Essentials
- Internet Speed
- 10-20 Mbps (Fiber available via Coral Sea Cable, but local distribution is inconsistent)
- Currency & Banking
- 1 SBD ≈ 0.12 USD. 1 USD ≈ 8.50 SBD. Major banks: ANZ, BSP, Westpac.
- Tap Water
- Not drinkable; stick to bottled water like Blue Water (approx. 10 SBD per 1.5L)
- Power
- 240V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type I (Australian-style 3-prong plug)
- SIM Card
- Our Telekom (best coverage) or Bmobile. 5GB data pack costs approx. 150 SBD ($18 USD).
- Banking for Expats
- BSP (Bank South Pacific) and ANZ are easiest for opening local accounts with a work permit.
- Accommodation
- Heritage Park Hotel ($250 USD/night) or long-term serviced apartments like Solomon Kita-ano.
- Cashless Friendly
- Mostly No. Cash is king at markets/taxis; top hotels and shops accept Visa/Mastercard with 3-5% surcharge.
- Short Term Rentals
- Limited Airbnb availability (avg. $90-$150 USD/night). Many use Heritage Park or Solomon Kitano Mendana for monthly stays.
- Budget Accommodation
- Honiara Hotel in Chinatown (approx. 600 SBD / $70 USD per night).
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Point Cruz (Central Business District, close to yacht club and main venues).
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Tasahe or Ngossi (Quiet, elevated hills with better breezes and secure compounds).
- City
- Honiara, Guadalcanal Island, Solomon Islands
- Population
- 92,000 (Metropolitan area approx. 160,000)
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- None official. The 'Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce' (SICCI) in the Heritage Park complex is the hub for business networking.
- Best Cafe for Work
- Breakwater Cafe at Heritage Park (Fastest Wi-Fi, good coffee at 45 SBD, waterfront views).
- Networking Events
- SICCI Business After Five (Monthly networking events for professionals and expats).
- Social Events for Expats
- Friday nights at the Point Cruz Yacht Club; the primary gathering spot for the international community.
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- No apps. Wave down white taxis. Short trips 30-50 SBD; cross-town 100 SBD ($12 USD).
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Not recommended due to potholes and traffic; no formal commercial rental agencies.
- Best Beach Nearby
- Bonegi Beach (15 mins west); world-class snorkeling with WWII shipwrecks accessible from shore.
- Top Regional Airline
- Solomon Airlines (Connects Honiara to Brisbane, Port Moresby, and Nadi).
- Top International Airline
- Air Niugini, Fiji Airways, and Qantas (via Brisbane codeshare).
- Highway Access
- Kukum Highway (Main artery connecting the airport to the city center and western beaches).
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Central Market Bus Stop (Hub for the public 'Lorry' and minibus network).
- Public Transport Passes
- No passes. Minibuses cost a flat 3 SBD ($0.35 USD) per ride within city limits.
- Regional Travel
- Inter-island ferries like the 'Fair Glory' at the main wharf; or small prop planes from Henderson Airport.
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- National Referral Hospital (Number 9). For expats, Aspen Medical (private clinic) is preferred.
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- No dedicated studios; private classes occasionally held at the Heritage Park Hotel gym.
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Heritage Park Fitness Center or the Honiara Hotel Gym (Approx. 800 SBD/month).
- Laundry Services
- Panda Laundry in Chinatown (Drop-off service starts at 100 SBD per load).
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- No apps. Order directly from 'The Ofis' or 'Dolphin' and arrange taxi pickup.
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Cassava Pudding or local reef fish steamed in motu (earth oven).
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Limited; Iron Chef (Chinese) offers tofu dishes, Central Market offers fresh tropical fruits and nuts.
- Best Dessert Spots
- The Lime Lounge - known for homemade cakes and thick shakes (approx. 50-70 SBD).
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Honiara Central Market for produce; Bulk Shop for packaged goods.
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Limited. Most people use 'Solomon Post' for international Amazon/eBay orders (slow shipping).
- Grocery Delivery
- None. Personal shopping at 'Wings Supermarket' or 'Panatina Plaza' is the norm.
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Point Cruz Yacht Club or Cowboys Grill (Live bands and outdoor seating).
- Local Brewery
- Solomon Breweries (SolBrew Lager is the national beer, approx. 25 SBD at a shop).
- Wine Bars
- The Terrace at Heritage Park Hotel (Wide selection of Australian and NZ wines).
- Street Food Stalls
- Night stalls at the bus stops selling BBQ chicken and fish with potato (30-50 SBD).
- Popular International Cuisine
- Haydn's Steak & Seafood (Premium) or Mandarin Restaurant (Chinese staples).
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Guadalcanal American Memorial (Skyline Ridge) for panoramic city views.
- Museums & Art Venues
- Solomon Islands National Museum (Located near Point Cruz).
- Historical Sites
- Vilu War Museum (Open-air collection of WWII planes and artillery west of the city).
- Religious Sites
- Holy Cross Cathedral (Overlooking the city from the hills).
- Annual Events
- Independence Day (July 7th) featuring traditional dance and canoe races.
- Cultural Districts
- Chinatown (Historic district, though much has been rebuilt recently).
- Theater Venues
- Multi-Purpose Hall (Occasional community theater and cultural performances).
- Local Markets
- Honiara Central Market (The vibrant heart of the city for food and handicrafts).
- Music Scene
- Local 'Panpipe' music groups and island reggae at the Pacific Casino Hotel.
- Street Art
- Occasional murals along Hibiscus Avenue depicting Solomon heritage.
- Cooking Classes
- Not commercially available; best found through expat community groups.
- Art Galleries
- Art Gallery within the National Museum complex for contemporary local paintings.
- Historic Buildings
- The National Parliament Building (Unique conical architecture on the hill).
- Local Heritage
- Strong emphasis on 'Wantok' culture (system of kinship and mutual obligation).
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Mataniko Falls (Requires a guided hike through the jungle).
- National Parks Nearby
- Mount Popomanaseu (Highest peak, requires 3-4 day organized expedition).
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- No formal paths; walking the 'Ridge Road' offers safe pedestrian space and views.
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Iron Bottom Sound views from the Solomon Kitano Mendana Hotel terrace.
- Birdwatching Locations
- Mount Austen (Top spot for endemic kingfishers and parrots).
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Mbonege Beach (With permission from the local landowning family).
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- DHL Solomon Islands (Main office in Point Cruz) or Solomon Post.
- Tech Repair Services
- Computer Solutions (Comsol) at Panatina Plaza.
- Table Tennis Spots
- The Multi-Purpose Hall occasionally hosts regional tournaments.
- Language Classes
- Solomon Islands National University (SINU) offers introductory Pijin courses.
- Libraries & Study Spots
- The National Library (near the museum) is quiet but lacks high-speed internet.
- Community Centers
- USP Solomon Islands Campus (University of the South Pacific) in Panatina.
- Gaming Lounges
- No dedicated lounges; limited arcade machines at the Pacific Casino.
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Supreme Casino at Yacht Club or the Pacific Casino Hotel.
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 15,000 SBD per m² ($1,750 USD). Studio = 600,000 SBD ($70,000 USD).
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 8,000 SBD per m² ($950 USD). Studio = 320,000 SBD ($38,000 USD).
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 13,000 SBD per m² ($1,530 USD). 60 m² = 780,000 SBD ($92,000 USD).
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 7,000 SBD per m² ($820 USD). 60 m² = 420,000 SBD ($50,000 USD).
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 12,000 SBD per m² ($1,400 USD). 80 m² = 960,000 SBD ($113,000 USD).
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 6,500 SBD per m² ($765 USD). 80 m² = 520,000 SBD ($61,000 USD).
- Corporate Tax
- 30% for resident companies; 35% for non-residents.
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 15% for residents; 30% for non-residents.
- Tax System
- Source-based for non-residents; residency-based for residents (183+ days).
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 40% for income over 60,000 SBD annually.
- VAT
- 15% (Known as Goods and Services Tax / GST).
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Limited/No formal CFC rules, but strict general anti-avoidance provisions.
- Property Tax
- No annual property tax, but land rent is payable to the government for leasehold land.
- Property Transaction Tax
- Stamp duty varies; usually around 4% of the transfer value.
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- No. High taxes and complex red tape; no specific nomad visa as of early 2026.