🇻🇨 Bequia,
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
#2802
Nomad Score
4.8
Coords
13.0164963, -61.2320483
Likes
👍 0 👎 0
Actions
ESSENTIALS
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 🏙️ 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
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 🏢 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
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 🚕 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
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 🏥 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
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 📱 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
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 🎟️ 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
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 🌅 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
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 📦 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
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 🏢 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 |
🧭 CONTINUE EXPLORING BEQUIA