We lived in Grenada for seven months. By the end, we felt like locals!

We learned a lot while living in this complex little country, so I thought I’d share some of our Grenada travel tips with you! Here goes, in no particular order.

Tip #1: Bring Your Own Spices

Ironic, right? Although Grenada is known as the “Spice Isle,” all of the food we ate in Grenada was not very spicy. (Either we ordered wrong, or perhaps we just prefer extra spicy!)

Since the restaurants we visited rarely supplied salt, pepper, or other spices on the tables, you might want to bring your own.

Tip #2: Book a Tour

While the food in Grenada wasn’t super spicy, the driving was! Grenadians drive on the left, which we’ve grown accustomed to. Steering wheel on the left; great.

However, here’s what spiced things up: Grenada’s roads tend to be narrow, and there are no lane lines. So when a driver decides to stop or park on the side of the road, all the other drivers swerve around the parked car, usually at full speed. This was a regular occurrence.

After driving on some pretty hairy roads in the mountainous interior of Grenada, we decided it’s just a lot more fun to have someone else do the driving for you.

So when the time came to explore some sights on the north and east sides of the island, we booked a full-day tour through Henry Safari Tours.

On the way to our first stop, our tour guide, Rolly, stopped to show us a nutmeg tree. He explained how nutmeg is processed, and outlined all its various uses.

Then we were on to our first stop!

Grand Etang Lake

Grand Etang Lake is a crater lake in the volcano that was responsible for the formation of the island of Grenada millions of years ago. The lake itself is relatively small (covering only about 36 acres), but what makes it interesting is that it has a maximum depth of just around 20 feet. 

While there, we met a mona monkey. I love animals, especially monkeys!

After enjoying the beauty of the lake and its surroundings, we were on to our next stop.

Belmont Estate

Did someone say, “Chocolate?” Yes, please!

This private plantation dates back to the late 1600s and is really lovely. While there, we learned about the chocolate-making process, from bean sorting to the molding and hand-wrapping of the chocolate bars. You can read more about Belmont Estate and the chocolate-making process here.

We also enjoyed a nice lunch there.

Time for our third and final stop.

River Antoine Rum Distillery

Established in 1785, this is the oldest functioning water-powered distillery in the Caribbean. The tour took us through the traditional rum-making process, and, of course, we got to sample some of their exceedingly strong and flavorful rums at the end (alcohol by volume [ABV] of 69%).

We’re definitely not rum connoisseurs, but we loved this very in-depth, informative tour.

It was a great day and well worth the money.

Tip #3: Visit a Waterfall

Concord Falls

Concord Falls is relatively easy to get to, with minimal hiking required (at the time, Roy had a sprained toe, so hiking was not an option). Sorry, Seven Sisters—maybe next time!

We were the only ones there that day, and it was really lovely! We drove there, but you could easily hire a tour van to take you there.

Tip #4: Dive or Snorkel in Flamingo Bay

Flamingo Bay is one of the best snorkeling and diving spots in Grenada. With crystal-clear waters and an abundance of colorful marine life, it’s a diver’s paradise! We got PADI-certified there through ECO Dive. (If you’re looking for a guided dive, we would highly recommend them.)

While we were diving in Flamingo Bay, a green moray eel passed within inches of us, and then swam right under us. It was breathtaking! (And yes, for a moment a bit terrifying.) We also saw colorful coral, an enormous lobster, and lots of colorful fish.

It was a two-tank, once-in-a-lifetime dive.

Tip #5: Explore the Underwater Sculpture Park

Located in Molinere Bay, Grenada’s Underwater Sculpture Park is a must-visit attraction. This unique underwater gallery, created by artist Jason deCaires Taylor, features more than 75 sculptures resting on the ocean floor. The site can be explored via snorkeling or scuba diving; we did both.

It was absolutely worth a visit! Understandably, it was much better when we dove it since we could get so much closer. It was so interesting!

Tip #6: Go During “Spicemas” (Carnival)

Yep, we were there for it, and we did all of the street events, including crazy, oily “Jab Jab” (J’Ouvert). 

We are really glad we were able to experience this. It was a colorful, sometimes messy—but always authentic—peak into this beloved Grenadian tradition.

A Few Bonus Tips!

We stayed at two accommodations in Grenada that we really liked: Secret Harbor Boutique Hotel and an Airbnb. The owners of the Airbnb were really sweet and responsive. We would return to either, but check their locations because they’re both a bit off the beaten track.

Two noteworthy restaurants included West Indies Beer Company (a casual microbrewery that also offers tours) and Brown Girl Cafe (a very chill little cafe just down the street that serves up delicious breakfasts. Their chicken and waffles are a definite splurge!). Both offered a very laid-back vibe and good food.

For grocery shopping, there are two great choices: IGA and Rams.

Final Thoughts

Grenada is a small but very diverse country. The perimeter of the island is bustling with local businesses, and it’s there that you can get a taste of what daily life on the island is like, as well as experience the beauty of its beaches and underwater life.

The interior is quite different. Much more rural, it features lush, gorgeous landscapes, waterfalls, and authentic little towns. We recommend you experience both the perimeter and the interior if you want to get a true taste of the Grenadian culture.

We loved it. If you are planning a visit to Grenada, we hope these tips will help you make the most of your time there!