Pure Grenada, accredited by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WWTC) with 'Safe Travels' status and part of the UK government travel corridor - so no quarantine required upon return has now simplified its entry protocols with the introduction of a user-friendly digital platform designed to efficiently process all arriving travellers to the three-island nation.

With the resumption of direct flights from the UK by both British Airways and Virgin Atlantic, following the lifting of the UK lockdown, new hotel openings and personalised immersive tours, there's no better winter warmer than the tropical island paradise of Grenada.

Effective from 1st December, visitors can seamlessly apply for a 'Pure Safe Travel Certificate' by entering all relevant pre-arrival documents digitally at https://covid19.gov.gd, further expediting the process on arrival at the Maurice Bishop International Airport. Visitors arriving with a negative PCR test result and the Pure Safe Travel Certificate can transfer to secured Pure Safe Travel accommodations upon leaving the airport and then have the option to 'holiday in place' at the resort for their entire stay or choose to have a second PCR test, without cost, on day four. With a confirmed negative result, provided within one to two working days by the Ministry of Health, visitors then have the freedom to discover and explore the destination.

Known as the Spice of the Caribbean, Grenada and sister islands Carriacou and Petite Martinique offer opportunities to safely explore, relax and unwind with Pure Safe Travel inspected and approved accommodation and experiences throughout the winter season and beyond.

Travelling over the festive holidays, visitors can expect all the trimmings of a traditional Grenadian Christmas including upbeat Parang songs accompanied by drums and string instruments; black cake – made with island-distilled rum and flavoured with nutmeg; spiced ginger beer, sorrel juice and generous rum punches topped with island-grown nutmeg.

Direct flights

British Airways will recommence direct flights from London Gatwick to Grenada from 12th December flying on Saturdays and Wednesdays while Virgin Atlantic will start a service to Grenada via Barbados from London Heathrow on 19th December, serving the island on Saturdays until 6th January 2021 when the carrier will offer twice weekly direct flights.

Accommodation

Charming cottages, sea view suites, exclusive pool villas and exquisite resorts are found in enviable locations across the islands. Over 70 properties, including hotels, resorts, villas and apartments, are now Pure Safe Travel accredited.

The Point at Petite Calivigny is a new boutique wellness resort, opened on 1st October 2020. Commanding ocean views on the spectacular southern coast of Grenada, the luxury property features an exquisite collection of spacious accommodation including only three villas and 12 condominiums set in 11 acres of coastal grounds. The ethos of the resort is very much on personal space and rejuvenation.  

Hotels that reopened in October, subsequent and conditional to compliance with Pure Safe Travel protocols include Silversands Grenada, home to the longest infinity pool in the Caribbean, located in an enviably position on the two-mile arc of white sand at Grand Anse beach; Calabash Luxury Boutique Hotel, a beachfront Relais & Châteaux property that offers 30 spacious suites, five estate homes, two restaurants and a spa; and Mount Cinnamon, a chic all-suite and villa property boasting spectacular views of Grand Anse and capital St George's. Resorts including Sandals Grenada Resort & Spa, Coyaba Beach Resort and Radisson Grenada Beach resort are open – with Royalton Grenada Resort & Spa slated to reopen in January 2021.

Other accommodation, from the beachfront villas at Laluna and the self-contained comfort of Blue Horizons Garden Resort to the family-owned charm of True Blue Bay Boutique Resort and the escapism offered by Bogles Roundhouse in Carriacou, are open and safely welcoming visitors.

Dining out

Pure Safe Travels accredited restaurants provide an array of options from casual sand-between-the-toes-style to classic five-star international and Grenadian occasion dining. Try waterfront BB's Crabback in St George's for signature dishes created by the eponymous Brian Benjamin including curried goat and crabback served with citrus juices or a punchy rum punch; savour local delicacies to complement the Caribbean Sea and sunset views from restaurants along Grand Anse, including Grenadian Grill at Silversands Grenada, 61 West and Savvys at Mount Cinnamon; and enjoy lunch cooled by sea breezes at Petite Anse on the northern coast.

Catch of the day goes straight on the grill at Aquarium, while at Snagg's Bar in Carriacou it's toes-in-the-sand, rum-punch-in-hand relaxation all the way.

Activities and attractions

Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique are open to visitors and offer a warm year-round welcome to inspected and approved Pure Safe Travel activities and attractions.  Annandale Waterfalls has reopened to offer a refreshed experience at the classic Grenadian natural wonder, set in the verdant rainforest. The tropical flora and wildlife of Grand Etang Rainforest Reserve awaits, with personalised tours for all ability levels available from accredited guides. 

Gouyave Nutmeg Processing Station offers insight into the nutmeg and mace that Grenada is renowned for and which flavours so much of the islands' cuisine. In St George's, visitors can explore Fort Frederick Historic Site and learn about the islands' burgeoning tree-to-bar cocoa industry at House of Chocolate – which serves home-made goodies including chocolate brownies and nutmeg ice-cream, then head northwards to follow the chocolate story at Belmont Estate and Crayfish Bay Organic Estate, which offer insightful tours.

Getting around

Several taxi companies are Pure Safe Travel approved and offer dial-and-ride services between accommodation and attractions in addition to providing airport transfers (also often offered by hoteliers) and bespoke island tours.

For a complete list of Pure Safe Travel accommodation and tourism partners - including dive shops, taxi services and watersports – and for the latest travel advisories visit www.PureGrenada.com.