🇻🇨 Union Island,
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
#1196
Nomad Score
4.9
Coords
12.5972425, -61.4335378
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OTHER SERVICES AND AMENITIES
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | None |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | Public library in Clifton (Limited hours) |
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | DHL (represented locally in Clifton); SVG Air for small island-to-island parcels |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | Very limited; most hardware issues require shipping to St. Vincent or Barbados |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Community center in Ashton |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | Informal Patois/English exchange; no formal schools |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | Ashton Community Hall |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | None |
ESSENTIALS
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 🏙️ City | Clifton, Union Island, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines |
| 👥 Population | Approximately 3,000 |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Fiber optic available in Clifton/Ashton; average speeds of 50-100 Mbps via Flow or Digicel |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | Eastern Caribbean Dollar (XCD); 1 USD ≈ 2.70 XCD. Fixed exchange rate |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Not generally drinkable. Most residents rely on rain-fed cisterns. Use bottled water (Approx. $2 XCD for 1.5L) |
| 🔌 Power | 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type G (UK-style) sockets |
| 📶 SIM Card | Flow or Digicel. Available at kiosks in Clifton. ~$60 XCD for 10GB/30-day data plans |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | Republic Bank (formerly Scotiabank) in Clifton. ATMs accept major international cards |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Guesthouses, small boutique hotels, and yacht charters are primary options |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Partially. Hotels and high-end restaurants accept cards; local shops and taxis are cash-only |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Airbnb and local guesthouses like Saint Joseph’s House (Approx. $85 USD/night) |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Kings Landing Hotel or smaller guesthouses in Ashton (Approx. $60-$90 USD/night) |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists | Clifton (Main hub, shops, and ferry port) |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads | Big Sand/Richmond Bay (Quieter, better scenery, and reliable high-end villa connections) |
WORKING AND NETWORKING
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | None officially. Most nomads work from Sparrow’s Beach Club or JT Pro Center Kite School lounge |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Captain Gourmet in Clifton (Excellent coffee, French pastries, and stable Wi-Fi) |
| 💼 Networking Events | Informal gatherings at Happy Island during sunset or yachting meetups at the yacht club |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Union Island Expats and Locals Facebook group; Friday night BBQ at various Clifton bars |
TRANSPORTATION
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | No apps. Local 'dollar vans' operate between Clifton and Ashton for $2 XCD. Private taxis available via radio |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Rental bikes at JT Pro Center or local shops in Clifton (Approx. $25 USD/day) |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Chatham Bay (Secluded, west side, accessible by boat or 4WD/strenuous hike) |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | SVG Air / Mustique Airways (Daily flights from Barbados/St. Vincent) |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | Air Canada, American Airlines, or Virgin Atlantic to Barbados/Grenada, then regional hop |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | Small paved perimeter road connecting Clifton and Ashton; no highways |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Union Island Airport (UNI) for air; Clifton Wharf for inter-island ferries |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | None. Pay cash ($1-$3 XCD) per ride to van drivers |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | M/V Jaden Sun Fast Ferry or Bequia Express to St. Vincent/Bequia; water taxis to Mayreau ($50-$80 XCD) |
HEALTH AND WELLNESS
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 🏥 Best Hospital | Union Island Health Center (Clifton). Serious cases require medevac to Kingstown or Barbados |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | The Yoga Pavilion at Palm Island (Accessible by short boat ride or private sessions at villas) |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Small community gym in Clifton; outdoor fitness is mainly hiking Mt. Taboi |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Erika’s Marine Services in Clifton offers laundry per load for yachties and nomads |
FOOD AND DRINK
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | None. Direct calling to restaurants for pickup is standard |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Conch souse or grilled lobster (In season Sept-April) |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Captain Gourmet (Salads/Wraps) and Veggie-friendly stalls at the Clifton Market Square |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Captain Gourmet for authentic French crepes and tarts |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Market Square in Clifton for fresh local produce and fish |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Limited. Most items shipped via Amazon to freight forwarders in Florida/Barbados |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Provisioning services available through Erika’s Marine Services |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | Clifton Waterfront and the famous Happy Island (a bar built on conch shells) |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Hairoun Brewery (SVG main island); local 'Bush Rum' found in small Clifton bars |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | Bougainvilla Hotel & Marina has an extensive wine selection |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Stalls at Clifton Market Square selling 'Bakes' and fried fish (Fri/Sat nights) |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Sparrow’s Beach Club (International/Caribbean Fusion) |
CULTURE AND ATTRACTIONS
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | Happy Island (accessible only by boat); Mount Taboi (highest point) |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | Small historical exhibits at the Tourist Bureau in Clifton |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | Fort Hill (remnants of 17th-century cannons with views of the Grenadines) |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Clifton |
| 🎉 Annual Events | Easter Val (Kitesurfing and carnival events); SVG Carnival (Vincy Mas) in July |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | Clifton Village Center |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | None; community school halls used for local performances |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | The daily vegetable and fruit market in Clifton Square |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Steel pan and Reggae at waterfront bars like Twilight |
| 🎨 Street Art | Murals reflecting marine life and island heritage near the ferry terminal |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Informal lessons often arranged at Chatham Bay eco-lodges |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | Local handicraft shops in Clifton showcasing shell art and carvings |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | Colonial-style stone buildings in Ashton |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | Island culture celebrates the 'Big Drum Dance' during special festivities |
NATURE AND OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Tobago Cays Marine Park (20-minute boat ride); world-class snorkeling |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Richmond Bay and the surrounding reef systems |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | Trail from Ashton to Chatham Bay (Rugged terrain) |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | Fort Hill overlook for 360-degree views of Mayreau, Palm Island, and PSV |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | Ashton Lagoon (Mangrove restoration area) |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Chatham Bay beach (with permission from local eco-lodges) |
BUSINESS
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. $4,000 USD per m² (Very limited central supply; mostly land sales) |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. $3,000 USD per m² (e.g., small Ashton plot + build) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. $250,000 USD for basic detached units in Clifton |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. $180,000 USD for units inland toward Ashton |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. $450,000 USD+ for harbor-view properties |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. $350,000 USD for hillside properties in Richmond |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | 30% (standard SV&G rate) |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | 15% (non-residents) |
| 🏦 Tax System | Territorial/Residence based; income sourced in SV&G is taxable |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | 28% |
| 🧾 VAT | 16% Standard Rate |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | No |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Yes, based on market value (Approx. 5% of rental value) |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | Stamp duty: 5% for the buyer; 5% for the seller for residents. Non-residents require Alien Land Holding License (approx. 10%) |
| 💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads | Remote Work Program (Digital Nomad Visa) allows for 1-year residency without local income tax |
🧭 CONTINUE EXPLORING UNION ISLAND