In a quick one-day trip to the island of Grenada, I was able to get a small taste of life on this sleepy island in the West Indies, known as the spice island.
Arrival in Grenada
Navigating the Small Island Airport
Arriving at the small airport, I was impressed with the nice-looking modern jet bridges. Small island airports do not usually have great infrastructure, but the positive side is that they are often easy and quick to navigate.
PRO TIP – When arriving in a new country, always be prepared. Customs and immigration can be a time suck when traveling internationally. Do not be fooled by small airports, as often, those lines can be worse than major hubs, with limited and slow-moving staff. Be aware of the deplaning process. If exiting on the tarmac, be mindful that you can often skip ahead of other travelers once off the plane as they will likely be slow-moving.
You may also be able to deplane from the rear of the aircraft if seated in back. Always have your information readily available. That includes flight number, passport number/expiration date, stay details, and a pen. Some countries require forms to be filled out and they do not always hand them out in flight. This was the case in Grenada.
Thankfully, I was able to skip ahead of slower-moving travelers on the tarmac and quickly fill out my immigration form, allowing me to be the first person on the plane to exit the small airport. As I looked back on the long line, I relished in my 5-minute breeze from airplane to taxi. Time is your most valuable asset, and when traveling, especially on short trips, the last thing you want to do is waste it in airport lines.
First Impressions of Grenada
Natural Beauty and Safety
The first thing I noticed in Grenada was its natural beauty. The mountains and trees were stunning, the weather was warm and humid, but nice breezes, the streets looked relatively clean, and it felt very safe. While first impressions should be taken with a grain of salt, it’s always a good idea to be aware of your surroundings when traveling.
The Radisson Beach Resort
I arrived at the Radisson Beach Resort after a short 15-minute taxi ride. Grenada is a bit more unspoiled than other islands, with fewer US flights than most. This also meant that point options for hotels were more limited. I prefer to stay at larger US-based hotel chains when possible. There are several reasons for this.
First and foremost, they allow me to leverage my points and elite status which often provide tremendous value, from huge discounts to suite upgrades, to late checkout, to free breakfasts, snacks, and drinks. Since there were no Marriott, Hyatt or Hilton options, I was more than happy to pay a very reasonable cash rate of $140 for a Radisson resort on the beach. I was able to save approximately 30% by booking through Club1, a discount aggregator.
Making the Most of a One-Day Trip
Enjoying the Resort Life
With only one day on the island, I wanted to make the most of my time. With a few hours of daylight and sunshine remaining, I decided to spend the remainder of the afternoon enjoying the resort life. I dropped my stuff in my room, changed into a swimsuit, and hit the pool for a bit. As I relaxed, I realized I was craving one of the refreshing Caribbean beers I enjoy so much. Carib, which can be found throughout the Caribbean islands, is one of my favorites.
With this in mind, I made my way to the swim-up bar and quickly realized just how slow and laid-back life was here. It took more than 30 minutes to get a single beer. Island life is much slower than what we are used to in a US city, so best to be patient and appreciate it. From there, I walked to the beach, which featured powdery sand and clear, warm water. I live on the Pacific Ocean, just minutes from the beach, so sitting on the beach is not novel to me. However, I always enjoy experiencing beach culture in other places, feeling the different sands and soaking in the unique vibes.
Exploring Local Culture
As the afternoon faded into the evening, I was eager to leave the resort and explore the local area. For me, that typically means walking busy local streets, entering a few stores, sitting down at a cafe, and eating a meal at a local restaurant. It also involves chatting with strangers over a drink at a local bar and discovering some of the nightlife culture.
Since I did not do any research, I was especially aware of my surroundings, but was able to let my guard down fairly quickly and it was clear that this was a safe place with friendly people. I sat down at a local bar and grill, anxious to try some local fish which did not disappoint. From there I wandered, eventually following the sounds of music until I saw some strobe lights. It looked to be a makeshift outdoor courtyard party, which I was happy to indulge in. It was a true sense of island life, with a lot of beer drinking, live music, and happy people dancing and having fun under the stars.
Reflections on Grenada
It was a great 24 hours in Grenada. However, it is not a place I would put high on my list to return to, as it is a very small country with minimal to see and do. Most tourism revolves around beach lounging which is not typically what I look for. With that said, I am happy I was able to see it and soak it in for a bit. Off to Barbados.
