So I did a thing. Last year it was on my bucket list to take a solo trip out of the country and as the year was closing out, I set the intention to do it early the following year. I felt moved to go and visit Grenada, the home of a late dear friend of mine, and quickly booked the flight. Last month I had a great time experiencing the Spice Island and wanted to share a few tips and tricks if you are considering solo travel or planning to visit to Grenada.
Pack light! You need less than you think. When you travel alone, you have no one to impress. I packed so much make up and ended up wearing makeup for just one day. I also packed a lot of "what if" outfits that were not necessary. As much as possible, if I were to go again, I would try to fit all of my luggage in a carry on. As long as you have bathing suites, cover ups, and a few lounge outfits, you're in good shape. 1-2 pairs of sandals were more than enough and a pair trainers.
Take and early flight to get ahead of the day. Landing early afternoon or earlier allows you time to rest and still explore before the day is over. Opt for an early flight rather than a late
Book self care appointments with locals for good conversations and meeting new people. I especially enjoy doing this when I go to a predominantly black countries. Also doing things like your hair, nails, and lashes can be more cost effective, which it was in Grenada. One exception to this was a massage that I booked at Laluna Resport and Spa. The massage was amazing! And I'd highly recommend spending time there enjoying their scenic view of the ocean, grabbing a drink, and experiencing their Balinese massage.
Bring USD in cash - this is a standard rule I like to use. I try to carry as much cash as I feel comfortable with because most places accepted US dollars or have places to exchange currency. Using ATMs accumulates fees that can add up, so I prefer to carry cash or use a credit card. Most places accepted Visa and MasterCard.
Try out the local transport system. This made a huge difference in how comfortable I felt navigating around. There were tourist taxis, but if you want to save money and experience more of the local vibe, I highly suggest hopping on the local vans/buses that are $1 each way and get you close to where you need to be.
Understand the safety situation for where you are going. Grenada turned out to be a really safe environment which allowed me to relax a bit. Don't be afraid to ask for help and don't be afraid to say hello to locals and other travelers, especially those who are also vacationing solo.
Venture out to the local cuisine. A lot of food places geared towards tourists are overpriced and usually don't deliver on the traditional cuisines of places that I visit (in my opinion). Wall Street had a row of restaurants that had lower prices and more flavor. There is also a local delivery service called Yogo that delivers food when you might need it. Near Grand Anse beach is also a good spot with bars and quick bites to eat. Ask for Elvin Roache, his rum punch is a must try!
Book group tours. I did a day tour of the island with a group of 14 people and it was a great experience. I highly recommend Henry Safari Tours and our tour guide, Michael, was awesome.
Book a photo shoot! If you are like me, I love photos that help me capture memories. Along with purchasing an Instax (Polaroid) camera for the trip, I also booked a drone photoshoot with Cayaks, a clear kayak tour company that also does photoshoots. The shots were amazing and they were accommodating and fit me into their schedule.
Travel on your own budget. The one downside to solo travel can be the cost. You aren't splitting things with other people so the bills can add up. My advice is to know your budget and don't be afraid to save money on things that aren't as important to you and vice versa, to spend money on things that you want to prioritize. I opted for a more budget friendly lodging option the first couple of nights before checking into a beach side resort. I had different but great experiences at both and they were close to Grand Anse Beach, bus stops, the bank, and had food options within walking distance.
Love this! Snapping my fingers to applaud.