Driving in Grenada: Is It Hard? Complete Guide
November 5th 2026
By Jean Genevieve
Driving in Grenada is manageable if you buy the EC$60 local permit (about US$22), stay on the left and plan for slow roads. A rental car suits trips beyond Grand Anse. Taxis and minibuses suit a stay on the south coast.
A 20 km mountain drive here can take 45 minutes, roughly 27 km/h on average.
Do you need a permit for driving in Grenada?
Yes. Visitors need a local temporary permit as well as their home country driving licence. It costs EC$60 and usually lasts 3 months. Buy it at the Central Police Station on The Carenage in St. George's, or let your rental agency arrange it at pickup. The Grenada Tourism Authority confirms the fee.
An international driving permit (IDP) does not replace it, and driving without it is a serious offence. Our estimate: the permit adds about US$7 a day on a 3 day rental and US$3 a day on 7 days.
Is driving in Grenada difficult for first time visitors?
It depends on your route. The Grenada Road Ladder is our quick way to judge it:
Rung one: St. George's, Grand Anse and Lance aux Epines. Paved, busy and slow, with roundabouts to handle.
Rung two: Grenville and the east coast. Longer drives with more bends.
Rung three: Grand Etang and the northern parishes. Steepest and narrowest, often without shoulders or guardrails.
On every rung, expect left hand traffic, blind corners, potholes, speed bumps and pedestrians walking on the road, as UK government travel advice notes. Goats and dogs wander out too. Limits are about 20 mph (32 km/h) in towns and 40 mph (64 km/h) elsewhere, with few signs. Seat belts are compulsory. Road lighting is limited, so finish long drives before dark.
Should tourists rent a car or take taxis in Grenada?
Rent a car if you plan 3 or more days of sightseeing beyond the south coast. Choose taxis and buses if you will mostly stay near Grand Anse.
Option | Typical cost | Best for | Main limit |
|---|---|---|---|
Rental car | About US$50 to US$67 a day plus permit | Grand Etang, Grenville, waterfalls | Left side and steep hills |
Taxi | About US$13, St. George's to Grand Anse | Short trips | Cost rises with distance |
Minibus | EC$2.50 to EC$6.50 | Budget travel | Runs about 6 am to 9 pm, Monday to Saturday |
Water taxi | EC$25 to EC$30 one way | Grand Anse to The Carenage | One route only |
Taxis are not metered, so agree the fare first and ask whether the driver belongs to the Grenada Taxi Association. Carriacou and Petite Martinique are best reached by sea or a short flight, so leave the car behind for those.
Which car suits driving in Grenada?
A compact car handles most roads and parks easily in St. George's. Pick an SUV for rural estates, waterfalls and the north. Price trackers put small cars roughly 37 to 40 percent below other types, and it pays to check rental car insurance before buying extras.
Before you drive away:
Confirm the permit is on your paperwork.
Check tyres and brakes, since hills are steep.
Photograph every scratch.
If you collect through Maurice Bishop International Airport car rental, spend the first hour on quiet roads before heading inland.
Frequently asked questions
What should you do after an accident in Grenada?
Call 911, wait for the police and photograph the scene. Then tell your rental company before arranging any repairs.
How long does driving in Grenada take around the island?
A full loop takes roughly 3 to 5 hours without stops. Allow 7 to 8 hours if you want waterfalls and beaches.
Are Grenada roads safe for small rental cars?
Small cars handle the main roads well. Steep inland roads and heavy rain call for extra caution.
Ready to start driving in Grenada?
A car turns a south coast holiday into a full island trip, with Grand Etang, spice estates and quiet beaches on your own schedule. Final Rentals works with a local partner in Grenada and connects you with local rental companies, so you can compare cars and prices in one place.
You can rent a car in Grenada in a few minutes, or book your affordable car rental with FinalRentals and pick it up at the airport. Read our guide to things to do in Grenada to plan your route.
About the author
Jean Genevieve is a travel and car rental content specialist at FinalRentals, creating practical travel content that showcases partner locations worldwide. Her work focuses on helping international travellers understand rental requirements, driving considerations, road conditions, insurance and self drive planning before they travel.
