• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

The Professional Hobo

Traveling full-time in a financially sustainable way

  • ABOUT
  • BLOG
  • DESTINATIONS MAP
  • TRAVEL STUFF
  • CONTACT
  • BOOKS/COURSES

Driving in Grenada

Last Updated: September 17, 2018

Driving in Grenada

Driving in Grenada, I slam on the brakes. On the bank is a goat grazing dangerously close to the road. In front of me a driver stopped suddenly to chat with a friend on a road-side porch. In front of him is a wheelbarrow, inexplicably sitting on the road. In trying to manoeuvre around these obstacles, I skirt between a massive pot-hole with a muffler sitting in the bottom and the road’s edge (which involves a steep drop-off). Just ahead are more parked cars I’ll have to get around once I’ve let traffic coming the other way through. Adding further to the chaos, I plan to stop randomly at the side of the road myself to get some barbecued chicken.

 

Driving in Grenada is an off-road adventure, even when you’re on the road. A standard jaunt will probably result in your vehicle (at at least a few junctures) being on a highly vertical angle, navigating pot holes, broken concrete, and speed bumps that will take out the undercarriage of a car, and braking hard for anything from goats to buses to falling coconuts.

Anything goes.

 

Arriving and Driving

Having just come from the chaos of Vietnam and experiencing Saigon’s mad bike-filled streets, I learned that even among chaos, there is rhythm. And feeling that rhythm from the back of a bike in Saigon was one of the best preparations I could have had for Grenada.

It all boils down to “flow” (something I’ve often said encapsulates my attitude towards Grenada in general). In Vietnam, as well as Grenada, driving is about being alert to the possibility – nay, the probability – that anything can happen, and you just need to react to and move around it.

 

Avoiding Hazards

Here are some specific things you just might have to navigate and “flow” around while driving in Grenada. Put them all together on a short stretch of road and you’ll get a sense of the adventure!

Speed Bumps

You ain’t seen a speed bump until you’ve seen one so big that a regular car has to stop entirely and take it on an angle across the whole road in order to avoid scraping the undercarriage. These bad boys are not to be messed with, they’re all over the place, and they’re easy to miss at night.

Speed bumps are one of many reasons why the best vehicle to have in Grenada is a 4wd, or at least a jeep-style vehicle with certain “off-road” capabilities.

 

Narrow Roads

The roads in Grenada are reminiscent of some of the shockingly narrow roads I navigated in the south of France a few years ago. These roads which barely have any business fitting two cars side-by-side, also boast great views – which often means a sheer drop on at least one side.

 

Parking

There doesn’t seem to be any rules on where you can park. Need to stop somewhere? Then stop. Let’s just hope the guy behind you knows you’re stopping and moves around you instead of banging into you. But on a narrow roadway (see above), a parked car often also means only one car can get by in either direction. So be prepared to wait in line for cars to come through one way, before you can pass yourself.

 

Communicating

A system of light double-toots of the horn seems to say anything from “hello” to “thank you” to “get out of the way” to “I just slept with your wife”. You know how it goes.

St George's

 

Potholes

Potholes are everywhere, they’re often deep, and sometimes wide. One in particular that plagued me regularly was (literally) over 1.5 metres in diameter and at least 0.5 metres deep. And it was smack-dab in the centre of the road. This pothole eats cars. And considering the entire width of the road isn’t much more than 2.5-3 metres, this puppy didn’t leave much room to avoid it either.

 

Twisty Turns

With lush green foliage dotted with houses and small streets making up most of the countryside (which in turn makes up most of the country of Grenada), the roads bend and flex with the land itself, curving up, down, and around the mountainous landscape. And when the roads are as narrow as they are, you’re often forced to cautiously roll around the corner (with its uneven pavement and potholes), ever-watchful for a car coming the opposite way (ideally driving just as cautiously).

 

Vertical Pitch

As a Canadian, if I see a highly steep road or driveway, my first thought is “how do they shovel and get up these roads when it’s icy in winter”? Despite not having seen winter for over five years now, this somehow remains ingrained in me.

But here in Grenada, you’ll turn up a nearly vertical road that looks more like an alleyway than a two-lane road. It might then degenerate into a pot-hole-ridden dirt path (which is still considered a two-lane road). These sorts of roads eat cars, and yet, they are thoroughfares.

At least there’s no snow to shovel.

 

Buses

Buses in Greanda are high-top minivans. Onboard there’s a driver (who drives), and a “conductor” who hangs out the window looking for people who need a ride, helps passengers to shift around to make room for new passengers or let off old ones, and collect the fare (which varies according to your destination). They’ll stop anywhere for anybody; just wave them down.

Now. If the bus has seats available, it crawls at a painful pace, beeping at everybody they see in the hopes of finding a fare. They’re also fairly easy to pass, and the driver will often stick their hand out the window to indicate that it’s safe to go around.

If the bus is full, they rocket through the countryside, taking the frequent sharp turns like they’re not the tall awkward minivans that they are. If adrenalin is your thing, all you need in Grenada is bus fare.

 

Animals

Stray dogs (of which there are many), cats, chickens, and goats tied up and grazing at the side of the road are frequent streetwalkers, requiring diligent attention. But don’t just watch for animals; quite literally anything could find its way into the road and make itself a hazard. Be prepared!

beware of goats!

 

Drinking and Driving

What’s that?

People laughed at me when I asked what the drinking and driving regulations are in Grenada. And with a local rum shop every few hundred metres, you’d better be prepared to navigate all the above hazards – in addition to other drivers – like a pro.

 

Putting it all Together

I love to drive in Grenada. Although it requires a sharp mind and ability to move around just about anything in a pinch, it’s also actually quite easy if you get into the groove.

Here’s a very short video that gives you a bit of an idea of what I’m talking about:

Email Subscribers, click here to watch the video on YouTube

 

Filed Under: Grenada, Video Clips

About the Author: As a former CFP (Certified Financial Planner), Nora Dunn has been traveling the world full-time since 2006. Now a celebrated author, speaker, and freelance writer, Nora teaches people how to travel full-time in a financially sustainable way. Read More…

 

 

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Ed Rex says

    January 12, 2012 at 4:49 pm

    With all that driving, perhaps you could be qualified for Formula One Racing?

    Reply
  2. theprofessionalhobo says

    January 13, 2012 at 10:38 am

    @Ed – Lucky for other drivers in Grenada, I’ve already got the racing experience under my belt!
    (Okay maybe it wasn’t Formula One, but I’ve raced some pretty fast go karts and taken my motorcycle on the track – does that count?)

    Reply
  3. Baron's says

    January 18, 2012 at 2:51 pm

    This reminds me a bit of driving in Johor Bahru, Malaysia…, between Singapore and Desaru Beach,…we had to watch for pedestrians, chickens, monkeys, motorcycles, bicycles, children, lorries, taxis, etc…at 60 miles an hour and for us all on the wrong side of the street…wow…it was a great experience.

    Reply
  4. Baron's says

    January 18, 2012 at 2:55 pm

    One more thing…I enjoyed your video…you’re one heck of a good looking driver…very animated and skilful ..I would have really liked to have met you in person…cheers Nora…keep well darling

    Reply
  5. theprofessionalhobo says

    January 19, 2012 at 9:23 am

    @Baron’s – I suspect the roads in Grenada are similar to many countries! What I’ve really enjoyed is the experience of actually DRIVING on them….it requires a certain “zen” sense of flow to survive it!

    I forgot to mention as well: in Grenada people drive on the left-hand side of the road. Well, actually, at some point everybody ends up driving on BOTH sides of the road, but you’re supposed to stick to the left-hand side as much as possible! 🙂

    Reply
  6. Sandra says

    January 31, 2012 at 6:28 pm

    At least the steering wheel is on the right so it works to be driving on the left. When you get to the BVI… drive on the left and the wheel is on the left. THAT’s hard to get used to!!!

    Reply
  7. theprofessionalhobo says

    January 31, 2012 at 6:39 pm

    @Sandra – You know, just today I took a taxi ride in the BVIs and I totally didn’t put it together that the steering wheel is on the left! How strange.
    At least the roads are so narrow it’s not like visibility is particularly hampered….you just need to know the size of your vehicle pretty well!

    Reply
  8. Fearnow says

    November 18, 2012 at 6:33 pm

    Great report! I just spent two weeks there and loved it. Driving was a challenge, but no worse then the other Caribbean islands. I could easily live there! The people were great.

    Reply
    • theprofessionalhobo says

      November 19, 2012 at 7:46 pm

      Glad you enjoyed your time in Grenada! I own a scooter there now, and I love zooming around the place.
      I think driving in the BVIs might be even more difficult, since most of the cars are right-hand drive (from the US), but they still drive on the left side!

      Reply
  9. Rana Chakrabarti says

    September 22, 2013 at 3:22 pm

    As a student who’s been living here for 2.5 years now and driven for 1.5, it’s always an experience when you get behind the wheel. This entry is spot on when it comes to the hazards and quirks of driving in Grenada. However, when you brave the roads, the destination is always rewarding, especially as you get to the island’s interior,

    Reply
    • theprofessionalhobo says

      September 23, 2013 at 12:37 pm

      Hi Rana,
      I agree! It’s an amazing place to discover. (Unfortunately since writing this post I was in a near-fatal accident…..but I still drive….this stuff could happen anywhere).

      Reply
  10. Sonny & Mia says

    December 20, 2014 at 4:24 pm

    Nora,

    Thanks for the driving tips…very helpful.

    Funny thing, I watched your video last night before out on/off road adventure today, which was awesome. We ended our adventure at Umbrella’s where we met a very nice guy and shared a table, some Caribe’s and some stories. Turns out he’s a good friend of yours, Greg ; )

    We thought it was a crazy coincedence and wanted to share.

    Send our regards to Greg when you next see him.

    Reply
    • Nora Dunn says

      December 21, 2014 at 9:08 am

      Hi Sonny & Mia,
      Glad you’re enjoying Grenada! Unfortunately I won’t be seeing Greg again any time soon…that’s a closed chapter in my book of life…

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

I'm Nora, and I've been traveling the world full-time since 2007!
Expert on travel, personal finance (as a former CFP), and lifestyle design.
Adventurer. Eater. Shaman-of-sorts. Lover. Former actor/singer/dancer. Professional speaker. All that. And more…

Get Free Accommodation

how to get free accommodation around the world

Redesign Your Career/Lifestyle

working on the road: the unconventional guide to full-time freedom

Here’s Where I Get Almost All My Clothes:



I Use Booking.com (When My Accommodation Isn’t Free)

Booking.com
buy hats at wholesale price on dhgate for travel

Search

Categories

Before Footer

The Professional Hobo Media Appearances

Footer

About This Website

The Professional Hobo is about how to travel full-time in a financially sustainable way, as experienced since 2006 by Nora Dunn, former financial planner and current world traveler/writer.

  • Writing & Publicity
  • Contact
  • FAQs
  • Travel Resources
GET YOUR FREE E-MAIL COURSE ON HOW TO TRAVEL FULL-TIME IN A FINANCIALLY SUSTAINABLE WAY!

We respect your 

email privacy​​

​.

In addition to receiving my 2-week email course, you will receive monthly updates with special discounts/giveaways that I curate just for you, musings on lifestyle travel, and more. 
You may unsubscribe at any time. 
I will not use your email for evil purposes. 
Copyright © 2009-2019 TheProfessionalHobo.com. All Rights Reserved.

Disclosure: In accordance with FTC guidelines, I disclose that I may be compensated if consumers choose to utilize links located throughout the content on this site. Additionally, some posts might be sponsored to support this blog. Please do the appropriate research before participating in any third party offers. All opinions are my own.
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Privacy Policy: While you may rest assured that we at The Professional Hobo are not using your information for evil purposes, here is everything you need to know about our Privacy Policy.