Is Grenada Safe for Tourists?

Whether you’re looking for a beach paradise, rich culture, delicious cuisine, or adventurous excursions, the tiny Caribbean Island of Grenada is a wonderful romantic vacation destination. From beautiful sandy beaches (with both white and black sand) to lush green hills filled with tropical fruit trees and spice plantations to spectacular dive sites, Grenada is a nature lover’s paradise. It’s perfect for couples or honeymooners who love outdoor activities.

If you’re thinking about visiting “the Spice Island,” you may be wondering, is Grenada safe to travel to? In this blog post, we will answer that question and give you some great tips for keeping yourself safe on your vacation to Grenada!

Is Grenada safe to visit?

Yes, you can visit Grenada safely. A lovely island with a low crime rate, Grenada is actually statistically safer than major U.S. cities such as New York and Los Angeles! An exception to this would be for LGBTQ+ travelers (see below). It is also one of the safest Caribbean islands for solo female travel.

Is Grenada LGBTQ+ friendly?

No, Grenada is not LGBTQ+ friendly. In fact, same-sex relationships are illegal here and this island is considered unsafe for LGBTQ+ travelers.

Top Tips for Safe Travel in Grenada

Here are some tips to ensure a safe trip to Grenada. First, research the area where you’ll be staying and anywhere you want to visit. If you’re not sure about the safety of a particular place, it’s always best to ask someone who knows the area well. Locals are usually the best people to ask about safety tips and which areas to avoid.

One thing that is important to note is that camouflage clothing is considered highly offensive in Grenada, so don’t bring any items with camouflage prints on them.

If you’re going to take a taxi in Grenada, check to make sure they are a member of the Grenada Taxi Association (GTA). Rather than hailing a taxi in the street, have your hotel or restaurant call a reliable company. And if you want to take the public bus, wait at designated bus stops only; there have been accidents caused by people flagging them down along the road.

Speaking of roads, if you plan to drive in Grenada, be aware that roads are generally not in good shape; you’ll want to drive carefully and may need a 4-wheel drive vehicle in some parts of the country. Also, local drivers may not pay strict attention to traffic rules, so stay alert.

Crimes of opportunity like pickpocketing and purse snatching can happen, especially at beaches, hotel lobbies, or cars. Keep your valuables out of sight and in a safe place, such as a hotel safe or locked suitcase. Stay aware of your surroundings. Don’t carry a lot of cash on you, and keep what money you do have (along with credit cards and passport) in a zipped purse or travel pouch concealed under your clothes. Make sure you have a copy of your passport, driver’s license, and credit cards in a safe location in case any of these are stolen.

Car theft can also occur, so if you’ve rented a car, make sure not to leave any valuables in view and lock the doors whenever you leave it. Choose parking lots that have security features like gates or attendants.

Be careful when visiting more isolated areas of the island, such as nature areas, remote beaches, and small or informal parking areas used by divers. Pay attention, and if you feel uncomfortable, leave. A good way to stay safe while on vacation is to travel in groups. There’s strength in numbers, so if you can travel with a group of friends or family members, you’ll be a much less likely target for crime. If you aren’t traveling with a group, go places with at least one other person.

Make sure you know what a Manchineel tree looks like and avoid it. Each part of it is highly poisonous; touching it can cause blistering and burns, the sap can cause blindness, and ingesting the fruit can cause swelling and burning of the mouth and throat, sometimes leading to death.

If you go out to bars or nightclubs in Grenada, take the usual precautions: don’t go alone—always in pairs or groups; stick to main streets and brightly lit areas, and always keep your eyes on your drink. If you consume alcohol, do so responsibly so you can stay alert. 

Avoid the “pain killer” cocktail in Grenada; these are often made with a homemade rum that has a very high alcohol content plus other ingredients that can make you very sick.

Drinking water is generally safe in Grenada, but during and after storms it can be compromised, so you may want to use purification tablets or boil the water before drinking (or just stick to bottled water) to be sure you don’t get any stomach bugs.

Dengue fever, an insect-borne illness, is common here. To protect yourself from insect bites, use repellent and wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants plus closed-toe shoes at dawn, dusk, or near stagnant water.

Grenada has an incredible spice industry, and you will probably want to take home some fresh spices. Beware of fakes, that can have unpleasant additives. Only purchase from a reputable source and make sure packages are completely sealed.

By following these simple tips, you can help ensure a fun and memorable trip to Grenada! Have any other safety suggestions for Grenada, or questions about traveling there? Share them with us in the comments below!