If you’re planning to travel to Grenada, you’re probably expecting that it will cost a fortune for your trip. Grenada is located in the Caribbean, a region of our world that isn’t known for being very budget friendly. and while it’s true that numerous of the things to do in Grenada are costly, there are numerous ways to keep your budget down.
Don’t miss out on Grenada due to high costs, there are ways to travel here on a shoestring! Here’s how:
Budget accommodation options in Grenada
You can choose from hostels, guesthouses, apartments, house-sitting, couchsurfing, or camping. During the high season (December – February and August), prices will be higher, but still inexpensive (Note: Hurricane season runs from June – November).
Some of the hotels on the island are high-end luxury, and expensive boutiques, such as the beautiful mount Cinnamon Grenada.
But, luckily, there are still numerous inexpensive options for budget travellers.
Couchsurfing: This is a worldwide site developed to put locals in touch with travellers. Grenadians (or foreigners living in Grenada) will have created a profile and are prepared to have travellers come and stay in their home, for free.
Most of the situations allow you to have a private room, rather than just a couch as the site name suggests. Free accommodation, plus the chance to interact with locals…what much more could you want? sign up here to find hosts in Grenada.
House sitting / Pet Sitting: When homeowners / pet owners want to go away on holiday, or back to their homes abroad, they need someone to take care of their home and furry friends. If you are chosen as the housesitter, you will be able to receive totally free accommodation in exchange for being responsible for the house and pets.
Normally a automobile is also available for you to use, and in some cases, a salary is also paid to the housesitter. In our experience, the homes have all been very nice. Sign up for trusted Housesitters and start searching for jobs in Grenada.
Airbnb: There are actually quite a few accommodation choices on Airbnb in Grenada. This is a terrific option to find less expensive rooms – either a room in a house / apartment, or an entire house to yourself. The ones I saw online went from $30 / night! Not bad, especially if you split that price with someone. Click here to take a look at Airbnb, and don’t forget to get your Airbnb discount coupon code!
Hostels: There aren’t any hostels in the conventional sense. However, there is one place located in the north called Crayfish Bay organic Estate. You can stay there, learn about farming (primarily cocoa). guests are welcome to get involved in the cocoa farming process! Or, you can just chill out and relax. Dorm beds opt for $61EC ($22.50), or an entire cottage for 2 people costs $140EC ($51). Click here for much more information, and to book.
Camping: camping in Grenada is another option. You can pitch a tent on a beach, for free. Locals do this on the “secret” beaches, or the quieter ones. Ask around about camping on the busier beaches. We personally haven’t seen this happening on the popular beaches, but did see backpackers camping on well-known stretches of sand throughout the Grenadines island chain – two women actually.
I wouldn’t recommend this option to solo female travellers, or a male / female couple, or those who are travelling with expensive gear. Basically, if you’re a man, or if you are with a group of people, then it ought to be fine! even better is if you have some locals with you as well. always heed guidance from Grenadians about where to camp, and where not to.
Budget restaurants and meals in Grenada
When it concerns eating, there are some outstanding inexpensive options on the island. Sure, there are the much more expensive restaurants where a meal will run you $60EC ($22.50), but if you’re on a budget, here are some places (and ways) to find a less expensive meal.
Weekend BBQ’s: Every Friday you’ll see street side vendors and small shops setting up for their weekend BBQ. They are found all over the island. This is an outstanding way to get a delicious and low-cost meal, plus you’ll get to mingle with Grenadians.
Expect grilled pork, chicken and fish…with a side of beer. Typically, there aren’t any salads or other side dishes served. prices vary, but typically the meat goes from $7EC – $10EC ($2.60 – $3.70) Note: there is a Jamaican Jerk chicken stand in Grand Anse Valley that is open practically every day.
Our favourites: Jamaican Jerk chicken (Grand Anse Valley), Jillian’s BBQ (located at D’Cliff), Roseanne’s BBQ (on the bend before ok fun center on your way to La Sagesse Beach), and the Garlic chicken stand (in St. Paul’s).
Waters (Local Soup): “Waters” is a Grenadian one-pot soup. You’ll find lambi (conch), seasoning, onions, and other vegetables. check out Andy’s Waters (Grand Anse Valley) and Joey’s on Fridays (located near the turn off to Le Phare Bleu / Egmont). Cost: $10 – $15EC ($3.70 – $5.50).
Roti: Roti is a delicious West Indies food, one that makes for an outstanding (and cheap) lunch. Curried chicken with potatoes and vegetables are wrapped in a heavy flour based roti “skin”. This delicious square package goes for $10EC ($2.70). Our preferred roti in terms of flavour is from the Bakery attached to Foodland in Westerhall.
Doubles: Doubles are an incredibly popular breakfast food in Trinidad, and fortunately for us in Grenada, there is a Trini couple serving up doubles three times a week! Latta and her spouse Frank are located on wall street in Grand Anse. They serve doubles out of the back of their orange van for $5EC ($2.70) each. These are the best doubles!
Caribbean Buffet: For a broad selection of Caribbean foods and flavours, check out one of the “buffet” style places. Basically, you point at each item you want, which will then be placed into a takeaway container. The food is then weighed and you pay based on the weight of the meal. A filled box of food with meat will usually be about $20EC ($7.40). check out Grill Master on wall street in Grand Anse and the Creole Shack in St. George’s next to the bus station.
Kathy’s soul Food: For a delicious Grenadian plate of food, don’t miss out on Kathy’s soul Food! This restaurant is located just before you arrive in Grenville if coming from the south. The chicken, macaroni, rice n’ peas, salad and vegetables are delicious. A plate of food is about $15EC ($5.50). Don’t miss the fresh passionfruit juice.
Umbrellas beach Bar: This is a fun and inexpensive beach bar located best on Grand Anse Beach. The food here is international, with lots of fresh fish on the menu. Homemade cheeseburgers with bacon are $25EC ($9.25), honey bourbon chicken wings are $14EC ($5.20), a tasty fish sandwich is $19EC ($7.00), a plate with fish fillet and salad is $40EC ($14.80). There is live music on the weekends as well, and drink specials.
Fruit and Vegetables: There are fruit and veggie stands around the island, which is a terrific way to sample the island’s produce, and support the farmers. On Saturday mornings in St. George’s there is a market, and throughout the week you’ll find vendors everywhere.
Water is safe to drink from the tap so you can save lots of money on bottled water! Beers are $20EC ($7.40) for a 6-pack in the grocery stores and $5 – 7EC ($1.85 – $2.60) at restaurants. Rum punch cocktails are typically $10EC ($3.70).
You can also stock up on food at the grocery stores, but be warned, numerous of the items are imported and for that reason expensive. If you have your own kitchen however, it may be worthwhile purchasing some chicken, pasta, or canned foods from the shop and cooking for yourself.
The many popular (and well stocked) grocery store is IGA, with FoodLand and FoodFair coming in second.
Budget transportation in Grenada
The best way to see all that the island has to offer is by car. But, when you’re on a budget, renting a automobile for the duration of your stay probably isn’t feasible. Therefore, your best bet is to take a van (bus).
These buses are just minivans which stop along the road at determined, and undetermined bus stops. The much more people a bus chauffeur can pick up each day, the much more money he will earn. A common journey on the bus will cost you $2EC ($0.75). If you’re heading from the south to the north of the island, expect to pay around $5EC ($1.85).
The vans are all privately owned (the chauffeur is usually the owner), and can hold around 20 passengers. To flag down a van, just put your hand up and the van will slow down. The sliding door will open and the conductor will yell at you (asking where you’re going), if he’s going your way, get in!
Photo by: Nora Dunn of The professional Hobo
The vans are typically full, the Caribbean music is blaring and the journey can be a long’ish one. Be prepared for some crazy driving as well. But, it’s an authentic experience and you can meet some fantastic people in the vans.
If you want to be let out before the bus station, simply bang your hand on the side of the van, or on the roofing system and the chauffeur will pull over.
For much more helpful information on what it’s like to take a bus in Grenada, check out this post.
Another option for those on a budget is to walk (be warned, it can be hot!) or hitchhike around (locals do this often). To get from Grenada to Carriacou, your best option is the Osprey Ferry, or befriending a sailboat owner!
Budget activities in Grenada
Grenada is rugged, beautiful and natural. There are unlimited amounts of budget activities for both the adventurous, and unwinded traveller. Liming is a popular past time on the island, which essentially implies hanging out with pals doing nothing! Limes happen on the beach, in the bush or at a friend’s home.
Swimming: There are some beautiful beaches in Grenada. Swimming and spending the day lazing on the white sand is completely free, unless you decide to purchase some drinks, or rent a beach chair $5EC – $10EC ($1.85 – $3.70).
Snorkelling: You can join a tour, which will cost you around $52 USD including snacks and gear, or if you bring your own snorkel gear, you can head out by yourself! The snorkelling in front of Aquarium restaurant on magazine beach and at the southern end of Grand Anse beach is great.
Hashing: Hashing is a social group of “drinkers with a running problem!” this group gets together every Saturday to walk or run on a pre-determined trail, which usually starts and ends at a bar or rum shack. This is a very distinct thing to do around the world. Don’t miss hashing in Grenada! The cost is just $2EC ($0.75) and it’s a terrific way to get exercise, meet people and see interesting parts of the island. Click here to learn more.
Visiting Waterfalls: It used to be totally free to check out some of the falls in Grenada, but now the going rate seems to be about $5EC ($1.85). check out the beautiful Annadale, mount Carmel and seven Sisters waterfalls.
Hiking: The hikes and walks in Grenada’s rainforest are very lush. In Grand Etang national Park, there are numerous trails, with Mt. Qua Qua being one of the popular ones. It technically costs $5EC ($1.85) to enter the park, but there is rarely anybody at the ticket booth.
Walking around any of the points around the island is always nice, as is hiking from beach-to-beach. There are some “secret” hikes found all around the island, just ask a local to give you some advice.
Yoga: There are a couple of yoga studios on the island. Grenada Fountain of youth is located down at Grand Anse and provides classes for $30EC ($11.00), with discounts on weekly and monthly passes. spice harmony is located at “D’Cliff” in St. George and offers classes at $20EC ($7.40) each, with discounts for weekly and monthly passes.
Chocolate Tour: Grenada is home to some of the best organic chocolate – from tree to bar! much of the cocoa grown in Grenada is actually shipped abroad to be sold commercially. The Belmont Estate is a beautiful home providing short trips for just $13EC ($4.80). You’ll lean about the production of cocoa, and at the end you’ll be able to sample the broad variety of chocolate, and cocoa tea.
Live Music: If you want to see the conventional Steel pan music, head to Prickly Bay restaurant and bar. If you purchase a drink, you’ll be able to listen to the music, which starts at around 6:30pm. To hear some other amazing musicians, check out Umbrellas on Friday – Sunday, Junction Bar on Saturday or Le Phare Bleu on Thursdays and Fridays.
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