Essential geographic and practical information for Grenada. The independent state consists of the main island of Grenada together with Carriacou and Petite Martinique, so figures for the whole country and for the main island are distinguished where necessary.
Flag of GrenadaGrenada
General
Official name
Grenada.
Capital
St. George's.
Population
109,021 in the preliminary 2021 census for the state; later population estimates may be higher.
Nationality
Grenadian.
Language
English is the official language; Grenadian Creole English is widely spoken.
Country code
+1 473.
Time
Atlantic Standard Time, UTC-4 throughout the year; no daylight-saving time.
Geography and climate
State land area
About 344 sq km.
Main island area
About 311 sq km.
Main island
Mountainous and volcanic, with a wetter forested interior and a varied coastline.
Highest point
Mount Saint Catherine, 840 m.
Location
At the southern end of the Windward Islands, north of Trinidad and Tobago and about 160 km north of Venezuela.
Climate
Tropical year-round. Average temperatures are generally around 23 to 28 °C, with cooler conditions at higher elevations.
Drier season
Generally January to May; rainfall usually increases from June to December.
Hurricane season
The official Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30.
Money and communication
Currency
Eastern Caribbean dollar (XCD or EC$).
Exchange arrangement
The Eastern Caribbean dollar is officially pegged at US$1 = EC$2.70. Cash exchange rates offered to travellers can be slightly lower.
Cards and cash
Major cards are widely accepted by hotels, rental companies and larger businesses. Cash remains useful for minibuses, markets and small establishments.
Electricity
220 V, 50 Hz. Visitors with 110 V equipment may need a transformer as well as a suitable plug adaptor.
Internet and mobile
Mobile and data services are widely available, although coverage can be weaker in mountainous and remote areas.
Transport
International airport
Maurice Bishop International Airport (GND), near Point Salines in southwest Grenada.
Carriacou airport
Lauriston Airport (CRU).
Sea transport
Passenger ferries link Grenada with Carriacou. Petite Martinique is reached by boat from Carriacou. Ferry schedules and operators should be checked close to departure.
Driving
Traffic drives on the left. Visitors who drive normally require a local driving permit, which can often be arranged through a rental company.
Public transport
Privately operated minibuses serve St. George's and many towns and villages. Taxis and rental cars are useful for places away from the main routes.
Roads
Main roads connect most settlements, but many roads outside the southwest are narrow, steep and winding.
What these facts mean for travellers
Grenada combines a relatively small land area with unusually varied terrain. St. George's and the hotel zone around Grand Anse are close to the international airport, while the central mountains, rainforest, waterfalls, cocoa and spice estates require slower journeys on steep roads. Carriacou and Petite Martinique are part of the same state but have a more distinctly Grenadine and maritime character, so they are best treated as separate travel experiences rather than extensions of the main island.
Travel note: Ferry timetables, local driving-permit procedures and individual services can change. Check current operating information shortly before travel.
