Regional Notes
Saba GOVERNMENT The small island of Saba (pronounced 'sabre') is part of the Netherlands Antilles, an island-group territory of the Netherlands with internal autonomy. MONEY The official currency on Saba is the Netherlands Antilles Florin (NAF); US dollars and major credit cards are accepted. The island has two banks. A service charge of 10%-15% is added routinely to bills in restaurants, etc. Saba is a free port - there are no customs at Fort Bay, the port of entry. COMMUNICATIONS The island has international direct dialling: there are public 'Landsradio' booths in The Bottom (the capital) and Windwardside, the other (and larger) settlement. HISTORY, LANGUAGE, CULTURE Saba has a very mixed heritage, having been ruled by the English, French, Spanish, and most recently the Dutch. Settlers on the island were farmers and seafarers. Although Dutch is the official language, English is widely spoken. Papiamento and Spanish are also spoken. Casual dress is appropriate at any time, but bathing suits should not be worn in town. Driving is on the right. Hire cars are available in Windwardside and at St Jean Airport. Public Holidays New Year's Day, Good Friday & Easter Monday, Queen's Birthday (April 30), Labor Day (May 1), Ascension Thursday (around May 24), Carnival Monday (July 30), Antillian Day (22 October), Saba Day (first week in December), Christmas Day & Boxing Day. HEALTH The Hospital is on Tel 599-4-63239/63288/63289. Saba Marine Park has a Hyperbaric Facility (4-person recompression chamber) serving the Eastern Caribbean region, on Tel 599-4-63295. IMPORTANT ADDRESSES, CONSULATES, etc. American Consulate General, JB Gorsiraweg No 1, Willemstad, CURACAO, Tel (599-9) 461-3066 British Consulate, Jan Sofat 38 (PO Box 3803), CURACAO, Tel (599-9) 747-3322 Consulate of Canada, 16A Topaz Drive, St MAARTEN, Tel (011 599-5) 45023. SPECIAL FEATURES Saba is a rugged little island which rises steeply from the sea and has no beaches. No roads could be built on the island before 1943, because of its very difficult terrain. Fort Bay is the only inlet where boats can dock. The island is visited mainly for its diving, hiking and seclusion. Regional LinksThe Locations |
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