Hi all,

We're starting to plan our trip for next Feb and are having a hard time picking between Grenada and the DR. Would love your opinions...Our main criteria are:

-direct short flight from NYC
-ecological diversity
-great hiking
-vibrant, friendly local culture
-small-scale, locally run tourism
-affordable (less than 70$ a night) accomodation options
-not overly americanized
-deserted, swimmable beaches, preferably some with waves
-waterfalls with swimming, and privacy (ie not like Dunn's River)
-great, cheap food
-ability to rent a car and drive safely (roads don't need to be great condition, we had an adventure driving in Costa Rica, but want to avoid the kind of maniacal driving you find on Jamaican roads for instance)

Both destinations seem to offer these things...is that right? Any thoughts on which we might prefer? My major concern with the DR is that it is over-run with AIs, with Grenada I am wondering if we can do it on a budget?

Thanks for any and all help! - Amy

I can't vouch for travel time from NYC, so I'll assume you've already researched that part, but Grenada would be perfect for what you're looking for, and it meets every single other criterion you posted. I spent the better part of two weeks there this past summer and am already planning a return trip. (Then again, I should admit that I say that about every island I've ever visited!)


Under US $70/night in the high season is a little tough but not impossible. Check out Caribbean Cottage CLub and Coral Reef Cottages for two places in that budget.

Driving around Grenada is fun and rewarding. The main roads are in very good shape, with secondary roads being more questionable. Signage is par for the course in the Caribbean, but folks are always willing to point lost drivers back on track.

While there are some major international businesses on the island, I got the sense that a large portion of the island's economy was driven by local businesses.

Grand Anse, the main beachm is the only one that could be considered busy by most standards. There are lots of smaller beaches that still maintain a sense of ruggedness or wildness.

One thing that should be a must-do for your trip would be Fish Friday in Gouyave, a town up the western coast. Every Friday they block the streets off from traffic and line it with various vendors selling every manner of seafood you can imagine. Throw in a couple of stands selling beers, sodas, and desserts plus some live music and you've got a nice street party!

Check out www.grenadatravelforum.com for a nice travel forum dedicated to Grenada and Carriacou.

Grenada is wonderful! A great place to stay is at the little hotel at La Sagesse Nature Center. Completely unspoiled beach setting, as if it were the beginning of time.

I agree with xkenx that La Sagesse is a real gem on an island already highly blessed with natural beauty. The rates there are more than twice what Amy wants to pay, but it's a great place to spend the day (or a few days). www.lasagesse.com

hi all,
thanks so much for your thoughtful responses - Grenada will definitely stay on our list! But in the past 24 hours we have done an about-face in our planning and have decided this is our year for a major long-haul trip! Since we are hoping to start a family soon, we realized we might not have the chance again for a long while...

So the new plan is Vietnam (and probably Cambodia, Laos, or Thailand), along with my parents (my dad served there during the war, but hasn't been back since). So I will soon be posting to the Asia pages for help...

many thanks,
Amy

Amy, it sounds like you have a fabulous trip in front of you. Just keep Grenada on the back burner--it would be a perfect place for travel with children!

That's what we were thinking...
: )