What is ExpatsList?
ExpatsList.org is a free community platform where expats, digital nomads, and locals connect. It combines a business directory, classifieds marketplace, and community blogs to help international residents find trusted services and connect with their community.
What We Offer
Business Directory
Find community-recommended businesses across 40+ categories: healthcare, legal services, real estate, restaurants, and more. Each listing includes contact info, ratings, and community reviews.
Thousands of listings across 22 cities
Classifieds
Post and browse classified ads for housing rentals, job opportunities, items for sale, and community events. Connect directly with expats, digital nomads, and locals in your city.
Free to post & browse
Community Blogs
Read and write articles about expat life, travel tips, local insights, and community news. Share your experiences and learn from fellow expats, nomads, and locals.
Written by expats, nomads & locals
Starter Packs
Curated city guides with essential tips for new arrivals. From getting around to finding healthcare, our Starter Packs help you get settled faster with insider knowledge from experienced expats.
Curated essentials for each city
Community Recommendations
Discover vetted spots recommended by the community. From the best tacos to trusted mechanics, find places the community actually uses and loves.
Real recommendations from the community
Cities We Cover
Costa Rica
- Nosara
- Tamarindo
El Salvador
- El Zonte
- La Libertad
Indonesia
- Bali
- Ubud
Mexico
- Cancún
- Isla Mujeres
- Mexico City
- Playa del Carmen
- Puerto Morelos
- San Miguel de Allende
- Sayulita
- Tulum
Panama
- Boquete
- Panama City
Poland
- Warsaw
Puerto Rico
- Santurce
Spain
- Santa Cruz de Tenerife
Thailand
- Koh Phangan
- Koh Samui
Vietnam
- Da Nang
More cities coming soon. Want us to add your city? Let us know
Who We Serve
Expats
People living abroad who need trusted local services
Digital Nomads
Remote workers exploring new destinations
Retirees Abroad
Enjoying retirement in a new country
Students
International students studying abroad
Trust & Verification
ExpatsList uses verification badges to help you identify trusted businesses and community members. These badges signal authenticity, quality, and commitment to the community.
Look for these badges when browsing business listings or community blogs.
Verified Business
Gold BadgeThe gold verification badge appears on business listings that have been claimed and verified by their owners. When you see this badge, you can trust that:
- Ownership is confirmed: the actual business owner controls this listing, not a third party
- Information is accurate: contact details, hours, and services are actively maintained
- Reviews are monitored: the owner can respond to customer feedback
Benefits for Business Owners
- • Priority placement in search results and category pages
- • Stand out from unverified competitors with a trust badge
- • Respond to reviews and build customer relationships
- • Full control to update photos, hours, and business details
- • Analytics on listing views and engagement
Verified Member
Blue BadgeThe blue verification badge appears on member profiles of trusted community contributors. When you see this badge, you know:
- Identity is confirmed: this is a real person whose identity we've verified
- Content is quality: they contribute helpful blogs, reviews, and tips
- Community standing: a recognized, active contributor to the community
Benefits for Members
- • Build credibility: your badge shows readers they can trust your content
- • Increased visibility: verified member content gets priority placement
- • Author recognition: your name and badge appear on all your blog posts
- • Community trust: other expats know you're a genuine contributor
- • Profile badge: blue checkmark displayed on your public profile
Get Your Business Verified
Own a business that serves expats? Claim your listing to get the gold verified badge and take control of your online presence.
- 1. Find your business in our directory
- 2. Click "Claim this business" on your listing
- 3. Verify your ownership (phone, email, or document)
- 4. Your gold badge appears within 24 hours
Get Your Profile Verified
Are you an active expat with knowledge to share? Earn your blue verified badge by contributing to the community.
- 1. on ExpatsList
- 2. Write a helpful blog post about expat life
- 3. Our team reviews your contribution
- 4. Quality contributors receive the blue badge
Why Verification Matters
Fight Misinformation
Verification helps separate real businesses and genuine expats from fake or misleading accounts.
Build Community Trust
When expats help expats, trust is everything. Verification shows commitment to the community.
Quality Over Quantity
Verification rewards those who invest in accurate info and helpful content, not just volume.
How ExpatsList Compares to Alternatives
| Feature | ExpatsList | Facebook Groups | Google Maps | InterNations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Community-focused curation | Varies | |||
| Searchable directory | ||||
| 100% free | ||||
| No algorithm manipulation | ||||
| Classifieds marketplace | Limited | |||
| Community blogs |
Our Story
Built by the community, for the community
ExpatsList was born from a simple frustration: finding trustworthy local services as a newcomer is hard. When you move abroad, you quickly learn that Google results don't always reflect what the community actually recommends.
Our Mission
To be the most trusted resource for expats, digital nomads, and locals worldwide - connecting people with verified businesses, community classifieds, and real stories from people who've been there.
Why We're Different
We focus exclusively on community-recommended businesses and resources. Every feature is built with the unique challenges of living abroad in mind - language barriers, unfamiliar systems, and the need for trusted recommendations.
We've Lived the Expat Life
We've navigated visa paperwork in foreign languages, searched for English-speaking doctors at 2am, and discovered hidden gems only locals know about. ExpatsList is the resource we wish we had when we first moved abroad.
Ready to Explore?
Join thousands of expats, digital nomads, and locals who use ExpatsList to find trusted services, connect with their community, and make the most of life abroad.
Have questions? Contact us
