Carriacou Digital Nomad Guide - Tips & Local Information
TRANSPORTATION
| Topic |
Details |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline |
SVG Air (Daily flights from Grenada Maurice Bishop Airport, ~$60 USD one way) |
| ✈️ Top International Airline |
None direct; fly to Grenada (GND) via JetBlue, American, or British Airways |
| 🛣️ Highway Access |
One main circular road around the island; no highways |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub |
Hillsborough Bus Terminus for minibuses; Tyrell Bay for the Osprey Ferry to Grenada ($80 XCD) |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes |
Pay as you go; no passes available |
| ✈️ Regional Travel |
Osprey Lines Ferry (90 mins to St. George's) or small boat charters to Petit Martinique |
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App |
No apps; utilize local 'Z' plate minibuses (固定 routes) for $3-5 XCD or call 'John’s Taxi Service' |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental |
Wayne’s Car Rental in Hillsborough; Scooters approx. $35 USD/day |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby |
Anse La Roche (secluded, hike-in) or Paradise Beach |
HEALTH AND WELLNESS
| Topic |
Details |
| 🏥 Best Hospital |
Princess Royal Hospital (Belair); for serious issues, evacuation to Grenada or Barbados is required |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers |
Laid-back sessions often held at Bogles Round House or private villas via 'Carriacou Yoga' group |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers |
Fit for Life Gym (Hillsborough) - Basic weight and cardio equipment |
| 🧺 Laundry Services |
Tyrell Bay Laundry Services (near the marina) - Approx. $30 XCD per load |
FOOD AND DRINK
| Topic |
Details |
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App |
None; some local restaurants offer phone-in delivery via local taxi if requested |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try |
Carriacou Smoked Ham or Oil Down (Grenada's national dish, available at local festivals) |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options |
Tanty Mavis (Hillsborough) - Fresh local vegetable sides and plantain |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots |
Patty's Deli (Tyrell Bay) - Homemade cakes and imported treats |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots |
Hillsborough Public Market for fresh produce and fish |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store |
None local; items are usually shipped from US via 'e-Zone' or 'SwiftPac' agents in Hillsborough |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery |
Alexis Food Stores (Tyrell Bay) offers bulk ordering for yachties and residents |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area |
Main Street, Hillsborough and the beach bars at Tyrell Bay |
| 🍻 Local Brewery |
Westerhall Rums (Distilled in Grenada, widely sold); Carib Beer is the local staple |
| 🍷 Wine Bars |
The Slipway (Tyrell Bay) has the best international wine selection on the island |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls |
BBQ stands in Hillsborough on Friday nights; Grilled chicken and fish for ~$15-25 XCD |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine |
Lazy Turtle (Tyrell Bay) - Excellent Thin Crust Pizza |
CULTURE AND ATTRACTIONS
| Topic |
Details |
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks |
Belair National Park and the ruins of the French-era estates |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues |
Carriacou Museum (Hillsborough) housed in an old cotton ginney |
| 🏰 Historical Sites |
Ningo Well in Dumfries; ancient well built by enslaved people |
| 🕍 Religious Sites |
St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church (Hillsborough) |
| 🎉 Annual Events |
Carriacou Carnival (February/March) and Carriacou Regatta (August) |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts |
Windward - Famous for traditional wooden boat building |
| 🎭 Theater Venues |
No formal theater; cultural performances at the Hillsborough Community Centre |
| 🛍️ Local Markets |
Hillsborough Saturday Market |
| 🎼 Music Scene |
Traditional Big Drum Dance performances during festivals and weddings |
| 🎨 Street Art |
Brightly painted 'Rum Shops' and murals depicting boat building in Windward |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes |
Informal classes can be arranged at Bogles Round House for local Caribbean techniques |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries |
Alwyn Enoe’s Boat Building yard (living art/heritage) |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings |
The Highgate House (Government House) ruins |
| 🏴 Local Heritage |
Traditional wooden boat building and the Scottish ancestry in Windward |
NATURE AND OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
| Topic |
Details |
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes |
Sandy Island; a short water taxi ride ($20 USD) for world-class snorkeling |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby |
High North Nature Reserve - Excellent hiking and birdwatching |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths |
The hike from Bogles to Anse La Roche beach |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints |
Hospital Hill overlook providing views of Hillsborough and the out islands |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations |
Mangroves at Tyrell Bay (protected area) |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots |
Paradise Beach (with permission from local beach bars) |
OTHER SERVICES AND AMENITIES
| Topic |
Details |
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service |
DHL Express agent at Gittens Drugmart, Hillsborough |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services |
Computer and phone repairs must usually be sent to St. George's (Grenada) |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots |
Community centers in L'Esterre |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes |
English is the official language; local Grenadian Creole classes available informally |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots |
Carriacou Public Library (Hillsborough) |
| 🏘️ Community Centers |
Hillsborough Community Centre |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges |
None |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls |
None; gambling is highly restricted |
ESSENTIALS
| Topic |
Details |
| 🏙️ City |
Hillsborough, Carriacou, Grenada |
| 👥 Population |
Approximately 8,000 |
| 💻 Internet Speed |
Average 25-50 Mbps via FLOW or Digicel fiber; Starlink is now widely used by nomads for 100+ Mbps |
| 💸 Currency & Banking |
Eastern Caribbean Dollar (XCD). 1 USD ≈ 2.70 XCD |
| 🚰 Tap Water |
Generally safe (mostly rainwater catchment), but bottled or filtered water is recommended for sensitive stomachs |
| 🔌 Power |
230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type G (British) sockets |
| 📶 SIM Card |
FLOW (Main Street, Hillsborough) or Digicel; ~75 XCD ($28 USD) for 15GB monthly data |
| 💳 Banking for Expats |
Republic Bank (Grenada) Ltd, Credit Union; Wise/Revolut work at ATMs but with local fees |
| 🛌 Accommodation |
Mostly guesthouses and villas; Airbnb and local listings like 'Carriacou Real Estate' |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly |
Limited; carry cash for small shops and local buses. Hotels and large restaurants accept cards |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals |
Airbnb, Green Roof Inn (~$120/night), Bogles Round House (~$150/night) |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation |
Ade's Dream Guesthouse (Hillsborough) - Approx. $50-70 USD per night |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists |
Paradise Beach (L'Esterre) for swimming and beach bars |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads |
Craigston or Tyrell Bay; quieter, better residential villas, and close to yachting amenities |
WORKING AND NETWORKING
| Topic |
Details |
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space |
No formal coworking; most nomads work from 'The Slipway' in Tyrell Bay which offers great Wi-Fi and power outlets |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work |
Kayaks Cafe (Hillsborough) - Stable Wi-Fi, shaded outdoor seating, and good coffee |
| 💼 Networking Events |
Tyrell Bay Yacht Club Friday nights; informal gatherings of sailors and remote workers |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats |
Carriacou Community Facebook Group; weekly trivia nights at local bars in Tyrell Bay |
BUSINESS
| Topic |
Details |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) |
Approx. $2,800 USD per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $112,000 USD for a hillside plot/small structure) |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) |
Approx. $2,200 USD per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $88,000 USD) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) |
Approx. $3,500 USD per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $210,000 USD) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) |
Approx. $2,900 USD per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $174,000 USD) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) |
Approx. $3,200 USD per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $256,000 USD) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) |
Approx. $2,600 USD per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $208,000 USD) |
| 💼 Corporate Tax |
28% standard rate in Grenada |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax |
15% |
| 🏦 Tax System |
Residents taxed on worldwide income; Non-residents on Grenada-source income only |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket |
28% on income over $60,000 XCD |
| 🧾 VAT |
15% |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules |
No |
| 🏠 Property Tax |
Yes, ranging from 0% to 0.5% based on market value and use |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax |
Alien Landholding License (ALHL) required for foreigners (approx. 10% of property value) |
| 💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads |
Grenada offers a Digital Nomad Visa ('Remote Employment Act') for 1 year, renewable |
🧭 CONTINUE EXPLORING CARRIACOU