Samaritan

Samaritan is an inland agricultural village in the northern hills of Saint Patrick Parish, Grenada. Unlike the coastal fishing settlements along the parish shoreline, Samaritan developed around the historic 19th-century Samaritan Sugar Estate. In May 1857, following the abolition of slavery, the estate became one of the primary destinations for Indian indentured laborers who arrived aboard the sailing vessel Maidstone to work the local sugarcane, cocoa, and spice lands.

Today, the village consists of small family homesteads, cocoa groves, and nutmeg trees spread across sloping green terrain. Travelers visit Samaritan for its agricultural character, estate history, and quiet walking routes that connect to neighboring settlements such as Chantimelle and Mount Rich. It functions as an unhurried base for exploring northern Grenada's eco-tourism farms, river petroglyphs, and spice plantations away from tourist centers.

The area experiences a tropical climate moderated by its hillside position, with daytime temperatures generally between 27°C and 30°C (81°F to 86°F) and cooler breezes in the evening. The dry season runs from January to May, while the rainy season extends from June to December, with the highest precipitation and storm risk occurring between August and October during the Atlantic hurricane season.

By Plane

The nearest airport is Maurice Bishop International Airport (GND) at Point Salines, located approximately 48 km (30 miles) south of Samaritan. GND receives regular international flights from carriers including American Airlines, JetBlue, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Caribbean Airlines, and InterCaribbean Airways. Driving from the airport to Samaritan takes roughly 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes by taxi or rental car. Standard airport taxi fares to Saint Patrick Parish range from EC$170 to EC$220 (US$63–US$80).

By Train

No train service exists in Grenada.

By Bus

Public transportation across Grenada consists of independently owned 15-seater minibuses. From the Melville Street Bus Terminal in St. George's, take Route 5 (Zone 5), which runs northward along the Western Main Road through Gouyave and Victoria to Sauteurs. Minibuses depart every 10 to 15 minutes from 6:00 AM to 7:00 PM, Monday through Saturday. The journey from St. George's to northern Saint Patrick takes approximately 1 hour 15 minutes and costs EC$8.00 to EC$10.00 (US$3.00–US$3.70). From Grenville on the east coast, Route 9 minibuses connect to Sauteurs in 45 minutes for EC$6.00 to EC$8.00 (US$2.20–US$3.00). From Sauteurs or the coastal junction, local connecting vans or shared taxis run inland to Samaritan for EC$2.50 to EC$3.50 (US$0.90–US$1.30). Minibus services are sparse on Sundays.

By Car

From St. George's, drive north on the Western Main Road (Highway 1) along the Caribbean coast through Gouyave and Victoria for 35 km (22 miles, approximately 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes), then turn inland onto local hill roads near Mount Craven or Duquesne toward Samaritan. Alternatively, take the Eastern Main Road from St. George's through Grenville and north into Saint Patrick Parish (42 km / 26 miles, approximately 1 hour 30 minutes). Samaritan is located 6 km (3.7 miles, a 10-to-12-minute drive) southwest of Sauteurs. Hill roads are paved but narrow and winding with steep grades. Traffic drives on the left.

The village center and immediate farm paths can be explored on foot, though roads are steep. For travel across Saint Patrick Parish, local route minibuses cost EC$2.50 to EC$3.50 (US$0.90–US$1.30) per trip. Private taxis can be flagged down on main roadways or booked through local accommodations; short trips between Samaritan, Sauteurs, and Chantimelle cost EC$20 to EC$40 (US$7.50–US$15). Ride-hailing smartphone apps like Uber or Lyft do not operate in Grenada; local taxi arrangements are made by phone or WhatsApp. A rental car, preferably a compact SUV, offers the greatest flexibility for exploring rural interior roads.

• Samaritan Great House & Estate Grounds: A historic late 19th-century plantation residence that reflects the agricultural evolution of the area from sugar processing to cocoa and spice production. Exterior viewing from the public roadway is free; private estate grounds require permission from local caretakers.

• Essence of Samaritan Farm: A working smallholder farm in the village that cultivates organic nutmeg, cinnamon, bay leaves, and cocoa, producing herbal teas and agricultural products. Farm visits are free, though a tip of EC$5–10 (US$2–4) is customary for guided walkthroughs.

• Mount Rich Petroglyphs (3 km southeast): Pre-Columbian Amerindian rock carvings etched onto large boulders along the Saint Patrick River valley, created by early Kalinago and Arawak inhabitants. Free to view; local community guides at the roadside hut appreciate an EC$5–10 (US$2–4) donation.

• Belmont Estate (7 km east): A functioning 17th-century organic agro-tourism plantation featuring heritage tours of cocoa processing, traditional bean-polishing demonstrations, an on-site chocolate factory, a heritage museum, and an organic garden. Guided tours cost EC$15–30 (US$6–11).

• Carib's Leap (Leapers' Hill) (6 km northeast in Sauteurs): A 40-meter coastal cliff where indigenous Kalinago people leapt to their deaths in 1651 rather than submit to French colonial conquest. The site sits behind St. Patrick's Catholic Church and overlooks the southern Grenadine islands. Free admission.

• River Antoine Rum Distillery (9 km east): Operating since 1785, this is the oldest functioning waterwheel-powered distillery in the Caribbean. Guided tours demonstrate sugar cane crushing, open boiling pots, and wood-fired pot stills. Admission and tasting tour cost EC$5–10 (US$2–4).

• Levera National Park & Beach (11 km northeast): A 450-acre protected coastal wetland and Atlantic beach that serves as one of the Caribbean's primary nesting grounds for endangered leatherback sea turtles. Park entry is free; licensed nocturnal turtle-watching tours during nesting season (April to July) cost EC$50–70 (US$19–26).

• Tour Spice and Cocoa Farms: Walk through local groves in Samaritan and Chantimelle to observe the harvesting of nutmeg, mace, cloves, and cocoa pods, followed by traditional sun-drying on sliding wooden trays.

• Hike Northern Parish Hill Roads: Walk the paved ridge roads linking Samaritan, Diego Piece, and Mount Rich for broad views over the interior hills, fruit orchards, and northern coastline.

• Watch Leatherback Turtle Nesting: Join a nighttime conservation tour with the Saint Patrick's Environmental and Conservation Tourism Organization (SPECTO) at Levera Beach between April and July to observe nesting sea turtles.

• Sample Bean-to-Bar Chocolate: Experience artisanal chocolate tastings and observe cocoa-sweating and roasting methods at Belmont Estate and the nearby Grenada Chocolate Company in Hermitage.

• Swim at Bathway Beach: Wade into the calm swimming lagoon at Bathway Beach (10 km northeast), protected from Atlantic surf by an offshore reef barrier, with beachfront food stands and picnic spots.

• Belmont Estate Restaurant (Belmont, 7 km east): Open-air dining room offering authentic Grenadian three-course buffet and à la carte lunches with ingredients grown on the estate, including callaloo soup, nutmeg-seasoned chicken, and fresh salads. Mid-range (EC$60–100 / US$22–37).
• Petite Anse Restaurant (Prospect, Sauteurs, 6.5 km north): Ocean-view terrace restaurant serving fresh local seafood, seasonal grilled Mahi-Mahi, West Indian curries, and tropical fruit desserts. Mid-range to Upscale (EC$70–145 / US$26–54).
• Helena's Ocean View Restaurant (Sauteurs, 6 km northeast): Casual eatery in central Sauteurs serving traditional local fare including stewed fish, curry goat, provision (yam, dasheen, and green fig), and macaroni pie. Budget (EC$15–35 / US$6–13).
• Sauteurs Market & Cookshops (Sauteurs, 6 km northeast): Informal food counters and open pots serving Grenada's national dish oil down (a savory stew of breadfruit, salted meat, dumplings, and callaloo in coconut milk) on Fridays and Saturdays, along with fried bakes and saltfish. Budget (EC$10–25 / US$4–9).

Village rum shops in Samaritan and neighboring road junctions serve as casual social hubs. Common local rums include River Antoine Rivers Royale Grenadian Rum (an overproof cane rum distilled at the nearby watermill) and Clarke's Court Special Dark. For non-alcoholic drinks, roadside vendors and village shops sell cold coconut water, freshly squeezed passion fruit juice, soursop juice, ginger beer, and hot cocoa tea brewed from local spiced cocoa balls. Tap water in Grenada is treated and generally safe to drink; bottled water is also widely sold in local stores.

Accommodations within Samaritan itself are limited to occasional private homestays. Visitors typically base themselves in nearby lodges and guesthouses around northern Saint Patrick and Saint Mark:

• Crayfish Bay Organic Cocoa Estate (Saint Mark, approx. 7 km west): Rustic open-air wooden cabins and treehouse lodgings situated on an organic working cocoa farm with self-catering kitchens. Budget: EC$160–260 (US$60–96) per night.
• Almost Paradise Cottages (Retreat, near Sauteurs, approx. 7 km north): Hilltop self-catering wooden cottages featuring private verandas, kitchenettes, and views across the sea toward the Grenadines. Mid-range: EC$350–550 (US$130–204) per night.
• Petite Anse Hotel (Prospect, Sauteurs, approx. 6.5 km north): Boutique coastal property with standalone cottages, a swimming pool, tropical gardens, and an on-site restaurant and bar. Upscale: EC$650–1,150 (US$240–425) per night.

• Sauteurs (6 km northeast): The parish capital of Saint Patrick, featuring Carib's Leap, historic stone churches, local eateries, and access to northern beaches.
• Victoria (7 km southwest): A coastal town in Saint Mark Parish with waterfront fish vendors and trailheads leading toward Mount Saint Catherine.
• Gouyave (15 km southwest): A major fishing center home to the Gouyave Nutmeg Processing Station and the weekly Friday Night Fish Fry street festival.
• Grenville (18 km southeast): Grenada's second-largest town, featuring a lively Saturday produce market, fish market, and east-coast transport connections.
• St. George's (35 km south): The national capital, with historic Fort George, the Carenage harbor, national museums, and access to Grand Anse Beach.