What We Know About Grenada: Interesting Facts About the Country

Where Grenada is located

Grenada is an island nation located in the southeastern Caribbean.

Grenada is a relatively small country. About 115,000 people live across 344 km². However, from January to May, the number of people simultaneously on the island increases several times over. Why? Simply because those are the months of the peak tourist season.

Grenada's official language is English, though many citizens of the country also speak French well.

How can a Russian citizen visit Grenada?

As already mentioned, Grenada is an island nation in the Caribbean Sea, which makes it fairly difficult to reach. As of January 2023, there is no direct air link between Russia and Grenada. The island can only be reached with connections.

One convenient route is via the United Kingdom, followed by a flight to the Caribbean on British Airways. For Grenada passport holders, this is the best option, since they enjoy visa-free entry to England.

Russians holding a Schengen visa can take advantage of European airlines. Today the country's international airport receives flights from Cologne, Frankfurt, Munich, Stockholm, Zurich, and London. There is one catch, though: since 2022 it has been impossible to fly directly from Russia to Europe. That is why most Russians prefer to travel with Turkish Airlines, routing through Istanbul.

It's important to note that during customs control, travelers must present:

• a return ticket;
• a hotel booking, tour voucher, or confirmation of an apartment rental;
• documents confirming the traveler's financial means (credit cards, a bank statement).

In 2017, Russia and Grenada signed a visa-free travel agreement. Russians can cross the border of this Caribbean island nation with only a valid international passport. No visa is required. However, the visa-free regime allows a foreign national to stay in the country for no more than 90 days.

Grenada: history of the country

Until the mid-15th century, no one knew this island existed. It was discovered by the famous navigator Christopher Columbus in 1498. The island was settled by people of the indigenous Carib tribe.

In 1650, Grenada's capital, St. George's, was founded. To this day, this city remains the country's political, economic, and tourism center.

Over 82% of Grenada's population is of African descent - descendants of African slaves brought to the island of Grenada several centuries ago.

More than 96% of the local population practices Christianity.

Since the late 20th century, the country's government has actively developed tourism. Today this industry brings in the lion's share of state budget revenue. Light industry ranks second.

Grenada's form of government is a constitutional monarchy. Since 1967 the country has held the status of a state associated with the United Kingdom with the right to internal self-government, and accordingly the country's reigning monarch today is King Charles III.

Geography and nature

Grenada's main advantage is its favorable geographic location. Unlike most of the territory that makes up the Lesser Antilles, Grenada's land is well protected from Atlantic hurricanes.

Today Grenada can rightly be called the Island of Spice. Many tourists know that the national flag features a nutmeg - a symbol of the Caribbean jurisdiction's economic development and its most in-demand export product.

Grenada has a tropical climate. The thermometer reaches its highest readings in August. On average, air temperature during the peak tourist season ranges from 26 to 32 degrees Celsius.

The country's flora and fauna include a large number of exotic animals and fish. Here you can find mona monkeys, mongooses, and more than 150 bird species, including some endangered ones.

Grenada is an island that fishermen from around the world travel to every year. The crystal-clear water not only offers beautiful views of the Caribbean Sea floor but also lets divers enjoy spearfishing for tuna, snapper, and mahi-mahi.

Vacationing in Grenada

The months from January to May are considered the most comfortable in terms of temperature. The rainy season is already ending during this period, giving tourists and locals a chance to relax comfortably.

Many assume that life in resort countries is expensive. Grenada, in this regard, has fairly reasonable pricing. For example, dinner for two at a mid-range restaurant costs $75. By comparison, a similar meal in a UK restaurant would cost around $65-70 on average.

Russians who fly to Grenada for a vacation rarely think about saving money. But those planning a longer stay should carefully calculate their expected expenses.

The average rent for a three-bedroom apartment in the central areas of the most popular tourist towns is $950 per month. A similar apartment outside the center costs around $600 on average.

Utility costs deserve separate attention:

• electricity, heating, cooling, water, and garbage collection for an 85 m² apartment - $80-90 per month;
• mobile service - $0.25 per minute;
• internet - $35-40.

If Russians relocate with children, monthly expenses should also include the cost of preschool. On average, private preschool costs parents $120-140 per month.

Attractions and events

Grenada's culture and customs were shaped by the English and French, who inhabited its territory for a long time.

The buildings found in Grenada are built in the classic architectural style of old Europe. Moreover, most local streets are named after public figures and prominent personalities who lived and worked in European countries.

The island's main attractions can be loosely divided into three categories:

• natural;
• architectural;
• cultural.

The best-known natural attraction is Annandale Falls. A huge number of tourists visit this location every day, with one goal: to relax in Grand Etang Park and swim in its pristine lake.

Carriacou Island is another popular natural attraction. Despite its small size (only 33 km²), it is home to a huge number of leisure spots.

There's a lot to say about architectural attractions. Among the most popular with tourists are Fort Frederick and Fort George, as well as the Gouyave Nutmeg Processing Cooperative.

On September 7, Grenadians celebrate Independence Day. It's one of the most vivid events of the year, involving boy scouts and members of the royal police.

How to obtain Grenada citizenship and what the passport gives an investor

In 1997, Grenada launched a program granting citizenship in exchange for investment.

Today two investment routes are available:

• buying real estate, starting from $220,000;
• investing in Grenada's economy (a non-refundable contribution to the National Transformation Fund of at least $150,000).

Any property qualifies for the program (both new-build and resale). The only condition is that the property must be government-approved.

Grenada citizenship not only allows foreign nationals to stay in the country for an unlimited period, but also guarantees the following list of benefits:

• visa-free travel worldwide (the visa-free list includes 134 countries);
• the option of obtaining a US business visa;
• a simplified process for obtaining a 10-year US B1/B2 tourist visa;
• tax optimization;
• the ability to send children to top European universities.
• perks and a tuition discount at St. George's University in Grenada

Obtaining a Grenada passport is a good way to gain a security cushion. If problems of an economic or political nature arise in the investor's home country, the new citizen can relocate to a safer jurisdiction at any time.

Real estate

In effect, there are no restrictions for foreign nationals. Prospective investors can own any type of property (a villa, an apartment, or a plot of land).

The cost of residential property depends on its location. Apartments and villas in tourist towns are, naturally, more expensive. On average, the price per m² starts at $3,000.

It's important to note that the total investment is not limited to the cost of the property. The investor will also need to pay government fees, charges, and fees for processing, translating, and legalizing documents.

Politics and economy

Grenada's economy is not driven by tourism alone. The country also has a fairly well-developed food and light industry sector. But agriculture holds a special place - more than half of the country's territory is devoted to nutmeg cultivation.

Products grown or produced in the country are exported to the US, France, the Netherlands, and other countries.

Today, virtually anyone can obtain Grenada citizen status. The passport-for-investment program has fairly favorable terms.

Grenada has no tax on worldwide income, so if you earn income in another country and pay taxes there, you won't need to pay tax on that income in Grenada.

It's also worth noting that a Grenada passport allows entry to the countries of the Schengen Area for up to 90 days.

The United Kingdom is an exception here: its authorities allow Grenada citizens to stay in the country for up to 6 months.

Buying property in Grenada is a good way to grow your initial capital. On average, the value of residential properties rises by 4% a year. That means an investor can earn not only from renting out the property during the peak tourist season, but also from reselling it later on.