Business
- Property Tax
- None.
- Property Transaction Tax
- None.
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- N/A. Land ownership is prohibited by the Antarctic Treaty.
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- N/A. Private construction is forbidden.
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- N/A.
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- N/A.
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- N/A.
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- N/A.
- Corporate Tax
- 0% (Antarctica has no sovereign government).
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 0%.
- Tax System
- Residents pay income tax to their home country (US State Dept rules for USAP).
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- Based on US Federal Tax brackets (Up to 37%).
- VAT
- 0%.
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- None local.
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- None. You cannot legally live here as a nomad. All residents are employees/contractors.
Essentials
- City
- Palmer Station, Anvers Island, Antarctica
- Population
- 44 (Max capacity in Summer), ~15-20 in Winter
- Internet Speed
- 2-5 Mbps shared via Intelsat satellite; latency +700ms. Low bandwidth; no streaming allowed.
- Currency & Banking
- US Dollar (USD). No ATMs. All transactions at 'The Store' are cashless/account-based.
- Tap Water
- Potable; produced via Reverse Osmosis desalinization on-site. Safe to drink.
- Power
- 120V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A & B (US Standard). Dual 500kW generators.
- SIM Card
- None. No cellular network exists. Handheld VHF radios are used for local communication.
- Banking for Expats
- Only US-based accounts via NSF/ASC payroll or major credit cards (Visa/MC) for souvenirs.
- Accommodation
- G-Housing (Terra Nova) or Bio-Lab dorms. Provided strictly for NSF-funded researchers/staff.
- Cashless Friendly
- Yes, only credit cards or employee payroll deductions at the station store.
- Short Term Rentals
- None. Unauthorized visitors/nomads are prohibited from staying overnight.
- Budget Accommodation
- Non-existent. Visiting cruise ship passengers must return to leur vessels ($15,000+ per cruise).
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Torgersen Island (Via cruise expedition ship only) for penguin colony viewing.
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- None. Palmer Station is a restricted research facility; independent work residency is not permitted.
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- The Dining Hall (Galley). Best after 20:00 when meals are finished.
- Best Cafe for Work
- The Galley Coffee Nook. Offers free percolated coffee 24/7 for station residents.
- Networking Events
- Palmer Science Lectures (Weekly in the Bio-Lab lounge); Science-Sunday presentations.
- Social Events for Expats
- Saturday Night Themed Dinners and 'Dodgeball' in the aquarium room (seasonal).
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- None. Zodiac Mark V Inflatable Boats (Require training and NSF certification).
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Not feasible. Terrain consists of the Marr Ice Piedmont glacier and jagged rocks.
- Best Beach Nearby
- Hero Inlet. Rocky, strictly for scientific sampling and leopard seal spotting.
- Top Regional Airline
- Ken Borek Air (DeHavilland Twin Otters) via Punta Arenas, Chile.
- Top International Airline
- LATAM (To Punta Arenas) then ship transit on the RV Laurence M. Gould.
- Highway Access
- None. Zero paved roads. Pedestrian 'flagged routes' over the glacier.
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- The GWR (Great White Runway) - an ice runway on the glacier for ski-equipped planes.
- Public Transport Passes
- US Antarctic Program (USAP) travel orders only.
- Regional Travel
- Transit to Rothera Research Station (UK) via Twin Otter (Scientific mission only).
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Palmer Medical Clinic. 1 Physician/PA on site. Serious cases require Medevac to Punta Arenas ($100k+).
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Bio-Lab Lounge. Informal yoga sessions led by volunteers at 17:00.
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- The Palmer Gym. Small room with 1 treadmill, 1 rowing machine, and free weights.
- Laundry Services
- Shared laundry room in G-Housing. Free for residents; strict water conservation rules.
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- None. Food is served in the Galley at set times: Breakfast 07:30, Lunch 12:00, Dinner 17:30.
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Fresh-baked 'Station Bread' and Mid-Winter Feast Prime Rib.
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Surprisingly high; station chefs accommodate dietary needs due to restricted supply.
- Best Dessert Spots
- The Galley. Saturday night pies and freshly churned ice cream.
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- The Palmer Store. Sells t-shirts ($25), patches ($10), and hygiene basics.
- E-commerce/Online Store
- None. Mail is delivered every 6-8 weeks via the RV Laurence M. Gould.
- Grocery Delivery
- The 'Freshies' delivery. Fresh fruit/veg arriving via research vessel every 2 months.
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Palmer Station Pub (The Bar). Located in the lounge; staff-run with personal BYO stashes.
- Local Brewery
- Small homebrew operations (The Palmer Brewhouse) managed by off-duty technicians.
- Wine Bars
- None. Residents often share duty-free wine brought from Punta Arenas.
- Street Food Stalls
- None. Outdoor BBQ at the 'Back Dock' during rare 'high-sun' days.
- Popular International Cuisine
- Varied menu depending on the chef; often includes Thai or Mexican nights.
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- The Backyard (Marr Ice Piedmont Glacier) and Backyard 'Blue' Ice.
- Museums & Art Venues
- The Aquarium Room. Observe local Krill and Antarctic Cod specimens.
- Historical Sites
- Old Palmer (Ruins of the original 1960s station nearby).
- Religious Sites
- None. Outdoor 'Chapel of the Penguins' (informal scenic spot on the glacier).
- Annual Events
- The Midwinter Plunge (June 21st) – jumping into the sub-zero Southern Ocean.
- Cultural Districts
- The Bio-Lab (Scientific Hub).
- Theater Venues
- Lounge Movie Nights. Using a projector and a large collection of DVDs/Hard drives.
- Local Markets
- None. Occasional 'Clothing Swaps' held in the lounge.
- Music Scene
- Station Band (various names); residents playing instruments in the lounge.
- Street Art
- Graffiti on the inner walls of the generator room; murals in the Galley.
- Cooking Classes
- Informal 'Galley Help' – volunteers assisting the chef for fun.
- Art Galleries
- Photography displays in the hallways featuring resident wildlife shots.
- Historic Buildings
- Terra Nova Housing (Original Structure).
- Local Heritage
- The legacy of the RV Hero, the station’s original wooden research vessel.
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- The Marr Ice Piedmont. Massive glacier directly behind the station.
- National Parks Nearby
- None. Entire continent is governed by the Antarctic Treaty as a nature reserve.
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Flagged glacier trail to 'Bonaparte Point'.
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Mount Ohlin summit (Technical climb required).
- Birdwatching Locations
- Adélie penguin colonies on Torgersen and Humble Islands.
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Strictly prohibited by the Antarctic Treaty/Environmental Protocol.
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- USPS Mail. Zip Code: 96599. Takes 1-3 months via ship.
- Tech Repair Services
- Station IT and Electronics Technicians (Limited to mission-critical hardware).
- Table Tennis Spots
- The Aquarium Room. 1 standard table tennis table.
- Language Classes
- Occasional Spanish/English swap sessions with visiting Chilean scientists.
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Palmer Station Library (Lounge). Specialized collection of polar literature.
- Community Centers
- The 'Lounge' in the main building.
- Gaming Lounges
- The Lounge (Nintendo Switch and Board Games).
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- None. Small-stakes poker nights are common among staff.