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| 1 | {{IsIn|Caribbean}} | | |
| 2 | | | |
| 3 | ==Introduction== | | |
| 4 | Saba, nicknamed "the Unspoiled Queen", is one of
the best kept surprises of the Caribbean. And that
is simply because it lacks the Caribbean cliche of
pristine white beaches (though one rocky pebble
beach allows for a good swim). | | |
| 5 | | | |
| 6 | ==Geography== | | |
| 7 | Saba is basically one big volcano, Mount Scenery,
towering 900 meters out of the sea. Its vegetation
is lush and beautiful, with one road connecting
its five villages. After Swiss, Austrian and Dutch
engineers had said it was a road that could not be
built due to the islands' steepness, Saban decided
to do it themselves. | | |
| 8 | | | |
| 9 | ==Cities== | | |
| 10 | At a population of 2000, Saba does not have cities
but a series of cute, tiny towns. All are built in
white wooden building styles. The Bottom is the
capital, whereas Windwardside is the largest town
and has most hotels. The lowest town, The Bottom,
starts at 300 meters above sea - a tactical
advantage abused in the past to keep foreign
powers out. Nowadays, Saba is a municipality of
the Netherlands. | | |
| 11 | | | |
| 12 | ==Sights and Activities== | | |
| 13 | Mount Scenery and its many hiking trails are the
key attraction of Saba. Getting to the top of the
highest mountain in the kingdom of the Netherlands
takes 1.5 hrs, starting in Windwardside. Do not
forget to collect your certificate at the tourism
office. | | |
| 14 | | | |
| 15 | Saba is just as much a diving destination. The
reefs around the island are famed for their marine
life. | | |
| 16 | | | |
| 17 | There are also two petite museums on Saba. Famous
is Saba lace, that women of sailors used to knit
together to add to income. The white local
building style is something very special and
cherished by visitors. | | |
| 18 | | | |
| 19 | ==Events and Festivals== | | |
| 20 | One week per year, Saban restaurants celebrate
Restaurant Week. | | |
| 21 | | | |
| 22 | ==Weather== | | |
| 23 | Saba has Caribbean weather, so together with
rainforest humidity and the steepness of the
climb, do not underestimate the trek up Mount
Scenery - take some water from the Windwardside
supermarket before you leave. | | |
| 24 | | | |
| 25 | ==Getting There== | | |
| 26 | Saba can either be reached by plane or ferry. | | |
| 27 | | | |
| 28 | ===By Plane=== | | |
| 29 | St. Maarten air carrier Winair brings people, also
for daytrips, multiple times a day. St. Maarten
itself is well connected to major hubs in the
United States, Canada, the region, Paris and
Amsterdam. | | |
| 30 | | | |
| 31 | ===By Train=== | | |
| 32 | There are no trains on Saba. | | |
| 33 | | | |
| 34 | ===By Car=== | | |
| 35 | This island can not be reached by car. | | |
| 36 | | | |
| 37 | ===By Bus=== | | |
| 38 | There are no buses on Saba. | | |
| 39 | | | |
| 40 | ===By Boat=== | | |
| 41 | Aquamania does boat trips from St. Maarten,
whereas Makana Ferries connects the island with
St. Kitts, Statia (in Dutch known as St.
Eustatius) and St. Maarten. | | |
| 42 | | | |
| 43 | ==Getting Around== | | |
| 44 | | | |
| 45 | ===By Plane=== | | |
| 46 | Saba has only one airport, Yrausquin Airport. | | |
| 47 | | | |
| 48 | ===By Train=== | | |
| 49 | No trains are on Saba. | | |
| 50 | | | |
| 51 | ===By Car=== | | |
| 52 | | | |
| 53 | There is no need to rent a car on Saba, as the
taxi drivers are happy to drive you over the one
road the island has. | | |
| 54 | | | |
| 55 | ===By Bus=== | | |
| 56 | There are no bus lines on island. | | |
| 57 | | | |
| 58 | ===By Boat=== | | |
| 59 | Boats only serve to get to the island, and anchor
at the port near the Bottom. | | |
| 60 | | | |
| 61 | ==Eat== | | |
| 62 | It is very common on Saba to eat at the
restaurants of the hotels like Queens Gardens. | | |
| 63 | | | |
| 64 | ==Drink== | | |
| 65 | See for a fun drinking spot Swinging Doors, close
to the tourism office in Windwardside. This cowboy
type of bar is not something you would expect
here! | | |
| 66 | | | |
| 67 | ==Sleep== | | |
| 68 | The best known hotels on island are Scouts Place,
Queens Gardens and Julianas. | | |
| 69 | | | |
| 70 | ==External Links== | | |
| 71 | | | |
| 72 | Sabatourism.com | | |
| 73 | Seasaba.com | | |
| 74 | | 1 | |