Essentials
- City
- San Jose, Tinian, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI)
- Population
- Approximately 3,100
- Internet Speed
- Average 25-50 Mbps via IT&E or Docomo Pacific; Starlink is now the preferred choice for nomads (150+ Mbps)
- Currency & Banking
- United States Dollar (USD). Banking via Bank of Guam (San Jose) or Bank of Saipan
- Tap Water
- Not recommended for drinking; most residents use bottled water ($1.50 per gallon) or catchment systems
- Power
- 120V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A/B (Standard US sockets)
- SIM Card
- IT&E or Docomo Pacific. Prepaid SIM cards available for approx. $20 + data plans
- Banking for Expats
- Bank of Guam, First Hawaiian Bank (Saipan), Revolut (US-based account required)
- Accommodation
- Limited options; Tinian Oceanview Resort and Lorilynn's Hotel are primary choices ($80-$120/night)
- Cashless Friendly
- Partial; major hotels and grocery stores accept cards, but cash is essential for small vendors and gas
- Short Term Rentals
- Very limited Airbnb presence; direct negotiation with local guesthouses like Tinian Western Lodge is common
- Budget Accommodation
- Fleming Hotel (San Jose) offers basic rooms starting around $65/night
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- San Jose Village (close to beaches, restaurants, and the harbor)
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- San Jose Village for proximity to the only reliable LTE towers and grocery shops
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- None available; Tinian Public Library in San Jose provides a quiet space with basic Wi-Fi
- Best Cafe for Work
- JC Cafe (San Jose); offers power outlets and a reliable atmosphere for working over lunch
- Networking Events
- Informal networking at the Tinian Mayor’s Office events or local community meetings at the San Jose Social Hall
- Social Events for Expats
- Community BBQs at Tachogna Beach; most expat socializing happens at the Tinian Dynasty (when operational) or local bars
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- No apps; local independent taxis available via phone call. Reliable service from Tinian Taxi (+1 670-433-xxxx)
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Available through Tinian Diamond Hotel or local vendors in San Jose ($25-$40/day)
- Best Beach Nearby
- Tachogna Beach (crystal clear water, white sand, basic facilities)
- Top Regional Airline
- Star Marianas Air (shuttle flights to Saipan every hour, approx. $50 per way)
- Top International Airline
- United Airlines (via Saipan International Airport)
- Highway Access
- Broadway (a massive north-south road built during WWII) connects the airport to the north point
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Tinian International Airport (West Tinian Airport)
- Public Transport Passes
- No public transit system; car rental is mandatory for stays longer than 2 days
- Regional Travel
- Small 6-seater planes to Saipan (15 mins) or occasional ferry services
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Tinian Health Center (San Jose); provides emergency and primary care. Critical cases evacuated to Saipan
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- No dedicated studios; outdoor yoga is common at Jones Beach or Long Beach
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Tinian Youth Center Gym; very basic equipment, mostly used by locals
- Laundry Services
- Tinian Cleaners (San Jose); self-service and drop-off available
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- Direct call only; try JC Cafe or Tinian Oceanview Restaurant for take-out
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Tinian Hot Pepper (Donni Sali) used in Pika Kadi (spicy chicken stew)
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Limited; Island Gardens offers fresh local produce; restaurants will customize rice/veg dishes
- Best Dessert Spots
- Small bakeries in San Jose Village selling Coconut Candy and Apigigi
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Tinian Lucky Star Market or various small Mom-and-Pop 'Mom-and-Pop' stores
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Amazon (ships via USPS, takes 2-3 weeks); local Facebook Marketplace for Tinian/Saipan
- Grocery Delivery
- Not available; in-person shopping at San Jose Supermarket is the norm
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- San Jose waterfront area; basic bars with Karaoke are the primary entertainment
- Local Brewery
- None; imported beers (Budweiser, Heineken) and Saipan Brewing Co. cans available
- Wine Bars
- None; wine selection is limited to supermarkets
- Street Food Stalls
- Tinian Tuesday/Thursday Markets at the San Jose Fiesta Grounds
- Popular International Cuisine
- Chinese and Filipino cuisines are dominant at local eateries like Coral Reef Restaurant
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- House of Taga (massive ancient Latte stones)
- Museums & Art Venues
- Tinian WWII Museum exhibit at the airport and interpretive signs at North Field
- Historical Sites
- Atomic Bomb Pits (Launch sites for Hiroshima/Nagasaki missions) at North Field
- Religious Sites
- San Jose Church (St. Jude Parish)
- Annual Events
- Tinian Hot Pepper Festival (Pika Festival) in February
- Cultural Districts
- San Jose Village (The hub of Chamorro and Carolinian culture on the island)
- Theater Venues
- None; community events held at the Tinian Elementary School cafeteria
- Local Markets
- Saturday Morning Market at the San Jose Pavilion
- Music Scene
- Reggae and Island music; local bands perform at the Hot Pepper Festival
- Street Art
- Small murals in San Jose depicting ancient Chamorro life
- Cooking Classes
- Informal classes occasionally offered by the Tinian Women's Association
- Art Galleries
- None; local crafts sold during the annual Pika Festival
- Historic Buildings
- Old Japanese Communications Square (WWII ruins near the airport)
- Local Heritage
- Indigenous Chamorro culture; focus on seafaring and 'Latte' stone construction
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Long Beach (Unai Dankulo); pristine, secluded beach accessible via forest trails
- National Parks Nearby
- Tinian is not a US National Park, but North Field is a National Historic Landmark
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- The 'Broadway' route offers a long, flat cycling path through the center of the island
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Suicide Cliff (Tinian); offering panoramic views of the Philippine Sea
- Birdwatching Locations
- The Tinian Monarch (endemic bird) can be spotted in the limestone forests of the North
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Tachogna Beach (permit may be required from DLNR, but often done informally)
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- USPS Tinian Post Office (San Jose); Tinian's lifeline for all goods
- Tech Repair Services
- None locally; devices must be sent to Saipan or Guam
- Table Tennis Spots
- Tinian Youth Center
- Language Classes
- Chamorro language basics often taught through community programs at the Library
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Tinian Public Library (San Jose)
- Community Centers
- Tinian San Jose Social Hall
- Gaming Lounges
- None; mobile gaming is popular among locals
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Tinian Diamond Casino (recent limited operations; check status locally)
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Land is mostly restricted to persons of Northern Marianas Descent (NMD); Long-term leases approx. $400/sqm
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Very little private market; most land is leased or family-owned
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $150,000 for a small concrete structure (leasehold interest)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $100,000 for rural residential lots (leasehold)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $220,000 (San Jose Village area)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $180,000
- Corporate Tax
- 21% (CNMI mirrors the US Internal Revenue Code with local adjustments)
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 30% (Standard US-CNMI withholding rules apply)
- Tax System
- Territorial Income Tax; Residents pay to the CNMI Treasury instead of the US IRS
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 37% (plus CNMI-specific BGRT - Business Gross Revenue Tax)
- VAT
- No VAT; instead, CNMI uses a Business Gross Revenue Tax (BGRT) of approx. 5%
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, US CFC rules apply under the mirror code
- Property Tax
- No general real estate tax; however, there are fees on land leases
- Property Transaction Tax
- No standard transaction tax, but lease recordation fees apply
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Foreign Investment Certificates can offer tax rebates, but primarily for large-scale operations