Kathmandu, Nepal 🇳🇵
#716
27.708317, 85.320581
Nomad Score:
60%
Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Kathmandu is the capital city of Nepal, known for its rich history and cultural diversity. |
| 👥 Population | Approximately 1.5 million people. |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average download speed of 20 Mbps. |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | 1 USD ≈ 132 NPR; major banks include Nabil Bank and Everest Bank. |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Not safe to drink; bottled water is recommended. |
| 🔌 Power | Local voltage is 230V, 50Hz; Type D and M sockets. |
| 📶 SIM Card | Available from Nepal Telecom and Ncell, with prices starting around NPR 100. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | Banks like Standard Chartered and Citibank accept international debit and credit cards. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Options include hotels, guesthouses, and homestays, with platforms like Airbnb available. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Increasingly cashless, but cash is still widely used in many places. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Airbnb and local guesthouses are popular, ranging from NPR 1,500 to NPR 5,000 per night. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hostels like Zostel and Jovial Homestay offer affordable stays starting at NPR 800. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | Kathmandu Coworking offers high-speed internet and comfortable workspaces. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | The Bakery Cafe has free Wi-Fi and a relaxed atmosphere for working. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Events are often hosted at Nepal Communitere for communities of digital nomads. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Meetups are organized on platforms like Meetup.com, focusing on activities and social gatherings. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | KTM Taxi and Pathao are popular for ride-hailing in Kathmandu. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Scooter rentals available from companies like Yatri, prices start at NPR 1,000 per day. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Kathmandu is inland; nearest beach is in Pokhara, about 7 hours away by road. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | Buddha Air operates domestic flights within Nepal. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | Qatar Airways and Turkish Airlines provide major international flights. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | Tribhuvan Highway connects Kathmandu to other major cities. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | There are no trains; public buses and domestic flights are the main forms of transit. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | Public transport is affordable; daily bus fares range from NPR 15 to NPR 30. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Tourist buses operate to popular destinations like Pokhara and Chitwan. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital provides quality healthcare services. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Patan Yoga offers a range of classes and wellness programs. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Fitness centers like Gold's Gym and Kathmandu Fitness are available. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Many hotels provide laundry services at reasonable rates, around NPR 50 per kg. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | Foodmandu and Bhojdeal are popular for food delivery services. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Momo (dumplings) is a must-try local dish, widely available. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Places like Veggies Restaurant offer a variety of vegan and vegetarian dishes. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Café Kaffeine serves excellent coffee and desserts. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Freak Street and Thamel have local vendors and marketplaces. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Daraz Nepal is the leading online shopping site. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Grocery delivery services like Bhat-Bhateni offer online shopping. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | Thamel is the hub for nightlife, with bars and clubs scattered throughout. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Kathmandu Breweries craft a variety of local beers. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | Places like the Kathmandu Jazz Conservatory serve wine and host live music. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Fried cold momo and chatpate are popular street foods sold all over the city. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Various restaurants offer international cuisine; places like Fire and Ice serve Italian food. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | The Natural History Museum offers insights into Nepal's biodiversity. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | Patan Durbar Square is a major historical attraction. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | Boudhanath Stupa is one of the largest stupas in Nepal. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | Dashain and Tihar are major festivals celebrated with great enthusiasm. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | Thamel is known for its bohemian vibe and cultural landmarks. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | Shilpee Theatre showcases local performances. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | Asan Bazaar is a vibrant market for local goods. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Live music can be found at many bars in Thamel. |
| 🎨 Street Art | Certain areas like Patan have impressive street art murals. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Fewa Restaurant offers traditional Nepali cooking classes. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | Nyatapola Art Gallery showcases contemporary Nepali art. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | The Hanuman Dhoka Palace is an iconic historic site. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | Nepal's traditional architecture and rich craftsmanship are highlights throughout the city. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Nagarkot offers stunning views of the Himalayas and is about 32 km from Kathmandu. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Chitwan and Shivalk Hills are notable national parks accessible from Kathmandu. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | The Kathmandu Valley offers various trails for biking and walking. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | The view from Sarangkot is breathtaking and just a couple of hours from the city. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve is known for birdwatching opportunities. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Designated areas in Nagarkot allow for bonfires and gatherings. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | DHL and TCS provide reliable parcel services. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | Several tech shops in Thamel offer repair services for mobile and electronics. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Available at various sports clubs throughout the city. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | Language school like the Nepal Language Institute offer classes in Nepali and English. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | Kathmandu Metropolitan Library is a prominent place to study. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | The National Art Gallery serves as a cultural community space. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | Gamers can visit clubs like Game Center in Thamel. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | Casino Royale offers gaming facilities for visitors. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. NPR 150,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = NPR 6,000,000) |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. NPR 120,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = NPR 4,800,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. NPR 140,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = NPR 8,400,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. NPR 100,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = NPR 6,000,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. NPR 120,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = NPR 9,600,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. NPR 90,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = NPR 7,200,000) |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | 25% standard corporate tax rate. |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | 15% withholding tax on dividend distributions. |
| 🏦 Tax System | Progressive tax rate system for individuals and corporate taxes. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | Above NPR 4 million at 30% max rate. |
| 🧾 VAT | 13% standard VAT rate. |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, CFC rules apply under certain conditions. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Tax calculated based on annual rental income. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | NPR 16,000 or 1% for property transactions. |