Banks -- The main bank on the island is First Caribbean International, Windwardside (tel. 599/416-2216), open Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 3:30pm. The Royal Bank of Trinidad and Tobago is another option. It's located at Windwardside (tel. 599/416-2454) and is open Monday to Friday 8:30am to 3pm.
Currency -- Saba, like the other islands of the Netherlands Antilles, uses the Netherlands Antilles guilder (NAf), valued at 1.78 NAf to US$1 (1 NAf = 55¢). However, U.S. money is accepted by almost everybody here. As such, prices in this guide are quoted in U.S. dollars.
Customs -- You don't have to go through Customs in Saba; it's a free port.
Documents -- The government requires that all visitors have a passport, plus a return or ongoing ticket.
Electricity -- Saba uses 110-volt AC (60 cycles), so U.S.-made appliances don't need transformers or adapters.
Emergencies -- Call tel. 599/416-3289 for an ambulance, and tel. 599/416-3237 for the police.
Hospital -- Saba's hospital complex is the A. M. Edwards Medical Centre, the Bottom (tel. 599/416-3239 or 416-3289).
Language -- The official language is Dutch, but English is widely spoken.
Pharmacies -- Try the Pharmacy, A. M. Edwards Medical Centre, the Bottom (tel. 599/416-3239), open Monday to Friday 8am to 1pm and 2 to 5:30pm, and Saturday 10am to noon.
Safety -- Crime on this island, where everyone knows everyone else, is practically nonexistent. But who knows? A tourist might rob you. It is always wise to safeguard your valuables.
Taxes -- The government imposes a 5% tourist tax on hotel rooms, plus a 3% "turnover tax" on all rooms. If you're returning to St. Maarten or flying over to Statia, you must pay a $6 departure tax. If you're going anywhere else, a $20 tax is imposed. A service charge of 10% to 15% will be added to your restaurant bill.
Telephone -- To call Saba from the United States, dial 011 (the international access code), then 599 (the country code for the Netherlands Antilles), and finally 416 (the area code for all of Saba) and the four-digit local number. To make a call within Saba, only the four-digit local number is necessary.
Time -- Saba is on Atlantic Standard Time year-round, 1 hour earlier than Eastern Standard Time. When the United States is on daylight saving time, clocks on Saba and the U.S. East Coast read the same.
Water -- The water on Saba is generally safe to drink.
Weather -- Temperatures from January to April average 69°F to 83°F (21°C-28°C). The rest of the year, temperatures range from 70°F to 88°F (21°C-31°C).
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
