Essentials
- City
- Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands
- Population
- Approximately 15,000
- Internet Speed
- Average 25-50 Mbps; Digicel and Flow offer fiber in some areas.
- Currency & Banking
- US Dollar (USD). Banking via FirstBank or Republic Bank.
- Tap Water
- Generally safe but most residents prefer bottled or filtered cistern water.
- Power
- 110V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A/B (US Standard)
- SIM Card
- Digicel or Flow. Prepaid plans approx. $30/month for 10GB.
- Banking for Expats
- FirstBank BVI, Republic Bank. High fees for non-residents.
- Accommodation
- BVI Village, Maria's by the Sea, or private villas on Airbnb.
- Cashless Friendly
- Mostly yes in Road Town; smaller beach bars prefer cash.
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb and VRBO; typical rates $150-$300/night.
- Budget Accommodation
- Maria's by the Sea (approx. $170/night) - budget is relative here.
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Cane Garden Bay (beach access) or Nanny Cay (marina life).
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Road Town center for proximity to ferries and services.
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Registry of Corporate Affairs (Limited public access); most nomads use luxury hotel lobbies like Scrub Island Resort.
- Best Cafe for Work
- Island Cup Coffee (Main Street) - high quality brews and stable Wi-Fi.
- Networking Events
- BVI Chamber of Commerce & Hotel Association mixers.
- Social Events for Expats
- Friday night drinks at Village Cay Marina & Hotel.
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- No apps like Uber. Use local taxi stands at the Ferry Terminal; rates are fixed by zone.
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Last Stop Sports ($35-$50/day).
- Best Beach Nearby
- Cane Garden Bay (15 min drive from Road Town).
- Top Regional Airline
- Silver Airways / Seaborne Airlines.
- Top International Airline
- American Airlines (Direct flights from Miami to EIS).
- Highway Access
- Sir Francis Drake Highway (Coastal road).
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Road Town Ferry Terminal (Connections to St. Thomas and outer islands).
- Public Transport Passes
- No formal bus system; 'safari buses' (shared taxis) cost $2-$5 per ride.
- Regional Travel
- Inter-Island Boat Services to Virgin Gorda or Jost Van Dyke ($40-$60 round trip).
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Dr. D. Orlando Smith Hospital (Road Town).
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Studio 1 (Road Town) - Yoga and Pilates classes.
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Save the Seed Energy Centre (Duff's Bottom) - $10 day pass.
- Laundry Services
- Nanny Cay Marina Laundry or local dry cleaners in Road Town.
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- None available. Most restaurants handle their own phone-in orders.
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Fish and Fungi (pronounced 'foon-jee').
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Lady Sarah's Farms (Road Town) - fresh organic options.
- Best Dessert Spots
- La Baguette (French bakery in Road Town).
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Bobby's Supermarket or OneMart.
- E-commerce/Online Store
- No local Amazon; most residents use freight forwarders like Aeropost.
- Grocery Delivery
- Riteway Food Markets (Online ordering available).
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Village Cay Marina or The Pub (Waterfront Drive).
- Local Brewery
- Tola Brewery (Road Town) - local craft beers.
- Wine Bars
- The Dove Restaurant & Wine Bar.
- Street Food Stalls
- Roti Palace (Rotis from $12).
- Popular International Cuisine
- Capriccio di Mare (Italian - waterfront).
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- The Baths (Virgin Gorda - accessible by ferry).
- Museums & Art Venues
- Old Government House Museum ($5 entry).
- Historical Sites
- Fort Burt (17th-century ruins).
- Religious Sites
- St. George’s Anglican Church.
- Annual Events
- BVI Emancipation Festival (August).
- Cultural Districts
- Crafts Alive Village (Road Town).
- Theater Venues
- H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC) Auditorium.
- Local Markets
- Saturday morning market at the Bandstand.
- Music Scene
- Quito's Gazebo (Cane Garden Bay) for live reggae.
- Street Art
- Murals at the Road Town waterfront.
- Cooking Classes
- In-villa private chef demos via local catering companies.
- Art Galleries
- Sunny Caribbee Spice Shop & Art Gallery.
- Historic Buildings
- The Main Street historic district.
- Local Heritage
- Sloop building traditions and maritime history.
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Sage Mountain National Park (Highest point in BVI).
- National Parks Nearby
- Mount Healthy National Park.
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Ridge Road (strenuous but scenic cycling).
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Fahie Hill Mural Lookout.
- Birdwatching Locations
- J.R. O'Neal Botanic Gardens.
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Jost Van Dyke (White Bay) - accessible by boat.
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- DHL (Road Town) or FedEx.
- Tech Repair Services
- Infinite Solutions (Road Town).
- Table Tennis Spots
- Commonly found in local community centers.
- Language Classes
- H. Lavity Stoutt Community College.
- Libraries & Study Spots
- BVI Public Library (Road Town).
- Community Centers
- Multi-Purpose Sports Complex.
- Gaming Lounges
- Limited; mostly focused on outdoor/marina life.
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Gambling is largely restricted/illegal in BVI.
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $8,500 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $340,000)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $6,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $240,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $7,500 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $450,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $5,500 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $330,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $7,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $560,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $5,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $400,000)
- Corporate Tax
- 0% (BVI is a tax-neutral jurisdiction)
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 0%
- Tax System
- Territorial; no capital gains, gift, or inheritance tax.
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- Payroll tax ranges from 10% to 14% (split between employer/employee).
- VAT
- 0% (Import duties apply instead)
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- No
- Property Tax
- Yes, but very low (based on land acreage and building size).
- Property Transaction Tax
- Stamp duty on transfers: 4% for belongers, 12% for non-belongers.
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- 0% tax on worldwide income; high barrier for residency permits.