Everyone commutes from St. Maarten
by air or ferryboat.

Area: When counting every rock and cay, it comes to 5 square miles.

Language: Dutch and English.

Population: Around 1,500.

Rainy Season: The average rainfall is 42 inches, most of it falling in summer and fall.

Temperatures: In daytime it doesn't vary much over the year from 80F 27C) in winter to 86F (30C) in summer. Winter evenings may require a sweater or anytime the cloud drops down from Mt. Scenery .

Time Zone: Atlantic Standard Time, which is Eastern Standard Time plus 1 hour.

Electricity: 110 volts, 60 cycles, same as the U.S.

Currency: The Dutch guilder is the official currency, NAfl 1.80=US$1. U.S. dollars, traveler's checks and credit cards are widely accepted.

Taxes & Tipping: The government room tax is 5%. A service charge of 10%-15% is usually added to your bill.

Documents: U.S. and Canadian citizens need proof of citizenship with a birth certificate, valid photo ID such as a driver's license. A valid passport is necessary to go island hopping.

Getting There: Because of its tiny mountaintop airport, it's necessary to fly into St. Maarten and then hop over by commuter plane or ferry. Windward Islands Airways, or Winair, flies to Saba several times daily. Check out www.fly-winair.com. Ferry service is available aboard The Edge from Simpson Bay/Pelican Marina from Wednesday through Sunday at 9 a.m. and returning at 3:45 p.m. The trip takes an hour. Email aquamania@sintmaarten.net.

Getting Around: Rental cars are available at The Bottom from Caja's Car Rental,(599)416-2388. Taxis are also available to take you around the island's 10 miles of roads.

Where to Stay: A tiny island with a small population should have accommodations to march, and Saba does. Your choice is from about a dozen inns, guesthouses, hotels, cottages and villas. Since there are no beaches, all are located on hillsides, generally with superb views.

Snakes & Other Venomous Creatures: None.

Health & Safety Warnings: Take heed when driving, which is on the right. Don't go diving and mountain hiking the same day. If you do, it's theoretically possible to get bent.

For More Information: www.sabatourism.com

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