Transportation
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
Essentials
- 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
- 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