Welcome to Grenada, the stunning island known for its vibrant colours and breath-taking landscapes. I will take you on a journey through this Caribbean gem, where you can expect to be captivated by its natural beauty and unique cultural experiences. If you want to experience the lushness of the Caribbean without spending a fortune, Grenada is still an authentic natural wonder, far away from luxurious conquests and exclusive-Elite reserved gems.
Grand Anse Beach. This picturesque stretch of sand is the epitome of paradise, with its turquoise waters and palm-fringed shores. Whether you're looking to relax under the sun or take a dip in the refreshing Caribbean Sea, Grand Anse Beach is a must-visit destination in Grenada. Definitely my favourite beach on the island: you can find calm and wild spots at the end of the beach and enjoy fantastic swimming, and also have a full immersion into the Caribbean vibes as in the small shack corner, where you can taste a portion of Jerk chicken, with a refreshing Carib beer and Reggae music soundtrack on the background.
Grand Etang National Park, for those who need some extra natural respite this jungle and the many stunning waterfalls are a must. I recommend to rent a car to be able and go around the all island and explore even the most remote points. This lush rainforest is home to an abundance of flora and fauna, including exotic birds and monkeys. With just $2 each for the ticket, you can take a hike through the park's trails and be rewarded with stunning views of the Grand Etang Lake, a crater lake nestled in the heart of the rainforest. Don't forget to bring your camera, as the photo opportunities here are spectacular. I've been to three different waterfalls such as Annandelle, Mount Carmel and Seven Sisters and all of them can catapult you into a jungle soul refreshing experience. For those who don't want to hike for too long, I suggest Annandelle where you can get to the Waterfall very easily and in just 5 min, while if you also want to experience a nice walk through the forest before getting to the waterfall, I suggest Seven Sisters.
The Welcome Stones is a rugged collection of boulder stones perched atop a hillside. Located in the most northern point of the island you will want to drive there and after just a few minutes walking, you will discover a truly astonishing view. From there you can also spot Carriacou and other islands in the background.
St. George, the island's capital and main city, walks through the market, a bustling hub of food stalls and vendors selling fresh produce, spices, and local delicacies. Have a walk through the small roads, the colourful houses and walls, and near the port. Don't forget to sample the island's famous spices, such as nutmeg and cinnamon, which are grown in abundance here and feature in all of the many jerk chicken vendors. For a different exciting experience, you can try and go to St.George using the local buses, which are small vans with many seats, they usually collect people from any point of the roads. They just take cash payments , the regular price it's just about 80p, they drive quite fast and with loud music, so enjoy the party!
The best Typical food and local produce in Grenada is the fantastic Chocolate, made from the cocoa beans which grow all around the island, and it's the best I've ever had. We had the chance to visit a small chocolate factory nestled in a forest where the owners grow the cocoa trees to harvest the pods and fulfil the entire process of creating the chocolate bars on-site: This includes sweating the fresh beans under banana leaves before drying them out in the sun for days. Once dry they are ready to be roasted, ground and stirred into a smooth paste which is then ready to set into bars. If you visit the amazing House of Chocolate shop in St. George, they will tell you this process is called "From tree to bar" which is great for local business. They also explain the process to make the chocolate and extract the cocoa butter which is used in cosmetic products such as body butter, creams, lip balms and perfumes. All these products are available to buy in the shop and you will definitely fall in love with them because of the great quality and organic ingredients.
The Island is known as the Isle of Spice due to the abundance of all the spices which grow there. You can find a huge variety of spices in all the markets, small vendors desks and shops. The typical and most famous island production, also its symbol, is the Nutmeg. The colourful nutmeg trees are everywhere around the island and you can taste it in many different foods like ice-creams, sweets, chocolates and the famous jerk chicken.
The Rum production on the island is 2nd to none, the volcanic soil with the sun and rainfall create the perfect environment for the sugarcane to flourish. We visited one of most famous and the oldest Rum distillery in Grenada, the River Antoine, established in 1785 by French settlers is still perfectly working. With just about £5 for a ticket you can see the huge water wheel working and the fresh juices being extracted before being shown the molasses pits and fermentation tanks. We were shown entire the process from where the water comes off the river and the cane is cut to the final bottles which you can try at the end.
Most of the food on the island is imported due to the seasonal fruits or the difficulty of growing it on the island (because of the very heavy rainfall or the lack of fields). You can't always find all the tropical fruits available or enough local vegetables. Being on the island for two months and living there not just as a holiday included the necessity to buy food in the supermarkets or small shops, made me realise that it's very hard to find good food at reasonable price to cook at home. Most of the ingredients are imported, including fruits and vegetables and that can make the cost of living quite high.
UNDERWATER SCULPTURE PARK, there are a few of these dotted around the coast of the island, created 20 years ago after Hurricane Ivan caused huge amounts of damage, these sculptures have been put there to encourage the life back into the coral reefs around Grenada. You will be swimming in the crystal clear Caribbean water admiring the colours of the reef and its inhabitants. There are many statues and each one has a unique and meaningful story behind its creation.
True Blue Bay Resort, located a 10 minute drive from the airport and the beaches, I stayed here because it has been voted "#1 Environmentally Friendly resort in the Caribbean". An affordable 3* resort which has a great wild and jungle style feel, surrounded by many plants and flowers, with vibrant colours of the different buildings it both stands out and blends into the islands style. You can also meet turtles, iguanas and fishes in the bay, with 4 pools, yoga and gym area, a spa, a boutique and the fantastically popular Dodgy Dock Bar and restaurant, you will definitely love it.
I hope my insights and recommendations will inspire you to embark on your own unforgettable adventure in Grenada. Whether you're seeking relaxation on the beach, exploration in the rainforest, or a taste of the local culture, this Caribbean paradise has it all.
So pack your bags, grab your camera, and get ready to create memories that will last a lifetime. Grenada awaits, and Marta's Planet is here to guide you every step of the way.
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