The Caribbean is recognized as the most beautiful in the world. Millions of tourists come here every year in search of adventure, hot sun, warm sea and ripe fruits. Among the top ten Caribbean islands, the island of Saba enjoys the special love of active travelers.
General information
Saba was inhabited by wild tribes 1300 years ago. Christopher Columbus, making his second expedition, discovered it and was the first European to set foot on the wild land. The island passed from one state to another for several hundred years during the European wars for territory, and in the end in 1816 it was recognized as a possession of Holland. Today the island is part of the Lesser Antilles archipelago and is part of the Netherlands. It is very loved and visited by tourists.
Saba Island is the summit of the long-extinct Mount Sineri volcano. This is another attractive nuance for tourists. This is the highest island of all the Caribbean islands, so there are no rivers here. The island is divided by a peculiar natural line - one part of it is dry, with a steep rocky coast, overgrown with thickets of cacti. The other, leeward side,is a riot of greenery and flowers.
How to get there
Saba Island in the Caribbean Sea is located at a considerable distance from the main landmass. Unfortunately, there is no direct communication with him, so you will have to make two or three transfers. If you get from Russia, it is better to change in Paris. This will save you a few extra hours. After that, you need to get to St. Martin. It so happened that this is the only place from where you can get to the island of Saba. There are about 50 kilometers between Saint Martin and the place under study. You can use air travel. You will be in flight for about fifteen minutes, but it is worth knowing that the airport on the island of Saba - Juancho Irauskin - is the most dangerous in the world. The length of its runway is only 400 meters, and this distance is enough for takeoff and landing exclusively for light vehicles.
On the island of Saba you need to get a single visitor visa of the Caribbean. Even if you have a Schengen visa, you still need to get a visa.
The ferry service is much better developed. Despite the fact that the ferry is on the road for about three hours, this time will fly by unnoticed contemplating the magnificent Caribbean landscapes.
Nature
The climate on Saba Island is stable all year round and it is tropical. Due to the peculiar location, one side of the island, the eastern one, is drier, and the opposite side is wet. This is due to the trade winds that blow from the east. They aremaintain a year-round temperature of 25 degrees Celsius. It is important to know that the place under study is located at an impressive distance from the routes where storms and tornadoes rage. Therefore, on the island of Saba, the weather is almost always calm and sunny.
The animal and plant world is rich, but has its own nuances. If you love animals and are used to visiting all kinds of petting zoos and shows on vacation, then you will miss it here. But the small number of animals more than compensate for all kinds of birds and reptiles. For example, rare species of lizards and a tree frog live on the island of Saba.
Vegetation on the island pleases the eye. While one part of the Caribbean Netherlands is dry and rocky, the other half is full of vegetation and flowers.
National Marine Park
Each island in the Caribbean has its own unique attraction. And this is a very attractive nuance for tourists. On the island of Saba it is a national park. Interestingly, the park is called a territory of almost forty hectares, which includes a long-extinct volcano. One part of it rises, the other is covered with water. Its depth is about three hundred meters. The underwater part is a kind of lake and is very similar to a paradise for those who like to explore the seabed and admire the underwater world. Underwater caves, sinks, numerous coral reefs - there is where to roam. However, it must be remembered that all sea expeditions and dives require the permission of the local administration. It needs to be bought. All meansreceived from tourists go to the maintenance of the park itself, which has received several international awards as the only marine park of its kind in the world.
Hiking
In addition to water activities, local hotels and guides offer hiking and volcano tours. As already mentioned, the volcano died out long ago, but from the top there is a magnificent view of the ocean and the entire island as a whole. A semblance of an observation deck surrounded by rocks has been created there. It is quite difficult to get close to it, as the path runs through the tropical forest. You need to be prepared for the fact that the trail leads uphill, so people suffering from respiratory diseases should be careful, because the higher up the mountain, the less oxygen. This can negatively affect the pressure. Be sure to wear comfortable flat shoes. It's funny, but the main number of injuries on the island happens precisely because tourists have neglected the basic safety rule - comfortable shoes.
As you move through the forest, you can meet nests of birds that, without being afraid of humans, peek out from behind the foliage, take pictures on ledges of rocks, and, of course, breathe the purest tropical air. Walking tours start from the largest city of the island - Windwardside.
Hotels
Saba Island is quite small compared to the rest of the landmasses of the Caribbean archipelago. The tourist flow here is about fifty thousand tourists a year. In vain, many people think that due to the weakthe attendance of the island's housing stock leaves much to be desired and cannot provide maximum amenities. Against. Saba lives on tourism. There are about twenty hotels on the island, but the service here is at the highest level. Some hotels provide unique services, such as accommodation with your pets. Paradise conditions are also created for them by the staff. The owner can only choose the necessary options. The following hotels are very popular:
- "Queens Garden Resort &Spa";
- "Scout Place Hotel";
- "Celera Dunia Boutique Hotel".
These are large hotels built according to European standards. The housing provided by local residents is distinguished by local color and original accommodation. Choices for every taste.
Food
Saba Island, like any tourist resort, provides a wide selection of drinks and dishes that will appeal to even spoiled gourmets. The basis of all dishes is seafood, which is delivered to the kitchen in the early morning. Fishermen bring fresh catch every day. At the request of visitors, chefs can prepare European dishes, but it is better to try the local cuisine in order to fully immerse yourself in island life. The cuisine is not distinguished by a special set of spices, such as, for example, oriental, but an unusual combination of available herbs with seafood and vegetables is to everyone's taste. It is worth noting the delicious cocktails, which are made from the freshest fruits and vegetables, which you will not find on the shelves of a big city.
Reviews
Due to its location, the island of Saba is visited only by those travelers who crave active entertainment on and under water, and also want to enjoy the silence and beauty of nature. However, those few Russian tourists who managed to visit the heavenly place claim that it's worth it. The remoteness of the resort is more than compensated by delicious food, magnificent views, interesting rare excursions and, of course, caring attention not only from hotel staff, but also from local residents in general.
