You reach Maca Bana by climbing. The road rises above Magazine Beach, bending past hedges and low walls before opening to a wide view of the sea. Below you, waves hit rock shelves in short, steady bursts. On calmer days, swimmers move along the edge of the rocks and climb out where sand begins. The water shifts quickly in color here, from deep blue offshore to a sharp, bright turquoise closer in.

The property sits on a sloped hillside above the beach. The ground drops steadily toward the water, and nothing is arranged in straight lines. You notice the exposure immediately. Wind moves freely across the point. Sound carries up from the beach in pieces and then disappears. From this height, you can see how the beach curves and how open the sea feels once you step out of the car.

This is not a resort you enter and then forget about the setting. The land stays present the entire time you’re here.

The Resort

Maca Bana occupies a compact stretch of hillside overlooking Magazine Beach. Instead of a central building, the resort is spread out, with individual accommodations placed apart from one another. There’s no lobby pulling everyone into the same space. You move on foot, along garden paths and stone steps, passing railings that face the sea.

Most of the time, you’re either near your own accommodation or heading downhill. The walk to the beach is short but noticeable. You’ll do it several times a day, sometimes barefoot, sometimes carrying towels or a book, sometimes heading back uphill after dinner while music fades behind you. That separation matters. Even when the beach below is active, the hillside stays quiet.

The grounds are filled with tropical gardens rather than open lawns. Paths curve instead of running straight. You pass other guests occasionally, but rarely in clusters. Even when the resort is full, it never feels crowded.

The Rooms

Accommodations at Maca Bana are spread across the hillside in a mix of detached villas and smaller studio-style units. There are no shared corridors or interior hallways. Each unit has its own entrance, usually reached by a short garden path or a set of steps from the road above.

Inside, the rooms are arranged for staying in. Kitchens are fully equipped and actually used, especially for breakfast, coffee, and simple meals between trips to the beach. You’ll find full-size refrigerators, cookware, and enough counter space to spread out groceries. Many guests stop at a local market on the way in and stock up for the week.

Living areas open directly to outdoor decks or balconies rather than interior hallways. Most people keep doors and windows open, relying on ceiling fans and air flow instead of closing everything off. Screens help, but you’ll still hear the sea, the wind, and occasionally the sound of glasses clinking far below.

Beds are positioned to face outward where possible, with views across Magazine Beach and the Caribbean Sea. Waking up here means checking the water before anything else. Bathrooms are practical and private, designed for rinsing off salt and sand rather than lingering.

Each unit sits differently on the hill. Some have private pools, some have hot tubs. Some just have great views. Paw Paw is closest to the cliff edge, with uninterrupted views straight out over the water. Rock Fig and Mango are more compact and tucked into quieter corners. Coconut and Avocado offer multiple bedrooms and higher vantage points, better suited to longer stays or small groups. Pineapple stretches outward with a wide balcony, hammocks, and a jacuzzi overlooking the sea.

There are no landline phones in the rooms. Instead, you’re given a mobile phone for your stay, which simplifies things if you need to contact staff or make local calls. Solar power runs the property. You notice it mostly because the resort feels light on infrastructure and heavy on outdoor living.

The Pool and Grounds

The communal saline infinity pool sits above the beach with a clear view of the water below. It’s surrounded by gardens rather than rows of loungers. At most hours, the pool is lightly used. Guests drift in, stay briefly, then move on.

If you’re deciding where to spend your time, the pool works best as a pause between the beach and your room. Late afternoon is often the quietest, when people have come back from the sand but aren’t ready to head out for dinner.

Aquarium Restaurant

At the bottom of the hill, directly on the sand, is Aquarium Restaurant. It’s one of Grenada’s most popular beachside restaurants and draws a steady mix of locals, visitors, and resort guests. The bar is terrific.

Tables sit close to the water, with waves reaching the edge of the dining area at high tide. Lunch tends to stretch. People arrive casually, stay longer than planned, and order another drink. Dinner runs later, especially on weekends, when the beach fills with conversation and low music.

The menu focuses on fresh seafood and locally sourced ingredients, paired with Caribbean-influenced dishes and a strong cocktail program. Guests staying at Maca Bana often treat Aquarium as an extension of the resort, walking down for meals and back up afterward without needing transportation.

On Sundays, the beach barbecue brings a larger crowd. Live music carries across the sand in the afternoon, and the atmosphere shifts from quiet to social. If you prefer calmer meals, plan around it. If you want energy without leaving the property, this is when it happens.

It’s one of the true must-visits on Grenada, and one of my favorites on the island, too. Just a legendary Caribbean beach establishment.

The Beach

This is the real reason you come here. The draw. The thing you can’t be without. 

Magazine Beach stretches wide beneath the resort, framed by rocks at either end. The sand is pale and clean, with plenty of room to spread out. The beach stays relatively uncrowded compared to others closer to town.

Snorkeling is possible near the rocks when conditions allow. You’ll want to check the water before heading in, as the area can be exposed on windy days. Kayaks and loungers are available through the resort, though many guests simply pick a spot on the sand and stay there for hours.

Because the beach sits directly below the hillside, you’re never far from your room. That proximity makes it easy to move back and forth throughout the day rather than committing to long stretches in one place.

Who It Works For

Maca Bana suits travelers who value independence, privacy, and setting over programming. It works especially well for couples, small groups, and repeat Caribbean visitors who are comfortable managing their own schedule.

You’ll enjoy this resort most if you like walking, don’t mind hills, and prefer villas or self-contained accommodations to traditional hotel rooms. It’s a good fit if your days revolve around the beach, reading, swimming, and unstructured time rather than organized activities.

Families with older children do well here, particularly in the larger units. Travelers who need elevators, flat terrain, or constant staff presence may find it challenging.

Getting There and Getting Around

Maca Bana is a short drive from Maurice Bishop International Airport. Transfers are straightforward, and most guests arrive by taxi or rental car. St. George’s is close enough for easy access to town, though the resort feels removed from traffic and noise.

Once you arrive, many guests find little reason to leave. Between the beach, Aquarium Restaurant, and your accommodation, daily needs stay contained within a small area. If you plan to explore the island more widely, renting a car makes sense. If you’re here to settle in and stay put, you can easily do so without one.

By the second or third day, you’ll know exactly how long the walk takes from your room to the beach, which path is steepest, and where the breeze is strongest. That familiarity becomes part of the stay.

Prices at Maca Bana

Rooms start at around $694 per night right now, according to what I found on Google Flights.