Essentials
- Internet Speed
- 25-50 Mbps via BTC or Rev; starlink is increasingly common at 150 Mbps
- Currency & Banking
- 1 BSD = 1 USD; USD is accepted everywhere parity 1:1
- Tap Water
- Not recommended for drinking; buy 1-gallon jugs at Roberts Grocery for $2.50
- Power
- 120V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A/B (Same as USA/Canada)
- SIM Card
- BTC (Bahamas Telecommunications Company) or Aliv; $30 for 10GB data
- Banking for Expats
- RBC Royal Bank (Alice Town); Most use Revolut or US banks; ATMs frequently out of cash
- Accommodation
- Resorts World Bimini, Airbnb rentals in Alice Town, or Hilton at Resorts World
- Cashless Friendly
- Moderate; Resorts accept cards, but local conch shacks and golf cart rentals prefer cash
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb and VRBO; prices range from $150 to $500 per night
- Budget Accommodation
- Bimini Big Game Club Resort (approx. $180/night) or local guest houses in Alice Town
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- North Bimini (Resorts World area) for luxury; Alice Town for local culture
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- South Bimini for peace/quiet; Alice Town for proximity to amenities and BTC tower
- City
- Alice Town, North Bimini, Bahamas
- Population
- Approximately 2,000 residents
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- No formal coworking; Hilton at Resorts World Lobby is the de facto space ($0 with purchase)
- Best Cafe for Work
- Nate's Bimini Breads & Catering (Alice Town) - Great Wi-Fi and fresh bread
- Networking Events
- Bimini Big Game Club Marina Bar - informal networking with boaters and entrepreneurs
- Social Events for Expats
- Bimini Sands (South Bimini) community mixers and local shark conservation meetups
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- No apps; Call local taxis via VHF Radio Ch 16 or WhatsApp (+1 242-XXX-XXXX)
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Golf carts are standard; $60-$90 per day from Sue & Joy’s Golf Cart Rentals
- Best Beach Nearby
- Radio Beach (Alice Town) - Public access with clear water and food stalls
- Top Regional Airline
- Western Air (Flights from Nassau) or Silver Airways (from Fort Lauderdale)
- Top International Airline
- Tropic Ocean Airways (Seaplane service directly to North Bimini)
- Highway Access
- Kings Highway (Main North/South road on North Bimini); strictly for golf carts and small cars
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Bimini Ferry Dock (Alice Town) for the Balearia Caribbean ferry from Miami
- Public Transport Passes
- None; Water taxi between North and South Bimini is $3.00 per person one-way
- Regional Travel
- Inter-island mail boats to Nassau (approx. $60) or private charter flights
Culture and Attractions
- Music Scene
- Live Rake 'n Scrape music at Big Game Club on weekends
- Street Art
- Murals near the government docks in Alice Town
- Cooking Classes
- Informal sessions at local guest houses (request conch preparation lessons)
- Art Galleries
- Galleries within the Resorts World complex
- Historic Buildings
- The Commissioner's Office and old Jailhouse in Alice Town
- Local Heritage
- Strong connection to Martin Luther King Jr., who wrote his Nobel speech here
- Museums & Art Venues
- Bimini Museum (Alice Town) - History of Hemingway and MLK Jr.
- Historical Sites
- The Compleat Angler Hotel ruins (Hemingway's old haunt)
- Religious Sites
- Our Lady of Zion Catholic Church (Alice Town)
- Annual Events
- Bimini Native Festival (August); Hemingway Billfish Tournament
- Cultural Districts
- Alice Town - the historic heart of the island
- Theater Venues
- None; local community centers host seasonal plays
- Local Markets
- Craft Center in Alice Town for straw goods and souvenirs
- Must-See Landmarks
- The Bimini Road (Lost City of Atlantis) - Underwater formation
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- The Healing Hole (South Bimini) - a freshwater spring in the mangroves
- National Parks Nearby
- Bimini Marine Protected Area (Various dive sites)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- The Nature Trail on South Bimini (Great for birding)
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Gallant Lady shipwreck (visible from the shore on North Bimini)
- Birdwatching Locations
- South Bimini Mangroves - Home to the Bimini Boa and endemic birds
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Radio Beach (permitted in designated areas with local approval)
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- DHL (Limited service) or Bimini Shipping (Pallet/Cargo service from Miami)
- Tech Repair Services
- None; most locals send electronics to Florida or Nassau
- Table Tennis Spots
- Resorts World Bimini activity center
- Language Classes
- None; English is the official language
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Bimini Public Library (Alice Town) - very small and quiet
- Community Centers
- Michael H. Kenyon Community Center
- Gaming Lounges
- Resorts World Bimini Casino
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Resorts World Bimini Casino (10,000 sq ft facility)
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $6,500 per m² ($260,000 for 40 m² studio in Resorts World)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $4,000 per m² ($160,000 for 40 m² on South Bimini)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $6,000 per m² ($360,000 for 60 m² unit)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $3,500 per m² ($210,000 for 60 m² unit)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $5,500 per m² ($440,000 for 80 m² condo)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $3,000 per m² ($240,000 for 80 m² house)
- Corporate Tax
- 0% for most businesses (The Bahamas is a tax-neutral jurisdiction)
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 0%
- Tax System
- No personal income tax, no capital gains tax, no inheritance tax
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 0%
- VAT
- 10% (standard rate on goods and services)
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- None
- Property Tax
- Yes; first $250k exempt for owner-occupied; 0.625% to 1.5% thereafter
- Property Transaction Tax
- VAT on property transfers ranges from 2.5% to 10% based on value
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Yes, BEATS (Bahamas Extended Access Travel Stay) permit allows 1-year residency
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Alice Town Clinic (Primary care); serious cases require MedVac to Miami or Nassau
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- The Serenity Spa at Hilton Resorts World Bimini
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Resort World Hilton Fitness Center (Access usually included for guests/members)
- Laundry Services
- Local laundromat near the BTC building in Alice Town; approx $5 per load
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- None; call restaurants directly for pickup or local delivery via golf cart
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Conch Salad from Joe's Conch Shack (Approx $12-$15)
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Edith's Pizza (Request no cheese/veggie toppings) - Alice Town
- Best Dessert Spots
- Charlie's Bread - Signature Bimini Sweet Bread ($6 per loaf)
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Roberts Grocery Store in Alice Town (Expect island markup of 40-50%)
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Limited; locals use freight forwarders (Bimini Freight) to ship from Amazon US
- Grocery Delivery
- Not available; best to hire a local taxi driver to shop for you
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Luna Beach Club or the bars along Radio Beach in Alice Town
- Local Brewery
- Sands Beer (Brewed in Freeport, available everywhere for $4-6)
- Wine Bars
- The Tides at Hilton Resorts World (Extensive wine list)
- Street Food Stalls
- Stuart's Conch Stand (Bailey Town) - legendary local spot
- Popular International Cuisine
- The Sushi Bar by Chef Sakaguchi (Inside Resorts World Bimini)