Taxis in Grenada are not metered, they rarely cruise for passengers the way city cabs do, and many of the best drivers work by recommendation and by phone. For visitors used to apps and meters, that can feel unfamiliar. In practice, the system is simple, and a good driver often becomes one of the most useful contacts of the whole trip.
This page covers how fares are set and agreed, where to find taxis, hiring a driver for a few hours or a full day, getting home after dinner, and the small points of etiquette that keep everything friendly. Prices change, so figures below are indications only.
How fares work
There is no meter. Fares between common points, such as the airport, Grand Anse, St George's and the main hotel areas, follow an official schedule of rates, and drivers quote from that. For journeys not on the schedule, or for waiting time and tours, the price is agreed between you and the driver. Always agree the fare before setting off, and be clear on three things: the total, the currency, and whether it is per car or per person.
Fares are commonly quoted in US dollars to visitors, but EC dollars are the local currency, at the fixed rate of EC$2.70 to US$1. If a price is given in "dollars", check which. Evening rides, extra passengers beyond a certain number, large amounts of luggage and waiting time can add to the fare. Asking in advance avoids any surprise at the end.
As a rough guide, short hops within the south-west, for example between Grand Anse and a restaurant in Lance aux Epines or True Blue, are typically modest, and the airport to Grand Anse run has commonly been in the US$15 to US$30 range for the car. Journeys to the north or east cost several times that. Confirm current prices with your driver or accommodation.
Where to find a taxi
The airport. A dispatcher-managed rank outside arrivals meets every scheduled flight. This is the easiest place to find a taxi on the island.
Hotels. Larger hotels have taxis waiting or a list of regular drivers they call. Asking the front desk is reliable and the driver is accountable to the hotel.
The cruise terminal and Carenage. On ship days, many drivers wait near the cruise terminal in St George's, offering transfers and tours. There are also taxis around the Carenage and the Esplanade.
Grand Anse. Taxis are often found near the shopping plazas and the beach entrances in Grand Anse, though less consistently than at the airport.
By phone or message. The most common method for visitors after the first day. Take the number of a driver you liked, or ask your accommodation for one, and message to book. Many drivers communicate through messaging apps.
Hiring a driver for a few hours or a full day
For many visitors, a driver for a day is the best way to see the island without driving. You agree a route or a rough plan, the driver handles the roads, and you get commentary on what you pass, from nutmeg trees to village history. It suits people who do not want to drive on the left, groups who can share the cost, and anyone visiting places off the bus routes.
Prices are agreed per car, either by the hour or as a fixed sum for a set itinerary, and full-day prices for a private car commonly run into the low hundreds of US dollars, depending on the route, the hours and the size of vehicle. Entrance fees to attractions and lunch are normally extra; agree whether the driver's lunch is on you, which is a common courtesy on a full day.
Be specific when agreeing a day tour. Say which stops matter most, how long you want at each, and when you want to be back. A good driver will suggest an order that makes sense, such as visiting the interior waterfalls in the morning before afternoon rain, and fitting in a lunch stop on the west or east coast. If you are a confident driver on a budget, compare the cost with a hire car for the day.
Evenings and getting home after dinner
Taxis do not usually cruise the roads at night looking for fares, especially outside the busy south-west. If you are going out for dinner, arrange the return in advance: ask the driver who takes you to come back at a set time, or ask the restaurant to call a driver they use. Most restaurants on the south coast are used to doing this.
For late returns, agree the evening fare before setting off. Keep the driver's number and send a message if you will be later than planned; a reliable driver will wait or come back. If you are staying in a villa off the main road, make sure the driver knows exactly where it is during daylight, or share a location pin.
Using taxis in the evening is also the safest way to enjoy a meal with a drink; drink-driving is an offence, and the roads are harder after dark.
Water taxis
Small boats operating as water taxis have long offered rides along the south-west coast, most commonly between the Grand Anse beach area and the Carenage in St George's, and to nearby beaches and snorkelling spots that are awkward to reach by road. The ride is short, scenic and avoids the traffic on the roads into town.
Arrangements are informal. Boatmen often approach visitors on the beach, and fares are agreed in advance, like road taxis. Confirm the price for each person or for the boat, the return time if you want to be collected, and that life jackets are on board. On a choppy day, expect a bumpy and possibly wet ride, so keep phones and cameras in a dry bag.
Availability depends on the weather, the season and who is working that day, so check locally rather than planning a whole day around it.
Families, groups and travellers with limited mobility
Most taxis in Grenada are minivans seating around seven to twelve passengers, which suits families and groups well; a single vehicle can often carry everyone and their luggage, and the fare is per car up to a certain number of people. For larger groups, ask in advance whether a bigger van is available rather than splitting into two cars.
Child car seats are not standard in taxis. Families with babies and young children should bring their own seat, or ask the rental firm or a pre-booked driver whether one can be supplied, and allow time to fit it. Strollers fit in the back of most vans but take up luggage space.
Vehicles adapted for wheelchair users are few. Travellers with limited mobility should explain their needs when booking, so the driver can bring a vehicle with an easier step height and help with transfers and folding chairs. Hotels that cater for accessible travel often have a regular driver they trust, and that is usually the best starting point.
Etiquette and avoiding misunderstandings
Most problems with taxis come from assumptions. These habits prevent nearly all of them.
- Agree the fare, currency and whether it is per car or per person before getting in.
- Carry small notes; drivers may not have change for large US bills.
- Tipping is appreciated rather than mandatory. Around ten per cent for good service, or rounding up, is common; more for a driver who helped with heavy bags or gave an excellent tour.
- If a driver offers a tour on the spot, you are under no obligation; a polite "no thank you" is fine.
- Keep the number of drivers you like. Using the same driver throughout a stay often brings better service and fair prices.
- If a fare seems wrong, ask your hotel what is normal before disputing it.
Frequently asked questions
Are taxis in Grenada metered?
No. Fares between common points follow an official schedule of rates, and other journeys are agreed with the driver. Always agree the total, the currency and whether the price is per car or per person before setting off.
How much does a taxi cost from Grand Anse to St George's?
It is a short journey, and the fare is set in the official rate schedule. Expect a modest fare for the car, more in the evening. Confirm with the driver or your hotel before setting off, as rates are revised. A Route 1 bus costs far less.
Can a taxi driver be hired for a full day in Grenada?
Yes. Many drivers offer island tours by the hour or for a full day, with prices agreed per car. Full-day prices commonly run into the low hundreds of US dollars depending on route and vehicle. Entrance fees and lunch are usually extra.
Is it easy to find a taxi at night in Grenada?
Not by waving one down. Taxis rarely cruise at night, especially outside the south-west. Arrange the return trip in advance with your driver or ask the restaurant or hotel to call one, and agree the evening fare first.
Should taxi drivers be tipped in Grenada?
Tipping is appreciated but not compulsory. Rounding up or about ten per cent is common for good service, and more for help with heavy luggage or an excellent full-day tour. Check that a service charge has not already been included.
