Grenada
Country Specific Information
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March 21, 2013

COUNTRY DESCRIPTION: Grenada is a developing Caribbean island nation. The capital is St. George’s. Tourism facilities vary, according to price and area. Read the Department of State’s Fact Sheet on Grenada for additional information.

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SMART TRAVELER ENROLLMENT PROGRAM(STEP) / EMBASSY LOCATION: If you are going to live or visit Grenada, please take the time to tell our Embassy about your trip. If you enroll in our Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), we can keep you up to date with important safety and security announcements, but only if you tell us how we can reach you while you are here. It will also help your friends and family get in touch with you in an emergency. We encourage you to download our free Smart Traveler app, available through iTunes and Google Play.

The U.S. Embassy is located on the main road in L’Anse aux Epines, St. George’s, just past the Christian Scientist Church, and is approximately 15 minutes from the Maurice Bishop International Airport. Telephone: 1-(473) 444-1173/4/5; fax: 1-(473) 444-4820. You can contact the Embassy by e-mail. Embassy Grenada’s consulate’s hours are 8:00 a.m. to 12 p.m., by appointment, Monday to Friday except local and American holidays. Our emergency after-hours telephone number is 1-(473) 407-2495

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ENTRY / EXIT REQUIREMENTS FOR U.S. CITIZENS: Since June 1, 2009, all travelers must present a Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) compliant document such as a passport or a passport card for entry to the United States. While passport cards and enhanced driver’s licenses are sufficient for entry into the United States, they may not be accepted by the particular country you plan to visit; please be sure to check with your cruise line and countries of destination for any foreign entry requirements.

For additional information concerning entry/exit requirements, travelers may contact the Embassy of Grenada, 1701 New Hampshire Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20009, telephone: (202) 265-2561, fax: (202) 265-2468, or the Consulate of Grenada in New York. Sea travelers must have a valid U.S. passport to enter Grenada. At present, there is no visa requirement for stays up to three months. However, now that the United States requires a passport to re-enter, Grenada law requires all visitors to have a valid passport on entry/exit.

Information about dual nationality or the prevention of international child abduction can be found on the Department of State web site. For further information about customs regulations, please read our Customs Information sheet.

The U.S. Department of State is not aware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors to or foreign residents of Grenada.

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THREATS TO SAFETY AND SECURITY: Many parts of Grenada have no sidewalks and few streetlights, forcing pedestrians to walk in the road. Visitors should take care if walking along the road after dark and wear light, reflective clothing. For the latest security information, U.S. citizens traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs’ website, where the current Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts, as well as the Worldwide Caution, can be found.

Stay up to date by:

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CRIME: Crime in Grenada is mostly opportunistic. Tourists have been the victims of robbery, especially in isolated areas, and thieves frequently steal credit cards, jewelry, cameras, U.S. passports, and money. Muggings, purse snatchings and other robberies may occur in areas near hotels, beaches and restaurants, particularly after dark. Travelers should endeavor to stay in well lit areas, and avoid walking alone whenever possible, and hotel rooms should remain locked at all times. Recently, the St. George’s main market square and the Grand Anse area known as Wall Street have experienced decreases in crime since the vendors have been working as a team and now have employed security in the area.

Visitors should exercise appropriate caution when walking after dark or when using the local bus system or taxis hired on the road. It is advisable to hire taxis to and from restaurants and to ask whether the driver is a member of the Grenada Taxi Association (GTA). Members of the GTA are required to pass additional driving tests and receive training from the Grenada Tourism Board. They are generally reliable and knowledgeable about the country and its attractions.

In many countries around the world, counterfeit and pirated goods are widely available. Transactions involving such products may be illegal under local law. In addition, bringing them back to the United States may result in forfeitures and/or fines.

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VICTIMS OF CRIME: If you or someone you know becomes the victim of a crime abroad, you should contact the local police and the nearest U.S. embassy. We can:

  • Replace a stolen passport.
  • For violent crimes such as assault or rape, help you find appropriate medical care.
  • Put you in contact with the appropriate police authorities, and contact family members or friends.
  • Although the local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting the crime, consular officers can help you understand the local criminal justice process and can direct you to local attorneys.

Just as in the United States, the emergency line in Grenada is “911”.

Please see our information on victims of crime, including possible victim compensation programs in the United States.

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CRIMINAL PENALTIES: While you are traveling in Grenada, you are subject to its laws even if you are a U.S. citizen. Foreign laws and legal systems can be vastly different than our own. If you break local laws in Grenada, your U.S. passport won’t help you avoid arrest or prosecution. It’s very important to know what’s legal and what’s not where you are going. 

Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime, prosecutable in the United States.

Persons violating Grenada laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. Penalties for possessing, using, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Grenada are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines.

Please note that a person can be prosecuted for using foul language in the presence of an officer of the law.

If you are arrested in Grenada, authorities of Grenada are required to notify the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate of your arrest. If you are concerned the Department of State may not be aware of your situation, you should request the police or prison officials to notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate of your arrest. 

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SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES: Grenada experiences tropical storms and hurricanes during the hurricane season, from June through November. Sea surges occasionally flood low lying areas, including parts of downtown St. George’s and Hillsborough on the island of Carriacou. Heavy winds periodically close local beaches to swimming. Grenada is also located in a zone of seismic activity where earthquakes and tsunamis are possible, General information about natural disaster preparedness is available from the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Travel from Grenada to Carriacou is possible by sea and by air. Petite Martinique can only be reached by sea. The Osprey ferry service, with two boats, travels every day between the three islands and is reliable with a good safety record. The trip takes about 1 ½ hours in the large boat and 2 hours in the smaller one. SVG Airline flies a small propeller plane (4-6 passengers) to and from Carriacou daily. Small boat owners may offer to take tourists to the other islands. Before accepting, travelers should check to be sure that the boat carries life preservers and a radio. Though now required, many small boats do not carry this equipment.

Grenada has several qualified dive operations. Travelers should check with the Grenada Tourism Board at 473-444-4140 or their hotels for further information. At present, there is no hyperbaric chamber in Grenada.

It is difficult to cash personal U.S. checks in Grenada. If accepted, they will take approximately six weeks to clear by a local bank. Major credit cards are widely accepted, and ATM facilities are available at all banks. Most hotels and restaurants take U.S. currency; however, change will be in local currency.

Please see our Customs Information.

Accessibility: While in Grenada, individuals with disabilities may find accessibility and accommodation very different from what you find in the United States. Although the law does not mandate access to public buildings or services, building owners increasingly have incorporated disabled access into new construction and renovated premises.

Since public transportation is privately owned, the law does not mandates any special consideration for individuals with disabilities.

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MEDICAL FACILITIES AND HEALTH INFORMATION: Medical care is limited. U.S. citizens requiringmedical treatment may contact the U.S Embassy in St. George’s for a list of local doctors, dentists, pharmacies and hospitals. Serious medical problems requiring hospitalization and/or medical evacuation to the U.S. can cost thousands of dollars. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services. Pharmacies are usually well stocked and prescription medicine is available. They periodically suffer shortages when deliveries from abroad are delayed, though most pharmacies will check with others in the area to see if they can get what is needed. Travelers are advised to bring with them sufficient prescription medicine for the length of their stay. Grenada chlorinates its water, making it generally safe to drink. However, during especially heavy rains, quality control can slip, particularly in the city of St. George’s. It is recommended that visitors to Grenada request bottled water, which is widely available and relatively inexpensive. Ambulance service is available but response times vary greatly.

Malaria is not found in Grenada, but there are low levels of dengue fever. The government periodically fogs public areas to reduce the mosquito population.

You can find good information on vaccinations and other health precautions, on the CDC website.  For information about outbreaks of infectious diseases abroad, consult the World Health Organization (WHO) website. The WHO website also contains additional health information for travelers, including detailed country-specific health information.

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MEDICAL INSURANCE: You can’t assume your insurance will go with you when you travel. It’s very important to find out BEFORE you leave whether or not your medical insurance will cover you overseas. You need to ask your insurance company two questions:

  • Does my policy apply when I’m out of the United States?
  • Will it cover emergencies like a trip to a foreign hospital or a medical evacuation?

In Grenada, doctors and hospitals still expect payment in cash at the time of service. Your regular U.S. health insurance may not cover doctors and hospital visits in other countries. If your policy doesn’t go with you when you travel, it’s a very good idea to take out another one for your trip. For more information, please see our medical insurance overseas page.

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TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS: While in a foreign country, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States. The information below concerning Grenada is provided for general reference only, and may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance.

Traffic moves on the left in Grenada; the majority of vehicles are right-hand drive. Grenada’s roads, paved and unpaved, are mostly narrow and winding, with many blind corners, narrow or no shoulders, and steep drops into the many ravines found on Grenada’s three islands. There are few sidewalks, and cars vie with pedestrians for road space. Road lighting varies on all three islands, which compounds the dangers at night. Road surfaces often deteriorate, especially during the rainy season (June–November) before maintenance work begins. Driving conditions in Grenada, including road conditions, increasing numbers of vehicles, and sometimes aggressive minibus drivers all require caution and reduced speed for safety. The Government of Grenada has a seat belt law; drivers and passengers found not wearing seat belts are subject to a fine of EC$1,000 (US$400).

Before you drive in Grenada a local temporary driver’s license, based on a valid U.S. driver’s license and costing EC$30 (US$12), is highly recommended. In the event of an accident, not having a valid local driver’s license will result in a fine, regardless of who is at fault. Rental vehicle companies are available; most of them will assist in applying for temporary driver’s licenses. The adequacy of road signage varies, but is generally poor to nonexistent.

Please refer to our Road Safety page for more information. Also, we suggest that you visit the website of Grenada’s national tourist office and national authority responsible for road safety.

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AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT: The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the government of Grenada’s Civil Aviation Authority as being in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards for oversight of Grenada’s air carrier operations. Further information may be found on the FAA’s safety assessment page.

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CHILDREN’S ISSUES: Please see our Office of Children’s Issues web pages on intercountry adoption and international parental child abduction.

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This replaces the Country Specific Information for Grenada dated April 15, 2009 with changes to the sections on crime and special circumstances.

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Worldwide Caution

Travel Warnings

Travel Alerts

Country Information

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