Taxis in Grenada: Fares, Hourly Hire and Agreeing a Price

Taxis in Grenada are unmetered minivans and cars, mostly driven by owner-operators who know the island intimately. They are the way most visitors get from the airport to their hotel, back from a restaurant at night and out to the waterfalls for a day, and a good driver often becomes a guide, fixer and source of local advice for the whole stay.

Because there is no meter, the one rule that matters is to agree the fare before setting off. Rates are guided by published tariffs, but how they apply depends on distance, time of day, the number of passengers and waiting time. This page explains how it works and how to avoid misunderstandings.

How taxi fares work

Taxi fares are not metered. Instead, rates for common routes are published by the taxi associations and tourism authorities, and drivers quote from those or close to them. The fare is normally for the vehicle, for up to a set number of passengers, often four, with a charge for each additional person. Late-night trips, typically after about six or eight in the evening depending on the operator, carry a surcharge, and extra bags or long waits can add to the price.

For short trips, such as from the airport to Grand Anse or from Grand Anse into St George's, fares commonly fall in the region of US$15–30 per car. Longer journeys, for example to Gouyave, Grenville or Sauteurs, cost considerably more. These figures are only a guide; rates change and you should confirm before travelling.

Taxis in Grenada carry distinctive registration plates that mark them as vehicles licensed for hire, and drivers hold a licence for carrying passengers. Most vehicles are air-conditioned minivans seating seven or more, which is why many drivers are happy to take a larger group for a modest supplement rather than a second car.

Prices may be quoted in EC dollars or US dollars. Always check which, since EC$40 and US$40 are very different sums at the fixed rate of EC$2.70 to US$1. Most drivers accept both currencies but give change in EC dollars. Card payment is rare.

Waiting time is usually charged once it goes beyond a short stop. If you want a driver to wait while you shop, eat or visit a sight, agree the rate in advance; it is often simpler and cheaper to arrange a fresh pick-up time than to keep the driver waiting.

Where to find a taxi

At the airport. Taxis wait outside the arrivals hall at Maurice Bishop International Airport for every scheduled flight. A dispatcher often organises the queue.

At the cruise terminal. On cruise days, many drivers wait outside the terminal on Melville Street and offer both transfers and island tours. On days with several ships in port, demand is high, so agree prices clearly.

On the Carenage and in town. There are taxi stands in St George's, including on the Carenage. Drivers often wait near busy shopping areas.

At hotels and in Grand Anse. Larger hotels have drivers who work regularly with them. Staff can call a taxi or recommend one. There are also taxis waiting at points along Grand Anse.

By phone or messaging. Many visitors take the number of a driver they like and call or message them for later trips. This is the norm for evenings out and early-morning departures. International ride-hailing apps do not operate in Grenada.

Hourly hire and island tours

Taxis can be hired by the hour or by the day for touring. An island tour with a licensed driver is one of the most popular ways to see Grenada, combining the Grand Etang Forest Reserve, waterfalls, spice stations, rum distilleries and beaches. Drivers usually offer set itineraries, such as a half-day tour of Grand Etang and Annandale Falls or a full-day loop around the island, and can tailor them.

Hourly rates and tour prices vary with the vehicle size, the length of the day and the itinerary. Ask what is included. Entrance fees to places such as Grand Etang, waterfalls, estates and distilleries are usually extra. Lunch stops are often at local restaurants where the driver is known.

If you are a group of four or more, a taxi tour can work out cheaper per person than a coach excursion, with more flexibility. Agree the start and finish time and whether the price changes if the tour runs over. A tip is appreciated for a good day, usually around ten per cent, but not obligatory.

Agreeing a price without fuss

A short, friendly conversation before getting in prevents almost every taxi dispute. Drivers expect it, and nobody takes offence at being asked the price; it is simply how the system works.

1. Say where you are going and ask the fare. If the driver refers to a published rate, ask to see it.
2. Confirm whether the price is for the whole vehicle or per person.
3. Confirm the currency: EC dollars or US dollars.
4. For a return trip, agree the waiting time or pick-up time and whether the price includes the return.
5. For tours, agree the start and end times, the stops, and what happens if you want to stay longer.
6. Pay at the end of the journey, and keep small notes so you are not relying on the driver for change.
7. If a driver has served you well, ask for their contact details and use them again. A regular driver often offers fairer rates and turns up on time.

Evenings out, early flights and special trips

Evenings are when taxis earn their keep. Route buses thin out after dark, roads outside the south-west are unlit, and many of the best night-time outings, such as the Friday fish fry in Gouyave or dinner at a restaurant in the hills, are hard to reach any other way. The usual arrangement is a return trip: the driver takes you there, comes back at an agreed time, and you pay for both legs, often with a waiting or return supplement.

For early-morning departures, such as an early hike in the Grand Etang Forest Reserve or a flight that requires a pre-dawn start from the north of the island, book the day before and confirm the pick-up time. Most drivers are reliable, but a reminder message the evening before is common practice.

Some drivers also run errands that visitors find useful: a supermarket stop on the way from the airport, a drop at a dive shop with heavy kit, or a wait outside a pharmacy. Ask, and agree any extra cost before setting off.

Pitfalls and how to avoid them

Unlicensed drivers. Use licensed taxis, which carry official identification and registration. Hotels, the airport dispatcher and the cruise terminal are safe places to start.

Currency confusion. Mistaking an EC dollar quote for a US dollar one, or the reverse, is the most common misunderstanding. Always confirm.

Unclear group pricing. For groups of five or more, ask how the fare changes. Some vans are licensed for more passengers, and the price usually reflects this.

Last-minute evening bookings. On busy nights, such as Friday fish fry evenings in Gouyave or events during Carnival, taxis can be in short supply. Book your return trip in advance.

Expecting card payment. Most taxis are cash only. Have enough EC or US dollars before setting out, especially for longer trips.

Forgetting to agree waiting time. If the driver waits while you visit a waterfall or estate, ask how long is included. A tour that runs an hour over may cost more than you expected.

Frequently asked questions