Saba / Island Essentials

All travellers to Saba will need to know the essential island facts.  The information on Saba shown below is current (2011).

Currency/Credit Cards

The official currency of Saba is the US dollar which replaced the Netherlands Antilles Guilder from 1st January 2011. 

Credit cards are also accepted at shops and restaurants accustomed to tourists. It is probably better to carry cash for small purchases.

Check-in/Check-out

As a general rule check-out times are around 12 noon and check-in is not prior to 3pm, during which time the rooms are made ready for new arrivals. If you know you will be arriving before the normal check-in time however, do ask as your hotel may able to be flexible. They may also be able provide a day room with or shower facilities subject to availability. You should make any special arrangements at the time of booking.

Departure Tax/Taxes

There is a departure tax of US$5 if you are travelling to the other Dutch Windward islands in the area - St Maarten and St Eustatius. Departures to elsewhere will require a US$20 tax. 

A government room tax of 5% is automatically added to your hotel bills.

Electricity

The domestic electricity supply is 110 volts, 60Hz. American style plugs with two flat metal pins are standard on the island, so remember to bring the appropriate converters if needed.

Embassies/Consulates

There is no diplomatic representation in Saba. The nearest embassies and High Commissions tend to be in Barbados. There are some consuls in St Maarten, however. 

Canada 
For Embassies and High Commissions see the Definitive Caribbean Guide to Barbados 

Canadians can obtain consular assistance and further information from the Consulate of Canada in Sint Maarten, 11A Green Star Shell Road, Dawn Beach, Sint Maarten, t 543 6261. 

United Kingdom 
For Embassies and High Commissions see the Definitive Caribbean Guide to Barbados 

British citizens can obtain consular advice from the British Consulate in Curacao, 6 Willemstad, t 5999 747 3322. 

United States 
For Embassies and High Commissions see Definitive Caribbean Guide to Barbados 

Citizens of the Unites States can get consular advice from the United States Consulate General in Curacao, P.O. Box 158, t 5999 461 3066.

Emergencies

Police – 911 
Fire – 911 
Ambulance – 911

Medical

In case of a medical emergency, contact the MA Edwards Medical Centre, t 416 3288, located at The Bottom. Complex cases or general surgery are sent Sint Maarten. 

Many people come to Saba to enjoy its fantastic scuba diving. Saba has the facilities to deal with decompression problems at the hyperbaric facility at the Saba Marine Park, t 416 3295.

Nudity

There are no real beaches on the island and nudity is not appreciated in Saba anyway. Please note that bathing suits are not appropriate attire within the villages.

Places of Worship

Saba has four Roman Catholic churches and many islanders use them. There are also two Anglican churches and a Kingdom Hall attended by Jehovah's Witnesses. Sundays are generally quiet. Churches are generally left unlocked in the day and there are many cemeteries, some tiny, dotted around Windwardside and The Bottom that are worth looking at.

Service Charge/Tipping

A service charge of 10% or 15% is likely to be added to your bill. For taxis and guides, tip at your own discretion.

Time Zone

Saba is in the Atlantic Standard Time Zone , which is four hours behind GMT (Britain in winter) and five behind Europe. During the winter it is an hour ahead of the eastern seaboard of the USA. 

Saba has no daylight saving time, so when the clocks go forward in summer in the northern hemisphere the island is five hours behind Britain, six behind Europe and on the same time as Eastern Standard Time in the USA.

Water

Water is a scarce resource on Saba and this is a prime reason why the island has escaped major settlement or development. Today there is a desalination plant but all over the island you will see large concrete cisterns that are still used to collect valuable rainwater. Hotel guests are often requested not to waste supplies, and while it is safe to drink the tap water on Saba, most visitors prefer to drink bottled.