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Essentials

πŸ™οΈ City Holetown is a vibrant beach town located on the west coast of Barbados, known for its beautiful beaches and lively atmosphere.
πŸ‘₯ Population Approximately 1,600 residents.
πŸ’» Internet Speed Average download speed is around 25 Mbps.
πŸ’Έ Currency & Banking Currency is Barbadian Dollar (BBD). 1 USD β‰ˆ 2 BBD.
🚰 Tap Water Generally safe to drink, but it's advisable to use bottled water.
πŸ”Œ Power Electricity is 110V, 50Hz, with Type A/B sockets.
πŸ“Ά SIM Card Popular mobile providers include Digicel and Flow.
πŸ’³ Banking for Expats Banks such as CIBC FirstCaribbean and Scotiabank are widely used.
πŸ›Œ Accommodation Options include hotels, guesthouses, and Airbnb rentals.
πŸ’³ Cashless Friendly Yes, cards are widely accepted, especially in tourist areas.
🏠 Short Term Rentals Available through platforms like Airbnb and VRBO.
πŸ›οΈ Budget Accommodation Affordable hostels and guest houses are available, like The Legend Garden.
πŸ™οΈ Best Area to Stay for Tourists The beachfront area near Holetown is popular among tourists.
πŸ™οΈ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads Areas around the West Coast, particularly Holetown, provide good amenities and access to coworking spaces.

Working and Networking

🏒 Best Coworking Space The Haven is a popular coworking space known for its friendly environment.
β˜• Best Cafe for Work Cafe Bar Carizma offers a good atmosphere for working with reliable Wi-Fi.
πŸ’Ό Networking Events Digital Nomads Barbados organizes regular meetups.
πŸ₯‚ Social Events for Expats Many Facebook groups for expats in Barbados facilitate social gatherings.

Transportation

πŸš• Best Taxi/Ride App The Uber app operates in Holetown, providing convenient transport.
🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental Holetown offers scooter rentals, such as Island Safari.
πŸ–οΈ Best Beach Nearby The stunning Sandy Lane Beach is just a short walk away.
✈️ Top Regional Airline LIAT (Leeward Islands Air Transport) serves regional flights.
✈️ Top International Airline American Airlines and British Airways frequently fly to Barbados.
πŸ›£οΈ Highway Access The ABC Highway provides access to the rest of the island.
πŸš‰ Main Train/Transit Hub Transportation is primarily by bus; there is no train service.
🚍 Public Transport Passes Bus service offers affordable fares, generally around $2 BBD.
✈️ Regional Travel Barbados has established bus services that connect to other areas on the island.

Health and Wellness

πŸ₯ Best Hospital Queen Elizabeth Hospital is the main healthcare facility on the island.
🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers Breathe Yoga offers various classes close to Holetown.
πŸ‹οΈ Gyms & Fitness Centers The gym at The Club offers good fitness facilities for residents and tourists.
🧺 Laundry Services Washing machines are available in most accommodations; laundromat services are also available.

Food and Drink

πŸ“± Best Food Delivery App Uber Eats operates effectively in Holetown.
🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try Must try 'Flying Fish' served with cou-cou, a local specialty.
🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options The Good Life caters well to vegetarian and vegan diets.
🍫 Best Dessert Spots The Sweet Place offers delicious local sweets and pastries.
πŸ›’ Affordable Shopping Spots Holetown markets provide fresh produce and local products at reasonable prices.
πŸ›’ E-commerce/Online Store Amazon delivers to Barbados, and local stores have online shopping options.
πŸ›’ Grocery Delivery Popular grocery stores like Massy offer delivery services.
🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area The nightlife in Holetown is vibrant, particularly around the beach bars.
🍻 Local Brewery The Banks Brewery offers tours and tastings of their local beer.
🍷 Wine Bars Windsor Wines provides an excellent selection of local and international wines.
🍲 Street Food Stalls Local vendors around the beach area offer delicious street food.
πŸ• Popular International Cuisine Restaurants like The Spaghetti House serve a variety of international dishes.

Culture and Attractions

🎟️ Must-See Landmarks The St. James Parish Church is a notable historical site.
πŸ›οΈ Museums & Art Venues The Barbados Museum is a great place to learn about local history.
🏰 Historical Sites The Holetown Monument commemorates the first settlement.
πŸ• Religious Sites Visit the nearby St. James Parish Church for its architecture.
πŸŽ‰ Annual Events Holetown Festival in February celebrates the island's heritage.
🎨 Cultural Districts The Arts and Crafts district near Holetown features local artisans.
🎭 Theater Venues The Frank Collymore Hall hosts various performances.
πŸ›οΈ Local Markets Holetown has local markets featuring crafts and food goods.
🎼 Music Scene Live music can be found in many bars and restaurants along the coast.
🎨 Street Art Local street art can be seen throughout Holetown and nearby.
πŸ§‘β€πŸ³ Cooking Classes Cooking classes in local kitchens offer insights into Barbadian cuisine.
πŸ‘©β€πŸŽ¨ Art Galleries Gallery of Caribbean Art displays works by local artists.
πŸ•°οΈ Historic Buildings The Holetown Heritage Centre showcases local history and culture.
🏴 Local Heritage The area is steeped in the history of Barbados' colonial past.

Nature and Outdoor Activities

πŸŒ… Nearby Nature Escapes Animal Flower Cave offers stunning sea views and rock formations.
🏞️ National Parks Nearby The Barbados Wildlife Reserve is a must-visit for nature lovers.
🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths The West Coast boardwalk offers scenic views for walkers and cyclists.
πŸŒ„ Scenic Viewpoints Gun Hill Signal Station provides panoramic views of the island.
πŸ¦‰ Birdwatching Locations The Welchman Hall Gully is a great spot for birdwatching.
πŸ”₯ Bonfire-Friendly Spots Certain beach areas allow bonfires but check local regulations.

Other Services and Amenities

πŸ“¦ Parcel Delivery Service Couriers like FedEx and DHL operate within Holetown.
πŸ› οΈ Tech Repair Services Local services are available for phone and gadget repairs.
πŸ“ Table Tennis Spots Community centers often have table tennis tables available.
πŸ§‘β€πŸ« Language Classes The Barbados Language Institute offers various language courses.
πŸ“š Libraries & Study Spots The National Library Service can be accessed in Bridgetown for study.
🏘️ Community Centers The Holetown community center hosts various events and activities.
πŸ•ΉοΈ Gaming Lounges Local cafes sometimes host gaming nights.
🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls The Princess Casino offers a fun night out for gaming enthusiasts.

Business

🏒 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) Approx. BBD 500,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = BBD 20,000,000)
🏒 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) Approx. BBD 350,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = BBD 14,000,000)
🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) Approx. BBD 600,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = BBD 36,000,000)
🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) Approx. BBD 450,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = BBD 27,000,000)
🏑 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) Approx. BBD 750,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = BBD 60,000,000)
🏑 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) Approx. BBD 600,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = BBD 48,000,000)
πŸ’Ό Corporate Tax 30% corporate tax rate.
πŸ’΅ Dividend Withholding Tax 15% withholding tax on dividends.
🏦 Tax System Local tax regulations apply to worldwide income for residents.
πŸ“ˆ Highest Income Tax Bracket Effective maximum rate can reach 40%.
🧾 VAT 15% VAT rate.
🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules No strict CFC rules apply.
🏠 Property Tax Annual property tax is applicable based on assessed value.
🏠 Property Transaction Tax 4% property transfer tax when acquiring property.
πŸ’» Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads No tax on income sourced outside of Barbados for non-residents.

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