Business
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Remote Work Program available with exemptions on local income tax for certified nomad visa holders.
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $4,000 XCD per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $160,000 XCD / $60k USD).
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $2,800 XCD per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $112,000 XCD / $42k USD).
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $3,800 XCD per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $228,000 XCD / $85k USD).
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $2,500 XCD per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $150,000 XCD / $56k USD).
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $3,500 XCD per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $280,000 XCD / $104k USD).
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $2,200 XCD per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $176,000 XCD / $65k USD).
- Corporate Tax
- 28%
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 15%
- Tax System
- Source-based for non-residents; world-wide income for residents.
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 28% on income over $47,000 XCD.
- VAT
- 16% Standard Rate.
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- None.
- Property Tax
- Yes, based on market value, typically 0.08% for residential.
- Property Transaction Tax
- Stamp duty is approx. 5% for buyers and 10% for sellers (if non-national, an Alien Land Holding License is required).
Essentials
- City
- Kingstown, Saint George Parish, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- Population
- Approx. 13,000 (City), 110,000 (National)
- Internet Speed
- Fixed broadband averages 60-100 Mbps; Flow and Digicel fiber plans are reliable.
- Currency & Banking
- Eastern Caribbean Dollar (XCD). Fixed rate: 1 USD ≈ 2.70 XCD.
- Tap Water
- Generally safe to drink (CWSA monitored), but many expats prefer bottled or filtered water.
- Power
- 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type G (British style) plugs are standard.
- SIM Card
- Digicel or Flow. Prepaid 10GB data bundles cost approx. $75 XCD ($28 USD).
- Banking for Expats
- Republic Bank, RBC, and Bank of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (BOSVG). Revolut works for withdrawals.
- Accommodation
- Guesthouses and hotels; long-term villas available in suburban St. George.
- Cashless Friendly
- Moderate. Larger supermarkets and hotels accept cards; local markets and vans require cash.
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb is the primary source; prices range from $60 to $150 USD per night.
- Budget Accommodation
- Buttercup Cottage Apartments (Arnos Vale) - Approx. $65 USD/night.
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Villa/Indian Bay: Beach access, restaurants, and close proximity to Kingstown (10 mins).
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Arnos Vale or Ratho Mill: Residential, better infrastructure, and reliable fiber internet.
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- None officially branded; The Hub at Vincy (limited availability) or hotel business centers like Blue Lagoon Hotel.
- Best Cafe for Work
- Pave (Middle Street): Good Wi-Fi, modern decor, and excellent coffee.
- Networking Events
- Invest SVG summits and Chamber of Commerce mixers (check local business calendars).
- Social Events for Expats
- Friday night socials at Flow Wine Bar or Blue Lagoon Marina in Ratho Mill.
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- No apps like Uber. Use registered Taxis (H on license plate). Reliable driver: Sam's Taxi (784-456-4338).
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Sailor’s Cycle Center (Arnos Vale) - Approx. $30 USD per day for bicycles.
- Best Beach Nearby
- Villa Beach: Golden sand, calm waters, 15 minutes from the city center.
- Top Regional Airline
- LIAT 2020 or InterCaribbean Airways (connectivity to Barbados and Grenada).
- Top International Airline
- Air Canada, American Airlines, and Virgin Atlantic (flying into Argyle International - AIA).
- Highway Access
- Windward Highway (East coast) and Leeward Highway (West coast) connect at Kingstown.
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Little Tokyo Bus Terminal: Hub for the colorful local 'dollar vans' (approx. $1.50 - $3.00 XCD per ride).
- Public Transport Passes
- No formal passes; all transit is pay-as-you-go cash in vans.
- Regional Travel
- Bequia Express or Admiral Ferries to Bequia ($45 XCD round trip, 1-hour journey).
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Milton Cato Memorial Hospital (Bentick Square, Kingstown).
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Wellness SVG (Indian Bay): Offers yoga classes and holistic therapy sessions.
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Fitness Is Key (Arnos Vale): Modern equipment, approx. $150 XCD per month.
- Laundry Services
- Suds and Duds (Arnos Vale): Drop-off and self-service laundry available.
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- Cari-Food or localized WhatsApp delivery services from specific restaurants.
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Roasted Breadfruit and Fried Jackfish (The national dish).
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Organic Gardens (Lower Bay Street): Ital food and fresh plant-based juices.
- Best Dessert Spots
- Bounty (Grenville Street): Famous for local pastries and cakes.
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- The Kingstown Public Market: Best for fresh produce; Massy Stores for groceries.
- E-commerce/Online Store
- ShopStack SVG (local aggregator); most residents use US-based Amazon with freight forwarders like Aeropost.
- Grocery Delivery
- Massy Stores (Upper Bay Street) offers phone-in/online ordering for selected items.
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Villa Strip: A row of bars and restaurants by the sea; active on weekends.
- Local Brewery
- St. Vincent Distillers (producer of SLR Rum and regional beers like Hairoun).
- Wine Bars
- Flow Wine Bar (Bay Street): Upscale atmosphere with a wide international selection.
- Street Food Stalls
- Kingstown Fish Market area: Freshly grilled seafood and rotis daily.
- Popular International Cuisine
- Basil’s Bar (Kingstown Branch): High-end international and Caribbean fusion.
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Fort Charlotte: Historic fort with panoramic views of the Grenadines.
- Museums & Art Venues
- St. Vincent National Trust (Carnegie Building): Exhibits on indigenous and colonial history.
- Historical Sites
- The Cobblestone Inn: A restored 1814 sugar warehouse in the heart of the city.
- Religious Sites
- St. George's Anglican Cathedral and St. Mary’s Cathedral of the Assumption.
- Annual Events
- Vincy Mas (June/July): The nation's premier carnival celebration.
- Cultural Districts
- Heritage Square: Central hub for street festivals and Friday night lime.
- Theater Venues
- Peace Memorial Hall: Host to local plays and performance arts.
- Local Markets
- Kingstown Vegetable Market: Vibrant Saturday morning market experience.
- Music Scene
- Soca and Calypso are dominant; live steel pan at various venues during Vincy Mas.
- Street Art
- Murals on the walls surrounding the Kingstown seaport area.
- Cooking Classes
- Private sessions often organized at hotels like Young Island Resort.
- Art Galleries
- The Youlou Arts Centre: Showcases contemporary Vincentian art.
- Historic Buildings
- The Court House: Notable for its traditional colonial architecture.
- Local Heritage
- Garifuna Heritage: The city celebrates the history of the Black Caribs.
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- St. Vincent Botanical Gardens: Established in 1765, the oldest in the Western Hemisphere.
- National Parks Nearby
- Vermont Nature Trail: 20 mins from city; home to the rare Saint Vincent Parrot.
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- The coastal walk along Indian Bay and Villa beach.
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Dorsetshire Hill: Offers a 360-degree view of Kingstown and the harbor.
- Birdwatching Locations
- Upper Vermont Valley: Best spot to see the Amazona Guildingii parrot.
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Lowmans Bay (with municipal permits for organized groups).
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- DHL (Bay Street) and Aeropost (Arnos Vale).
- Tech Repair Services
- The Computer Lab (Lower Bay Street): For laptop and phone repairs.
- Table Tennis Spots
- West St. George Secondary School community courts.
- Language Classes
- Alliance Française (Kingstown) for French lessons.
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Kingstown Public Library: Reopened in a modern facility on Lower Middle Street.
- Community Centers
- Bishop’s College Community Center: Venue for local meetings and sports.
- Gaming Lounges
- Internet cafes in Kingstown often double as casual gaming spots.
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- None in Kingstown; private gaming available in some Canouan/Grenadine resorts.