Last Updated: April 15, 2024
This report covers Grenada, served by the Barbados & Eastern Caribbean OSAC Chapter and the U.S. Embassy in Bridgetown. OSAC Country Security Reports are available for these locations across the region:
- OSAC’s Eastern Caribbean Country Security Report covers Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, British Virgin Islands, Dominica, Montserrat, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
- OSAC’s Barbados Country Security Report is country-specific.
- OSAC's French Caribbean Country Security report covers Guadeloupe, Martinique, St. Barthélemy, and French St. Martin.
- OSAC’s Dutch Caribbean Country Security Report includes Dutch Sint Maarten and Dutch territories outside of the Eastern Caribbean.
Travel Advisory
The current U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory at the date of this report’s publication assesses that travelers should exercise normal precautions in Grenada. Review OSAC’s report, Understanding the Consular Travel Advisory System.
Crime Environment
The U.S. Department of State has assessed St. Georges as being a low-threat location for crime directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Crime “C” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Grenada.
The crime emergency line in Grenada is 911. Review the State Department’s Crime Victims Assistance brochure.
Crime: General Threat
Regional police forces usually cooperate with U.S. counterparts. However, response time to law enforcement and security requests can at times be quite slow due to inadequate funding, lack of equipment and training, and staffing shortages. Criminals do not specifically target U.S. travelers visiting Grenada. Tourism is a major contributor to regional economies. Those residing in Grenada do not always enjoy the same level of police protection that regional governments provide to tourist areas.
While violent crime and homicide rates have increased slightly over the last two years, most violent crime occurs between members of rival groups, and does not target tourists or spill over into tourist areas. There is no serious risk to travelers from violent crime. There is also minimal risk of petty theft; while travelers should always exercise caution and guard their belongings, street crime targeting tourists is not common.
The Global Organized Crime Index is a tool designed to measure levels of organized crime in a given country and assess its resilience to organized criminal activity. The most recent index ranks Grenada 179 out of 193 worldwide for criminality, with 1 being the worst possible ranking; and 84 out of 193 worldwide for resilience, with 1 being the best possible ranking.
Crime: Areas of Concern
There are no specific geographic areas of concern. Undertake travel outside of tourist areas with caution, especially at night, due to the prevalence of unmarked and unlighted roads. Be vigilant when using public telephones or ATMs, especially those located near roadsides or in secluded areas.
Review OSAC’s reports, All That You Should Leave Behind, Hotels: The Inns and Outs, Considerations for Hotel Security, and Taking Credit.
Kidnapping Threat
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Kidnapping “K” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Grenada. Review OSAC’s reports, Kidnapping: The Basics and Active Shooter and Kidnapping Response Tips.
Kidnapping appears to be a relatively rare phenomenon in Grenada, consistently ranking near the bottom of reported crimes.
Drug Crime
Many tourists report being harassed by individuals attempting to sell illegal narcotics. In years past, there have been a few cases where U.S. tourists alleged that someone had slipped a “date rape” drug (e.g., Rohypnol or “roofies”, PCP, scopolamine) into their drinks or food. Do not leave drinks or food unattended while at public venues.
Grenada laws prohibiting the purchase, possession, transportation, sale, or use of illegal substances; but effective enforcement of these laws is somewhat reduced by lack of resources. Grenada has small-scale cannabis cultivation, and is a lesser transshipment point for marijuana and cocaine to the United States.
While local drug dealers do get involved in shootings, this type of activity is localized and not directed at bystanders. The region is primarily a drug transshipment point from South America (e.g., Peru, Colombia, Bolivia, and Venezuela) to Europe, West Africa, the British Virgin Islands, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S.
Consult with the CIA World Factbook’s section on Illicit Drugs for country-specific information.
Terrorism Environment
The U.S. Department of State has assessed St. George’s as being a LOW-threat location for terrorism directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Terrorism “T” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Grenada.
Terrorism: General Threat
There is minimal risk from terrorism in the region. Though specific terrorism incident reporting from the Eastern Caribbean remains relatively low, the region has several vulnerabilities that terrorist elements could exploit, such as porous borders, established narcotic and alien smuggling routes, and limited counter-terrorism capabilities. The exploitation of one of these vulnerabilities could have serious implications for U.S. organizations based in the Caribbean, and the Caribbean tourism trade in general.
Political Violence and Civil Unrest Environment
The U.S. Department of State has assessed St. George’s as being a LOW-threat location for political violence directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Civil Unrest “U” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Grenada. Civil unrest can develop quickly without prior notice, often interrupting logistics and services. Avoid demonstration activity, as even those planned to remain peaceful have the potential to turn violent.
Elections/Political Stability
The islands of the Eastern Caribbean are peaceful and have experienced little political violence or revolution. The political climates are stable, with little threat of political violence. Labor riots in the 1930s were the last major event to transcend the entire region. The last major political incident in the region occurred in 1983, when a military coup took place in Grenada, leading to a U.S.-led military intervention.
Grenada is a parliamentary democracy with a bicameral legislature. Grenada held a snap election in June 2022, with incumbent Prime Minister Keith Mitchell seeking a sixth term. The National Democratic Congress party defeated the New National Party, leading Dickon Mitchell to assume the role of Prime Minister.
Protest & Demonstration Activity
Public protests and demonstrations are rare in Grenada. Most civil unrest is connected to labor issues, which are usually settled by union and government intervention.
Review OSAC’s report, Surviving a Protest.
Law Enforcement Concerns: Security Agencies
The Royal Grenada Police Force has the responsibility for law enforcement and reports to the National Security Ministry. The country does not have a military force, but has a tactical special services unit under the Royal Grenada Police Force that operates similar to a military division. Civilian authorities maintain effective control over the security forces. There have been no recent reports that members of the security forces committed abuses.
Police Response
The level of professionalism and quality of service can vary, and the level of protection is directly proportional to an incident’s possible impact on the tourist trade. Areas tourists frequent command a more visible police presence.
Generally, uniformed police are adequate to have an influence on crime deterrence, but uniformed police response to alarms or emergency calls are sometimes below U.S. standards. Police performance and conduct varies from poor to acceptable in professionalism and training, and resource/manpower limitations inhibit deterrence and response effectiveness. It is not uncommon to wait an hour or more for police response.
The use of foul language in the presence of a police officer can lead to arrest or prosecution.
Any U.S. citizen detained or harassed by police or other security services should immediately contact American Citizen Services (ACS) at the U.S. Consulate in St. George’s or the U.S. Embassy in Barbados during business hours, or the U.S. Embassy duty officer during non-business hours or holidays.
Law Enforcement Concerns: Emergency Contact/Information
The crime emergency line in Grenada is 911.
Transportation Security
Road Safety
In Grenada, vehicles drive on the left side of the road. Seat belts are mandatory; authorities may fine violators EC$1,000 (US$400) for noncompliance. In an accident, you may receive a fine if you do not have a local driver’s license, regardless of who is at fault. Vehicle rental companies may assist in applying for a temporary driver’s license.
If you become involved in a vehicle accident, do not move vehicles unless absolutely necessary, remain calm, call police, call insurance or rental company, standby for insurance adjuster/or rental company representative, and wait to move vehicles until instructed by authorities.
For detailed, country-specific road and vehicle safety information, read the World Health Organization’s Global Status Report on Road Safety.
Review OSAC’s reports, Road Safety Abroad, Driving Overseas: Best Practices, and Evasive Driving Techniques; and read the State Department’s webpage on driving and road safety abroad.
Public Transportation Safety
Exercise appropriate caution after dark when using buses or taxis. Take taxis to and from restaurants and ask whether the driver is a member of the Grenada Taxi Association (GTA). GTA members must pass additional driving tests and receive training from the Grenada Tourism Board. They are generally reliable and knowledgeable about the country and its attractions.
Aviation Concerns
Maurice Bishop International Airport (GND) in Grenada is an important and reliable port of entry, located on the outskirts of St. George’s. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the government of Grenada’s Civil Aviation Authority as compliant with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards for oversight of Grenada’s air carrier operations.
Review OSAC’s Report, Security in Transit: Airplanes, Public Transport, and Overnights; and consider the European Union Air Safety List.
Maritime Security
Small boat owners may offer to take you to, and between islands. Before accepting, check to be sure that the boat carries life preservers and a radio. Generally, the threat to maritime security is low in the region. Piracy is a rare occurrence. The Regional Security System (RSS) works with several countries to secure the maritime environment through drug interdiction and search and rescue.
Personal Identity & Human Rights Concerns
Significant human rights issues include the existence of laws criminalizing consensual sexual conduct between men, but the law has not been enforced recently.
Safety Concerns for Women Travelers
The law prohibits sexual harassment, but there are no criminal penalties for it. The government noted it was a persistent problem. Some employers took steps to educate employees and reduce harassment, which resulted in the termination of employment in some cases.
Women generally enjoy the same legal status and rights as men, including under family, religious, personal status, and nationality laws, as well as laws related to labor, property, inheritance, employment, access to credit, and owning or managing businesses or property. The law mandates equal pay for equal work. The law does not provide for civil or criminal penalties for sexual harassment in employment. There was no evidence of formal discrimination in such areas as marriage, divorce, child custody, education, the judicial process, and other institutions, including housing, although the law does not explicitly prohibit discrimination based on gender for access to credit. The government enforces the law effectively.
The Solo Female Travel Safety Index combines the experiences of solo female travelers with other reliable indices to award a single rating indicating the relative security female travelers might experience in a given country. The qualitative portion of the index examines risk of scam, theft, and harassment, as well as the country’s perceived attitude towards women. As of the date of this report’s publication, Grenada has a score of 1.5 on a scale of 1.0 (safest) to 4.0 (least safe), although the score is based on incomplete information. All solo female travelers are able to share their solo travel experiences by signing up with the Solo Female Travelers portal; the organization draws qualitative data from women traveling solo, depending on active participation and honest information.
Consider composite scores given to Grenada by the UN Development Program (UNDP) in its Gender Development Index, measuring the difference between average achievement in three basic dimensions of human development, and Gender Inequality Index, measuring inequality in achievement in reproductive health, empowerment, and the labor market. For more information on gender statistics in Grenada, see the World Bank's Gender Data Portal.
Review the State Department’s webpage for female travelers.
Safety Concerns for LGBTI+ Travelers
The law criminalizes consensual same-sex sexual conduct between men, and provides penalties of up to 10 years’ imprisonment. The government does not actively enforce the law. The law makes no provision for same-sex sexual conduct between women.
No laws specifically prohibit discrimination in employment, housing, education, health care, access to government services, and essential goods and services against a person based on sexual orientation or gender identity. There were no reports that police or other government agents incited, perpetrated, condoned, or tolerated violence against LGBTI+ individuals or those reporting on such abuse. There were also no reports of involuntary or coercive medical or psychological practices specifically targeting LGBTI+ individuals.
The Equaldex Equality Index measures the status of LGBTI+ rights, laws, and freedoms, as well as public attitudes towards LGBTI+ people around the world. As of this report’s publication date, Grenada has a score of 25/100, ranking 136 out of 198 countries on the index.
Consider information from Destination Pride, a data-driven search platform associated with PFLAG Canada that visualize the world's LGBTQ+ laws, rights, and social sentiment; as well as from ILGA World, a worldwide federation that produces an annual map showing sexual orientation laws from around the world, available in multiple languages.
Review OSAC’s report, Supporting LGBT+ Employee Security Abroad, and the State Department’s webpage on security for LGBTI travelers.
Safety Concerns for Travelers with Disabilities
Individuals with mobility issues may find accessibility difficult. Although the law does not mandate access to public buildings or services, building owners increasingly incorporate accessibility access into new construction and renovated premises. Since public transportation is private, the law does not mandate any special consideration for individuals with mobility issues.
Review the State Department’s webpage on security for travelers with disabilities.
Safety Concerns for Travelers Based on Race, Religion, & Ethnicity
There are no specific safety concerns for racial, religious, or ethnic minorities in Grenada.
The law provides for the prosecution of any individual who perpetrates any act of racial or ethnic violence against minorities or persons in general. The government enforces the law effectively.
There have been no reports of any governmental or societal violence or discrimination against members of racial, ethnic, or national minorities. Police and other government agents do not incite, perpetuate, condone, or tolerate such violence or abuse. Review the latest U.S Department of State Report on International Religious Freedom for country-specific information.
Review OSAC’s report, Freedom to Practice, and the State Department’s webpage on security for faith-based travelers.
Anti-U.S./Anti-Western Sentiment
U.S. travelers and organizations in Grenada have not been the focus of terrorist actions, crime, or political violence based on their nationality. Peaceful protests are rare and do not target U.S. interests.
Concerns involving the Rule of Law, Arbitrary Detention, Official Harassment, Corruption &/or Transparency
The law provides criminal, civil, and administrative penalties for corruption by officials and is implemented effectively. There have been isolated allegations by the political opposition and some members of media regarding government corruption, but none proved credible.
The law prohibits arbitrary arrest and detention and provides for the right of any person to challenge in court the lawfulness of his or her arrest or detention. The government generally observes these requirements. There is an independent and impartial judiciary for civil matters, including human rights violations. Defendants may appeal any High Court decision, including human rights decisions, to the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court.
The Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index ranks Grenada 53 out of 180 worldwide, where 1 means most transparent.
The World Justice Project Rule of Law Index measures how the rule of law is experienced and perceived worldwide based on surveys in 139 countries and jurisdictions, and is the leading source for original, independent data on the rule of law. The most recent index ranks Grenada 49 out of 139 worldwide, where 1 means the strongest perceived rule of law.
Communication Issues
The law provides for freedom of expression, including for the press, and the government generally respects this right. An independent press, an effective judiciary, and a functioning democratic political system combines to promote freedom of expression, including for the press. The government does not restrict or disrupt access to the internet or censor online content.
The Freedom House Freedom in the World report rates Grenada freedom of speech as free.
Review OSAC’s report, Lèse Majesté: Watching what you say (and type) abroad.
Health Concerns
Medical care in Grenada is below U.S. standards. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services. Serious medical problems requiring hospitalization and/or medical evacuation to the U.S. can cost thousands of dollars.
Ambulance service (911) is available, but response times vary greatly. Pharmacies are usually well stocked and prescription medicine is available. A hyperbaric chamber is available.
Find contact information for available medical services and available air ambulance services on the U.S. Embassy website. The U.S. Department of State strongly recommends purchasing international health insurance before traveling internationally. Review the State Department’s webpage on health insurance overseas.
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Health “H” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Grenada. Review the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) country-specific Travel Health Notices for current health issues that impact traveler health, like disease outbreaks, special events or gatherings, and natural disasters.
See OSAC’s Guide to U.S. Government-Assisted Evacuations; review OSAC’s reports, The Healthy Way, Shaken: The Don’ts of Alcohol Abroad, Health 101: How to Prepare for Travel, and Fire Safety Abroad; and visit the State Department’s webpage on Your Health Abroad for more information.
Vaccinations
Dengue is prevalent in Grenada. Strongly consider COVID-19 vaccination prior to travel.
Review the CDC Travelers’ Health site for country-specific vaccine recommendations.
Issues Traveling with Medications
No known issues with traveling with medications.
Review OSAC’s report, Traveling with Medication.
Water Quality
Water throughout the Eastern Caribbean is generally potable from the tap.
Review OSAC’s report, I’m Drinking What in My Water?
Environmental Hazards
The Eastern Caribbean is prone to tropical storms and hurricanes, with the season lasting from June through November. The most recent hurricane to strike Grenada was in the summer of 2017. While hurricane-force winds cause much of the damage, even storms without such powerful winds can cause extensive flooding damage through sheer quantity of rainfall due largely to inadequate drainage infrastructure.
Grenada has the only known submarine volcano (Kick 'em Jenny) in the region, located five miles offshore. The first recorded eruption occurred in 1939. Studies dating back to 1972 indicate that minor eruptions have been occurring on a regular basis, and that the summit of the volcano is growing at a rate of approximately four meters (13 feet) per year. The potential hazard of Kick 'em Jenny to Grenada and the rest of the Eastern Caribbean comes in the form of tsunamis, should a major, underwater volcanic eruption occur. In April 2021, La Soufrière volcano in St. Vincent erupted multiple times, dumping ash on St. Vincent, Grenada, St. Lucia, and Barbados. No casualties were reported.
Cybersecurity Concerns
Cybersecurity attacks frequently target public institutions, financial institutions, and critical infrastructure. Many of the Eastern Caribbean police forces are ill-equipped to prevent and investigate these types of attacks and intrusions. In recent years, Grenada government websites were targets of cyberattack. The governments of the Eastern Caribbean appear to be taking some steps to develop better investigative infrastructure for cyber incidents as evidenced by the 2017 opening of the Regional Security Systems Digital Forensic Laboratory, significantly enhancing their ability to investigate crimes with a digital nexus. Digital security remains a concern in the region, particularly with ATM fraud, credit card fraud and other cybercrimes.
Review OSAC’s reports, Cybersecurity Basics, Best Practices for Maximizing Security on Public Wi-Fi, Traveling Abroad with Mobile Devices, and Guide for Overseas Satellite Phone Usage.
Counterintelligence Issues
There are no specific counterintelligence issues in Grenada.
Other Security Concerns
Landmines
This country has no known issues with landmines.
Import/Export Restrictions
It is illegal in Grenada, even for children, to wear camouflage clothing or carry items made with camouflage material. Do not enter any Eastern Caribbean country with firearms or ammunition without prior express consent from the host nation government.
A country-specific listing of items/goods prohibited from being exported to the country or that are otherwise restricted is available from the U.S. International Trade Agency website.
Photography
A permit is needed to conduct photography via drone.
Review OSAC’s report, Picture This: Dos and Don’ts for Photography.
ID Requirements
Grenada has no specific ID requirements.
Critical Infrastructure Concerns
Most utilities are above ground. A hurricane or earthquake would potentially disrupt power and internet connectivity, effectively cutting off all but satellite communication in the country. Many countries rely on large diesel power plants for power.
OSAC Country Chapters
The Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean Chapter is active and meets semi-annually, with smaller breakout meetings focusing on specific countries.
Contact OSAC’s Americas team with any questions.
Embassy Contact Information
U.S. Embassy: L’Anse aux Epines Main Road, St. George’s. Tel: 1-473-444-1173/4/5/6, Emergency 1-473-407-2495, StGeorgesACS@state.gov.
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