Grenada is not a bargain-basement Caribbean destination, but it is more flexible than its luxury resorts suggest. A week can cost very different sums depending on where you sleep, how you eat and how you get around. The biggest single cost is almost always accommodation, followed by eating out and activities such as diving or boat trips.
The figures below are realistic ranges, not quotes. Prices change with the season, with fuel and import costs and from one business to the next, so treat them as a starting point for planning and confirm current rates when you book. Amounts are given in US$ for things usually priced in US dollars and in EC$ for local spending, at the fixed rate of EC$2.70 to US$1.
Accommodation: the biggest variable
At the budget end, guesthouses, simple apartments and private rooms in the Grand Anse, Morne Rouge, St George's and L'Anse aux Epines areas, and in villages further out, can start from roughly US$60 to US$120 a night, sometimes less for long stays or basic rooms. Mid-range hotels, self-catering apartments and smaller boutique properties typically run from about US$150 to US$300 a night in high season.
At the top end, beachfront resorts and luxury villas on the south coast range from several hundred US dollars a night to well over a thousand for the most exclusive properties. All-inclusive packages bundle food and drink, which changes the comparison.
High season runs from mid-December to mid-April, when prices are highest and the best places book up early. From late spring through the summer and into the autumn, which includes the hurricane season from June to November, rates can drop noticeably. The August Carnival period and the Christmas and New Year fortnight are exceptions, with high demand and prices.
Food and drink
Local food. A roti, a plate of stewed chicken with provisions, or a box lunch from a local cook shop typically costs somewhere in the range of EC$15 to EC$35. Street food at events and Friday fish nights is similarly affordable.
Mid-range restaurants. In visitor-oriented restaurants around Grand Anse and the south coast, expect main courses of roughly EC$50 to EC$110, with VAT and a service charge sometimes added on top.
Fine dining. Upscale restaurants, often in hotels, can cost considerably more, with dinner for two with wine well into three figures in US dollars.
Drinks. A local beer in a rum shop is cheap, often under EC$10; the same beer in a hotel bar may cost two or three times as much. Cocktails in visitor bars are priced accordingly.
Self-catering. Supermarket shopping cuts costs, but imported products are expensive. Building meals around local produce, fish and staples keeps a grocery budget in check.
Getting around
Route buses are the cheapest way to travel. Fares are set by the government and depend on distance: short hops around the St George's and Grand Anse area are a few EC dollars, and longer trips to Grenville, Gouyave or Sauteurs cost more but generally stay under about EC$10. Confirm the current fare with the conductor.
Taxis are much more expensive. Published fares for common routes apply; a ride from the airport to Grand Anse has typically been in the region of US$15 to US$25 for the car, with surcharges at night and for extra luggage. Longer journeys and island tours are priced accordingly, so agree the fare first.
Car hire suits visitors who want to explore. Expect daily rates from roughly US$50 to US$80 for a small car, more for a 4x4 or in high season, plus insurance and fuel. You will also need a temporary local driving permit, issued for a fee through car hire firms or the police. Driving is on the left, roads are steep and narrow, and the rate does not include the stress of parking in St George's.
Water taxis are useful along the south coast and to some beaches, and on Carriacou to Sandy Island and Paradise Beach. Fares are agreed with the boat operator per trip or per person, so confirm the price and the return pick-up time before setting off.
Activities and entrance fees
Many of Grenada's best experiences are free or cheap: swimming at Grand Anse or Morne Rouge, walking around St George's, or hiking public trails. Waterfalls and nature sites often charge modest entrance fees, typically a few EC or US dollars, and guided hikes cost more. Grand Etang's visitor centre and trails charge a small fee.
Diving and snorkelling are major draws, especially the Underwater Sculpture Park and the Bianca C wreck. A two-tank dive typically costs over US$100, with packages bringing the per-dive price down; snorkel trips are cheaper. Day sails, catamaran trips and island tours range from roughly US$50 to US$150 or more per person.
Estate tours, rum distillery visits and chocolate experiences usually carry a fee of a few to a few dozen US dollars. A trip to Carriacou by ferry or plane adds transport costs and is worth budgeting separately.
Three sample weekly budgets
Per person, sharing a room, excluding international flights. These are rough illustrations, not quotes:
- Budget: guesthouse or simple apartment, local food and some self-catering, route buses, free beaches and a couple of paid activities. Roughly US$700 to US$1,200 for the week.
- Mid-range: comfortable hotel or apartment near Grand Anse, a mix of local and restaurant meals, some taxis or a few days of car hire, a dive or boat trip and an island tour. Roughly US$1,500 to US$2,800.
- Comfort: beachfront resort or villa, restaurant dining most nights, car hire or private drivers, several excursions and diving. US$3,500 and well upward.
- In all cases, travelling as a couple or group lowers the per-person cost of rooms, car hire and taxis.
- Prices in high season and around major events are at the top of these ranges or above them.
Adding Carriacou to the trip
A side trip to Carriacou, and perhaps Petite Martinique, is one of the best ways to see a different side of Grenada, but it needs its own budget line. The fast ferry from St George's is the cheaper way to go and takes a couple of hours, depending on the boat and the sea; short domestic flights to Lauriston Airport are quicker and cost more. Check current fares and schedules when planning, as both change.
Accommodation on Carriacou ranges from simple guesthouses to a few higher-end small hotels and villas, generally at lower prices than the top of the Grand Anse market. Food and imported goods can be a little dearer because of the extra shipping.
Allow for water taxis to beaches such as Sandy Island and Paradise Beach, island taxis or a hire car, and enough cash, since card acceptance is patchier and ATMs are few.
Costs people forget
VAT and service charges. Menu and room prices may be shown before VAT and service charges. Together these can add a quarter or more to the bill.
Currency confusion. Confusing EC and US prices can turn a reasonable fare into an expensive one. Always confirm.
Card fees. Foreign transaction fees and ATM charges add a few per cent to everything you spend by card.
Travel insurance. Medical care is available, but serious cases may need evacuation to another island, which is costly without insurance.
Tips. Guides, boat crews and drivers are commonly tipped. Budget for it.
Water and sun protection. Bottled water, sunscreen and insect repellent cost more than at home. Bring some with you.
Carnival and event premiums. During Spicemas in August and over Christmas, rooms, car hire and some services cost more and sell out early.
Frequently asked questions
Is Grenada expensive to visit?
Grenada is mid-priced for the Caribbean. Luxury resorts are expensive, but guesthouses, local food and route buses keep costs down. Imported goods and restaurant meals in tourist areas are the main expenses. A week can be done on a modest budget with planning, or at considerable cost in high-end style.
When is the cheapest time to visit Grenada?
Accommodation is usually cheapest outside the December to April high season, particularly from late spring through autumn. That period includes the hurricane season, so consider flexible bookings and travel insurance. Carnival in August and the Christmas holidays remain busy and more expensive.
How much is a taxi from the airport to Grand Anse?
Taxi fares from Maurice Bishop International Airport to Grand Anse have typically been in the range of about US$15 to US$25 per car, with extra charges at night or for additional luggage. Fares are published and change over time, so confirm with the driver before setting off.
Is it cheaper to rent a car or use taxis in Grenada?
For several days of exploring, a hire car is usually cheaper than taxis, even with insurance, fuel and the local permit. For short stays based in Grand Anse, buses and occasional taxis may cost less, and spare you driving on steep, narrow roads.
How much does a meal cost in Grenada?
A local lunch such as a roti or a plate of chicken and provisions is often EC$15 to EC$35. A main course in a mid-range visitor restaurant is roughly EC$50 to EC$110, plus VAT and service where added. Fine dining costs considerably more.
Should prices in Grenada be expected in US or EC dollars?
Both. Hotels, tours and dive shops often quote in US dollars, while supermarkets, buses, markets and local restaurants price in EC dollars. Always confirm the currency before agreeing to anything, as the difference is a factor of 2.7.
