Mail Information Grenada, West Indies. Grenada Postal Corporation, DHL, and FedEx.

Front of The Grenada Postal Corporation

Saint George's University Students, here is your new mailing address:

     Your Name, Box #

            St. George’s University School of Medicine

P.O. Box 7

University Centre

            St. George’s, Grenada, West Indies

Saint George's Bookstore Information:
Phone: (473) 444-2868
Hours: M-F 9am-4:45pm; Sa, Su closed
Stamps available for purchase
You may drop off letters and documents here (not to exceed 3 lbs) 
Located in back of SGU's main bus terminal. Walk up stairs, turn left. Bookstore is at left corner of building.

Basic Mailing Information (1st half of info obtained from SGU's Site):

• Postage stamps may be purchased at the University bookstore, the SGU Mailroom (located on the lower level of Charter Hall), the General Post Office in St. George’s, Bryden and Minors Stationery Store, and the Spice Land Mall.
• Mail can be placed in the slot at the SGU Mailroom or at any post office.
• The regular mail service requires only Grenadian postage stamps: EC $1 for a postcard and EC $1 per half-ounce for a standard letter to the United States, United Kingdom, or Canada.
• All mail and packages generally take five to fourteen days to reach destinations in the United States, United Kingdom, or Canada.
• Make sure that the destination country is part of the address for all mail sent out of Grenada. (For example, if the mail is going to the United States, put “USA” as part of the address.) Be sure to label it “Air Mail.”
• Fax services are available on the first floor of the west wing of Founders Library. Faxes can be sent for EC $2 per page to the United States, and copies cost EC $0.25 per page.
• It is not recommended to send packages as an alternative to bringing items with you on the plane; shipping is expensive and slow. Additionally, all packages mailed to Grenada are opened by customs, and duties are charged (for example, 55% on food). As much as possible, bring anything you will want for the term down with you. If shipping is necessary, you may wish to consider airline shipping services. 
• First-class mail between the United States, United Kingdom, and Grenada may take up to two weeks (or more if package is entering Grenada from another country) in either direction.  
• Safest and most efficient ways of sending and receiving mail: DHL and FedEx (you can receive a package in as little as 3 business days).  Though for speed and security, you will have to pay a lot more than you would with standard mail (USPS).
• If you plan on receiving a package from USPS, be aware of the possibility of losing your package (from all of the stories I've herd, it seems like a slim chance).  I've never experienced such trouble.  As soon as your package leaves Miami, it is out of USPS's hands (there are no USPS employees on our end here in Grenada).  If your package is insured, USPS will still be held accountable, but insurance can be pricey as well. 
• If you're expecting a package from USPS and don't receive a notice (SGU mailbox, Charter Hall) within 3 weeks for pick up, I'd go to the post office to make sure they didn't forget to send one out.  This situation happened to me and I was assuming that my package was lost.  I wasn't planning on checking the post office after a month, but I went anyway because there still was a possibility that they just had forgotten to inform me of my packages arrival.  At the end, my package was at the office waiting for me. 
• I successfully sent out many packages through standard Grenadian mail.  I received all of my packages from USA successfully through standard USPS mail.

Grenada Postal Corporation Business Information
Burns Point 
St.George's
Grenada
Email: grenadapost@grenadapost.net
Phone: 473-440-2526/6728
Fax: 473-440-4271
Hours: M-F 8am-3:30pm; Sa & Su closed
Website
Rates
Sub-Offices
New GBC Global delivery service- items ship to your front door in Grenada

Directions:
By Bus 
From SGU, take the Grand Anse bus.  Get off at Texaco and walk up around the corner toward the roundabout.  Hop on a #1 (2.50EC) local bus to St. George's.  If it's your first time visiting the office, you can simply tell the bus conductor to drop you next to the post office.  Alternatively, right when you see a large soccer field (with wooden bleachers) to your right, knock on a window and the bus driver will stop right next to the post office.  The office is ~10min away from campus depending on how busy the day is.

By car 
Drive towards IGA. At the roundabout next to the field, drive towards and past the local bus stop/vendors. Go straight for ~5min (always sticking to the left when faced with forks in the street).  Immediately after passing a large soccer field with wooden bleachers  on your right, you will see the post office to your left.  Parking available.

How It Works:
Receiving a package-
As soon as Grenada receives your package, they will withhold it at their mailing offices until you pay your duties and pick it up.  Check your school mailbox around estimated time of arrival for a notice.  Once you receive a notice, bring it to the post office in town.  Line up in the "Parcel" line and a worker will retrieve your package and open it up in front of you.  They will asses the cost of duties for your items.  You agree to fees by signing a paper, pay, and are able to leave right after.  So far, everyone I know has paid an average of 30EC in duties, including myself.  Don't forget to bring some sort of identification.  School ID accepted.

Sending a package-
Have your package(s) securely wrapped.  Fall in the "Parcels" line. Have it weighed.  A worker will write how much your package will cost to ship.  Bring that piece of paper to your left at the stamps section (opposite of information desk).  You then will purchase the same amount in stamps.  Glue them on your package and after, drop it off at the same place you got it weighed.

*shipping boxes are available for shipping.  When I went there, they had three sizes.  Call them to check what size boxes they have on hand.  I suggest brining your own tape, pen, and scissors to help facilitate the whole process.

DHL
Phone: (473) 440-5009; (473) 440-4475
P.O Box 188
St George's, West Indies
Website

Location: Carenage.  From SGU, take the Grand Anse bus. Get off at Texaco.  Walk up around the corner to the local bus stop. Take a #1 bus to St. George's.  Tell conductor where you want to go.  ~5 min from Texaco.  Past Grenada post office, past fire station,  and before Nutmeg restaurant.  Look for a Western Union Sign. DHL is located in the same building.

Hours: M-F 8am-4:30pm; Sa. Su closed.



FedEx
Services and Rates 2012 

Location: Lagoon Road opposite of Tropicana Restaurant.  From SGU, take the Grand Anse bus. Get off at Texaco.  Walk up around the corner to the local bus stop. Take a #1 bus to St. George's. Tell conductor that you want to get to Fedex.  You can't miss the building. It will be on your left.

For additional services and important information about FedEx rates and transit times online, go to fedex.com/gd or call (473) 440-2206 - you can talk to a representative.

Hours: M-F 8:30am-4:30pm; Sa, Su closed.



*For Larger, heavier items, inquire with the following companies (I've read great things about them in many forums):

Tropical Shipping - I herd that they have headquarters located on Maurice Bishop Highway.

Amerijet International - Air, Trucking, Ocean shipping.  I personally suggest Amerijet. I successfully shipped my dog through them.

Local Stop up around the corner from Texaco on Maurice Bishop Highway

For Grenada Post office, stop before Carenage.  For DHL, continue down towards boats.

See where the van is entering? That's where the post office is.

Maybe you can walk around after a hard days work at the post office. If you walk all the way around to the other side, you'll run into The Nutmeg restaurant (right next to Foodfair).  They have delicious fish!... but  I'd advise for you to stay away from their "burgers" hahahah. 

Visa Renewal Process for Significant Others

Front Entrance to Ministerial Building

Immigration and Passport Office

Ministerial Complex, Botanical Gardens

Tanteen, St. George's, Grenada, W.I.

phone: 1.473.440.2456

phone: 1.473.440.4765

phone: 1.473.435.2869

fax:       1.473.440.4165

immigrationgnd@spiceisle.com

Hours of operation: M-F 8am - 3:45pm

Ministry of Treasury

Ministerial Complex. Botanical Gardens

Tanteen, St. George, Grenada, W.I.

Hours of operation:

M-F 8am - 4pm

lunch:12pm - 1pm

Grace and Angela <3<3<3

If you're a significant other, take a look in your passport for a stamp you should have received upon arrival. It should be dated approximately 6 months from when you first arrived.  Within one week (no earlier, no later) of expiration of that date, you will be required to renew your visa.    

The Whole Process in a Nutshell

1.  Ask your student to obtain a letter of enrollment (1st floor Bourne Center) including beginning and end date of enrollement, the names of the SO and his/her children, date of requested extension (not to exceed more than 3 months).

2.  At the Immigration office fall in the "receiving of application" line to obtain a "Extension of Stay" form.  Have the documents listed below prepared to be shown. Note: In the "Port of Arrival" section, write "Maurice Bishop International Airport."

3.  Fill out form and after, turn it in at the same window.

4.  Wait to be called (approx. 20-40min depending on how busy they are) into a room where a worker will sit down with you one on one and issue you a stamp.  Note:  For those planning on leaving for break after current term - If the date of departure after current term exceeds enrollment date of student, make sure to tell the officer.  He/she will more than likely move you extension day to cover your whole stay. For example, if your SO's term ends on 12/6/12 but you're not scheduled to leave for break until 12/30/12, let them know.

5. Worker will hold onto your documents and issue you an invoice.

6. Take invoice to Treasury office (as soon as you exit, turn right and go down stairs) and pay fees.

7. Take receipt back up to worker and you are finished.

What to Bring With You 

(Obtained from the SO website. Please visit their site for a more thorough description of the visa renewal process).

• Your passport
• Your child(ren)'s passport(s)
• School ID
• Your marriage certificate (if applicable)
• Your SGU letter of current enrollment
• Money: $25 EC per person for each month you are extended (even partial months are 25EC so you may have to pay 100EC for a 3-month extension depending on the date that you arrive at the office)
• Pen to complete paperwork
• Book to read (in case the line is long)
• Children do not have to go with you.

Getting there

By Bus
Take the SGU Grand Anse bus. Get off at Texaco on Maurice Bishop Highway.  Walk up around the corner to the local bus stop. Catch a #1 (2.50EC) bus to St. Georges.  Tell the conductor you want to go to the Ministerial building.  He will drop you to the nearest stop.  Note: Even if you know which stop to get off at, make sure you tell the conductor ahead of time where you're trying to go because the bus may chose the route to St. Georges that does not pass by the Ministerial Building.

By Car
Drive towards IGA. At the Roundabout next to the field, drive towards the direction of the local bus stop/food vendors.  Keep driving on for about 5min past food fair, until you arrive at a road next to water and boats (lagoon road). At the roundabout, fork to the right. At the stop light, turn left.  Entrance will be right next to roundabout.

Walk all the way up the hill. Ministerial building across glass building (pictures below).

Bus stop in the middle of picture, in between two trees.

Go here first.  It's across of the glass building (picture right below this pictue).

Ministry Treasury front entrance.

Fort Frederick and Fort Matthew

View of St. George's from Fort Frederick.

Just like the other forts in Grenada, Fort Frederick was constructed in efforts to protect national territorial interest.  At the time of its construction, the English, French, Dutch, and Spanish all had their eye on Grenada with aims to reap wealth from its rich agricultural produce.

Unfortunately, in 1983, America mistakenly bombed Fort Frederick, instead of their main target, Fort Matthew.  Fort Frederick was home to many mental patients at the time.

If you're looking for breathtaking views of Grenada, including lush vegetation and magnificent scenic cityscapes and landscapes, Fort Frederick is the place to be.

Next door you'll find Fort Matthew, yet another interesting and beautifully structured fort, ideal for historians, nature lovers, and tourist alike.  Aside from having a fun journey through its tunnels and ruins, you can also lounge and relax at Ft. Matthew's mini bar that recently re-opened.  It is located on the lower level of the fort.  They have great smoothies (I had a virgin Pina Colada MmmMM), great cocktails (so I've been told so by my friends), and fresh food (bakes and fried chicken and fish).  

Getting there:
*By Local bus:  Take the Grand Anse Bus to Texaco.  Walk up around the corder towards the roundabout to the local bus stop. Catch a #1 bus to St. George's bus terminal (last stop 2.50EC).  From there, ask someone where you can find a Morne Jaloux bus. Hop on and let them know that you want to get to Ft. Frederick.

*By Taxi: ~25EC (~10USD).  Here are a couple of dependable drivers that I like to ride with: Phillip (473) 416-2546

*By Car:
From Grand Anse (IGA), drive towards Food Fair (from roundabout in front of field, pass local bus stop, vendors and banks).  Keep on driving on the same road (keeping straight), past Port Louis (first body of water on left with boats, past the next stop light after the one in front of Food Fair), until you come to another roundabout (you should see the Tropicana hotel on the corner).  Fork to the right towards a three way road with a stop light.  Turn left at the stop light until you reach another roundabout.  Fork to the right up the hill instead of going straight.  Keep driving for a few more min. (you should notice gradual inclining up the moutain)... until you come to another roundabout.  Fork to the right towards the hospital (look at signs). From there, drive a bit more till you find a steep hill/road entrance to your immediate right.  Take a sharp right. and creep all the way up.  From there, you will see signs.  There will be two openings, take the one on the right (away from the brick arch) and park on the side.  Note:  If you find yourself all the way up the moutain right next to local bars on your right, you've gone too far.  Turn around and you will run into the steep hill on your left after a left curve down.

*Fees:
Entrance fees vary depending on time of year and who you go with.  During off peak seasons in small numbers, they expect more of a donation.  During peak season in large numbers, they will more than likely charge you per person fees (~less than 5EC a person).

Click HERE for further reading on the history of Grenada's forts.

Alice, our tour guide for Ft. Frederick.  In this picture, she tells us of her experiences during hurricane Ivan.

Fort Matthew

*Cool scenery including ruin like buildings, tunnels, and breathtaking views.

*Mini Bar open late night- they have the best Pina Colada smoothie/biggest serving by far in Grenada and it's the cheapest too (5EC for virgin, 8EC with alcohol).

*Chicken Wings for sale- 50 wings with drumette attached + 3 regular sized plates of fries---> 120EC...was split between 8 people.  What a deal!   

*During the holidays, they decorate (see picture below)

*highly suggested

*Hours and days of Operation Vary.

Mini Bar. Now Opened!

My great friend Angela, advising you to -watch out for the enormous moths!- hahahaha

Magazine Beach, The Aquarium, and The Grenadian Resort

Magazine beach is one of my all time favorite beaches ever.  I just can't get enough of its friendly warm sun, beachfront restaurant, vibrant beauty, tranquil breeze, and clear blue waters... (amongst a long list of many other things) .   

Things to do at Magazine Beach:
Snorkel
Collect sea glass for projects
Dine at the Aquarium
Picnic 
Take underwater pictures
Tan
Write messages in the sand
Play Frisbee with your loved ones (including your little dog pal)
Look for cool seashells and coral
Write Poetry, paint, arts and crafts
Take loads of photographs
Watch the sunset
Daydream
Take a nap
Relax
Catch up on text messages or calls
Yoga, soccer, exercise

Getting There:
Magazine Beach is conveniently located ~ 5-10 10min. away from Saint George's University. 
*By bus:
Take the E bus (Frequente) and get off at The Grenadian Rex resort (just let your bus driver know).  Follow the pavement down, past the front check in desk (to your right), past a beautiful garden, and all the way down a little green hill to the beach. 

*By car:
Drive past the airport and go right at the round-a-bout.  Turn right at the dead end and go down the big hill to park.  If your car doesn't handle hills well, you can park at the top and walk down.

*By Taxi: ~25EC (~10USD).  Here are a couple of dependable drivers that I like to ride with: Morain (473) 536-2220 (sedan), Elmus (473) 418-8295 (van).

The Aquarium Restaurant 
(facing the water, turn left. located at the end of the beach)

Dining on a beachfront with a spectacular view is hard to come by so I wanted to take advantage of the opportunity and decided to dine in with a few friends.  Overall, the whole experience was enjoyable and I would suggest for everyone to experience beachfront dining at least once in their lives.  The food was great, but at the end, when it comes to food, the Beach House Restaurant is my preferred choice for fine dining in Grenada.  I must add... The Aquarium sure knows how to cook fish.  I highly suggest ordering any type of fish dishes they have on their menu.  If you're trying to save a few bucks but still want to try this restaurant out, try dropping in during lunch hours for some lower priced meals.

***Tip: If you plan on eating dinner late night, I highly suggest wearing pants... or at least spray yourself generously with insect repellent (Non-deet type repellent doesn't work for me, but I don't want to poison myself with deet... so I always wear pants at night)

-Cuisines:  Caribbean, American

-Location:  Point Salines Beach | Magazine Beach, St. George's, Grenada

-Hours:  Open daily from 10am.  Closed Mondays

-Phone:  (473) 444-1410

-Price Range: $-$$$

-Attire: Lunch- casual; Dinner; Semi Formal

-Reviews
-Local Review 

-Website

-Menu

Accommodations at the Grenadian 

Click HERE for the Grenadian Resort Website- Online information and booking

Click HERE for a currency converter- EC to USD

Angela in front of the Grenadian

Front of the Grenadian

This way to the Aquarium!

Admiring beauty.

Ahhhhhhh, Real Brains!

Duck Breast

Rack of Lamb MmMM. Tender.

Mango Smoothie. I approve.

P.S. Don't forget to bring your trusty, stylin, Ray Bans!

Categorized under "Things to do, Sights to See"