Grenada is an under-the-radar destination that has it all: waterfalls, rainforests, mona monkeys, white sand beaches, underwater adventures, and year-round sunshine.

With so many Caribbean islands to choose from, Grenada might not yet be on your radar. But this island country located southwest of Saint Lucia and St. Vincent and the Grenadines is growing in popularity with American travelers. In 2022, visits from Americans were up 362% from the year before. 

I recently spent a week in Grenada and found it to be the perfect blend of friendly people, beautiful beaches, and interesting places to eat and explore. After several days of kayaking in crystal clear water, snorkeling over an underwater sculpture park, and dining al fresco by a waterfall, I felt like I had just scratched the surface. 

Grenada 101

The official language in Grenada (pronounced Gree-nay-da) is English and the U.S. dollar is accepted. This makes the eastern Caribbean country an easy winter escape for Americans. Many arrive by cruise ship, but there are direct flights from New York City, Miami and Chicago if you’d like to stay longer. And you should. 

While you can see the entire island of Grenada in three to four hours, there are many attractions off side roads you won’t want to miss. Your best bet, whether visiting on a port day or staying over, is to book a guided tour with Royalty Taxi and Tours. 

Driving is on the left in Grenada and many places are closed on Sundays, so it’s nice to have a guide. Your driver can tell you about the plants, history, and people of Grenada as he navigates the island’s laneless, hilly roads. He’ll also make sure you don’t miss the best hiking spots and restaurants.

The dry season in Grenada is from January to June, but most locals will encourage you to return for Carnival in July and August. Called Spicemas, this Caribbean festival is the highlight of the year, with costumes, street theatre, music, dancing, and partying through the night. 

What To Do in Grenada

Grenada is a healthy, safe, friendly place with fresh air and fresh food. Here are a few places I enjoyed during my stay: 

Molinere Bay Underwater Sculpture Park. Snorkel over or scuba dive through statues of people frozen in time. Expanded in 2023 with 27 new statues, the underwater sculpture park was once named one of National Geographic’s 25 Wonders of the World. 

Kayak the Caribbean. Rent a glass-bottom boat from Cayaks for a guided tour that will teach you about the fish and coral you can see beneath your boat. When you tire of paddling in open water, head back to BBC Beach, a calm cove with shallow water. 

Grand Etang National Park. Hike through lush vegetation to see a lake in the crater of an extinct volcano, mona monkeys, and possibly a Grenada frog. 

Tri Island Chocolate Factory. Take a short tour with founder Aaron Sylvester, a music industry executive in London turned chocolatier. You can pay extra to make your own chocolate bars. 

Grand Anse Craft and Spice Market. Stop by this beachside spice market to buy souvenir “Spice Island” cinnamon, cloves, mace, nutmeg, ginger and turmeric. You can also order lunch for a picnic by the sea, with roosters. 

Where To Eat in Grenada

Friday Bar. Don’t miss this hole-in-the-wall where locals grab breakfast. Watch the nearby airport runway and get your fill of roast bake, fried bake, salt fish fritters, and eggplant.

Annadale Waterfall. Take an easy stroll through a tropical rainforest to arrive at Annadale Waterfall and Forest Park. Enjoy a hot lunch and a beer at Wild Orchid, a treehouse restaurant with views of the falls. 

West Indies Beer Company. Founded by U.K. transplants Mark and Jill Heath, this 22-tap draught microbrewery is known for experimental flavors made with local ingredients like ginger and Grenadian chocolate. Come late on Friday night for DJs, lasers, a fog machine, and club music. 

Dodgy Dock. Sit by the water and try Grenadian dishes at theme nights, such as Wednesday Street Food Night. 

Aquarium. Stop by this beachfront outdoor restaurant on Magazine Beach for a Sunday BBQ with a Caribbean Sea view. Aquarium serves up heaping plates with sides — you won’t go away hungry. 

Where To Stay: Spice Island Beach Resort

For a luxurious all-inclusive experience, Spice Island Beach Resort offers stunning Caribbean views, palm-lined paths lovingly landscaped with tropical flowers, and mouth-watering cuisine. Your hardest decision here may be where to relax: private pool, beach hammock, or toes in soft powder sand. 

When you’re ready to move, the resort offers Vinyasa Flow yoga by the sea, massages, and wraps in its peaceful Janissa’s Spa. You can also try a host of activities such as tennis, scuba diving, sailing, and cycling. There’s a free kids club for children ages 3 to 12. 

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Cover photo courtesy Grenada Tourism Authority

Heidi Gollub is an editor who lives in Austin with her family. She recently visited Grenada for the first time and can’t wait to go back.