Grenada
Grenada is located in the Windward Island chain well to the south of the Lesser Antilles. The island itself is only 21 miles long and 12 miles wide with a population of just about 100,000. It rarely receives hurricanes (one in the last 55 years), though the 2004 impact of Hurricane Ivan was a notable exception. Ivan did a tremendous amount of damage to the island, though the island has since recovered almost completely. Known as the "Spice Island", Grenada retains a sleepy, friendly and less touristy feel than most Caribbean locales. It is a bit like stepping back in time to the way the Caribbean was 20-30 years ago. The island has the usual Caribbean amenities with the addition of very good hiking, spice markets and plantations as well.
Grenada's airport - Point Salines International (GND) - is adequate for long-haul international flights, though there are only very limited nonstop flights here from the US, UK and Canada. Connections from San Juan, Montego Bay, Trinidad (coming from the UK) or Antigua or the like are more common avenues of arrival.
Official currency is the Eastern Caribbean dollar, which is pegged to the US dollar at $2.67 EC to $1 US. Both US and Canadian dollars are widely accepted, though you may get EC in change. Electricity is 220-volt standard. English is the official language, though a local patois creole can frequently be heard.
An alien landholding license is required for non-Grenadans to purchase real estate. Upon purchase, the buyer pays an Alien landholders tax, which is 10%. Legal scale fees are 2% of the purchase price, stamp duties are 1% and a government consumption tax of 5% are also involved. Smaller fees for processing the alien landholding licenses, land surveyor's fee and processing expenses should also be expected. Seller's will further incur a 5% transfer tax for locals and 15% for non-nationals.
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