Essentials
- City
- Port Elizabeth, Bequia, Grenadines, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- Population
- Approximately 5,300
- Internet Speed
- Average 25-50 Mbps via Flow or Digicel; Starlink is now widely available providing 100+ Mbps
- Currency & Banking
- Eastern Caribbean Dollar (XCD); 1 USD ≈ 2.70 XCD. Bank of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (BOSVG) in Port Elizabeth
- Tap Water
- Rainwater catchment system; generally safe but boiling or filtering is recommended for foreigners
- Power
- 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type G (UK style) sockets
- SIM Card
- Flow or Digicel; approx. $40 USD for 20GB monthly data
- Banking for Expats
- BOSVG or Republic Bank; Revolut/Wise work for ATM withdrawals (fees apply)
- Accommodation
- Bequia Beach Hotel, Gingerbread Hotel, or private villas via Bequia Rentals
- Cashless Friendly
- Partial; major hotels and dive shops accept cards, but local 'dollar cabs' and markets require cash
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb, Bequia Villas, and Gingerbread Apartments ($80 - $250/night)
- Budget Accommodation
- The Village Apartments or local guesthouses in Lower Bay (starting at $60/night)
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Belmont Walkway / Admiralty Bay for easy access to restaurants and ferries
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Lower Bay or Mount Pleasant for quieter environments and better villa long-stay discounts
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Nest Bequia (shared office space near Port Elizabeth) - approx. $25/day
- Best Cafe for Work
- Gingerbread Cafe (Belmont Walkway) - excellent Wi-Fi, shaded harbor-view seating
- Networking Events
- Bequia Tourism Association meetings or Friday night 'Jump Up' at local bars
- Social Events for Expats
- Bequia Thread (online forum) and weekly gatherings at the Bequia Beach Hotel Bar
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- No apps; local 'Dollar Cabs' (pickup trucks with benches) or private water taxis
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Bequia Jeep Rentals in Port Elizabeth (Scooters approx. $35/day)
- Best Beach Nearby
- Princess Margaret Beach; accessible via the Belmont Walkway or water taxi
- Top Regional Airline
- SVG Air (flights to Barbados and St. Vincent)
- Top International Airline
- Virgin Atlantic or Air Canada (via Barbados/St. Vincent Argyle International)
- Highway Access
- One main island road circling from Port Elizabeth to Paget Farm
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Port Elizabeth Ferry Terminal (Bequia Express and Admiral Ferries)
- Public Transport Passes
- None; $2 - $5 XCD per ride in local shared vans
- Regional Travel
- Inter-island ferries to Union Island or Canouan ($20 - $35 USD)
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Port Elizabeth Hospital (Basic care); Milton Cato Memorial Hospital in Kingstown for emergencies
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Bequia Wellness (Lower Bay) - group classes approx. $20/session
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- The Bequia Gym (near the harbor) - $10 day pass
- Laundry Services
- Doris’ Fresh Food & Yacht Services provide laundry drops in Port Elizabeth
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- None available; contact restaurants directly for taxi delivery
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Grilled Lobster (seasonal) or Fried Jackfish with Provisions
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Sugar Hill Academy or Garden Cafe ($15 - $25 per meal)
- Best Dessert Spots
- Maranne’s Ice Cream (Belmont Walkway) - homemade tropical flavors
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Port Elizabeth vegetable market (fresh produce stalls)
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Very limited; most items imported via SVG Shopping services from Miami
- Grocery Delivery
- Doris’ Fresh Food (high-end imports) offers delivery to villas and yachts
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Lower Bay (De Reef or Keegan’s) for Sunday beach parties
- Local Brewery
- Hairoun Brewery (SVG national beer) - widespread across all local rum shops
- Wine Bars
- Papa’s Bequia (overlooking the harbor) - extensive international wine list
- Street Food Stalls
- The 'Rasta' stalls near the ferry dock for Ital food and rotis ($7 USD)
- Popular International Cuisine
- L'Auberge des Grenadines (French-Caribbean fusion)
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Old Hegg Turtle Sanctuary ($10 USD admission)
- Museums & Art Venues
- Bequia Maritime Museum (showcasing whaling and boat building history)
- Historical Sites
- Fort Hamilton (offering panoramic views of Admiralty Bay)
- Religious Sites
- St. Mary’s Anglican Church (Port Elizabeth)
- Annual Events
- Bequia Easter Regatta (Major sailing festival in March/April)
- Cultural Districts
- Paget Farm (traditional fishing village at the south of the island)
- Theater Venues
- Occasional performances at the Bequia Community High School hall
- Local Markets
- Port Elizabeth daily market for handmade model boats
- Music Scene
- Bequia Music Fest (January/February) - jazz, reggae, and blues
- Street Art
- Hand-painted signs and murals along the Belmont Walkway
- Cooking Classes
- Informal classes at Grenadine Island Hopping (local villa chef tours)
- Art Galleries
- The Oasis Art Gallery (Port Elizabeth)
- Historic Buildings
- The Gingerbread House (classic gingerbread fretwork architecture)
- Local Heritage
- Boat building and whaling traditions (one of the few places with a limited IWC quota)
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Hope Bay (secluded, wild Atlantic-side beach)
- National Parks Nearby
- Tobago Cays Marine Park (accessible via 1-hour boat trip)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- The climb to Mount Pleasant (paved but steep, great views)
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Mount Royal (highest point on the island)
- Birdwatching Locations
- The Ravine (wooded area near the turtle sanctuary)
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Industry Bay (secluded and permitted if local norms followed)
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- DHL (located in Port Elizabeth); FedEx via Kingstown
- Tech Repair Services
- Limited; small shop in the back of the Outhouse building
- Table Tennis Spots
- Keegan's Beachside (Lower Bay)
- Language Classes
- None (Official language is English)
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Bequia Public Library (Port Elizabeth)
- Community Centers
- Bequia Learning Centre
- Gaming Lounges
- None available
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- None (quiet island policy)
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $4,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $160,000 USD)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $2,800 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $112,000 USD)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $3,800 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $228,000 USD)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $2,500 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $150,000 USD)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $3,500 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $280,000 USD)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $2,300 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $184,000 USD)
- Corporate Tax
- 30% (Standard rate for St. Vincent and the Grenadines)
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 15%
- Tax System
- Worldwide income basis for residents
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 28%
- VAT
- 16%
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- No specific CFC rules currently enforced
- Property Tax
- Yes, based on market value, usually 0.08% for residential
- Property Transaction Tax
- Stamp duty: 5% for the buyer; 5% for the seller
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Remote Work Visa available; income from outside SVG is generally not taxed for temporary residents