Is Grenada the Ideal vacation spot for us?
 

Hey everyone,

My best friend and I are planning a trip to the carribean/mexico in June. We have been doing quite a lot of research, and have been looking into Grenada. We previously posted on many websites asking for suggestions and opinions, as we were narrowing it down to grenada and the dominican. However, quite a few people suggested that while Grenada is a beautiful island, it can be too quiet.

We are 2 girls in early/mid twenties looking for a relaxing vacation. Interested in a nice beach that is open late, however we are also looking for a reasonable crowd of people (not too crowded) and a good number of bars and cafes on the beach along with nice music to dance to at bars on the beach (no raging clubs) as it turns dark. Also into exploring the culture and safety is important. Not looking for an all inclusive resort, preferably a safe and clean condo to rent or a boutique hotel.

Someone commented saying that there aren't any bars on the beach and it can be too quiet. Another person said Grenada is more nature-oriented and better for people who are into hiking/exploring the land. People suggested Playa del Carmen in Mexico which would be really nice, but we aren't into the crowded tourists/full of resorts vibe :)

Is Grenada ideal for us and if not, any suggestions? Any place in the carribean and mexico is fair game :)

You've gotten a lot of good advice on your other thread and,. quite frankly, you are asking essentially the same question so you'll probably get a lot of the same answers.

While I don't usually like to disparage a particular destination I doubt Grenada will have what you are seeking - it's going to by way too "quiet" for you based on what you've indicated in this and your other thread.

The problem you face is any island that has an abundance of cafes and bars on the beach will have more people. It's like the line from the movie "Field of Dreams" - if you build it they will come!. In other words, people will always gravitate toward places that have "facilities". And the converse is also true, uncrowded islands won't have a lot of bars and cafes - no one opens up a tourist oriented business if there aren't any tourists.

If Playa del Carmen doesn't appeal to you look at St. Kitts - if you stay in the Frigate Bay area of the island you'll be able to walk to at least 1/2 dozen bear bars and about 10 restaurants. You might also like the Grand Case area on St. Martin - it offers several very nice boutique hotels plus a very nice small town with a number of nearby waterfront restaurants, a few bars and some Lolos (street side places where you can dine on ribs, chicken and other local foods grilled on an open fire).

I took my family, including two "twenty somethings", 2 years ago. It was a magical trip. The beaches. The waterfalls. By far the best I've done, and I've been to a number of Caribbean Islands. In fact, am planning a college graduation trip for my daughter right now and she surprisingly said "I'd like to go back to Grenada"! (We're looking at St. Lucia now just for a change).

It's not an Aruba or Barbados like island that's really "westernized" with lots of bars, parties, discos etc. So if that's what you want, that's not Grenada.

It does have some of the nicest, friendliest people. Truly welcoming. The island needs tourism and they appreciate it. Mostly British, but many Americans go there as well.

It was a "once in a lifetime" trip for us.