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Kuala Belait, Brunei 🇧🇳
#1935 ,

Nomad Score: 57%

Essentials

🏙️ City Kuala Belait is a coastal town located in Brunei, known for its oil and gas industry and lush natural surroundings.
👥 Population Approximately 25,000.
💻 Internet Speed Average internet speed is around 30–50 Mbps.
💸 Currency & Banking Brunei Dollar (BND). 1 BND ≈ 0.74 USD.
🚰 Tap Water Tap water is generally drinkable, but it's advisable to use filtered water.
🔌 Power 240V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type G sockets.
📶 SIM Card Providers include DST Communications and Progresif.
💳 Banking for Expats Most international credit and debit cards are accepted. Banks include Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam.
🛌 Accommodation Options include local hotels, serviced apartments, and Airbnbs, with average pricing for a one-bedroom unit around BND 800 per month.
💳 Cashless Friendly Yes, cards are widely accepted but cash is still preferred for small transactions.
🏠 Short Term Rentals Airbnb is available with options starting around BND 50 a night.
🛏️ Budget Accommodation Hostel options are limited; however, some budget hotels like The Brunei Hotel offer rooms starting from BND 60.
🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists The waterfront area offers scenic views and is close to local attractions.
🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads Living close to the Central Business District provides easy access to cafes and coworking spaces.

Working and Networking

🏢 Best Coworking Space Lokasi Co-Working Space offers desk rentals and is equipped with high-speed internet.
Best Cafe for Work Coffee Zone is a popular spot with a relaxed atmosphere and reliable Wi-Fi.
💼 Networking Events Local meetups are less common, but expat communities often connect through Facebook groups.
🥂 Social Events for Expats Brunei Expatriates Group on Facebook organizes weekly meetups.

Transportation

🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App Grab is popular for taxi services in Kuala Belait.
🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental Bike rentals are available from local shops; pricing around BND 15 per day.
🏖️ Best Beach Nearby Seria Beach, approximately 30 minutes away, is the closest major beach.
✈️ Top Regional Airline Royal Brunei Airlines is the main airline servicing the region.
✈️ Top International Airline Singapore Airlines and Malaysia Airlines operate international flights from Brunei.
🛣️ Highway Access Major routes connect Kuala Belait with the capital, Bandar Seri Begawan.
🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub Public transit is limited; most people rely on cars or taxis.
🚍 Public Transport Passes No standardized public transport passes; pay per ride.
✈️ Regional Travel Buses travel to and from the capital, with fares around BND 3.

Health and Wellness

🏥 Best Hospital Kuala Belait Hospital provides essential healthcare services.
🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers Wellness studios are limited; local gyms offer yoga classes.
🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers Fitness 24 offers gym facilities starting from BND 50 monthly.
🧺 Laundry Services Local laundromats available, with services costing about BND 10 for a wash and fold.

Food and Drink

📱 Best Food Delivery App Foodpanda is a popular choice for food delivery.
🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try Nasi Kandar, a mixed rice dish with various curries.
🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options Sunset Grill offers vegetarian dishes, one of the few options in the locale.
🍫 Best Dessert Spots Tropical Cake House is known for its delicious local pastries.
🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots Local markets like Sungai Liang offer fresh produce and snacks.
🛒 E-commerce/Online Store Lazada and Qoo10 are popular online shopping platforms.
🛒 Grocery Delivery Supermarket delivery services provided by Econsave.
🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area Kuala Belait is quiet at night; some cafes offer a relaxed evening atmosphere.
🍻 Local Brewery Brunei does not have local breweries due to strict alcohol laws.
🍷 Wine Bars Due to local regulations, wine bars are not common.
🍲 Street Food Stalls Local street food experiences can be found near the waterfront on weekends.
🍕 Popular International Cuisine Chowking offers Filipino cuisine and is quite popular among expats.

Culture and Attractions

🎟️ Must-See Landmarks The Kuala Belait Mosque is a beautifully designed landmark.
🏛️ Museums & Art Venues Brunei History Centre is accessible and provides insight into local culture.
🏰 Historical Sites The Malay Technology Museum, located in the capital, is significant.
🕍 Religious Sites Kampong Ayer, the water village nearby, is culturally significant.
🎉 Annual Events Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations are vibrant and colorful.
🎨 Cultural Districts The water village of Kampong Ayer offers a unique cultural experience.
🎭 Theater Venues The Brunei Arts and Culture Center hosts occasional performances.
🛍️ Local Markets Kuala Belait Night Market is worth visiting for local delicacies.
🎼 Music Scene Local music performances occur during festivals, primarily traditional genres.
🎨 Street Art Street art is limited; however, some murals can be found around town.
🧑‍🍳 Cooking Classes Local culinary courses are available from a few hotels.
👩‍🎨 Art Galleries Brunei Gallery in Bandar Seri Begawan hosts art exhibits.
🕰️ Historic Buildings The Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque is a notable architectural site.
🏴 Local Heritage Kuala Belait is rich in oil and gas heritage, highlighted in local museums.

Nature and Outdoor Activities

🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes Bukit Shahbandar Forest Reserve offers hiking trails and scenic views.
🏞️ National Parks Nearby Ulu Temburong National Park is famous for its canopy walk.
🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths Paths along the river are suitable for both walking and cycling.
🌄 Scenic Viewpoints Tanjung Batu provides stunning sunset views over the sea.
🦉 Birdwatching Locations The mangroves near Kuala Belait are great for birdwatching.
🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots Designated areas at Seria Beach allow for bonfires.

Other Services and Amenities

📦 Parcel Delivery Service DHL and Pos Malaysia provide reliable parcel services.
🛠️ Tech Repair Services Local phone repair shops offer services in the town center.
🏓 Table Tennis Spots Recreational centers occasionally offer ping pong facilities.
🧑‍🏫 Language Classes Local language classes are offered at community centers.
📚 Libraries & Study Spots Kuala Belait Library is a quiet place to study.
🏘️ Community Centers The Kuala Belait Community Center hosts various events.
🕹️ Gaming Lounges Limited gaming lounges, but local cafes offer gaming events.
🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls Brunei does not have casinos due to government regulations.

Business

🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) Approx. BND 1,500 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = BND 60,000)
🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) Approx. BND 1,200 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = BND 48,000)
🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) Approx. BND 1,800 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = BND 108,000)
🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) Approx. BND 1,300 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = BND 78,000)
🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) Approx. BND 2,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = BND 160,000)
🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) Approx. BND 1,600 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = BND 128,000)
💼 Corporate Tax Standard corporate tax rate is 18.5%.
💵 Dividend Withholding Tax No dividend withholding tax for foreign investors.
🏦 Tax System Brunei operates a territorial tax system.
📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket There is no personal income tax in Brunei.
🧾 VAT No value-added tax applied in Brunei.
🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules There are no CFC rules in place.
🏠 Property Tax No property tax is levied in Brunei.
🏠 Property Transaction Tax There is a nominal property transaction fee upon purchase.
💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads Brunei offers 0% tax on personal income, making it attractive for digital nomads.

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