Essentials
- City
- Shoal Bay Village, Anguilla, British Overseas Territory
- Population
- Approx. 1,500 (Village area); 15,000 (Island total)
- Internet Speed
- 30-100 Mbps via Flow Anguilla (Fiber available in Shoal Bay East)
- Currency & Banking
- Eastern Caribbean Dollar (XCD) fixed at 1 USD ≈ 2.70 XCD. USD is used everywhere.
- Tap Water
- Not recommended for drinking; cistern system. Use bottled water (approx. $2.50/1.5L).
- Power
- 110V, 60Hz. 🔌 Type A and B sockets (Same as USA/Canada)
- SIM Card
- Flow Anguilla or Digicel. Approx. $35 USD for 10GB data plan.
- Banking for Expats
- NCBA (National Commercial Bank of Anguilla). Most nomads use Revolut or Wise (Visa/MC widely accepted).
- Accommodation
- High-end villas and boutique resorts. Prices vary from $200 (low season) to $1,500+ per night.
- Cashless Friendly
- Yes, major restaurants and resorts accept cards; small roadside stands require cash.
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb, VRBO, or Shoal Bay Villas (starting at $250/night).
- Budget Accommodation
- Lloyd's Bed & Breakfast in The Valley (approx. $140/night) - 10 min drive from Shoal Bay.
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Shoal Bay East (Premium beach access and walking distance to bars).
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Island Harbour or Sandy Ground for more local vibe and slightly lower long-term rates.
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- No dedicated coworking; 'The Hub' at Zemi Beach House offers business services for guests.
- Best Cafe for Work
- Tropical Treats (The Valley) - Reliable Wi-Fi and good coffee/ice cream.
- Networking Events
- Anguilla Chamber of Commerce events; casual networking at 'Bankie Banx’s Dune Preserve'.
- Social Events for Expats
- Anguilla Expats Facebook Group; Sunday jazz lunches at Blue Bar at CeBlue.
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- No apps (no Uber/Lyft). Use local taxi dispatch (e.g., Accelyn Connor Taxi: +1 264-476-0560). Fare Shoal Bay to Valley: ~$20.
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Boo’s Cycle & Rental (Shoal Bay) - Approx. $40/day for scooters.
- Best Beach Nearby
- Shoal Bay East (world-class white sand and turquoise water).
- Top Regional Airline
- Anguilla Air Services (flights to St. Maarten and St. Barts).
- Top International Airline
- American Airlines (Direct flights from Miami MIA to Anguilla AXA).
- Highway Access
- The Valley Road connects Shoal Bay to the rest of the 35sq mile island.
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Blowing Point Ferry Terminal (Service to St. Martin - $30-$50 per trip).
- Public Transport Passes
- No public bus system exists; rental cars are the standard ($40-$60/day).
- Regional Travel
- Fast ferry to St. Martin (25 mins); flight to San Juan, PR (1 hour).
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Princess Alexandra Hospital (The Valley) - +1 264-497-2551
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Omari Banks Yoga at Zemi Beach House; Retreat Anguilla (Mobile sessions).
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Styler’s Fitness Center (The Valley) - $15 daily pass / $70 monthly.
- Laundry Services
- Suds Laundromat (The Valley) - Full service wash/dry/fold.
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- No major tech apps; 'K-S Delivery' (WhatsApp-based local concierge).
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Anguillian Crayfish (smaller, sweeter than lobster) at Madeariman.
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Veya (Sandy Ground) - Excellent vegetarian-friendly fine dining.
- Best Dessert Spots
- Le Bon Pain (Island Harbour) - Famous French pastries and chocolate croissants.
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Best Buy Supermarket (Long Path location) - Good variety for self-catering.
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Domino Ltd (local electronics/home items); Amazon ships via freight forwarders in Miami.
- Grocery Delivery
- Anguilla Grocery (Online ordering and delivery service).
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Sandy Ground (The 'pumping' heart of the island with Elvis’ Beach Bar).
- Local Brewery
- AXA Brewing Company (Located near The Valley; try the AXA Ale).
- Wine Bars
- Savvy’s at Zemi Beach House (Excellent rum and wine selection).
- Street Food Stalls
- Ken’s BBQ (The Valley) - Legendary roadside ribs and chicken.
- Popular International Cuisine
- Blanchards Beach Shack (American/Caribbean Fusion).
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Fountain Cavern National Park (Amerindian rock art).
- Museums & Art Venues
- Heritage Collection Museum (East End) - Curated by Colville Petty.
- Historical Sites
- Wallblake House (The Valley) - Historic plantation house built in 1787.
- Religious Sites
- St. Gerard’s Roman Catholic Church (Unique architecture).
- Annual Events
- Anguilla Summer Festival (August Carnival/Boat Racing).
- Cultural Districts
- The Valley (Administrative and historic center).
- Theater Venues
- No formal theatre; live performances held at Landsome Bowl Cultural Centre.
- Local Markets
- The Valley Market (Produce on Saturday mornings).
- Music Scene
- Bankie Banx’s Dune Preserve (Best live reggae on the island).
- Street Art
- Occasional murals in Sandy Ground and murals at the Art in the Park event.
- Cooking Classes
- Available through private chefs at villas (e.g., Chef Jullian Harris).
- Art Galleries
- Ani Art Academies; Devonish Art Gallery (West End).
- Historic Buildings
- Old Factory (The Valley) - Historic cotton gin.
- Local Heritage
- Boat racing is the national sport; traditionally hand-built wooden boats.
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Scilly Cay (Tiny offshore island accessible by a 2-min boat ride from Island Harbour).
- National Parks Nearby
- East End Pond Bird Sanctuary.
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Limestone Bay trails; cliff walks near Katouche Bay.
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Crocus Hill (The highest point on the island at 213 feet).
- Birdwatching Locations
- Road Bay Pond (Sandy Ground) - See Caribbean flamingos and stilts.
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Sandy Ground Beach (often hosted by local bars like Elvis’).
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- DHL (The Valley); Anguilla Post Office (For local PO boxes).
- Tech Repair Services
- Gadget City (The Valley) - Basic phone and laptop repairs.
- Table Tennis Spots
- Some luxury villas; no public clubs.
- Language Classes
- English is the official language; Spanish tutors available locally.
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Anguilla Public Library (Edison L. Hughes Education & Library Complex).
- Community Centers
- The Valley Community Centre.
- Gaming Lounges
- Virtuous Gaming (The Valley) - PC and console gaming.
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Gambling is illegal in Anguilla; closest casinos are in Sint Maarten (Dutch side).
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $6,500 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $260,000 for a managed resort unit).
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $4,800 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $192,000 in more inland areas).
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $7,500 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $450,000 for beachfront Shoal Bay).
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $5,500 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $330,000 in South Hill).
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $8,500 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $680,000 beachfront villas).
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $6,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $480,000).
- Corporate Tax
- 0% (Anguilla is a zero-tax jurisdiction).
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 0%
- Tax System
- Territorial; no income tax, capital gains tax, or inheritance tax.
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 0%
- VAT
- In 2022, GST (Goods and Services Tax) was introduced at 13%.
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- None.
- Property Tax
- Yes, annual tax based on assessed value (approx. 0.75% for residential).
- Property Transaction Tax
- 5% Stamp Duty + 12.5% Aliens Land Holding License for non-belongers.
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Extremely high. Digital Nomad Visa (Anguilla 'Work from Anguilla') allows 12 months with 0% local income tax.