What to pack for Grenada: 7 important items
Living on an island is quite different from vacationing on an island. One reason is because shipping to an island costs more. Especially to an island like Grenada which is one of the furthest Caribbean Islands from the US. This means that items cost more, tend to run out frequently and take some time to come back in stock. At the same time, the same resources are not available like in Canada or the US. And of course, the climate is different here. So it’s important to take all these things into consideration and come prepared. Here are my recommendations for what to pack for Grenada.
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1. Bring rain gear to Grenada
Some form of rain gear is absolutely essential in Grenada, especially during the rainy season. And even during the dry season, it rains enough to warrant adequate preparation.
Rainy season in Grenada
During the rainy season (June-December), it rains sporadically throughout the day. Sometimes you can tell it’s about to rain. Other times, there’s no warning and the skies just open up. And it pours like the world’s about to end.
Last term (August-December), there were some stretches where it rained for almost 2-3 days non-stop.
However, what’s more common is sporadic rain each day throughout the week, with maybe a day here and there when there’s no rain.
And although February is supposed to be dry, it still rains sporadically a few times a week.
So it’s important to be prepared. Especially if you’re carrying a laptop or iPad on you.
Umbrella, backpack cover and/or raincoat
Most students permanently keep an umbrella in their backpacks, especially those who live off campus.
It can get quite windy so it’s important to have a good, sturdy umbrella. Not only to keep you dry, since the rain will be coming from all sides, but also to make sure it doesn’t break from the wind.
But…
If you’re caught in a proper rainstorm, the umbrella is almost useless. Maybe the top of your head will stay dry at best. I know because I was caught in one of those downpours during my 2nd or 3rd week on the island as I was waiting for the bus.
In that rainstorm situation, your main concern is to keep your electronics safe. So many students keep a backpack cover in addition to the umbrella. And a few students keep a raincoat that they can pull over them with their bag on.
I recently got this backpack cover. It fits snuggly over my bag and it’s easy to store in the front pocket.
2. Pack some shelf stable milk
One of the best things I learned from a friend last term was to bring shelf stable milk. I hadn’t even considered this until I saw her with it.
I avoid regular milk because dairy makes my skin breakout. So I use soy or oat milk instead to make my easy at-home milk tea.
But soy and oat milk are very expensive here. And they run out… a lot. (Actually, regular milk also seems to run out because my friends have been trying to get milk for about 2 weeks now.)
So this time I brought shelf stable soy milk with me. It’s so nice having what I need, when I need it. Rather than having to wait weeks for it to come back in stock.
This is one of the best packing decisions I made this term.
3. Don’t forget your snacks
Another recommendation for what to pack for Grenada are your snacks.
Chocolate, granola bars, chips, Oreos, gummy worms. Whatever you crave leading up to an exam or when you’re down or stressed.
Brand names are not as readily available in Grenada. And if they are, they’re very expensive.
Let’s take Oreos for example. IGA, the main grocery store, retails a regular pack of Oreos for EC $26.54. Which is about CAD $13. Insanity.
I only bought Oreos once on the island and it was during the 2nd half of last term. And I made that pack last weeks lol.
But this time, I’ve come prepared. No more rationing of Oreos.
4. Pack some vitamins and supplements
If you don’t normally take any vitamins or supplements, you’ll want to pack some for Grenada. And that’s because food selection and availability are limited here.
Local produce doesn’t seem to be grown in large amounts so it runs out. And imported fruits and vegetables are very expensive (they also run out). They also tend to quickly go bad, if they’re not already half bad when you’re buying them. Like grapes and strawberries (they go bad during transport to the island).
Even with the combination of local and imported produce, the selection is nowhere near what we’re used to in Canada.
And so, your eating habits change. You’re not able to eat as diverse foods are you’re used to. And you’ll probably cycle between the same couple foods over the term.
Which makes it important to try and compensate for missing nutrients with vitamins and supplements.
5. Bring your skincare essentials
There is no Sephora or Shoppers Drug Mart on the island so you can’t just buy the items you’re used to. You need to bring them with you.
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Moisturizer
For this term, I made sure to bring the Neutrogena Hydro Boost Moisturizer. And it’s been game changing for my skin.
The CeraVe moisturizer I brought last term was too heavy for the hot and humid climate in Grenada.
The Neutrogena moisturizer, on the other hand, is light and absorbs quickly. And my skin doesn’t get oily and heavy like it did with the CeraVe moisturizer. I felt like I was constantly blotting my skin throughout the day.
Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Body Mist Sunscreen
Whether or not you’re a skincare junkie, a big recommendation on what to pack for Grenada is the Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Body Mist Sunscreen. Sunscreen application and reapplication are important no matter where you are. But even more so on an island.
In the mornings, I use the Beauty of Joseon sunscreen. And for reapplication throughout the day, I use the Neutrogena Body Mist.
Some days I have multiple classes so I’m traveling back and forth to campus. I keep the Neutrogena sunscreen in my bag so I can reapply when needed. Just a quick spray and my skin is protected again. It’s very convenient.
You can check out my other skincare recommendations for Grenada’s humid climate here.
6. Bring extra chargers and Apple pencils
Another recommendation on what to pack for Grenada are extra phone/laptop chargers and Apple pencils.
There are almost daily messages in the group chat about someone losing a charger or Apple pencil on campus. I think most lost items do make it to security. Or some students will take a picture of a lost item they’ve found and send it in the group chat so the owner can come back to get it.
However, some items don’t get found or they get damaged. A friend lost her Mac charger last term and had to buy a new one on the island. She paid about USD$150.
I was too shocked to speak when I heard this.
To avoid this thievery, make sure to pack an extra charger for your phone and laptop.
7. Bring a foam roller
Last but not least, it’s important to pack some personal care/fitness items. You want to be able to take care of your body, especially if you’ll be here for an extended time.
Unfortunately, last term I forgot to pack my foam roller. And I suffered for it. My legs felt tight from sitting and studying all day, and my range of motion wasn’t the same during workouts.
So for this term, I made sure to put foam roller at the top of my packing list.
I really like the HIMU High Density Foam Roller. It’s very sturdy – I’ve been using it for more than 6 months now and it’s still like new. And the best part is that it’s easy to pack and stow away.
You can read more about how it feels to use a foam roller and how I like to use it here.
Final thoughts
So those are some of my recommendations on what to pack for Grenada. The list is not exhaustive but it covers some big items that can make your life a little easier on the island.
Have you ever lived abroad? What items were essential for you?
-M
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