North and Central America and Caribbean

Grenada

Still current at: 08 August 2008

Updated: 07 July 2008

Terrorism

There is a low threat from terrorism. But you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks which could be in public areas, including those frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers. For more general information see Terrorism Abroad.

Crime

You should take sensible precautions and be vigilant at all times.  Avoid isolated areas, including beaches, after dark.  Do not carry large amounts of cash or jewellery.  Valuables and travel documents should be left, where possible, in safety deposit boxes and hotel safes. For more general information see Victims of Crime Abroad.

Political Situation

Grenada Country Profile

Local Travel

Mini-bus, water taxi and ferry services are operating.

Carriacou & Petite Martinique

The islands of Carriacou and Petite Martinique were affected by Hurricane Emily in 2005 but life on these islands has largely returned to normal; hotels and guesthouses are open for business.  Diving schools and marine facilities are all operating normally.  You are advised to check with your hosts or hotel management for details of the facilities available.  Ferry and air services to Carriacou and Petite Martinique are operating normally.

Road Travel

Motorists drive on the left in Grenada.  Driving standards in Grenada are not as high as in the UK and you need to be tolerant of the more relaxed attitude to the rules of the road of many Grenadian drivers.  In some areas, there are open drains at the side of roads; extra care is needed to negotiate potential hazards to tyres and bodywork.  Take particular care at pedestrian crossings, traffic lights and roundabouts even if you think you have the right of way.  Use only designated bus stops to ride the local mini buses; the practice of flagging down buses on busy roads is responsible for many accidents.  Many roads are steep, with hairpin bends and potholes in places; drive slowly and vigilantly.

Mini bus services are operating throughout the island, which provide relatively cheap and fast (often dangerously so) travel within Grenada.  Standard taxi fares exist for most destinations but it is sensible to clarify the fare with the driver before beginning a journey.  Self-drive cars can be hired locally.  Given the steepness of many roads in the mountainous hinterland, automatic four-wheel drive vehicles are popular, particularly following the damage to many roads caused by the Hurricanes.  You are required to purchase a local driving permit (East Caribbean Dollars 30 for a three-month permit) and will need to produce a full UK driving licence to obtain one.

For more general information see Driving Abroad.

Air Travel

You will have to pay a departure tax when leaving Grenada. The cost is East Caribbean Dollars 50 per person (can be paid in US$20). For more general information see Airline Security.

You should note that there are severe penalties for all drug offences.  Pack all luggage yourself and do not carry anything through customs for anyone else.

You should be aware that it is an offence for anyone, including children, to dress in camouflage clothing.

Certain homosexual acts are illegal under Grenadian laws.

For more general information for different types of travellers see Travel Advice Relevant to You.

Visas

British passport holders do not need visas to enter Grenada for visits up to 3 months.  You should note that overstaying without permission is an offence and paid employment is prohibited without a work permit.

Entry requirements may change from time to time and should be checked with the Grenada High Commission, London.

 

Foot and mouth disease

 

You are banned from bringing meat products into Grenada from the United Kingdom in your personal luggage.

Dengue fever is common to Latin America and the Caribbean and can occur throughout the year. In 2007 there was a marked increase in the number of reported cases of dengue across the region.  It is found throughout Grenada.

You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS. For more general information on how to do this see HIV and AIDS.

You should seek medical advice before travelling to Grenada and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up-to-date.  For further information on vaccination requirements, health outbreaks and general disease protection and prevention you should visit the websites of the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) and NHS Scotland’s Fit for Travel or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.

For more general health information see Travel Health.

An earthquakemeasuring 7.3 on the Richter Scale hit just off the coast of Martiniqueon 29 November 2007.  The earthquake was felt throughout the region butthere were no reports of injury or major damage to property.

Hurricanes

Thehurricane season in the Caribbean normally runs from June to November. The last significant hurricane to affect Grenada was Hurricane Emily in2005, which affected the northern half of Grenada and the islands ofCarriacou and Petite Martinique. You should monitor local andinternational weather updates from the World Meteorological Organisation and the National Hurricane Centre. For more general information see Tropical Cyclones.

Insurance

We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling.  It is particularly important that this includes air ambulance charges and medical costs in a third country as serious medical cases are often referred overseas.  You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. For more general information see Travel Insurance.

Keep a copy of the photopage of your passport and relevant entry stamp in case your documents are lost or stolen.

If things do go wrong when you are overseas then this is How We Can Help.

Registration

Register with our LOCATE service to tell us when and where you are travelling abroad or where you live abroad so our consular and crisis staff can provide better assistance to you in an emergency.  More information about registering with LOCATE can be found here.

Package Holidays

If you are on a package holiday, you must travel on the specified return date.  If you fail to do so it is likely that you will have to pay the cost of a return ticket yourself.

Passports

In the event of loss of your passport, you will need to apply to the Passport Office at the British High Commission, Barbados for a replacement.  There is no British High Commission in Grenada. Urgent applications can be speeded up if you pay courier costs, but even so, the issue of a replacement passport could still take up to ten working days.