Why You Should Plan an Epic Beach Escape in Grenada This Winter
Update 12/20/16: This post originally referenced upcoming JetBlue Mint service from Boston, however the airline will only be launching flights from New York at this time.
Jetsetters tend to flock to St. Barts while honeymooners hole up in luxe lodgings on Saint Lucia, but just 100 miles north of Venezuela lies another island that’s one of the Caribbean’s best-kept secrets come wintertime. The 120-square-mile island of Grenada, nestled between St. Vincent and Trinidad and Tobago, has all the makings of a secluded winter retreat. Here's why Grenada deserves a spot on your travel bucket list this season.
1. JetBlue Is Launching Mint Service From New York
You can already redeem miles to book flights to Grenada’s Maurice Bishop International Airport (GND) on Air Canada, American Airlines, Delta and JetBlue from cities like Miami, New York, Atlanta and Toronto. Starting January 2017, JetBlue is expanding its Mint service to the island, with seasonal Saturday service from New York (JFK) and introductory round-trip fares starting around $854 — or around 57,400 TrueBlue points — plus tax.
2. Grenada's Less Crowded Than the Most of the Caribbean
During the winter months, the Caribbean is a hot spot for cruise lines and snowbirds escaping the cold. While islands like Jamaica are built up with all-inclusive resorts and luxury hotels, Grenada is still relatively untouched — you won’t find a ton of big-name brands here. Instead, the island maintains its rustic charm with homestays and independently-owned hotels starting as low as $50 per night.
The majority of the hotels are clustered in the southern part of the island near Grand Anse Beach. If you’re looking for something on the more luxurious side, book a stay at five-star, family-run hotel Calabash, made up of 30 island-chic suites and five estate homes complete with private plunge pools overlooking the bay. Rates here start at about $500 per night for a junior suite.
For a super-secluded stay and beachfront access, the 21-suite-and-villa Mount Cinnamon hotel runs down the hillside leading to Grand Anse Beach and features a fully outfitted beach club with massage cabanas and a five-star PADI dive center, Dive Grenada. Rates start around $425 per night for a one-bedroom villa.
One option for a points-hotel stay along Grand Anse is the 229-room Radisson Grenada Beach Resort, which sits on a 1,200-foot stretch of white-sand beach and features everything from a scuba-diving center to pool-side grills and tennis courts. Rates start at about $277 or 50,000 points per night.
3. It's the Diving Capital of the Eastern Caribbean
The Grenadines have earned the nickname "Dive Capital of the Eastern Caribbean” thanks to more than 50 sites that include shipwrecks and underwater sculpture parks, with visibility ranging from 30 to 100 feet. (The Grenadines is the name of the island chain that's shared by the governments of St. Vincent and Grenada, with the southern islands, including Carriacou and Petit Martinique, belonging to Grenada.) One of the most famous scuba sites in the islands, the Bianca C, is an underwater ship that lies on the bottom of the harbor of the island’s capital, St. George's. The Italian luxury liner sank here in 1961 and is considered to be the Caribbean’s largest shipwreck.
Snorkelers can get in on the action in Grenada at the Underwater Sculpture Park — the world’s first — just a 10-minute boat ride from Grand Anse Beach. On a recent trip, I had a chance to explore the site with Dive Grenada owner Phil Saye, who helped install more than 60 of the underwater sculptures crafted by British artist Jason Taylor.
4. The Whole Island's Easy to Explore
Measuring about 21 miles long and 12 miles wide, Grenada is an easy island to explore in just a day or two. Rent a car for as low as $50 per day and skirt the coast, stopping to explore sites like the River Antoine Rum Distillery, the oldest water-propelled distillery in the Caribbean dating back to the 19th century, or St. George’s daily Craft and Spice Market, with its 80-plus booths set up in an area that’s been nicknamed the “Portofino of the Caribbean.”
Grenada is also full of natural wonders ranging from waterfalls — Annandale Falls is a prime spot for swimming and picnicking — to hikes hugging lake shorelines and rainforests. If you want to experience all five of the island’s sub-climates at once, set off on the Shoreline Trail at Grand Etang Lake, a 90-minute hike around the extinct volcano that's lined with rare orchids and home to a variety of tropical birds and wildlife like the mongoose and the Mona monkey, originally carried to the island during the 18th century on slave ships from West Africa.
5. Festival Season Is Full of Fun
The end of January marks the start of festival season on the island with the annual four-day sailing festival, featuring yacht racing off Grenada’s southern coast. The second weekend of the event is part of the Southern Caribbean Regatta Circuit with traditions dating back to the island's sea-trading days, the highlight being a work-boat regatta that starts at Grand Anse Beach.
January is also the start of the colorful Carriacou Carnival season — influenced by Grenada's history with African slaves and French colonizers — featuring calypso music, carnivals and street parades leading up to the main event on Feb. 27, 2017, on Carriacou, the larger of the two other islands of the Grenadines.
What are some of your favorite things to do in Grenada? Tell us about them, below.
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
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- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
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You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.