Nature and Outdoor Activities
- National Parks Nearby
- American Memorial Park (Managed by US National Park Service)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Beach Road Pathway (multi-use trail along the coast)
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Mount Tapochau (Highest point on the island)
- Birdwatching Locations
- Saipan Upland Mitigation Bank (Bird Sanctuary)
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Lau Lau Beach (Permits often required from DLNR)
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Forbidden Island (Hiking and snorkeling)
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- USPS (Main Office in Chalan Kanoa), DHL, FedEx
- Tech Repair Services
- Megabyte Saipan (Garapan)
- Table Tennis Spots
- Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium
- Language Classes
- Northern Marianas College (Chamorro language courses)
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Joeten-Kiyu Public Library (Susupe)
- Community Centers
- Koblerville Community Center
- Gaming Lounges
- E-Sports Gaming Center (Garapan)
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Imperial Pacific Resort (Currently restricted/closed); local Poker Rooms
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $2,200/m² (e.g., 40m² = $88,000) - Note: Land is usually leased (99 years)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $1,500/m² (e.g., 40m² = $60,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $2,000/m² (e.g., 60m² = $120,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $1,400/m² (e.g., 60m² = $84,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $1,800/m² (e.g., 80m² = $144,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $1,250/m² (e.g., 80m² = $100,000)
- Corporate Tax
- Uses US IRC as mirror code; effectively 21% but with local rebates up to 90%
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 30% (Mirror of US Code, treaties may apply)
- Tax System
- Territorial Income Tax (Mirror of US Internal Revenue Code)
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 37% (Mirror of US Federal rates)
- VAT
- 0% (No Sales Tax; however, there is a Business Gross Revenue Tax/BGRT)
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, mirrors US Global Intangible Low-Taxed Income (GILTI) rules
- Property Tax
- No general real property tax; taxes apply to land leases
- Property Transaction Tax
- N/A; focus is on administrative fees and lease recordings
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- No, follows US tax residency rules; but may offer 90% rebate on local CNMI sourced income
Working and Networking
- Best Cafe for Work
- Cha Cafe & Bistro in Garapan (Reliable Wi-Fi & AC); Coffee Care in Gualo Rai
- Networking Events
- Saipan Chamber of Commerce Monthly General Membership Meetings
- Social Events for Expats
- Weekly 'Saipan Living' Facebook group meetups or events at Godfather's Bar
- Best Coworking Space
- None dedicated; The Commons in Garapan (Business Center at Crowne Plaza Resort)
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- No Uber/Lyft; use 'Kaku Taxi' or 'He's Taxis' (Phone-based or WeChat)
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- The Bike Shop Saipan in Garapan (approx. $25/day)
- Best Beach Nearby
- Micro Beach (Garapan) or Managaha Island (15-min ferry)
- Top Regional Airline
- Star Marianas Air (Flights to Tinian and Rota)
- Top International Airline
- United Airlines (Daily flights to Guam/Tokyo), Asiana Airlines
- Highway Access
- Beach Road (west coast) and Middle Road (main artery)
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- No trains; CATA (Commonwealth Area Transit Authority) bus hub in Garapan
- Public Transport Passes
- CATA Bus - $1 per ride; monthly passes approx. $30
- Regional Travel
- Ferry/Small plane to Tinian ($50-$90 round trip)
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation (CHCC) in Navy Hill
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Gold's Gym Saipan (offers classes); Latitude 15 Yoga
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Gold's Gym (Garapan) - Daily passes approx. $15, monthly $75
- Laundry Services
- Snow White Laundromat in Gualo Rai ($3/load wash & dry)
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- Saipan Delivery (saipandelivery.com)
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Kelaguen (Chicken or Beef) with Titiyas (Coconut flatbread)
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Spicy Thai (Garapan) - Extensive tofu/veg menu
- Best Dessert Spots
- Himawari Bakery (Japanese pastries); Mango Six
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Joeten Supermarket (Susupe); Thursday Night Street Market
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Amazon (Standard US shipping to Zip 96950, though some restrictions apply)
- Grocery Delivery
- Limited; Joeten offers some pick-up services
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Garapan Strip (Godfather's Bar, GIG Discotheque, Johnny’s)
- Local Brewery
- Saipan Brewing Co. (located in Gualo Rai)
- Wine Bars
- Vino Spanish Bar & Tapas
- Street Food Stalls
- Garapan Thursday Night Market (Skewers for $1.50)
- Popular International Cuisine
- Himawari (Japanese/Sushi), Murphys (Italian), Country House (Steak)
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- The Grotto (World-class cave diving), Banzai Cliff
- Museums & Art Venues
- NMI Museum of History and Culture
- Historical Sites
- Last Command Post (WWII bunkers), Suicide Cliff
- Religious Sites
- Mount Carmel Cathedral (Susupe)
- Annual Events
- Flame Tree Arts Festival (April), Liberation Day Parade (July 4th)
- Cultural Districts
- Carolinian Village (Heritage site)
- Theater Venues
- None currently active; school theaters host island productions
- Local Markets
- Sabalu Market (Saturday mornings in Susupe)
- Music Scene
- Live acoustic bands at beach bars like Oleai Beach Bar
- Street Art
- Mosa murals across Garapan sea wall
- Cooking Classes
- Occasional Chamorro cooking workshops via Northern Marianas College
- Art Galleries
- Gallery at the Flame Tree Arts Festival
- Historic Buildings
- Old Japanese Jail (Garapan)
- Local Heritage
- Chamorro and Carolinian indigenous cultures
Essentials
- City
- Saipan, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), USA
- Population
- Approximately 43,400
- Internet Speed
- Average 50-100 Mbps via Docomo Pacific or IT&E Fiber
- Currency & Banking
- US Dollar (USD). Local banks: Bank of Guam, First Hawaiian Bank
- Tap Water
- Not generally drinkable; most residents use 5-gallon bottled water delivery ($1.50 per refill)
- Power
- 110V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A/B (US standard)
- SIM Card
- IT&E or Docomo Pacific; prepaid SIM cards approx $20 + $2/day for unlimited data
- Banking for Expats
- Major US Banks, Revolut (US), and local Bank of Saipan
- Accommodation
- Range of hotels, long-stay resorts, and private apartments via Facebook Marketplace
- Cashless Friendly
- Cards accepted at major retailers; cash preferred at local mom-and-pop 'marts'
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb (avg. $80-$150/night), Serenti Hotel, or Himawari Hotel
- Budget Accommodation
- Micro Beach Hotel (approx. $60/night)
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Garapan (Central hub for dining, shopping, and Micro Beach)
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Navy Hill or Gualo Rai (Quieter residential areas with better ocean views and stable utilities)