Saba Directory
Saba Overview
Cozy inns, luxurious hotels, charming guesthoues. Saba has something to suit every style and budget. The dining on Saba is excellent as well...from fine dining in world class restaurants to local taste treats in our friendly snack bars. The island of Saba is a fine example of ecotourism in action. Tourism is relatively new to Saba, considering the airport opened in 1963, and the pier was completed in 1972. Being so small and so remote, few travelers visited before the 70's. Those who did were themselves well-traveled and found Saba to be a truly unspoiled paradise. Locals were filled with pride as these visitors marveled at Saba's unique beauty. Yearly less than 25,000 tourists come to Saba, and those who do treat the island and her people with respect and admiration. Even though the island has modern facilities and technology, their attitude is strongly conservative towards their nature, development and industry. They love their island as much as you will. Saba's beauty extends below the waterline into an exciting marine environment rich in corals and active with fish life. A busy population of colorful tropical fish as well as large groupers and jacks live around Saba. Lava tunnels and hot springs remind divers of the dramatic volcanic beginnings of the island. The small leeward side hosts gentle, medium depth, spur and groove formations. Along the edge of Saba's sheer wall dives, divers can sight turtles and rays of all shapes and sizes. Since the island is so small, dive boats can reach all sites within minutes. All air travel to Saba connects in St. Maarten. Several major airlines from North America, Europe and South America carry daily flights into St. Maarten (SXM). Ferry service from St. Maarten is available via "The Edge" (Wednesday through Sunday) departs 9:00 a.m. from Simpson Bay/Pelican Marina - e-mail: aquamania@sintmaarten.net; Tel: 599-544-2640 or Fax: 599-544-2476. The Edge travels to Saba from Sint Maarten on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sundays, departing Sint Maarten at 9:00 a.m. for the 1 hour trip and returns from Saba, departing Fort Bay harbor at 3:45 p.m., arriving back on Sint Maarten at 5:00 p.m. This means of transportation is good for travellers who overnight on Sint Maarten. Each village has several small and individually unique restaurants. Most of them offer outdoor dining as well as a friendly bar. You'll want to sample them all though, because there is a wide variety to choose from, American, European, Chinese, Italian, and that delicious blend of Indonesian and West Indian Creole. Each restaurant becomes a gathering place for conversation anytime, day or night. Weekends will always find an "island-wide party", that means everyone is invited. It may also be disco music, steel band drums at poolside, or a barbeque at the bay under the stars. Enter into any of the shops within the villages and you'll be invited into conversation. You'll find beautiful, delicate linen items with hand-drawn threadwork designs. Artists find Saba a perfect inspiration for their work. many watercolours, photographs, jewelry and books are displayed in two art galleries. While in Windwardside, ask your driver to drop you off at the Windwardside parking lot. Then stroll the main drag through Windwardside's mini-mall. Its here you'll find take-home souvenirs, tasty boutiques, dive shops, the tourist office, an art gallery, two restaurant/bars, a supermarket and a bank. Just a turn will take you to the post office and yet another bank as well as another dive shop-hotel-restaurant-bar. The Mini Mall is where you'll pick up charming remembrances of the beauty of Saba.
Saba Facts
Telephone:
Hotels have direct dialling worldwide. Landsradio has phone booths in The Bottom and Windwardside for calls anywhere in the world.
Customs and Immigration:
Saba is a free port, there are no customs. A valid passport, birth certificate or voter's registration is needed to enter as well as a return or ongoing ticket.
Visa Requirements:
Residents of the following countries will need a visa to enter the Netherlands Antilles.
Albania
Bulgaria
Republic of China
Colombia
Cuba
Dominican Republic
Haiti
Countries of former Yugoslavia, except Slovenia, Bosnia, Herzegovina
Croatia
Former republic of Yugoslavia, Macedonia
Kampuchea
North Korea
Rumania
Countries of former Soviet Union
Armenia
Azerbaijan
... more
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