Island Safety: Is It An Issue in Grenada?

[Sailfish]

I was recently on the phone with a friend who implied that Grenada was not a safe place to explore on your own. I am going diving, but I have family members - two women - who want to explore the island on their own and were told it might be better to go on a tour than doing so in a cab.

 

What has been your impression of Grenada? Any input would be much appreciated.

 

Thanks.

[roysue]

This will be my first trip to Greneda but I read some concerns as well. If you look down the Grenada Page to a post called "What should first timer's do in Greneda", I think you'll find some information. I included this link http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=693414 but I'm not sure about my "linking" skills! LOL

Enjoy!

[davidnsteph]

We stopped in Grenada 2 years ago on the Crown Princess. We walked around the port of St. George's for about 90 minutes before our guided tour, arranged through Princess, took us to see 2 waterfalls. We walked on the major streets of the city and didn't feel unsafe at any time. People were going about their business as usual. The city market was pleasant, with lots of spice stands around. We walked up a very steep street to see 3 old churches. This was very memorable. They had all been heavily damaged by a recent hurricane (Ivan?). Not sure if they have since been rebuilt. One of the historic churches had no roof! It was quite surreal walking among the pews with walls around us, but no roof over our heads. Nobody bothered us at any time. Of course, we kept our wits about us, and didn't wander down any lonely alleys. Poverty was evident in many places. We would have liked to see the Carenage harbor, but didn't have time due to our tour.

 

Hope this helps.

 

DavidnSteph

[tuck]

We've visited Grenada dozens of times for weeks at a time since our first trip there in '95. Never have I felt the slightest bit uneasy there. Grenadians are some of the friendliest and most polite people that I've ever met.

 

Walked all over St. Georges, from Grand Anse, Cemetery Hill, up to Fort Frederick and many points in between. No need to worry about your safety (except for the traffic in Sendell Tunnel).

 

It's considered good manners, in most places downisland) to say "Good Morning/Afternoon/Evening!" before opening a conversation with almost everyone you meet (vendors and shopkeepers, too) and when passing someone on the street.

 

Above all, enjoy! Grenada is my favorite destination!

[Tropigirl99]

I have also visited Grenada and never felt unsafe day or night. They are the nicest people.

[IslandStar]

I realise that some travellers have also visited some of our more populated and crowded islands where commercialism has brought opportunist crime with it. Grenada is still in its infancy in tourism and so is not similarly afflicted.

 

Grenada is safe but don't be silly in how you spend your day i.e don't flash your cash when out and about. Grenada is poor but her people are proud and the friendliest in the Caribbean (and I've spent weeks in numerous islands I can tell you) We had a nice story recently where a wallet was handed into the police and was successfully returned to the cruiser before they departed Grenada's shores and it still had all the cash in :)

Here's a more recent link for you that you might find of use. Its got info on culture, mkt hours, bit and bobs http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1051654&highlight=