Grenada is a small island nation located in the West Indies, on the border of the Caribbean and the Atlantic Ocean. The area of the country is small, but this does not prevent the indigenous people from living comfortably and receiving a huge number of tourists every year. The island of Grenada is formally governed by the Queen of Great Britain, and in practice, the Governor-General, who acts on her behalf.
The state is called the “island of spices”, since many different spices are grown here: saffron, cinnamon, vanilla, ginger, etc. The capital of Grenada is St. George's. Here are the main attractions of the country and business centers. The official language is English, so tourists do not have barriers in colloquial terms. The population of Grenada (110,000 people) is non-conflict in terms of religion, despite the fact that one half of the inhabitants profess the Catholic faith and the other Protestant.
Climate and weather of the country
Grenada is close to the equator; therefore, it is characterized by a tropical trade wind climate, replaced by a subequatorial one. The air temperature practically does not change throughout the year and ranges from +25 to +28 degrees Celsius. The island has high humidity, quite often rainfall.
Tourists are not recommended to visit the country from June to November, since at this time there are continuous rains. The best time to travel is from January to May. Although it rains during this period of time, it is not so much and often. In any other period, the island is sunny and dry. Some tourists love the rain and love to travel at this time. However, in Grenada, along with precipitation, strongest winds blow, almost hurricanes. Therefore, you should be careful when planning a trip to this wonderful island.
Nature of the country
As already noted, the area of Grenada is quite small and amounts to 344 km 2 . But this does not prevent the state from delighting its guests with its magnificent nature. The island is of volcanic origin, and therefore there are very beautiful landscapes. In Grenada, you can find beautiful plains and plateaus, which alternate with magnificent tropical forests, rivers and beautiful waterfalls.
This island attracts ecologists from around the world. People who enjoy the tranquil nature need to go to Grenada. A small country will give you the opportunity to enjoy the surroundings that are not spoiled by the aggression of civilization. Locals are proud of their tropical forests with a variety of wildlife. You can also note the magnificence of waterfalls, clean beaches and coral reefs. Travelers will be happy to swim in the coastal waters. This is safe because sharks cannot swim close to shore due to the abundance of coral reefs.
Beautiful places of the island and the flag of the country
The history of Grenada dates back to the time of Columbus, who discovered this island. To date, Creole architecture has been preserved from ancient times, which every tourist who has visited the country should see. In the capital of Grenada there are a huge number of monuments and buildings that were built by the French in the 17th century. The most famous architectural sites are Fort Frederick, which still remains a fortress used by the armed forces of the state, and Fort George, popularly called royal.
The flag of Grenada is very bright and beautiful. It was based on three colors: yellow, which means the friendliness of local residents, green, which speaks of agriculture, and red, which represents courage and unity. The flag depicts seven stars that represent the administrative units of the state. It also contains nutmeg, the production of which is famous for Grenada. Moreover, the state takes a leading position in this matter.
Among the attractions stand out houses built in Victorian and Gregorian styles. The museum contains exhibits that tell about the island, its tragic history, as well as flora and fauna. Tourists love to visit the national parks and nature reserves of Grenada.
However, the sculpture park deserves special attention in the country. It was created by Jason Taylor, one of the best naturalists and architects in the world. The park is under water, and you can see works of art only when diving or from a boat, where there is a special platform. Believe me, it's worth seeing! The park is unique and inimitable, the figures are made very high quality, this spectacle will not leave anyone indifferent.
Features of the nutrition of residents
Grenada is an island nation, and this determines the food consumed by locals and travelers. The country has an abundance of fish and seafood, as well as meat, vegetables and fruits. The national cuisine is unique, as it is a symbiosis of the French, British and African Americans.
Experienced chefs serve bread and meat dishes with breadfruit, yams, sweet potatoes, legumes and cassava. Candied flowers of the same breadfruit come as a dessert. As for alcoholic beverages, the island is very fond of local home-made rum.
If you want to try exactly Greenlandic cuisine, it is best to visit restaurants, cafes or go to visit a local resident. When staying in a hotel, tourists often eat there. Unfortunately, the chefs in the hotels cannot convey the uniqueness of the island's cuisine; there is no national color in their dishes.
Accommodation
The island of Grenada in the Caribbean is an ideal destination for travelers. They are highly appreciated here, because because of tourists, the state is flourishing and gaining popularity around the world. So that travelers do not have problems with housing, a huge number of hotels have been built on the island.
Most hotels have three stars, they are designed for people who like peace, relaxation and peace. There are five-star hotels, but they are not in demand. In hotels there is no three meals a day, in some you can count only on breakfast, while in others they do not.
Not all tourists like to relax in hotels. For this, the locals of the island of Grenada are ready to shelter you at a certain price. Here you can not worry about nutrition, as the owners are very responsible in this regard. A private house or apartment can be rented for $ 50-60 per day. By the way, the currency on the island of Grenada is the East Caribbean dollar.
Recreation and entertainment
Travelers on the island are mostly entertained by sightseeing tours. Among tourists, various nature reserves and national parks are very popular. However, there is an occupation for everyone.
Thrill-seekers are advised to try diving, boating and boat trips, snorkeling. It is worth noting that in August, nightly parties and the national carnival are held on the island daily. Here you can have fun from the heart, and this time will be remembered for a lifetime.
Those who like to play sports during their holidays can enjoy playing golf at a wonderful venue. All fields are completed according to the latest requirements, and playing on them is a pleasure.
As for a relaxing holiday, then there is a great pastime. Visiting nature reserves, you can witness the magnificence that the island gives tourists. Being in silence, people contemplate tropical forests and blue lagoons for a long time. So absolutely all guests will find something to their liking. Grenada is a wonderful country, designed to receive tourists and travelers.
Souvenirs and shopping
Grenada on a world map is located between the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. As already noted, this country is called the "island of spices", hence the interest of tourists in shopping. Every traveler, having visited Grenada, must bring unique spices to their homeland. Also often interested in handicrafts and textiles. In souvenir shops, many figures of ancient gods, masks and amulets are sold. This is due to the influence of African traditions.
Clothing stores and other things are open for tourists from 8 am to 4 pm. On Saturday, all establishments of this type close at one in the afternoon. Only craft shops work without days off and holidays. When the tourist season comes, local merchants change their schedule. It depends on how many ships with travelers are at the berths. The ports have their own shops offering unique souvenir products.
Transport situation
In fact, there are no problems with transport in Grenada. There is an international airport in Point Salin, and all settlements are connected by a network of good roads. Between the cities constantly go comfortable comfortable buses. In St. George, you can travel in various ways: by taxi, bus or by bus. If you need to get to another island, boats and boats are used.
Tourists can rent a car, but this service will cost much more than in Europe. If you decide to travel with a taxi, you should know that the trip is covered by meters. Private taxi drivers should be arranged in advance, otherwise they will put up a tidy sum upon arrival, which is several times higher than the real one. With taxi drivers in general, you should be careful, as they immediately distinguish a tourist from a local resident. They talk friendly with travelers and then break the price. It is worth noting that at night there is an increased rate that exceeds the daytime rate by 1.5 times.
Security
Grenada is marked on the world map as an island, and such a state is safe in every way. The people are quite friendly and conflict-free. But suspicious people are everywhere, so you do not need to provoke them, showing a luxurious life. Do not take extra money and expensive jewelry with you on a trip. And if you still have them, it will be safest to leave them in the hotel safe.
When purchasing things and souvenirs, it is not recommended to show the entire contents of the wallet, you should not leave things unattended. A large number of pickpockets hunt at parties. Therefore, do not be surprised if helpers appear around you who are trying to gain trust. No need to be naive, it’s better not to tell the first comer about a healthy financial condition and personal life.
As for ecology and air, there are no complaints. The island is quite clean, as industry is poorly developed. You will not find chemical waste and other harmful substances in Grenada. To completely protect yourself, drink bottled or boiled water.
Economy of Grenada
As already mentioned, tourism is the country's main source of income, and every year everything is done to strengthen this area. The island makes money selling spices and offshore services. Foreign capital consists mainly of two parts: American and English. Russian entrepreneurs have not yet mastered this market. It is worth noting the softness of the business climate, but the severity in customs duties, taxes and money laundering.
The state of Grenada has a high unemployment rate. The government welcomes the establishment of service and construction companies. If the administration is interested in a business project, it will help to implement it. As in any other state, there is a bureaucracy here that stops many entrepreneurs.
Despite everything, the government treats private business well, especially if it is aimed at the development of tourism and construction. The structure of Grenada is unitary, so organizing your business will be a little more difficult. However, anything is possible if desired. If you manage to establish a business in the field of tourism, we can confidently say that it will pay for itself in a short time and begin to make good profit.
The property
It is worth noting that this aspect of business in Grenada is rather poorly developed. Only the construction of hotels and bungalows provides an opportunity for entrepreneurs to purchase some hotels in their property. Typically, houses and apartments are bought by local residents who prefer to live compactly and calmly. However, nothing prevents the acquisition of real estate by any foreigner. If you wish, you can find amazing housing with sea views, but it will cost well.
On average, prices for houses and apartments vary from 30 thousand to 15 million euros. It is noteworthy that local residents do not sell houses for dollars, but for euros. It is worth noting that recently, interest in real estate on the island of Grenada has grown significantly. Entrepreneurs are actively building luxury homes with pools, multi-story hotels with views of the Caribbean Sea, etc.
Some Travel Tips
When planning to visit Grenada, you need to know some things so that there are no unpleasant situations. For example, you can bring alcohol and cigarettes in limited quantities - not more than 1 liter and 200 pieces, respectively. Plants and products must not be imported.
When choosing a tourist area, it is better to prefer one of the most popular. Once you arrive on the island, it is best to exchange money for local currency. So it’s much more profitable to pay in shops and institutions. You can, of course, pay with American dollars, but in this way you will lose some money in vain. You need to know that when you rent a hotel or pay a check in a restaurant, 8% of taxes and 10% of tips are added to any amount. This percentage does not depend on the quality of service, it is a fixed price.
You can’t walk around the city in swimsuits, shorts and short tops. Also, in open form, you do not need to visit restaurants and cafes. Wear swimwear only on the beach. In general, women are better off wearing clothes that will cover their knees. It is noteworthy that no one cares about the size of the neckline here. It is forbidden to smoke in public places, especially the fair sex. Interesting information: on the island of Grenada you can not raise corals from the day of the ocean. You will be fined for this trick.