All-Inclusive Without Missing Grenada: Getting Out of the Resort

One of the quiet regrets of many all-inclusive guests in Grenada is that they barely saw the island. A week passes between the beach, the pool and the dining room, and the spice-scented hills, fishing towns and rum shops that make Grenada distinctive stay on the far side of the resort gate.

It does not need to be that way. Grenada is compact: from the resorts at Point Salines or Grand Anse, St George's is minutes away, the rainforest at Grand Etang around half an hour or more, and the north coast reachable on a day trip. A handful of well-chosen outings, timed around the resort's meals rather than against them, adds the island to the holiday without wasting what you have paid for.

This guide sets out how to plan outings from an all-inclusive, which experiences are worth skipping a resort meal for, and the practical matters of transport, timing and money.

A sensible rhythm: two or three outings a week

For a seven-night stay, two or three outings strike a good balance for most guests. A half-day trip into St George's, a full-day island tour and an evening at Fish Friday in Gouyave cover very different sides of Grenada while leaving plenty of time to enjoy the resort. Families with young children may prefer shorter trips, while active travellers might add a hike, a dive or a day on Carriacou.

Spread outings through the week rather than front-loading them. The first day or two are often best spent settling in, and the last day is usually taken up with packing and departure. Many guests find a mid-week outing breaks up the stay pleasantly and makes the resort feel fresh again on return. Check the resort's weekly schedule too: if there is a special dinner or beach party you would like to attend, plan outings around it.

Outings that pair well with an all-inclusive

St George's in a morning. The horseshoe-shaped Carenage, Fort George with its views over the harbour, the Market Square and the small streets climbing the hill can be explored in a few hours, returning for lunch. Saturday morning is the busiest and most colourful time at the market.

A full-day island tour. A typical route takes in the Grand Etang forest reserve and crater lake, a waterfall such as Annandale or the Seven Sisters, a nutmeg or spice station in Gouyave and a north-coast stop at Sauteurs. A packed lunch from the resort or a meal at a local restaurant both work.

Chocolate and rum in the north. Belmont Estate in St Patrick offers a look at cocoa processing alongside lunch, and River Antoine nearby still crushes cane with a water wheel. Together they make a rewarding day.

The Underwater Sculpture Park. Snorkel or dive trips to Moliniere Bay on the west coast run from Grand Anse and nearby, usually as half-day outings.

Carriacou. A long day by fast ferry or small plane, best with a planned itinerary. After Hurricane Beryl in 2024, check what is operating before you go.

Food worth skipping a resort meal for

The most common hesitation among all-inclusive guests is eating out when meals are already paid for. The answer is to choose a few experiences that a resort kitchen cannot replicate. Fish Friday in Gouyave, the fishing town in St John, turns the streets into an open-air food market every Friday evening, with grilled and fried fish, lobster in season, fish cakes and local drinks. It runs into the night and is busiest after dark.

Oil down, Grenada's national dish, is a one-pot stew of breadfruit, salted meat, dumplings, callaloo and turmeric cooked in coconut milk. It is traditionally a communal, outdoor meal, and some tour operators and local restaurants serve it to visitors. A roti from a local shop, lambi (conch) curry, or fresh juices such as soursop and golden apple are other good reasons to eat out. Plan these for lunch, when you would otherwise eat a light resort meal, rather than dinner, so you can enjoy the resort's evening dining as well.

Getting around from the resort

The simplest option is a taxi arranged through the resort or from a taxi rank. Taxis in Grenada follow an official fare schedule for common routes, and drivers often double as guides on longer trips. For full-day tours, hiring a driver by the day gives flexibility, and many drivers are knowledgeable about history, plants and food. Always agree the price and what it covers before setting off.

Route buses, the privately run minibuses that serve the island, are very cheap and a lively way to travel. They run frequently between Grand Anse and St George's during the day, but services become sparse in the evening and on Sundays, and buses can be crowded. Hiring a car is possible with a local driving permit, available through car hire companies or the police. Driving is on the left, roads in the interior are steep and winding, and local drivers can be fast, so many visitors on a short all-inclusive stay prefer a driver.

Timing outings around resort life

A little planning lets you enjoy outings without missing the parts of the resort you value. Morning tours that leave around eight or nine and return by mid-afternoon fit neatly between breakfast and dinner, leaving time for a swim before the evening. Many island tours run to this pattern, and drivers hired by the day are usually flexible about timings. Evening outings such as Fish Friday mean skipping a resort dinner, so choose a night when the resort menu or entertainment appeals less.

Sundays are quieter across Grenada. Many shops and some restaurants close, route buses are fewer, and families head to the beaches, especially Grand Anse and Morne Rouge. It is a good day for a relaxed drive or a resort day rather than a shopping trip. Public holidays and major events, such as Emancipation Day and Spicemas in August or Independence Day on 7 February, can also affect opening hours and traffic. Asking the concierge what is happening during your week often turns up local events that are worth an evening out.

Practical tips for days out

A little preparation makes outings smoother:

• Ask the resort for a packed lunch or breakfast box on early tour days; many will provide one.
• Carry some EC dollars in small notes for markets, rum shops, roadside stalls and tips. US dollars are widely accepted, but change is given in EC.
• Bring insect repellent, sunscreen and water, especially for waterfall hikes and rainforest walks.
• Wear shoes with grip for trails such as those at Grand Etang and the Seven Sisters, which can be muddy.
• Dress respectfully in town: swimwear is for the beach, not the streets of St George's.
• Check cruise-ship schedules: St George's and popular sites are busier when large ships are in port.
• Leave valuables in the room safe and take only what you need.

Mistakes all-inclusive guests make

The first mistake is waiting until the last day to leave the resort. Weather, tiredness or a packed itinerary can intervene, and the opportunity disappears. Planning one outing early in the stay leaves room to reschedule. The second is booking only through the resort without comparing. The tour desk is convenient, but licensed independent operators sometimes offer more personal or better-value trips, so check reviews and compare inclusions.

Another error is trying to see the whole island in one day. Grenada's roads are winding and slow, and a tour that tries to cover every parish ends up mostly in the car. Choose a route that suits your interests: forest and waterfalls, spices and chocolate, or history and town. Finally, some guests overlook the island's calendar. Spicemas in August, the Carriacou Regatta and fishing tournaments bring a lively atmosphere, while public holidays can mean shops and some sites close. A quick check before booking outings avoids disappointment.

Frequently asked questions