Speightstown, Barbados 🇧🇧
#1192 13.250053, -59.642378

Nomad Score: 66%
Overview Guide Scores Costs

Essentials

🏙️ City Speightstown is a small coastal town located on the west coast of Barbados, known for its colonial architecture and beautiful beaches.
👥 Population Approximately 1,500 residents.
💻 Internet Speed Average download speed is around 20-30 Mbps, with access to fiber-optic connections in some areas.
💸 Currency & Banking Currency is Barbadian Dollar (BBD) with an exchange rate of approximately 1 BBD ≈ 0.50 USD.
🚰 Tap Water Generally drinkable, but bottled water is recommended for visitors.
🔌 Power Voltage is 115V, 50Hz, with Type A/B sockets.
📶 SIM Card Local providers include Digicel and Flow, with prepaid SIM cards available at convenience stores.
💳 Banking for Expats Banks like Republic Bank and CIBC FirstCaribbean are available, and international services such as Revolut are accepted.
🛌 Accommodation Options include beachfront rentals, guesthouses, and Airbnb listings starting around $70 USD per night.
💳 Cashless Friendly Yes, cards are widely accepted in most establishments.
🏠 Short Term Rentals Airbnb and VRBO operate in the area with properties ranging from $100 to $300 USD nightly.
🛏️ Budget Accommodation Budget lodgings like The Fish Pot Inn offer rooms from $60 USD per night.

Working and Networking

🏢 Best Coworking Space The Business Center at Sky Mall provides a great atmosphere for remote work.
☕ Best Cafe for Work The Orange Street Grocer offers a relaxing space with good coffee and Wi-Fi.
💼 Networking Events Regular meetup events can be found through Expats in Barbados Facebook group.
🥂 Social Events for Expats Monthly beach cleanups and community gatherings organized by local expat groups.

Transportation

🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App MAXI Taxis are popular; Uber is not available, but local taxi services operate throughout Speightstown.
🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental Local shops like Ride & Roll offer bike and scooter rentals starting at $20 USD per day.
🏖️ Best Beach Nearby Godings Bay is a beautiful beach located a 5-minute walk away.
✈️ Top Regional Airline LIAT provides regional flights throughout the Caribbean.
✈️ Top International Airline British Airways and American Airlines operate flights to and from Barbados.
🛣️ Highway Access The ABC Highway provides easy access to the rest of the island.
🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub Public transport options include local buses and vans along the main road.
🚍 Public Transport Passes Public buses charge a flat fee of 2 BBD per ride.
✈️ Regional Travel Local buses and taxis connect Speightstown to Bridgetown and other parts of the island.

Health and Wellness

🏥 Best Hospital The Surgical Hospital in the nearby town of Holetown is well-equipped.
🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers Yoga with Charlotte offers classes and wellness retreats.
🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers Fitness First at Sunset Crest offers gym facilities and classes.
🧺 Laundry Services Local laundromats are available, such as The Washboard in Speightstown.

Food and Drink

📱 Best Food Delivery App Food delivery can be accessed via PickUp or local restaurant delivery services.
🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try Cou-Cou and Flying Fish, a must-try Barbadian dish available at local eateries.
🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options The Good Life offers various vegan and vegetarian dishes, including salads and smoothies.
🍫 Best Dessert Spots The Little Bake Shop is known for its delicious pastries and cakes.
🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots Explore local markets in Speightstown, such as the Farmers’ Market for fresh produce.
🛒 E-commerce/Online Store Pickup Barbados and Shop Barbados offer local product delivery.
🛒 Grocery Delivery Massy Stores provides grocery delivery options within Speightstown.
🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area The Fisherman's Pub offers live music and a vibrant atmosphere for nightlife.
🍻 Local Brewery Banks Beer Brewery offers tours and tastings.
🍷 Wine Bars The Wine Bar on Speightstown beachfront offers a selection of wines and tapas.
🍲 Street Food Stalls The Oistin's Fish Fry, a short drive away, offers great local street food.
🍕 Popular International Cuisine Tides Restaurant offers a mix of local and international dishes.

Culture and Attractions

🎟️ Must-See Landmarks Speightstown's historic buildings and St. Peter's Church are local attractions.
🏛️ Museums & Art Venues Visit the Arlington House Museum, which showcases the town's history.
🏰 Historical Sites The Elysium, a historic estate, provides insight into local history.
🕍 Religious Sites St. Peter's Church is a beautiful example of colonial architecture.
🎉 Annual Events The Holetown Festival in February celebrates local culture and heritage.
🎨 Cultural Districts Experience local culture at the Speightstown waterfront and local markets.
🎭 Theater Venues While Speightstown lacks formal theaters, local community centers host performances.
🛍️ Local Markets Speightstown Fish Market offers fresh seafood and local produce daily.
🎼 Music Scene Local bands often play at bars along the beachfront.
🎨 Street Art Enjoy vibrant murals painted by local artists throughout the town.
🧑‍🍳 Cooking Classes Local chefs offer cooking classes focusing on Caribbean cuisine.
👩‍🎨 Art Galleries The Speightstown Art Gallery showcases works by local artists.
🕰️ Historic Buildings Check out the old warehouse buildings that reflect the town's colonial past.
🏴 Local Heritage Speightstown is known for its rich history as a former sugar port.

Nature and Outdoor Activities

🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes Animal Flower Cave offers stunning coastal views and is approximately 30 minutes away.
🏞️ National Parks Nearby The Barbados Wildlife Reserve is about 20 minutes drive from Speightstown.
🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths The scenic coastal path stretches from Speightstown to Holetown, ideal for walking or biking.
🌄 Scenic Viewpoints Visit Speightstown beachfront for stunning ocean views at sunset.
🦉 Birdwatching Locations The Barbados Wildlife Reserve is perfect for spotting native bird species.
🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots Some beaches in the area allow bonfires, ask locals for advice on safe spots.

Other Services and Amenities

📦 Parcel Delivery Service Local courier services such as Fast Cargo and DHL operate in the area.
🛠️ Tech Repair Services Companies like iPhone Repair Barbados offer quick service for electronic devices.
🏓 Table Tennis Spots Local community centers often have table tennis tables available.
🧑‍🏫 Language Classes Language schools in Bridgetown offer English lessons for expats.
📚 Libraries & Study Spots The Barbados National Library is approximately 30 minutes away and offers study spaces.
🏘️ Community Centers The Speightstown Community Center hosts various events and workshops.
🕹️ Gaming Lounges Local cafes sometimes feature gaming nights and events.
🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls The nearby Casuarina Beach Resort features a small gaming area.

Business

🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) Approx. $2,500 per m² (e.g., 35 m² = $87,500).
🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) Approx. $2,200 per m² (e.g., 35 m² = $77,000).
🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) Approx. $2,800 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $168,000).
🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) Approx. $2,500 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $150,000).
🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) Approx. $3,200 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $256,000).
🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) Approx. $2,900 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $232,000).
💼 Corporate Tax Standard corporate tax rate is 30%.
💵 Dividend Withholding Tax The tax rate applied to dividend distributions is 15%.
🏦 Tax System Residents are taxed on worldwide income.
📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket Maximum personal income tax rate is 40%.
🧾 VAT Standard Value Added Tax rate is 17.5%.
🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules Yes, Barbados has rules governing taxation of foreign subsidiaries.
🏠 Property Tax Annual property tax is based on the value of the property.
🏠 Property Transaction Tax Typical property transaction tax rate is 2.5%.