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Grenada
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Customs and Culture
Customs and Culture
About the People
Sharing food and drink are an important part of family life, and Grenadians try to have at least one meal every day at which all the family members are present. Grenadians are very sociable people. Politics is a favorite topic of discussion. Grenadians always offer guests a refreshment and it is considered impolite to refuse.
Cultural Attributes
Sharing food and drink are an important part of family life, and Grenadians try to have at least one meal every day at which all the family members are present. Grenadians are very sociable people. Politics is a favorite topic of discussion. Grenadians always offer guests a refreshment and it is considered impolite to refuse.
The Isle of Spice
Greetings, Gestures & Visiting
Grenada has many customs for a British colony such as driving on the left side of the road. Grenadian culture is big on courtesy and not greeting people is viewed as disrespectful.
If someone says they will "pass by" that means they will come and visit you.
Sloppy and casual is not the normal dress for residents of Grenada. They take great pride in their appearance. Red, Yellow and green colors are use everywhere in clothes.
Diet
Grenadian foods have been heavily influenced by East Indian, African and French cooking. The soil is very fertile in Grenada and the ocean is another source of food.
Breadfruit, yams, sweet potatoes and cassava (manioc) are very popular foods. “Callaloo” is a dish made with meat and dasheen leaves (also known as taro leaves). Seafood such as conches (lambi), crabs and shrimps are also popular. Some dishes even use armadillo or iguana meat. Chili peppers are an integral part of many dishes.
Breadfruit can be used in many ways. It may be combined with green bananas to make a dish similar to potato salad. The breadfruit flower is eaten with sugar, and the fruit can be made into flour. A favorite Grenadian dish is “oil down,” made with breadfruit cooked in coconut milk and spiced with Grenadian saffron (turmeric).
Nutmeg and fresh mace are the most popular spices. Nutmeg is the seed of the fruit of the nutmeg tree. Mace is a red membrane that covers the nutmeg kernel inside the fruit. When the mace is dried, it fades to a yellowish-orange. It is used for seasoning wine, sauces, soups, stews and seafood. Cookies and cakes are also flavored with this pungent spice. Nutmeg is used to flavor drinks like eggnog, milk drinks, rum punches and wines.
Grenadian foods have been heavily influenced by East Indian, African and French cooking. The soil is very fertile in Grenada and the ocean is another source of food.
Breadfruit, yams, sweet potatoes and cassava (manioc) are very popular foods. “Callaloo” is a dish made with meat and dasheen leaves (also known as taro leaves). Seafood such as conches (lambi), crabs and shrimps are also popular. Some dishes even use armadillo or iguana meat. Chili peppers are an integral part of many dishes.
Breadfruit can be used in many ways. It may be combined with green bananas to make a dish similar to potato salad. The breadfruit flower is eaten with sugar, and the fruit can be made into flour. A favorite Grenadian dish is “oil down,” made with breadfruit cooked in coconut milk and spiced with Grenadian saffron (turmeric).
Nutmeg and fresh mace are the most popular spices. Nutmeg is the seed of the fruit of the nutmeg tree. Mace is a red membrane that covers the nutmeg kernel inside the fruit. When the mace is dried, it fades to a yellowish-orange. It is used for seasoning wine, sauces, soups, stews and seafood. Cookies and cakes are also flavored with this pungent spice. Nutmeg is used to flavor drinks like eggnog, milk drinks, rum punches and wines.
Family
Grenadian families tend to be quite large, and couples usually have between two and six children. Grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins and other extended family often live in the same house or close to one another. People living in urban areas tend to have smaller families than those living in rural areas.
The extended family usually plays a role in bringing up the children as well. Divorces are rare, although they have increased in the last two decades.
Recreation
Cricket, soccer (called football) and netball are the most popular sports. Children play a game called rounders, which is similar to baseball. The ball is usually a tennis ball and it is hit with a cricket bat instead of a baseball bat, but as in baseball there are four bases and runs are scored in the same way.
Intercol is a popular annual sporting affair at which secondary schools compete against each other in running, jumping and other athletic events.
Holidays
Independence Day
2/7Independence Day
Christmas
12/25Christmas
Christmas customs include caroling groups traveling from house to house during the weeks prior to Christmas, decorations of nativity scenes, poinsettias, streamers and stars, and community Christmas trees. The Christmas dinner consists of turkey, pork, pigeon peas, yams, ginger bear and sorrel (a drink made from the red or white fleshy portion of sorrel – a plant originating in the Sudan – sweetened with sugar or fermented). The season ends on Epiphany, January 6th when all decorations are removed.
Dates of Interest
- December 25th
Christmas customs include caroling groups traveling from house to house during the weeks prior to Christmas, decorations of nativity scenes, poinsettias, streamers and stars, and community Christmas trees. The Christmas dinner consists of turkey, pork, pigeon peas, yams, ginger bear and sorrel (a drink made from the red or white fleshy portion of sorrel – a plant originating in the Sudan – sweetened with sugar or fermented). The season ends on Epiphany, January 6th when all decorations are removed.
How do people greet each other in Grenada?
Grenadian culture places great importance on courtesy, and greeting people is essential—not greeting someone is seen as disrespectful.
Do
- Always greet people you encounter
Don’t
- Don't ignore or fail to greet people, as it's viewed as disrespectful
Good to know
- If someone says they will "pass by," it means they will come and visit you
- As a former British colony, Grenada drives on the left side of the road
What are dining and food customs like in Grenada?
Grenadian cuisine blends East Indian, African and French influences, with breadfruit, seafood, and spices like nutmeg and mace featuring heavily; sharing food is central to family life.
Do
- Try local dishes like "oil down" (breadfruit cooked in coconut milk with turmeric) and "callaloo" (meat with dasheen/taro leaves)
- Accept a refreshment when offered—refusing is considered impolite
Good to know
- Popular foods include breadfruit, yams, sweet potatoes and cassava
- Seafood such as conches (lambi), crabs and shrimps is popular, and some dishes use armadillo or iguana meat
- Chili peppers, nutmeg and mace are integral to many dishes
- Families try to share at least one meal together every day
What social etiquette should I know in Grenada?
Grenadians are very sociable people who value courtesy and always offer guests a refreshment.
Do
- Accept refreshments offered to you
- Be ready to engage in conversation—politics is a favorite topic
Don’t
- Don't refuse offered refreshments, as it's considered impolite
How should I dress in Grenada?
Grenadians take great pride in their appearance, and sloppy or overly casual dress is not the norm.
Do
- Dress neatly and take pride in your appearance
Don’t
- Don't dress sloppily or too casually
Good to know
- Red, yellow and green colors are used everywhere in clothing
What is family life like in Grenada?
Grenadian families tend to be large, with couples usually having two to six children, and extended family often living together and helping raise the children.
Good to know
- Grandparents, uncles, aunts and cousins often live in the same house or nearby
- Urban families tend to be smaller than rural ones
- Divorces are rare, though they have increased in recent decades
What sports and recreation are popular in Grenada?
Cricket, soccer (called football) and netball are the most popular sports.
Good to know
- Children play rounders, a baseball-like game using a tennis ball hit with a cricket bat
- Intercol is a popular annual event where secondary schools compete in running, jumping and other athletics
Last updated: 2026-07-12 · Sources: CountryReports
Photos of Grenada
Photos of Grenada
Travel and Tourism
Travel and Tourism
- Travel Alert Status
- Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions
- Currency
- East Caribbean dollar (XCD)
- Time Difference
- UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
- Climate
- Grenada”™s climate is sunny and tropical, averaging 80°F, with dry and rainy seasons. The dry season, January through May, is more comfortable; with cooling trade winds and occasional showers. The rainy season, June through December, has a more humid climate and moderate-to-heavy rainfall, which varies considerably each year. Temperatures drop in the evening, making it pleasantly cool. Sunrise is at 6:30 am and dusk varies between 6 and 6:30 pm, according to the time of year. The wet season is characterized by heavy rains, high wind, and hurricanes, but the last hurricane to actually hit Grenada was Hurricane Janet in 1955.
- Airports
- 3
Read the full travel guide — health, safety, vaccinations, disease risk, sanitation, and transit details.
View full travel guideRecipes
Recipes
History
History
Historical Eras
Indigenous & Pre-Contact
1000 – 1498
Grenada was inhabited first by the Arawak people and later by the more warlike Carib Indians, who displaced the Arawaks across the Lesser Antilles. The Caribs' fierce resistance to European encroachment kept the island uncolonized for well over a century after Columbus sighted it in 1498 and named it 'Concepcion' during his third voyage to the New World.
French Colonial Era
1498 – 1763
French settlers, backed by a company founded under Cardinal Richelieu, established a permanent colony in 1650 and founded the town that became Saint George's. After defeating the last Carib holdouts — who famously leaped from cliffs rather than surrender — France developed the island through sugar cultivation using enslaved labor, holding control until Britain seized Grenada during the Seven Years' War.
British Colonial Era
1763 – 1974
Formally ceded to Britain by the Treaty of Paris in 1763, Grenada underwent significant economic transformation as nutmeg and cocoa displaced sugar after natural disasters devastated the estates. Slavery was abolished in 1834, giving rise to a yeoman farming class; Grenada passed through the Windward Islands Administration and a short-lived West Indies Federation before achieving full independence on February 7, 1974.
Independence & Revolution
1974 – 1983
Sir Eric Gairy led Grenada as its first Prime Minister following independence, but his increasingly authoritarian rule was ended by the Marxist New Jewel Movement's nearly bloodless coup in March 1979. Prime Minister Maurice Bishop forged close alliances with Cuba and the Soviet Union until an internal power struggle resulted in his arrest and execution in October 1983, triggering a rapid collapse of civil order.
U.S. Intervention & Restoration
1983 – 1984
On October 25, 1983, a joint U.S.-Caribbean military force invaded Grenada in response to appeals from the Governor General and regional neighbors, swiftly neutralizing the People's Revolutionary Army and detaining hundreds of Cuban military advisers. The intervention restored constitutional order within days, and free democratic elections were held in December 1984, returning Grenada to parliamentary governance.
Modern Grenada
1984 – present
Since the restoration of democracy, Grenada has pursued a stable parliamentary system modeled on Westminster traditions, with an economy anchored in spice exports, tourism, and agriculture. The island suffered a severe setback with Hurricane Ivan in 2004, which destroyed much of its infrastructure, but undertook substantial reconstruction and continued developing diversified agricultural initiatives such as organic banana production.
Overview
Partly because of the Caribs, Grenada remained un-colonized for more than 100 years after its discovery; early English efforts to settle the island were unsuccessful. In 1650, a French company founded by Cardinal Richelieu purchased Grenada from the English and established a small settlement. After several skirmishes with the Caribs, the French brought in reinforcements from Martinique and defeated the Caribs, the last of whom leaped into the sea rather than surrender.
The island remained under French control until its capture by the British in 1762, during the Seven Years’ War. The Treaty of Paris formally ceded Grenada to Great Britain in 1763. Although the French regained control in 1779, the Treaty of Versailles restored the island to Britain in 1783. Although Britain was hard-pressed to overcome a pro-French revolt in 1795, Grenada remained British for the remainder of the colonial period.
During the 18th century, Grenada’s economy underwent an important transition. Like much of the rest of the West Indies it was originally settled to cultivate sugar, which was grown on estates using slave labor. But natural disasters paved the way for the introduction of other crops. In 1782, Sir Joseph Banks, the botanical adviser to King George III, introduced nutmeg to Grenada. The island’s soil was ideal for growing the spice, and because Grenada was a closer source of spices for Europe than the Dutch East Indies the island assumed a new importance to European traders.
The collapse of the sugar estates and the introduction of nutmeg and cocoa encouraged the development of smaller landholdings, and the island developed a land-owning yeoman farmer class. Slavery was outlawed in 1834. In 1833, Grenada became part of the British Windward Islands Administration. The governor of the Windward Islands administered the island for the rest of the colonial period. In 1958, the Windward Islands Administration was dissolved, and Grenada joined the Federation of the West Indies. After that federation collapsed in 1962, the British Government tried to form a small federation out of its remaining dependencies in the Eastern Caribbean.
Following the failure of this second effort, the British and the islands developed the concept of associated statehood. Under the Associated Statehood Act of 1967, Grenada was granted full autonomy over its internal affairs in March 1967. Full independence was granted on February 7, 1974.
After obtaining independence, Grenada adopted a modified Westminster parliamentary system based on the British model, with a governor general appointed by and representing the British monarch (head of state) and a prime minister who is both leader of the majority party and the head of government. Sir Eric Gairy was Grenada’s first Prime Minister.
On March 13, 1979, the New Joint Endeavor for Welfare, Education, and Liberation Movement (New Jewel Movement--NJM), ousted Gairy in a nearly bloodless coup and established a People’s Revolutionary Government (PRG) headed by Maurice Bishop, who became Prime Minister. His Marxist-Leninist government established close ties with Cuba, the Soviet Union, and other communist bloc countries.
In October 1983, a power struggle within the government resulted in the arrest and subsequent murder of Bishop and several members of his Cabinet by elements of the People’s Revolutionary Army (PRA).
Following a breakdown in civil order, a U.S.-Caribbean force landed on Grenada on October 25, 1983 in response to an appeal from the Governor General and to a request for assistance from the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States. U.S. citizens were evacuated, and order was restored.
An advisory council named by the Governor General administered the country until general elections were held in December 1984. The New National Party (NNP) led by Herbert Blaize won 14 out of 15 seats in free and fair elections and formed a democratic government. Grenada’s constitution had been suspended in 1979 by the PRG, but it was restored after the 1984 elections.
The NNP continued in power until 1989 but with a reduced majority. Five NNP parliamentary members, including two Cabinet ministers, left the party in 1986-87 and formed the National Democratic Congress (NDC), which became the official opposition.
In August 1989, Prime Minister Blaize broke with the NNP to form another new party, The National
Timeline of Key Events
1498
Christopher Columbus sights the islands, which he names Grenada after the Spanish city.
Christopher Columbus sights the islands, which he names Grenada after the Spanish city.
1650
French settlers from Martinique establish a colony and found Saint George’s, the present capital.
French settlers from Martinique establish a colony and found Saint George’s, the present capital.
1783
France cedes Grenada to Britain in accordance with the Treaty of Versailles.
France cedes Grenada to Britain in accordance with the Treaty of Versailles; African slaves brought in to work on the cotton, sugar and tobacco plantations.
1834
Slavery abolished.
Slavery abolished.
1974
Grenada becomes independent with Gairy as prime minister.
Grenada becomes independent with Gairy as prime minister.
2002
Major organic banana project launched in an effort to boost the industry.
Major organic banana project launched in an effort to boost the industry; 150 acres are set aside for organic cultivation.
2004
Grenada takes a direct hit from Hurricane Ivan.
Grenada takes a direct hit from Hurricane Ivan. Prime Minister Mitchell declares a national disaster; he says the island is 90% devastated.
Read the full history profile — narrative overview, defining eras, and the complete timeline in one place.
View expanded historyInteresting Facts
Interesting Facts
Canada and Grenada both became British colonies in the same year, 1763.
Julius Isaac, chief justice of the Federal Court of Canada, is of Grenadian heritage. Eddie Bullen is a Grenadian- born musician, arranger and composer who now lives in Canada.
Grenada is called the “Isle of Spice.” Nutmeg, cloves and cinnamon grow there.
The town of Sauteurs (“leapers” in French) is so named because it is believed that the last Carib warriors jumped to their death from a nearby cliff, rather than submit to the Europeans.
Governor Du Parquet of Martinique “purchased” Grenada from the Caribs in 1650. The payment was a few hatchets, some glass beads and a couple of bottles of alcohol.
By the time of the emancipation of slaves in 1834, the slave population was more than 24,000.
See every fact — trivia, oddities, and curious tidbits gathered from across the country.
View all interesting factsGeography and Environment
Geography and Environment
- Terrain
- volcanic in origin with central mountains
- Climate
- Grenada’s climate is sunny and tropical, averaging 80°F, with dry and rainy seasons. The dry season, January through May, is more comfortable; with cooling trade winds and occasional showers. The rainy season, June through December, has a more humid climate and moderate-to-heavy rainfall, which varies considerably each year. Temperatures drop in the evening, making it pleasantly cool. Sunrise is at 6:30 am and dusk varies between 6 and 6:30 pm, according to the time of year. The wet season is characterized by heavy rains, high wind, and hurricanes, but the last hurricane to actually hit Grenada was Hurricane Janet in 1955.
- Natural Hazards
- lies on edge of hurricane belt; hurricane season lasts from June to November
- Current Environmental Issues
- NA
Read the full geography and environment profile — terrain, climate, natural resources, hazards, land use, and international agreements.
View full geographyPeople & Demographics
People & Demographics
Religion
Languages Spoken
English (official), French patois
- English
- French patois
Population
- Population
- 107,818
- Population in Major Urban Areas
- SAINT GEORGE'S (capital) 41,000
- Nationality Noun
- Grenadian(s)
- Ethnic Groups
- Black 82%, mixed black and European 13%, European and East Indian 5% , and trace of Arawak/Carib Amerindian
Education
- Literacy Definition
- Age 15 and over can read and write
Read the full people and society profile — demographics, health, education, religion, languages, and notable people.
View full people and societyGovernment & Politics
Government & Politics
Country Identity
- Country Name
- Grenada
Government Structure
- Government Type
- constitutional monarchy with Westminster-style parliament
- Legal System
- based on English common law
- Executive Branch
- chief of state: King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022), represented by Governor General Dame Cecile LA GRENADE (since 7 May 2013) head of government: Prime Minister Dickon MITCHELL (since 24 June 2022) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the governor general
- Legislative Branch
- bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (a 13-member body, 10 appointed by the government and 3 by the leader of the opposition) and the House of Representatives (15 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held on 27 November 2003 (next to be held by November 2008) election results: House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NNP 46.65%, NDC 44.12%; seats by party - NNP 8, NDC 7
- Judicial Branch
- Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, consisting of a court of Appeal and a High Court of Justice (a High Court judge is assigned to and resides in Grenada)
- Suffrage
- 18 years of age; universal
- Constitution
- 19-Dec-73
- Independence
- 7 February 1974 (from UK)
- National Holiday
- Independence Day, 7 February (1974)
Capital City
- Capital Name
- Saint George's
- Capital - geographic coordinate
- 12 03 N, 61 45 W
- Capital Time Difference
- UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
The 1763 Treaty of Paris transferred possession of Grenada from France to Great Britain; the new administration renamed Ville de Fort Royal (Fort Royal Town) to Saint George's Town, after the patron saint of England; eventually the name became simply Saint George's
Military
Branches: No regular military forces; Royal Grenada Police Force (includes Coast Guard)
Read the full government profile — flag symbolism, national anthem, and other national symbols.
View full government detailsEconomy
Economy
Grenada's economy relies heavily on tourism as its main source of foreign exchange, a sector that expanded significantly after the opening of Maurice Bishop International Airport in 1984. Following a sharp downturn during the COVID-19 pandemic, tourism has rebounded strongly, supporting robust GDP growth of around 5 percent in recent years. Agriculture, particularly the export of nutmeg, mace, and cocoa, remains an important contributor, earning Grenada its nickname as the "Spice Isle." Construction, manufacturing, and education services, anchored by St. George's University, also play significant roles in national output. The government continues to pursue economic diversification through its Citizenship by Investment program, renewable energy initiatives, and efforts to strengthen resilience against climate-related shocks and external economic pressures.
Snapshot
- Currency Name and Code
- East Caribbean Dollar (XCD)
- GDP Real Growth Rate
- 2.5%
Banknotes
Budget & Public Finance
- Fiscal Year
- calendar year
- Annual Budget
- $102,100,000 (USD)
- External Debt
- $196,000,000 (USD)
- Economic Aid
- $8,300,000 (USD)
Labor, Industry & Trade
- Labor Force by Occupation
- services 62%; agriculture 24%; industry 14%
- Industries
- food and beverages, textiles, light assembly operations, tourism, construction
- Agriculture Products
- bananas, cocoa, nutmeg, mace, citrus, avocados, root crops, sugarcane, corn, vegetables
- Export Commodities
- bananas, cocoa, nutmeg, fruit and vegetables, clothing, mace
- Export Partners
- US 15.2%, Germany 13%, Bangladesh 10.9%, Netherlands 8.7%, Saint Lucia 6.5%, Antigua and Barbuda 4.3%, Dominica 4.3%, France 4.3%, Saint Kitts and Nevis 4.3%, Trinidad and Tobago 4.3%, UK 4.3%
- Import Commodities
- food, manufactured goods, machinery, chemicals, fuel
- Import Partners
- US 29.8%, Trinidad and Tobago 26.9%, UK 4.3%
Energy
- Oil Production
- 0 bbl/day
- Oil Consumption
- 1,800 bbl/day
- Oil Reserves
- 0 bbl/day
- Natural Gas Production
- 0 cu m
- Natural Gas Consumption
- 0 cu m
- Natural Gas Imports
- 0 cu m
- Natural Gas Exports
- 0 cu m
- Natural Gas Reserves
- 0 cu m
Communications
- Telephone System
- General assessment: Automatic, island-wide telephone system Domestic: Interisland VHF and UHF radiotelephone links International: Country code - 1-473; landing point for the East Caribbean Fiber Optic System (ECFS) submarine cable with links to 13 other islands in the eastern Caribbean extending from the British Virgin Islands to Trinidad; SHF radiotelephone links to Trinidad and Tobago and Saint Vincent; VHF and UHF radio links to Trinidad
- Internet Country Code
- .gd
News & Weather
News & Weather
Current Weather
Latest News
The biggest schools training America’s doctors are in the Caribbean - The Economist
The Economist · 4d ago
Grenada police investigating fatal weekend shooting - WTVA
WTVA · 15d ago
Grenada vs Haiti - Group Phase - FIBA AmeriCup 2029 Caribbean Pre-Qualifiers - FIBA Basketball
FIBA Basketball · 16d ago
WISH YOU WERE HERE – GRENADA - Travel Industry Today
Travel Industry Today · 1d ago
Grenada Campus holds Practical Nursing Pinning - Holmes Community College
Holmes Community College · 27d ago
Grenada Air Quality Index (AQI) and USA Air Pollution - IQAir
IQAir · 27d ago
Why Grenada Deserves A Spot On Responsible Travelers’ 2026 Itinerary - Forbes
Forbes · 10d ago
Dominica, Grenada and Caribbean Hidden Islands 2026: The Untouched Paradise Destinations Taking Over World Tourism - Travel And Tour World
Travel And Tour World · 1d ago
News via Google News
Climate Overview
Grenada”™s climate is sunny and tropical, averaging 80°F, with dry and rainy seasons. The dry season, January through May, is more comfortable; with cooling trade winds and occasional showers. The rainy season, June through December, has a more humid climate and moderate-to-heavy rainfall, which varies considerably each year. Temperatures drop in the evening, making it pleasantly cool. Sunrise is at 6:30 am and dusk varies between 6 and 6:30 pm, according to the time of year.
The wet season is characterized by heavy rains, high wind, and hurricanes, but the last hurricane to actually hit Grenada was Hurricane Janet in 1955.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Grenada?
How do people greet each other in Grenada?
What are dining and food customs like in Grenada?
What social etiquette should I know in Grenada?
How should I dress in Grenada?
What is family life like in Grenada?
What sports and recreation are popular in Grenada?
What is the capital of Grenada?
Where is Grenada located?
What are the ocean borders of Grenada?
What religion is practiced in Grenada?
What currency is used in Grenada?
What language is spoken in Grenada?
What is the geography of Grenada like?
What is Grenada known for?
Last reviewed 2026