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General Island Info...
What to pack...
Bird Watching
A good pair of binoculars and guidebook is essential to experience Saba's abundant birdlife.
Camera and Film
Bring plenty of film along with extra batteries for your camera. It's less expensive and more convenient to bring your own. If you do run out, film and batteries can be obtained in most gift and convenient stores. Keep film in a cool dry place.
Clothing
Daytime temperature on Saba averages 80F, give or take a few degrees. Evenings often require a light sweater due to the altitude at which Windwardside is located; make sure to bring along a sun hat to protect your skin from the harsh Caribbean sun.
Footwear
Pack your hiking boots or hard rubber soled shoes for hiking and sandals for leisurely walking.
Diving and Snorkeling Equipment
Bring your own or leave it at home. It's your preference. Many divers prefer to bring their own dive gear; however, if you decide not to you can be assured that each dive shop will meet your equipment needs.
Eyewear and Care
Bright Sunny days necessitate sunglasses. Lens lubricant for some contact lens wearers may not be readily available on island. Bring along plenty of eye lubricant and wetting, soaking and cleaning solution.
Sunscreens and Lotions
It's necessary to protect your skin from the sun's ultraviolet rays. Temperatures are generally balmy but you're also exposed to strong ultraviolet rays. Pack plenty sunscreen. In case you forgot to pack the sunscreen, you’ll have no difficulty finding some at either the grocery stores or dive shops.
Just in case
Photocopy important documents such as passport, drivers license, credit cards, prescription medication forms, airline ticket and other essential information. Always pack prescription medication in your carry-on.
General Island Info
Language
Dutch is the official language, but everyone speaks English. You may also
encounter some other languages such as Spanish, a bit of French, German,
and Papiamentu.
Banking
The official currency is the NAF (Antillean Guilder) exchanged at about
NAFL 1.80 = $1.00 US. Travelers cheques and US dollars, as well as major
credit cards, are widely accepted. Two branch banks are open on Saba from
8:30am to 3:00pm. There are no ATM machines on the island
Electricity
US Standard, 110 volts. An adapter can be provided if you have equipment
that requires 220-volt power.
Population
1,500 persons, of this number approximately 350 are medical students and
faculty. The remainder constitutes the local population.
Religions
Anglican Church’s – one in Windwardside (minutes from the
hotel) and one in the village of the Bottom
Roman Catholic Church’s – one in Windwardside (also minutes
from the hotel), one in the village of St. Johns, one in the village of
the Bottom, and one in the village of Zion’s Hill Wesleyan Holiness
Church – one in the village of the Bottom Kingdom Hall of the Jehovah's
Witnesses- one in Windwardside, a short walk from Juliana's Hotel. If
you’d like to attend service at any one of the above churches, please
stop by the office and we can inquire as to when service is scheduled.
Holidays
Good Friday, Easter, Easter Monday, Queen's Birthday (April 30), Labor
Day, Ascension Day, Christmas, Boxing Day (Dec 26), Saba Day (First weekend
of December).
Festivities
Saba Summer Festival, better known as Carnival scheduled during the last
week of July beginning of August.
Saba Day: 1st weekend in December
Medical Facilities:
A.M. Edwards Medical Center
(phone 599-416-3288 or 3289)
Two Resident Doctors and a team of registered Nurses oversee the medical
facility.
Saba is also very fortunate to have a Hyperbaric facility on island. This
four-person re-compression chamber is administered by the Saba Marine
Park and operated by a staff of specially trained volunteers and resident
doctor. It has been operating since 1980 and serves the Eastern Caribbean
region. Telephone: 599-416-3295 Fax: 599-416-3435.
Emergency numbers:
Hospital 416-3288, Police 111 or 416-3237,
Immigration 416-3214 or 416-2223
Mail
Approximately two weeks either way when marked AIRMAIL. Federal Express
and DHL are also available.
Time
Atlantic Standard (Eastern Standard + 1 hour).
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, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Haiti,
Countries of former Yugoslavia, except Slovenia, Bosnia, Herzegovina,
Croatia, Former republic of Yugoslavia, Macedonia, Kampuchea, North Korea,
Romania, Countries of former Soviet Union, Armenia, Azerbaijan, White
Russia, Estonia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz, Latvia Lithuania, Moldova,
Ukraine, Uzbekistan, The Russian Federation, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan,
Vietnam, Libya.
