Kuala Belait, Brunei 🇧🇳
#1935 4.58451, 114.193237

Nomad Score: 61%
Overview Guide Scores Costs

Essentials

🏙️ City Kuala Belait is a town located in the Belait District of Brunei, known for its oil industry and multicultural community.
👥 Population Approximately 30,000.
💻 Internet Speed Average internet speed is around 50 Mbps.
💸 Currency & Banking Brunei Dollar (BND); 1 BND ≈ 0.74 USD.
🚰 Tap Water Drinkable and safe to consume.
🔌 Power 240V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type G sockets.
📶 SIM Card Providers include DST Communications and Progresif.
💳 Banking for Expats Major banks include Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam (BIBD) and HSBC.
🛌 Accommodation Options range from hotels to serviced apartments, with Airbnb available.
💳 Cashless Friendly Yes, contactless payments are widely accepted.
🏠 Short Term Rentals Airbnb and local rentals available for short stays.
🛏️ Budget Accommodation Hotels like The Qasr and Hostels are available at economical rates.

Working and Networking

🏢 Best Coworking Space Kuala Belait Coworking Space offers reliable internet and meeting rooms.
☕ Best Cafe for Work Café Bateeq is popular among digital nomads for its ambiance and Wi-Fi.
💼 Networking Events Regular tech meetups organized by the local expat community.
🥂 Social Events for Expats There are expat meetups at local cafes and community events.

Transportation

🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App Ride-hailing services are limited; local taxis are available.
🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental Limited, but some rental options available in the city.
🏖️ Best Beach Nearby Seria Beach is approximately 30 minutes away.
✈️ Top Regional Airline Royal Brunei Airlines operates regional flights.
✈️ Top International Airline Royal Brunei Airlines is the main international carrier.
🛣️ Highway Access Access to the Brunei Highway is nearby.
🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub No train services; bus transit is available for inter-city travel.
🚍 Public Transport Passes Local bus tickets are affordable; options are limited.
✈️ Regional Travel Buses run to Kuala Belait from the capital, Bandar Seri Begawan.

Health and Wellness

🏥 Best Hospital Kuala Belait Hospital is the main healthcare facility.
🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers Wellness centers like Fusion Fitness offer yoga classes.
🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers Gold's Gym and local fitness centers are available.
🧺 Laundry Services Several laundromats available within the town.

Food and Drink

📱 Best Food Delivery App Food delivery via GoFood is popular.
🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try Nasi Katok, a local dish served with fried chicken and rice.
🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options Healthy vegetarian options available at local eateries like Veggie Haven.
🍫 Best Dessert Spots D'Cafe offers delightful local desserts.
🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots Kuala Belait Market has a variety of local fresh produce.
🛒 E-commerce/Online Store Service like Shopee and Lazada are available.
🛒 Grocery Delivery Grocery delivery services like HappyFresh are available.
🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area Nightlife is limited; some local bars operate.
🍻 Local Brewery Brunei doesn't have local breweries; imported beers available.
🍷 Wine Bars Wine is limited due to strict regulations; available in select grocery stores.
🍲 Street Food Stalls Street food from local vendors is abundant during evenings.
🍕 Popular International Cuisine Local restaurants offer Chinese and Malay cuisines.

Culture and Attractions

🎟️ Must-See Landmarks The Kuala Belait Waterfront is a popular tourist attraction.
🏛️ Museums & Art Venues Brunei Museum in nearby Bandar Seri Begawan is notable.
🏰 Historical Sites Kampong Ayer, the water village, is a significant historical site.
🕍 Religious Sites The Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque, although in Bandar, is a short trip away.
🎉 Annual Events Brunei National Day celebrations occur in February.
🎨 Cultural Districts The town center has a mix of Bruneian cultures.
🎭 Theater Venues Cultural performances held at the Civic Centre.
🛍️ Local Markets Kuala Belait Market on weekends is vibrant with local produce.
🎼 Music Scene Local bands perform at community events; less formal venues.
🎨 Street Art Limited street art, but some murals exist downtown.
🧑‍🍳 Cooking Classes Cooking classes showcasing local dishes at community centers.
👩‍🎨 Art Galleries No major galleries; local art can be found in markets.
🕰️ Historic Buildings Traditional Malay wooden houses along the river.
🏴 Local Heritage Kuala Belait has heritage linked to Brunei's oil history.

Nature and Outdoor Activities

🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes Labi Forest Reserve is a short drive away for nature hikes.
🏞️ National Parks Nearby Ulu Temburong National Park is accessible via boat.
🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths Paths along the waterfront and local parks are available.
🌄 Scenic Viewpoints Lookouts in the surrounding hills offer great views.
🦉 Birdwatching Locations Kuala Belait is close to mangroves, ideal for birdwatching.
🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots Some beaches allow bonfires, check local regulations.

Other Services and Amenities

📦 Parcel Delivery Service DHL and local services available for parcel delivery.
🛠️ Tech Repair Services Local shops available for phone and gadget repairs.
🏓 Table Tennis Spots Available at local community centers.
🧑‍🏫 Language Classes Private language classes are available through tutors.
📚 Libraries & Study Spots Local libraries provide study spaces and internet.
🏘️ Community Centers Community centers in the town host events and classes.
🕹️ Gaming Lounges Limited gaming lounges; some cafes provide gaming facilities.
🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls Brunei has no casinos due to Islamic regulations.

Business

🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) Approx. BND 2,500 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = BND 100,000).
🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) Approx. BND 2,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = BND 80,000).
🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) Approx. BND 3,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = BND 180,000).
🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) Approx. BND 2,500 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = BND 150,000).
🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) Approx. BND 3,500 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = BND 280,000).
🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) Approx. BND 2,800 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = BND 224,000).
💼 Corporate Tax 18.5% for companies.
💵 Dividend Withholding Tax 0% on dividends.
🏦 Tax System No personal income tax, corporate income based on profits.
📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket 0%.
🧾 VAT Brunei has no VAT.
🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules Not applicable.
🏠 Property Tax No annual property tax in Brunei.
🏠 Property Transaction Tax No transfer tax applies in Brunei.