|
Visitor
Information and Tips
Getting Around
Once you've arrived, travelling around is just as easy,
with a variety of car rental companies, taxis and buses.
In the capital town of St. George's, there are even water
taxis who will take you across the Carenage, to the Esplande
or even as far as Grand Anse Beach.
Spend some time in Grenada's beautiful sister islands
of Carriacou and Petite Martinique. Daily Ferry services
will carry you from Grenada to Carriacou and Petite Martinique
and back all in one day. If you're in a hurry travel by
air and get there within half an hour,  or
you can try out your sea legs on the ferry and enjoy the
one and a half hour ride up the coast.
Driving
To obtain a local driving permit, a bona fide driver's
license must be presented at the traffic department at
the Central Police Station on the Carenage. The cost is
EC$30.00. Most car rental firms also issue local permits.
There is a network of approximately 650 miles of paved
roads and most of the main roads are in good condition.
Please note that driving is on the LEFT.
Tax & Tipping
There is an 8% Government Tax at hotels and restaurants.
Most also add a 10% service charge. Additional gratuities
are at your discretion.
Credit Cards & Currency
Major credit cards are accepted by most hotels, car rental
companies, and shops. Travellers cheques are accepted
everywhere. The Eastern Caribbean Dollar, linked to the
US Dollar, is the local currency. Banks will exchange
EC$2.67 for US$1.00 cash, and EC$2.68 for US$1.00 in travellers
cheques. It is advisable to exchange currency at the banks,
as the most favourable exchange rates may not be obtained
elsewhere.
Business Hours
Banking hours in Grenada are usually Monday to Thursday
from 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., and Fridays from 8:00 a.m.
- 5:00 p.m.
Shops are generally open from 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., Monday
to Friday, and 8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. on Saturdays. Supermarkets
and shopping centers are usually open from 9:00 am. -
7 pm. And there are one or two who are even open on Sundays.
Often when cruise ships are in port, the craft and souvenir
shops will open on a Sunday or Bank Holiday.
Government offices are generally open from 8:00 a.m. -
4:00 p.m., Monday to Friday, but closed from 12:00 to
1:00 pm for lunch.
Climate
Average temperatures range from 75ºF to 85ºF
(24ºC to 30ºC), tempered by the steady and cooling
trade winds. The lowest temperatures occur between November
and February. Due to Grenada’s remarkable topography,
the island also experiences climate changes according
to altitude. The driest season is between January and
May. Even during the rainy season, from June to December,
it rarely rains for more than an hour at a time and generally
not every day.
Churches
There is a good representation of many of the major religious
denominations in most towns and villages including Roman
Catholic, Anglican, Presbyterian and Methodists.
Dress
Casual, light cottons are ideal during the day; in the
evenings, elegantly casual attire is appropriate. Bathing
suits or mini shorts should not be worn in the streets
or stores. Long pants and hiking shoes are recommended
for hiking.
Electricity
Voltage is 220 volts - 50 cycles. Appliances rated at
110 volts (US standard) normally work satisfactorily with
a transformer. Most hotels provide dual voltage shaver
units, but an adaptor plug is necessary for small appliances.
Language
English is the official language but it is not uncommon
to hear a French-African patois spoken.
Medical Facilities
There is a General Hospital in St. George's, a smaller
hospital in Mirabeau on the east coast, and one in Carriacou.
Clinics and doctors can be found throughout the islands.
Postal Information
The General Post Office is on Lagoon Road by the Port
in St. George's. There are sub-post offices in all towns
and villages. Post Offices are open 8:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m.,
Monday to Thursday; Fridays until 4:30 p.m. Efficient
local, regional and international mailing is enhanced
by international couriers, Federal Express, DHL and UPS;
and the General Post Office has an Express Mail service.
Preservation
The barking of trees and taking of wildlife from the forest
and rivers, and corals from the sea is strictly forbidden.
Radio & Television
There are currently four radio stations (AM 535 kHz; AM
1400 kHz / FM90 kHz / FM96.3 kHz; FM 101.7 kHz; FM105.5
kHz) and three television stations. Many hotels have satellite/cable
television.
Grenada
Tourism Board Offices
Grenada Board of Tourism
Discover the World
Stephansplatz 6/3/7
A-1010 Wein
Telephone: 01 512 86 86 40
Fax: 01 512 86 86 60
Email: m.schwartz@discover-fra.com
Canada
Grenada Board of Tourism
439 University Ave. Suite 920
Toronto, Ontario M5G 1Y8
Telephone: +1 416 595 1339
Fax: +1 416 595 8278
Email: tourism@grenadaconsulate.com
Germany
Grenada Board of Tourism
Schenkendorfstrasse 1
65187 Wiesbaden
Telephone: +49 611 267 67 20
Fax: + 49 611 267 67 60
Email: grenada@discover-fra.com
Main office
Grenada Board of Tourism
Burns Point
P.O. Box 293
St. Georges's, Grenada, West Indies
Telephone: +1 473 440-2279
Fax: +1 473 440-6637
Email: gbt@caribsurf.com
UK
Grenada Board of Tourism
1 Battersea Church Road
London SW11 3LY
Telephone: +44 20 7771 7016
Fax: +44 20 7771 7181
Email: grenada@cibgroup.co.uk
USA
Grenada Board of Tourism
317 Madison Avenue, Suite 1704
New York, NY 10017
Telephone: +1-212-687-9554
Telephone: 1-800-927-9554 toll-free in USA
Fax: +1-212-573-9731
Email: noel@rfcp.com |
|
-