would have to pay extra if you don't have Diamond Club
- Exclusive discounts on spa treatments and services (some restrictions apply). Take advantage of the free access to the steam room & sauna!
- Pick of premium pillows - I know it sounds funny, but these pillow choices make your sleep much better!
- Separate Beach & Pool area with a separate beach grill, chairs & umbrellas, and direct food/drink waiter service while on the beach
- Upgraded room service menu & nightly turndown service
- Selection of in-suite liquors (one bottle per week)
Premium Liqours Included With Diamond Club