Car Hire Grenada
"Take in the aromas of the Spice Island of Grenada in a hire car from Rhino"
Grenada is an almost unspoilt Caribbean island being one of the last to embrace tourism. The country’s chequered political history had much to do with the lack of commercial viability and it almost became another Cuba.
Since the 1983 invasion by American forces, the island has made a steady return to democracy and prosperity with the growth of tourism, especially around the area of Grand Anse. The islands are very popular because of their beaches but also their ancient cultural traditions which are often seen in family occasions across the island.
Renting a car whilst in Grenada is a great way to get around the island and at Rhino you can pick up a rental car from Grenada Airport for the duration of your stay or just pick one up from St Georges for a few days to explore - the choice is yours!
Grenada Car Hire - Did You Know?
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First discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1498 although it was inhabited already by the Carib Indians.
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Grenada is a country made up of seven islands in the Caribbean.
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The singer Billy Ocean comes from Grenada.
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Grenada is known as the Spice Island because nutmeg grows there in abundance.
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Grenada is part of the British Commonwealth.
Grenada Mini Guide
Grenada is a wonderful, yet much overlooked Caribbean country. Made up of seven islands of differing size, it was first discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1498 but remained out of European control for many decades because of the fierceness of the original inhabitants, the Carib Indians. First Britain tried unsuccessfully to colonise the islands, then washed their hands of Grenada allowing the French to take control over the course of five costly years. It was the French who named the island, La Grenade and who began commercial activities there including the production of indigo and sugar cane. The three largest islands of Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique are still the main inhabited islands and where most of the tourist facilities are located.
Grenada eventually turned its hand to the production and export of spices and was fortunate to be on the receiving end of an unwanted shipment of nutmeg trees in 1843 when a merchant ship returning from the East Indies to England, called at the island. From the planting of those few trees, Grenada now supplies over 40% of the world’s nutmeg and mace as well as producing exceptional quality cocoa which the island turns into gourmet organic chocolate, and a large proportion of the world’s vanilla crop which can be bought very cheaply at the island’s markets.
For many years the perilous state of Grenada’s politics held up the advance of tourism and it wasn’t until several years after the American invasion in 1983 which put in place the path to democracy, that the island could seriously consider making the most of its natural attractions. Today, it has remained a relatively unspoilt member of the British Commonwealth, keeping mass tourism at bay with mainly five star, exclusive hotel facilities. There is a huge amount to see and do in the islands, not least being enjoying the beautiful sandy beaches and the crystal clear blue seas, perfect for scuba diving and snorkelling. For those not fond of the beach there are several nature reserves including the Grand Etang which is famous for the lake set deep inside a volcanic crater. In the rainforest that covers the centre of the island you may be lucky to see one of the world’s most endangered birds, the Grenada Dove.
Elsewhere, several of the old estates, including some still working, open their doors to give visitors a taste of what life was like working in the sugar fields, harvesting and processing indigo and of course the ubiquitous nutmeg. Belmont Estate and Gouyave Nutmeg Farm are the best places to visit but spend some time at the rum distilleries including River Antoine which is the oldest still working distillery in the world and even more surprisingly, still powered by a water wheel.
Getting to Grenada couldn’t be easier with many international flights arriving at Maurice Bishop International Airport, including several from the UK. Once there, a hire car is the perfect way to see what the island has to offer.
Useful Links if Renting a Car in Grenada: