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Are you dreaming of a getaway to the Caribbean this winter, but you’re not exactly sold on an all-inclusive Cancun hotel with its crowded beaches, or the rising crime rates hitting Jamaica are keeping you from going there?
We only have the perfect alternative for you:
Tucked away in the eastern end of the turquoise sea, Grenada is an island state rich in tropical nature and surrounded by crystal clear waters. It has just been named the best Caribbean destination of the year Caribbean magazineone of the leading news sources in the region.
More specifically, it claimed the top spot in the Caribbean this year of 35,798 votes at their Traveler’s Choice Awards.
What can we say? Between the deserted beaches and the peaceful atmosphere, there is no place we would rather go to ourselves for our next vacation:
Is this the last hidden gem of the Caribbean?
Grenada is an unusual archipelagic nation made up of three main islands that you may not have heard of unless you’re keen to escape the over-touristy, overpriced side of paradise yourself:
- No to monumental, luxurious resort complexes, yes to smaller, charming boutique listings that put wellness before numbers.
- No to highly developed coastlines with hotel towers as far as the eye can see, yes to green parks, and real pristine marine reserves.
- No to overemphasizing entertainment and nightlife, yes to nature activities, cultural immersion and more authentic experiences.
The three islands of Grenada (the main one), Carriacou and Petite Martinique are home to approximately 126,000 people, and for their own sake and for the sake of their identity, they have no interest in becoming the next Cancun.
What does a holiday to Grenada look like?
Well, lots of walks, visits to historical sites, and of course some much-needed relaxation, if that’s what you’re looking for.
Lush nature, wherever you look
Tourists often start at the Big Etanga patch of lush rainforest that has been turned into a national park, centered around a large, water-filled volcanic crater, with numerous tourist-friendly hiking trails, and serving as a sanctuary for thriving wildlife.
From iguanas to Mona monkeys and the native Grenada pigeon, you’ll need to keep your eyes peeled for the elusive creatures nestling amid the greenery, and without a doubt the best and safest way to explore the vast park is to book a guided tour.
This private, guided visit of up to 2 people costing $180, or $90 per personincludes pickup and drop-off, insightful commentary from an expert guide about the surrounding nature, a moderate hike through the jungle, and a swim in a natural pool.
Waterfalls, epic walks and sculpture parks
Grenada is a small island, only 210 square kilometers in size, but it is definitely not lacking in natural diversity: apart from the Grand Etang you can hike to Concord Falls, one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the entire Caribbeanending in a crystal clear pool.
When it comes to beaches, there are plenty of pristine stretches of white sand to choose from, with Grand Anse, Morne Rouge, Pathway and an aptly named, picture-perfect Magazine Beach, all offering great swimming and snorkelling.
If you visit this winter, don’t miss the hottest new attraction in Grenada: ‘World Adrift’, a underwater sculpture park depicting a fleet of 30 boats and their tormented sailors, resting at the bottom of the ocean off the coast of Carriacou.
It is a welcome addition to the already famous Molinière Underwater Sculpture Park, where tourists have been snorkeling for years.
An underrated cultural destination
In terms of culture, Grenada’s nation is a mix of African and Native American roots, as well as French and British colonization, all of which is reflected in the genetic makeup of the population, the architecture you see in cities, and the cuisine.
The national dish, Oil Down is one savory stew with dumplingsthe native callaloo (a Caribbean plant), meat and vegetables, and is commonly served in restaurants around the capital St. George’s – for traditional food and seafood, as well as ocean vistas, visit Sails restaurant and bar.
The capital itself is probably the Caribbean’s greatest unsung cultural gem, with its 18th-century cityscape, historic European-style forts and the impressive state of preservation of many of the Georgian-era monuments.
Oh, and don’t forget to visit the River Antoine Rum Distillery: the oldest water-powered distillery on this side of the worldit’s where all of Grenada’s best rum comes from––sampling tours start from $115.75 per person.
Hotels on the beach are cheaper here!
Grenada isn’t exactly dirt cheap, with guided excursions and services being on the pricier side, but overall it’s more affordable than the Mexican Caribbean or somewhere super trendy like Punta Cana or Montego Bay.
That’s partly because of how affordable the accommodation is, with the overnight rate for a double room Siesta Hotelnear the Morne Rouge beach, from $76while a superior one-bedroom apartment in La Heliconia & Day Spain St. George’s, will cost you $120 per night.
Of course, there are many more expensive 5-star listings with world-class amenities, with the Blue Horizons Garden Resort ($270) and the Royalton Grenada ($322) to name a few, but the point is that Grenada still has to shun budget-conscious vacationers, unlike a growing number of Caribbean competitors.
An inclusive price range must be observed, and all budgets are welcome.
How safe is Grenada?
Last but certainly not least, Grenada is one of the safest Caribbean destinations this winter, thanks to its… Level 1 statusas granted by US authorities.
This means that officials in Washington have not identified any security issues that would endanger U.S. guests, whether higher levels of petty crime, organized crime or gang activity. Grenada is as safe as it gets.
The islands of Carriacou and Petite Martinique were recently hit by the devastating Hurricane Beryl and are still in various stages of the recovery process, so services may be more limited compared to mainland Grenada, and that is the only caveat raised by the authorities is shared.
This winter, Americans can fly nonstop to St. George’s in Grenada (GND) from New York-JFK, Miami, Boston and Charlotte with American Airlines or JetBlue.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
