Old Road Town Digital Nomad Guide - Tips & Local Information
ESSENTIALS
| Topic |
Details |
| 🏙️ City |
Old Road Town, Saint Mary Cayon Parish, Saint Kitts and Nevis |
| 👥 Population |
Approximately 1,600 |
| 💻 Internet Speed |
Average 50-100 Mbps via Flow or Digicel fiber optics |
| 💸 Currency & Banking |
Eastern Caribbean Dollar (XCD); 1 USD ≈ 2.70 XCD (fixed rate) |
| 🚰 Tap Water |
Generally safe to drink, though many expats prefer bottled or filtered water |
| 🔌 Power |
230V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type G (UK style) sockets predominant |
| 📶 SIM Card |
Flow (Main St) or Digicel; roughly 10GB for $100 XCD ($37 USD) |
| 💳 Banking for Expats |
Republic Bank or St. Kitts-Nevis-Anguilla National Bank; Revolut/Wise used for international transfers |
| 🛌 Accommodation |
Guesthouses, villas, and boutique inns like The Old Road Bay apartments |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly |
Partial; hotels and supermarkets accept cards, local stalls require cash |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals |
Airbnb and VRBO listings range from $120 to $350 USD per night |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation |
Culture House (nearby Conaree) or local guesthouses around $80 USD/night |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists |
Old Road Bay or near the Wingfield Estate for historical proximity |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads |
Half Moon Bay or Frigate Bay (15 mins away) for better infrastructure and nightlife |
WORKING AND NETWORKING
| Topic |
Details |
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space |
The Hive (Basseterre, 10 min drive) - Reliable Wi-Fi and desks |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work |
Caron's Coffee Lab at Wingfield Estate - Quiet atmosphere with great views |
| 💼 Networking Events |
St. Kitts & Nevis Chamber of Industry and Commerce mixers in Basseterre |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats |
Friday night mixers at Sprat Net (Old Road) for fresh fish and social drinks |
TRANSPORTATION
| Topic |
Details |
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App |
No apps; use local licensed green-plate taxis or 869-662-4217 (private dispatch) |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental |
Skinnys Rentals (Basseterre) - roughly $45 USD/day for scooters |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby |
Old Road Bay (Black sand) or Cockleshell Beach (30 min drive, white sand) |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline |
LIAT or InterCaribbean Airways |
| ✈️ Top International Airline |
American Airlines, British Airways, and JetBlue |
| 🛣️ Highway Access |
Main Island Circular Road connects directly to Basseterre and Sandy Point |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub |
St. Kitts Scenic Railway (Tourist hub nearby); West Line Bus Terminal in Basseterre |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes |
No passes; H-plate minibuses cost $2.50 - $5.00 XCD per ride |
| ✈️ Regional Travel |
Sea Bridge Ferry to Nevis ($25 XCD) from Major's Bay |
HEALTH AND WELLNESS
| Topic |
Details |
| 🏥 Best Hospital |
Joseph N. France General Hospital (Buckley's Site, Basseterre) |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers |
Damara Wellness Center (at Christophe Harbour or visiting instructors) |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers |
Evolution Fitness in Basseterre ($60 USD/month) |
| 🧺 Laundry Services |
869 Cleaners (Pickup/delivery service available in Old Road) |
FOOD AND DRINK
| Topic |
Details |
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App |
869ToGo - The primary delivery platform for the island |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try |
Stewed Saltfish with Spicy Plantains and Coconut Dumplings |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options |
Ital Herb House (Basseterre) for authentic Rastafarian vegan food |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots |
The Gallery Cafe - Famous for homemade cakes and local juices |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots |
B's Enterprise (Supermarket) or Basseterre Public Market for produce |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store |
ShipitSKN or DHL for bringing in Amazon/International orders |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery |
Ram's Supermarket online ordering and delivery |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area |
The Strip at Frigate Bay (15 mins away) for beachfront bars |
| 🍻 Local Brewery |
Carib Brewery (St. Kitts) Ltd. - Producers of Carib and Stag |
| 🍷 Wine Bars |
Cork & Basket at Port Zante (Selection of international wines) |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls |
Sprat Net - Specializing in grilled lobster and fish right on the shore |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine |
Marshall's (Fine dining/International) or Serendipity |
CULTURE AND ATTRACTIONS
| Topic |
Details |
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks |
Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park (UNESCO site nearby) |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues |
National Museum in the Old Treasury Building (Basseterre) |
| 🏰 Historical Sites |
Wingfield Estate - Ruins of an old sugar plantation and rum distillery |
| 🕍 Religious Sites |
St. Thomas Anglican Church (Oldest parish church in the Caribbean) |
| 🎉 Annual Events |
St. Kitts Music Festival (June); National Carnival (Sugar Mas) in December |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts |
Old Road Town Square - The site of the first English settlement |
| 🎭 Theater Venues |
Sir Cecil Jacobs Auditorium |
| 🛍️ Local Markets |
Basseterre Public Market (Saturdays are busiest) |
| 🎼 Music Scene |
Live Reggae and Soca at Sprat Net on weekends |
| 🎨 Street Art |
Local murals in Old Road depicting Kalinago (Carib) history |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes |
Kitchen 'Ais (Local culinary experiences by appointment) |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries |
Caribelle Batik at Romney Manor (Botanical gardens and textile art) |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings |
Romney Manor - 17th-century great house |
| 🏴 Local Heritage |
Kalinago Petroglyphs (Ancient rock carvings) located just outside the town |
NATURE AND OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
| Topic |
Details |
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes |
Valley of Giants rainforest hike starting from Wingfield Estate |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby |
Central Forest Reserve National Park |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths |
The Old Road to Sandy Point coastal walk |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints |
Timothy Hill Overlook (View of Atlantic and Caribbean meeting) |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations |
Wingfield River basin for seeing the St. Kitts Bullfinch |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots |
Designated areas at South Friars Bay |
OTHER SERVICES AND AMENITIES
| Topic |
Details |
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service |
FedEx (Basseterre) or DHL (Port Zante) |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services |
TDC Business Center (Hardware and laptop repairs) |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots |
Community Centers in Basseterre |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes |
Clarence Fitzroy Bryant College (CFBC) for part-time courses |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots |
Charles A. Halbert Public Library in Basseterre |
| 🏘️ Community Centers |
Old Road Community Center |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges |
None; mostly private home gaming or internet cafes in Basseterre |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls |
Royal Beach Casino at St. Kitts Marriott Resort |
BUSINESS
| Topic |
Details |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) |
Approx. $5,500 USD per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $220,000 USD in resort areas) |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) |
Approx. $3,200 USD per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $128,000 USD in rural parishes) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) |
Approx. $5,000 USD per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $300,000 USD) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) |
Approx. $3,000 USD per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $180,000 USD) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) |
Approx. $4,800 USD per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $384,000 USD) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) |
Approx. $2,800 USD per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $224,000 USD) |
| 💼 Corporate Tax |
33% for resident companies; lower for offshore entities |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax |
15% for payments to non-residents |
| 🏦 Tax System |
Territorial; no personal income tax for residents on worldwide income |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket |
0% (No personal income tax) |
| 🧾 VAT |
17% Standard Rate; 10% for hotels and restaurants |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules |
None |
| 🏠 Property Tax |
Yes, based on market value (0.2% - 0.3% depending on use) |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax |
Stamp duty is usually 6% to 10% (often paid by the seller) |
| 💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads |
Highly attractive; 0% tax on personal income and no capital gains tax |
🧭 CONTINUE EXPLORING OLD ROAD TOWN