Just Landed in Grenada? Your First 7 Days

Grenada has two mobile networks, Flow (Cable & Wireless) and Digicel, both offering prepaid SIMs with 4G/LTE coverage across the main island. Coverage is reliable in the populated south and west but patchy in the mountainous interior and thinner on Carriacou and Petite Martinique. Prepaid data bundles are the norm rather than monthly contracts, and passport ID is legally required to register any SIM. Home broadband and fibre are available from Flow and Digicel in the more developed areas around St. George's, Grand Anse and the south coast.

Typical cost: A prepaid SIM is around XCD 10-25, with monthly data bundles roughly XCD 40-100 depending on the allowance; unlimited-style plans and combined calls-and-data packs sit at the upper end.

The East Caribbean dollar (XCD, symbol EC$) is pegged to the US dollar at roughly 2.70 XCD to 1 USD, so prices are predictable and USD is often accepted informally, though you may get change in XCD at a rounded rate. Card acceptance is common in supermarkets, hotels and larger restaurants, but cash rules for buses, markets, roadside vendors and many small services. ATMs are widely available in St. George's, Grand Anse and Grenville.

Opening an account: Republic Bank (Grenada), Grenada Co-operative Bank, RBC Royal Bank and CIBC Caribbean open accounts for residents. Expect to provide your passport, proof of address, a bank or character reference letter and evidence of income or residency status; opening typically takes several in-person visits over days or weeks rather than a single sitting. Non-residents can find it harder, so having a local employer, landlord or SGU affiliation helps.

Cash: Cash is essential for reggae buses, the Saturday market, small shops, tradespeople and many everyday services. Carry small XCD notes and coins, as breaking large notes can be difficult and vendors often lack change. Keep a modest cash reserve at home for the times ATMs are down or a storm closes banks.

Tipping: A 10% service charge is often added at restaurants and hotels, plus government VAT; check the bill before adding more. If no service charge appears, tipping around 10% is appreciated. Rounding up for taxi drivers and tour guides is customary but not obligatory.

Grenada has no municipal address-registration requirement of the kind found in continental Europe; you do not report your address to a town hall on arrival. What matters legally is your immigration status: your entry stamp, visa, work permit, student permit or residence permit and its conditions and expiry. Visitors are usually granted a limited stay on entry, and staying to work or reside means securing the right permit through the correct government department and renewing it before it lapses. Keep those documents current and accessible, because they, not a local registry, define your right to be in the country.

Where: Immigration and entry matters are handled by the Immigration Department of the Royal Grenada Police Force in St. George's; work permits are processed through the Ministry of Labour, and residence and citizenship matters through the relevant government ministry.

Getting around relies on shared minibus 'reggae buses' running fixed numbered routes at low flat fares, plus set-fare taxis identified by an 'H' on the number plate. There is no Uber or Bolt; you flag buses down from the roadside or arrange taxis by phone and WhatsApp. Buses generally run Monday to Saturday from early morning until around early evening and rarely on Sundays, so many longer-term residents eventually rent or buy a car for evenings, Sundays and rural trips.

From the airport: From Maurice Bishop International Airport (GND) at Point Salines it is a 15-30 minute taxi to St. George's, Grand Anse or the south-coast areas, with fares fixed by zone rather than a meter (roughly XCD 40-70 to Grand Anse and more to further parishes). Agree the fare in XCD before you get in, and where possible have your hotel or landlord arrange the pickup. Reggae buses do not serve the airport directly, though the #1 route passes nearby on the main road.

Most newcomers rent in the south-west: Grand Anse, Lance aux Epines, True Blue, Morne Rouge and the areas around St. George's and St. George's University. Listings spread by word of mouth, Facebook groups such as local buy-and-sell and SGU housing pages, and a handful of local agents, so plan to view in person rather than book blind. Furnished apartments and studios aimed at expats and university staff and students are common near SGU and drive prices up on the south coast.

Typical rent: A furnished one-bedroom in the Grand Anse or south-coast area typically runs XCD 2,000-4,000 (about USD 750-1,500) per month, with unfurnished and inland local rentals costing meaningfully less. Utilities and internet are often billed on top, so confirm what is included.

Deposit norm: Landlords usually ask for one to two months' rent as a security deposit plus the first month upfront, paid on signing. Get the agreement and inventory in writing, and never pay a deposit for a property you have not seen in person.

Public care centres on the General Hospital in St. George's, plus Princess Alice Hospital in the north, Princess Royal Hospital on Carriacou and parish health centres. Standards are basic and specialist capacity is limited, so serious or complex cases are sometimes stabilised locally and evacuated to Barbados, Trinidad or the US. Private clinics and pharmacies handle routine needs, and St. George's University's associated facilities add capacity on the south coast.

How to access it: For non-emergencies, visit a private clinic, GP or facility such as St. Augustine's Medical Services in the Grand Anse and St. George's area, or a parish health centre; you generally pay out of pocket at the point of care and claim back on insurance. Pharmacies stock most routine medicines and can advise on minor ailments. For emergencies, call 911 for police or fire and 434 for an ambulance, or go directly to the General Hospital.

Insurance: Private health insurance is strongly recommended, and cover that includes overseas medical evacuation is close to essential given the limits of local specialist care. Many expats hold international or regional policies; students at SGU are typically covered by a scheme through the university. Check that your policy pays for treatment in Barbados, Trinidad or the US and clarifies how evacuation is arranged.

• Always greet people with 'good morning', 'good afternoon' or 'good night' before starting any request; skipping the greeting is widely seen as rude and can slow things down.
• Dress modestly away from the beach; beachwear in town, banks, churches or government offices is frowned upon and sometimes refused entry.
• Be patient and polite with slow service and 'island time'; pushing hard, raising your voice or showing frustration rarely helps and can permanently damage a relationship.
• Ask before photographing people, especially at markets, churches or in villages, and accept a 'no' gracefully.
• Build relationships and be a regular; deals, help and housing come far more readily through people who know you than through cold enquiries.
• Respect the strong role of the church and observe that Sundays are quiet and family-oriented, with many businesses closed.
• Learn a few local place names and pronunciations and take an interest in nutmeg, cocoa and carnival (Spicemas); genuine curiosity is warmly received.

• Camouflage or military-style clothing is illegal to wear in Grenada, even for children, and can be confiscated; leave it out of your luggage.
• The island is small and word travels fast, so be discreet and respectful in disputes, complaints and public criticism.
• Plan errands for weekdays and Saturday mornings, since Sundays and public holidays close most shops, offices and many buses.
• Take hurricane season (June to November) seriously; know your accommodation's plan and keep water, cash and supplies ready.
• Do not assume everything can be done online; many processes require an in-person visit, patience and the right paperwork.