Grenada is a leading producer of spices, such as cinnamon and mace earning its popular nickname –the “Spice Island”. It is a land of forest-covered mountains and waterfalls. The small country consist of the islands of Grenada, Carriacou and several other tiny islands. St. George’s is the capital city.
St. George’s is the most inhabited island and where most of the tourist attractions are concentrated. Most people are descended from African slaves. Farming is the main industry, but the tourist trade is growing. Under British control since 1783, Grenada became independent in 1974. Rebels overthrew the government in 1983, but troops from the United States and other Caribbean countries won control and restored law and order. The next year, 1984 a new government and prime minister were elected to serve the people.
The best time to visit the prominent island of spices is December. This solo month is caught between the takeoff of the stormy season and the entry of the winter swarms, setting aside a whole 31 days of the year to offer fair skies and perfect weather. You can expect both airfare and room rates to climb amid this high season. The summer and fall season occur from April to November and it consists of average rainfalls, and the constant risk of typhoons and hurricane. However in the event that you're eager to experience an episode of awful climate, you'll discover lodging rates gets marked down at up to 30 percent off its regular price structure.
Discover these wide varieties of things to do and exciting attractions to explore when in the captivating island of St. George’s, Curacao:
Underwater Sculptures
The Underwater Sculptures is the most emotional and artistic expression you can ever find in the ocean floor of Curacao. It is truly emotional because it was created in honor of the people who experienced the worst hurricane that destroyed much of the island. If you take the diving tour with a trained guide, you can see sculptures of adult, child training rounds holding hands, kid on a bike, the rocks with sculptured heads and faces, (really unique but a bit creepy!) and a man working at his desk. But the most touching sculpture of all is that of Jesus Christ with open arms stretched upward.
These statues are positioned on the bottom of the sea and are very interesting to see, we went on a boat with a dive center, are just a few feet deep so it is very easy to swim and see them. There are many statues that depict children, women and much more. If you are a PADI certified diver, go with a diver guide who will take you on the exact location of this monumental reef. But if you prefer not to get wet and still eager to see this man - made spectacle, a boat with a glass bottom can be rented and you can watch the activities done by certified divers around the sculptures. Both the experience is breathtaking and truly out of this world!
Carenage
Carenage Bay is a harbor and promenade area lined with significant points of interest of the city. You can spend a couple of hours admiring the scene or enjoy long walks up to the Bahia, the main center of St. George with its famous Spice Market, the Central Fish Market, St. George's Chapel, or simply enjoy the wonderful view from the Fort St. George. You can walk up to the Sendall Tunnel where in the early times men are not allowed to pass (women only), tour the Library, and many government offices buildings with very colorful images that seem to imitate some of the prominent structures in England.
It is a beautiful waterfront attraction where one side of the dock has shops, supermarkets, restaurants, bars and on the other side is a very pretty and picturesque bay. In the northern part, the, set of buildings of red brick that appears in every picture of St. George's Financial Complex is worth a visit. One suggestion: do not ask for taxi leave you in the south of the city. Ask him to bring you near the Financial Complex, which is where the main historical and cultural attractions of St. George's are mostly located.
Fort George
The Fort George is a former fortress that towers above the capital of Grenada. During the revolution of 1983, there was also a shooting incident that happened here and killed among others the legendary Maurice Bishop in Grenada. The corresponding inner courtyard can be visited today. The Fort George is frequently visited because of its impressive views. On the one hand you have the perhaps the best view of the Carenage, the waterfront of the capital.
You can also see its narrow and hilly streets and the busy harbor with docked cruise ships. If you like to get good pictures and admire the scenery this is one place you should not miss, it can take 30 minutes and you'll take the best memories and postcard images of St. George’s.
For those seeking historical understanding of the island, the Fort George is a good place to go with a local guide. The view from up there is pretty much good for taking pictures. A steep path must be hurdled to reach this attraction and if you are not physically agile, has leg problems, or a disability, you can bypass the tour of this old fort that once protected the majestic capital of Grenada. Travel tip: You can save the entrance fee of us $2 if you enter the fort by the side of the police station and not from the side of the dock for cruise ships.
Grenada National Museum
The Grenada National Museum is a small museum with lots of interesting objects and historical information about Grenada and the capital city. The museum which used to be the old prison of the city is heavily run down. However, this fits very well with the character of the building itself. The museum explains in broad strokes the history of the island and its inhabitants, and its troubled colonial times from the Indians to the era of slavery in the 17th and 18th centuries. With enough time, the museum is worth a visit.
All of the information here is presented with English translations. The rest is quite interesting because it has lots of history information about the beaches, the currency, as well as kitchen appliances, cameras, animals and short stories of its national heroes. Overall, the small and humble Museum presented everything with great clarity and dignity. Do not miss out on visiting the collection of butterflies and birds in the second floor and the history of the Italian ship that sank on its shores. The medieval exhibit is like a time travel tour where you feel like being transported back when kings and queens once ruled this island.
Market Square
The Market Square is a very interesting market located right in the heart of the city. From here you can buy groceries, fruit and vegetables, spices, handicrafts and trinkets. It is highly recommended especially during the mornings of Friday and Saturday, where there are dozens of ladies who come all the way from all the provinces of the island and sell their fresh produce. The typical scene includes a group of Grenadan women separating the husks from the seeds of the nutmeg plant to produce the spices of nutmeg and mace. It is good place of trading for the region.
Despite being always crowded and full due to ships that bring many tourists there, it is well worth a visit to take a souvenir of the place. This place has music, dance, and the aromatic smell of the spices, food and lively interaction with the enterprising locals for they are very receptive and friendly. They are usually good humored and will not pressure on you to buy their wares but will sincerely ask what you need to see and buy and they will gladly tell you who has what you need. This place is a definite must stop when in St. George’s.
St. George's Anglican Church
The St. George's Anglican Church still stands proudly over the island although it has not been rebuilt since after the devastations left by the hurricane in 2004. The church is a ruin but the masses are still offered by the resident bishop of this congregation. It even has enough parking spaces to accommodate all of its guests. You can visit the church anyway and it is still compensated with a working altar and a wonderful view over the harbor. It's all open and without a roof. What’s amusing about this church is the number of its faithful devotees who show unwavering love and support for their belief and the church itself.
This cathedral use to be a beautiful church in the island until that fateful day when Hurricane Ivan showed its strength over the city. The walls and the memorial plaques regarding its significant date of construction are kept there the way it used to be. It seems to give a powerful message that, no matter how strong a natural phenomenon hit the town, its indomitable spirit and strong faith cannot be broken. The place evokes so much emotion and inspiration. Make it a point to pass by this preserved church when in St. George’s, it is all worth the time and effort.
Dougaldson Estate
The way to Dougaldston Estate is quite difficult to locate because there are not enough signposts along the road leading to its direction. You will need to ask around the locals where it is. The spice plantation is quite secluded but it is all worth the trouble. If you go to the area you might have an initial impression that it looks deserted because there seem to be no one around.
However, this is quite deceiving too because there are still more than 20 workers employed by this estate to prepare and process its two famous spice; nutmeg and mace. The main building houses a variety of spices that are all explained and presented by the resident guide and supervisor of the estate. The local guide can speak in German and in dozens of other languages. At the end of the tour you have the option of buying a small bag of spice at low prices.
ScubaTech Grenada
ScubaTech Grenada is a very nice diving club that is managed by well-trained and certified diving professionals. The team is friendly and knowledgeable of all the reefs and great diving sites of St. George’s waters. There's something for everyone here like; Diving wrecks, reefs, snorkeling and designed for all levels. Another advantage is they are multi-lingual and can speak fluent French, Spanish, and German. The tour of the marine wildlife is a spectacular rendezvous that must not be bypassed when in St. George’s.
You can have a great time with the team of ScubaTech and their well-equipped dive center is highly recommended. Equipment, tanks, drinks etc. are stored by the team in the boat. The underwater world has a lot to offer and each site is a highlight as they lead you into the deep. You can try the night dive at "Shark Reef" (a brilliant dive site with lots of underwater fauna, many lobsters, nurse sharks and fish). If you want to expand your PADI training courses or need to level up, with the ScubaTech team you are in good hands. All in all, this is the best dive center for beginners as well as the advanced divers.
The Grenada Chocolate Company
The Grenada Chocolate Company is a remarkable chocolate factory in St. George’s that is also known locally as the Alden factory in Grenada. You can go anytime and get a detailed, friendly and informative guided tour. It is shown here how the harvested cacao is dried, fermented and processed (including the so-called Cacao-Walk, which you can also make yourself). Afterwards, you can still watch a 10 minute video showing of how the entire process is done. You will also be served a chocolate tea with spices (the “hammer” is a must try) and various freshly made chocolate bars that can be tried.
You will not feel hungry while inside because they give free taste for everything they create. Plus, there's a shop that offers various homemade praline truffles and chocolates. This tour is very enjoyable and definitely recommended for families with children. You can spend about a 1 hour 1 1/2 hours including roaming around in the little shops. There is also a restaurant where they serve traditional Grenadan dishes. The admission fee is truly worth every penny. Afterwards, you can still visit other attractions nearby like the River Antoine Rum Distillery which is about 20 minutes away and see how rum is made.
River Antoine Rum Distillery
If you have visited the Chocolate Factory then you can make a detour in the River Antoine Rum Distillery where the 300 year old rum distillery still produces the River Antoine Rum (named after the same river that runs beside the distillery).
There is a friendly informative guided tour showing the entire process as the sugarcane is made into a 75% alcohol rum. Then there's a small taste test during the visit, you can also have the fruit punch mix laced with this famous rum in St. George’s. You can also buy a limited version of the rum and for a much lower price.
Sendall Tunnel
To arrive from the cruise terminal to the port you must pass through the Sendall Tunnel. While driving the vehicles are required to come from one direction only, for pedestrians there is only the road for them. In the old times, this passage was not allowed for men but for women only. Somehow it's again odd and therefore makes it truly unique because here is a tunnel that may be used only as a one-way street. As long as no one comes to meet from the other end of the tunnel the more easily you can pass by this very narrow road (because if you get close rushing fast cars it feels a bit problematic).
It is a lot of fun to pass by this tunnel and the motorists that come here already know how to wait and make sudden brakes on this odd attraction in St. George’s. It was built in 1894 by Great Britain and the real purpose is to provide an alternative way to get to the other important attractions of the town without taking the steep other side of the main road.
St. George’s is one of the interesting islands to explore in the Caribbean region. Whether it is by land or by sea, the capital city has so much to offer and a week of adventure is not enough to really absorb everything this enchanting island offers. Despite being ravaged by a devastating hurricane in 2004, the city has managed to get up and preserved some interesting points and landmarks like how it was more than ten years ago. Some ruins may be visible but they chose to keep it as is to serve as a grim reminder of how powerful nature is and how it can change everything even in one second.
This exemplifies a courageous people and brave town whose determined spirit cannot be broken by a single hurricane. The ability to survive and recover from that horrible time is really an inspiring message to everyone. To persevere and constantly move on is one of the great lessons you will be enriched with when you visit the small but empowered island of St. George’s.
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