🇸🇦 Jizan,
Saudi Arabia
#3265
Nomad Score
5.7
Coords
16.8947190, 42.5579758
Likes
👍 0 👎 0
Actions
ESSENTIALS
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 🏙️ City | Jizan (also known as Jazan), Jazan Province, Saudi Arabia |
| 👥 Population | Approximately 130,000 (City), 1.6 million (Province) |
| 💻 Internet Speed | High-speed 5G is widely available; average fiber speeds around 150 Mbps (STC, Mobily) |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | Saudi Riyal (SAR). 1 USD ≈ 3.75 SAR (fixed peg). ATMs are ubiquitous. |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Not recommended for drinking; most residents use bottled water (e.g., Nova or Berain, ~2 SAR) |
| 🔌 Power | 230V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type G (UK style) sockets |
| 📶 SIM Card | STC (Sawa), Mobily, and Zain. Prepaid 50GB data plans start at ~170 SAR ($45) |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | Al Rajhi Bank, SNB (AlAhli), and digital banks like STC Pay or Mada-enabled cards |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Furnished apartments (Sakan) and hotels like Novotel Jazan or Residence Inn by Marriott |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Very high; Mada (local debit) and Apple Pay are accepted at almost all shops and stalls |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Airbnb is limited; Gathern (local app) and Booking.com are preferred for serviced apartments |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Al-Masmak Hotel Apartments (~150 SAR/night); many local unlisted furnished flats |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists | North Corniche (near Jazan Sea Port and parks) for views and amenities |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads | Al Rawdah or Al Shati; these areas have the best density of cafes and fiber internet |
WORKING AND NETWORKING
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | Workshop (Work Hub) near Al Rawdah; day passes roughly 50-70 SAR |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Barn’s (Corniche Branch) or Dose Cafe; both offer reliable Wi-Fi and power outlets |
| 💼 Networking Events | Jazan Chamber of Commerce events; Monsha'at (SME Authority) workshops |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Often centered around compound gatherings or the 'Expats in Jazan' Facebook groups |
TRANSPORTATION
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Uber, Careem, and Kaiian (local favorite for lower prices) |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Limited; some rentals available at the North Corniche recreation area for ~30 SAR/hour |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Al Shuqaiq Beach (100km north) or the Farasan Islands (accessible by ferry) |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | flyadeal or Flynas (budget carriers flying to Riyadh/Jeddah) |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | Saudia (Saudi Arabian Airlines) with direct links to Cairo and Dubai |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | Highway 5 (Red Sea Coastal Road) connects Jizan to Jeddah/Abha |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Jazan Regional Airport (GIZ); no passenger rail service currently in the region |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | SAPTCO buses service the city; no unified smart card system for local transit yet |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | SAPTCO VIP Bus to Abha (3 hours, ~60 SAR) or daily Ferry to Farasan Islands (Free for passengers) |
HEALTH AND WELLNESS
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 🏥 Best Hospital | Jazan General Hospital or Al-Hayat National Hospital (Private) |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Fitness Time (Pro or Plus centers) often include sauna and wellness facilities |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Fitness Time (Corniche Rd); monthly memberships approx 400-600 SAR |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Clean Line Laundry; small local 'Mughsala' shops charge ~2 SAR per shirt |
FOOD AND DRINK
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | HungerStation, Jahez, and ToYou |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Mifa (Jizani Fish) cooked in a traditional clay oven; typical price 40-70 SAR |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Fruitery (salad bar) and Indian restaurants like Royal Maiz for lentil/veg curries |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Saadeddin Pastries (Traditional Arabic sweets) or Overdose for modern treats |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Jazan Fish Market (Morning) and Panda or Lulu Hypermarkets |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Amazon.sa and Noon.com (Fast delivery to Jizan) |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Nana App or Ninja (Quick delivery under 30 mins) |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | No alcohol/bars in KSA; night social life is outdoors at the Corniche parks |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | None (Alcohol is illegal); try traditional Sobia or Specialty Coffee houses |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | None; visit 'C-Hub' for non-alcoholic 'mocktails' and high-end coffee |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Kiosks at the North Corniche selling Balila (chickpeas) and Luqaimat |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Piatto (Italian) or Applebee’s located near the waterfront |
CULTURE AND ATTRACTIONS
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | The Heritage Village (Jazan Cultural Village) on the southern Corniche |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | Jazan Museum of Archaeology and Folklore |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | Al-Dosariyah Castle (Ottoman-era fortress overlooking the city) |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | Princess Hessa Mosque (modern architecture) |
| 🎉 Annual Events | Jazan Winter Festival (January); Jazan Mango Festival (May) |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | The Al-Balad (Old Town) area for traditional architecture and markets |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | Events usually held at the Literary Club of Jazan or temporary festival stages |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | Sabya Souq (Tuesday Market) - one of the largest traditional markets in the region |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Traditional Jizani 'Dannah' folk music during festivals; no constant live music venues |
| 🎨 Street Art | Increasing murals found along the sea-wall projects and within the Heritage Village |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Informal workshops occasionally hosted by local culture groups in the Heritage Village |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | Jazan Society for Culture and Arts gallery |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | Traditional 'Areesh' (reed) houses found in the outskirts and cultural village |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | Known as the 'Flower Men' region (Tihama); locals often wear jasmine flower crowns |
NATURE AND OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Farasan Islands Marine Sanctuary (Diving and white sand beaches) |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Wadi Lajab (3 hours away) - a stunning 'hanging garden' canyon |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | Jazan North Corniche walkway (approx 5km paved path) |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | Fayfa Mountains (The Neighbors of the Moon) for terrace farming views |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | Malaki Dam and the coastal mangroves near the port |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Desert camping areas in the Tihama plains (permit/local guide recommended) |
OTHER SERVICES AND AMENITIES
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | Aramex, SMSA Express, and SPL (Saudi Post) |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | Jarir Bookstore (Official repairs) or the Khalid bin Walid St. tech shops |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Many local social clubs/lounges like 'Social Hour' cafes have games |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | Wall Street English or Jazan University community programs |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | Jazan University Main Library (Public access varies); Public Library Jazan |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | Social development centers in the Al-Madaya district |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | G-Zone Gaming Center for PC and Console esports |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | Strictly prohibited in Saudi Arabia |
BUSINESS
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. 4,500 SAR per m² (e.g., 40 m² = 180,000 SAR) |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. 3,200 SAR per m² (e.g., 40 m² = 128,000 SAR) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. 4,200 SAR per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 252,000 SAR) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. 3,000 SAR per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 180,000 SAR) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. 4,000 SAR per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 320,000 SAR) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. 2,800 SAR per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 224,000 SAR) |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | 20% (for foreign investors); Zakat (2.5%) for Saudi/GCC entities |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | 5% for non-residents |
| 🏦 Tax System | Territorial (income from Saudi sources); no personal income tax for employees |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | 0% for personal income of individuals |
| 🧾 VAT | 15% |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | None currently active for individual residents |
| 🏠 Property Tax | None for residential; 2.5% White Land Tax applies to undeveloped urban land |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | 5% Real Estate Transaction Tax (RETT) |
| 💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads | Premium Residency (Green Card) offers business rights; 0% personal income tax |
🧭 CONTINUE EXPLORING JIZAN