Essentials
- City
- Gizo, Western Province, Solomon Islands
- Population
- Approximately 7,200
- Internet Speed
- Average 10-20 Mbps via 4G/LTE; Starlink available for higher speeds (up to 150 Mbps)
- Currency & Banking
- Solomon Islands Dollar (SBD); 1 USD ≈ 8.50 SBD
- Tap Water
- Not safe to drink; use boiled or bottled water (approx. 15 SBD per 1.5L bottle)
- Power
- 240V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type I (Australian-style) sockets
- SIM Card
- Our Telekom and Bmobile; 5GB data pack approx. 100 SBD
- Banking for Expats
- BSP (Bank South Pacific) and ANZ; ATMs located along the main waterfront road
- Accommodation
- Gizo Hotel (standard room), Fatboys Resort (overwater bungalows), and local guesthouses
- Cashless Friendly
- No; very cash-reliant. Only high-end resorts and larger supermarkets accept cards
- Short Term Rentals
- Naqua Guesthouse or local Airbnb listings (limited availability, approx. 4,500 SBD/month)
- Budget Accommodation
- Rekona Lodge (approx. 400 SBD per night)
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Gizo Waterfront for convenience or nearby Sanbis/Fatboys for leisure
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Gizo Town Center (near BSP Bank and markets) for consistent power and 4G signal
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- None; Gizo Hotel Lounge provides the best informal workspace with Wi-Fi
- Best Cafe for Work
- PT109 (waterfront deck); best morning atmosphere for laptop work
- Networking Events
- Informal gatherings at local dive shops like Dive Gizo
- Social Events for Expats
- Friday night drinks at Gizo Hotel or communal dinners at Sanbis Resort
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- No apps; local open-back truck 'taxis' operate in town (10-20 SBD per trip)
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Limited; ask at Dive Gizo or local shops for daily bicycle hire (approx. 100 SBD/day)
- Best Beach Nearby
- Kennedy Island (15-minute boat ride from Gizo)
- Top Regional Airline
- Solomon Airlines (flights to Honiara, Munda, and Choiseul Bay)
- Top International Airline
- Solomon Airlines (connecting via Honiara to Brisbane or Nadi)
- Highway Access
- Minimal; one main dirt/gravel road circles part of Ghizo Island
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Gizo Marine Terminal (main wharf for ferries and banana boats)
- Public Transport Passes
- None; cash paid directly to boat or truck operators
- Regional Travel
- Inter-island 'Banana Boats' (approx. 200-500 SBD depending on distance) or Fair Glory Ferry
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Gizo Hospital (second largest in the country, located on the waterfront)
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- No formal studios; Sanbis Resort offers space for private practice by the sea
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Small community gym near the market; very basic equipment
- Laundry Services
- Most lodges like Rekona or Gizo Hotel offer wash/dry services (approx. 50-80 SBD per load)
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- None; walk to local restaurants or order through your lodge
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Cassava pudding and fresh grilled Reef Fish (found at the central market)
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Fresh fruit and vegetables from Gizo Market; limited restaurant options
- Best Dessert Spots
- Local bakeries selling 'Top-Ups' (sweet buns) near the wharf
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Gizo Central Market (best for fresh produce and local snacks)
- E-commerce/Online Store
- None; all goods are physically imported via ship from Honiara
- Grocery Delivery
- Not available
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Gizo Hotel Bar or PT109 Bar (closes early, usually 10 PM)
- Local Brewery
- SolBrew (brewed in Honiara, widely available in Gizo)
- Wine Bars
- None; Fatboys Resort has the best selection of imported Australian wines
- Street Food Stalls
- Fish & Chips stalls near the market (approx. 25 SBD)
- Popular International Cuisine
- Chinese-style stir-fry at Sheng He Restaurant or Gizo Hotel
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Kennedy Island (where JFK was shipwrecked in 1943)
- Museums & Art Venues
- Traditional carvings market at the Gizo Waterfront
- Historical Sites
- WWII plane wrecks (Hellcat) and shipwrecks visible via diving/snorkeling
- Religious Sites
- St. Peter's Catholic Cathedral
- Annual Events
- Western Province Day (December 7th) featuring boat races and traditional dance
- Cultural Districts
- Babanga Island (local Gilbertese and Melanesian villages)
- Theater Venues
- None; cultural performances are held at resorts during events
- Local Markets
- Gizo Market (the social and cultural heart of the town)
- Music Scene
- String bands performing at local bars or community events
- Street Art
- None; focus is on traditional wood and shell carvings
- Cooking Classes
- Informal lessons often provided by guesthouse owners upon request
- Art Galleries
- Western Solomons Arts and Crafts center
- Historic Buildings
- Old British colonial-style administrative buildings near the port
- Local Heritage
- Shell money and traditional 'Tomoko' (war canoe) history
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Saeragi Village white sand beaches (West end of the island)
- National Parks Nearby
- None; the entire surrounding marine area is a protected ecosystem
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Coastal road from Gizo Town to Saeragi (approx. 12km walk/ride)
- Scenic Viewpoints
- The 'Overlook' hill above Gizo Town for sunset views over the lagoon
- Birdwatching Locations
- Kolombangara Island (accessible by 1-hour boat ride)
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Kennedy Island or Sanbis Resort beach
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- DHL (located in Honiara, ships to Gizo via local flight) or Solomon Post
- Tech Repair Services
- None; repairs usually require sending devices to Honiara or Brisbane
- Table Tennis Spots
- Occasional tables at local schools or community halls
- Language Classes
- Informal Pijin lessons via local residents; no formal centers
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Gizo Public Library (limited collection, near provincial offices)
- Community Centers
- Western Province Women's Center
- Gaming Lounges
- None
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Small slot machine room at the Gizo Hotel
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Rare; land is usually customary or leased. Approx. 800,000 SBD for basic structures
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 500,000 SBD (customary land issues apply)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 1,200,000 SBD
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 900,000 SBD
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 1,800,000 SBD
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 1,400,000 SBD
- Corporate Tax
- 30% for resident companies
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 15% for residents; 30% for non-residents
- Tax System
- Source-based for non-residents; worldwide for residents
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 40% (for income over 60,000 SBD)
- VAT
- Standard Goods and Services Tax (GST) is 10%
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- None currently implemented
- Property Tax
- Land rent applies to perpetual and fixed term estates
- Property Transaction Tax
- Stamp duty varies (approx. 2-4% of transaction value)
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- No specific digital nomad visa; most stay on a visitor permit (no tax on foreign income for short stays)