• Provided by: Cees Timmers

Our travel guides are free to read and explore online. If you want to get your own copy, the full travel guide for this destination is available to you offline* to bring along anywhere or print for your trip.​

*this will be downloaded as a PDF.

Price

€4,95

Purchase
Saba Lace Class

Saba Lace Class

Saba Lace is a unique needlecraft painstakingly created by the industrious women from Saba. It is also known as "Spanish Work" and has a history as special as the island of Saba itself. Five square miles in size and rising almost 3000 feet high, Saba tested the skills of even the most skilled sea captains in the 18th and 19th centuries. No wonder Sabans learned to be very industrious! In the 1870's, Mary Gertrude Hassell Johnson was sent by her parents to study at a Caracas, Venezuela convent. While she was there, the nuns taught Miss Hassell to create the intricate designs of this needlecraft. Miss Hassell brought the skill bak to Saba and in 1884, when regular mail service first connected the island to the outside world, the wives and daughters of Saba's seafaring men turned to the craft ito a mail-order cottage industry. Now, more than a century later, the skill learned by a young Saban girl still provides a means of support for many families on the tiny island of Saba. Blouses, dresses, tablecloths, napkins, and bun warmers are only a few of the pieces that Saban women create in a variety of colors. A few of the Saba Lace ladies, gather each week on Thursday to practice their skill and 'chew the rag' as the old-timers would say. Stop by the Eugenius center on a Thursday afternoon to gain some insight into Saba's history and culture.
Read more
Dutch Museum

Dutch Museum

The Foundation Dutch Museum on Saba is responsible for preserving and for exhibiting antiquities inherited by Rene Caderius van Veen. These were first inherited and partly also bought by his grandmother mrs A.J.C. Caderius van Veen-Steenhoff. Unfortunately another part of her collections was lost in WW II in 1944, when her house was torn down by the Germans, because they wanted to have a free shooting field near the bridge in Arnhem. After the evacuation René and his grandmother stayed in Leeuwarden in the province of Friesland in the North of the Netherlands for 7 years. He almost always accompanied her when visiting antique shops and even since he was a little boy of four years old she always asked what he liked the best. This explains his affinity with a large part of the collection. Before moving to Saba in January 2011, his two sons received that part of the collection that was their choose. Everything else was shipped to Saba. To give all those antiquities that are on Saba now a function, exhibitions were organized and now even in a permanent way. The idea is that now and in the future the collection will be an attraction also for tourist visiting Saba.
Read more
The Harry Luke Johnson Museum

The Harry Luke Johnson Museum

The museum is an original wooden cottage in Windwardside, furnished in the 19th century style of a Saban sea captain. The cottage stands in a beautiful meadow, which serves as a public park for picnics, Easter Sunday egg hunts and croquet games. Harry Luke Johnson (1914-1972) was a police officer and amateur artist, very interested in preserving Saba's heritage. He began Saba's first museum in 1970, and requested at his death that a public museum be established. The perfect solution was found in a cottage built around 1840 by sea Captain Josiah Peterson and the museum opened in 1977. Very few changes have been made to the original structure. The house conforms to classic Saban cottage architecture by being in two parts, each with a separate roof. This design mitigates wind damage. Red Galvalum recently replaced the shingled roof and the new floor is of Douglass fir. The siding remains the classic white-painted shingles, with white storm shutters sporting the green trim. Saba's museum, its collection, and its unique setting are definitely worth a visit by any tourist to the island.
Read more
Frangipani Spa by Queen's Gardens

Frangipani Spa by Queen's Gardens

Frangipani Spa by Queen's Gardens Resort is the one and only spa on our pristine island, Saba. We offer a wide variety of spa treatments. Including full body massages, body wraps, manicures, and pedicures. Our spa is fully equipped with a Finnish Sauna, a Turkish Steam Bath, a Jacuzzi, Herbal Facial Aroma Pots, a Waterfall Shower, a Relaxation Area, and an outdoor Swimming Pool. The Frangipani Spa uses Nectar, its own brand of organic body products especially designed and produced by Nalia of St. Maarten exclusively for Frangipani Spa. It is time to get pampered at the spa, where it is all about you! Book your appointment today!
Read more
Saba Carnival

Saba Carnival

Saba Carnival, also known as the Saba Summer Festival, is usually the last week in July, depending on the weekend it can run into the 1st days of August. The festival features great music, great food, colourful parades and the friendliest of atmosphere. Each night during the week of carnival offers a different musical performance or show and without a doubt there is something for everyone to enjoy! Carnival 2016 will take place from July 23-31st. Save these dates and come to Saba for the time of your life to celebrate the biggest party of the year! Don't forget to try the famous Jungle Juice! For updated information, like Saba Carnival on Facebook!
Read more
Taxi Island Tours

Taxi Island Tours

Upon your arrival at Saba's Port or Airport you're sure to be greeted by a warm smile from one of Saba's Taxi drivers! No worries they all know Saba like the back of their hands, whether you are staying at one of Saba's Hotels or a private residence they surely know where you need to go. "The Road That Couldn't be Built" is a must see! Travel the length of the road in comfort with one of our friendly & knowledgeable taxi drivers! Taxi Island tours take about 2 to 2.5 hours and cost 50$ for 1-4 persons. If you would like to arrange a tour, the tourist office or your accommodation providers can arrange this for you.
Read more
Saban Villages: The Bottom

Saban Villages: The Bottom

The Bottom is Saba's capital and the seat of Saba's Government. Along with government and medical facilities you'll also find The Saba School of Medicine (Medical students and faculty make up almost a quarter of the islands entire population!). You'll also discover several small restaurants, bars and grocery stores. As you drive from the bottom to Well's bay, you'll see the old customs house that sits atop "The Ladder", the rugged steps that formed Saba's route to and from the sea long before the road was built. Climb up and down the steps once and you'll get a true appreciation of how tough life was for the Sabans, back in the day...
Read more
Saban Villages: Windwardside

Saban Villages: Windwardside

Out of all the villages WIndwardside is the most tourist orientated. Drop by The Saba Tourist Bureau and say hello, you'll be within close proximity of six of the island's hotels and home to many vacation rental cottages You'll have no trouble passing a day wandering through small streets, investigating the museum & shops, a bite to eat is never far away... If you're up for some exercise pay a trip to the trail shop, pick up a map and a keepsake and then ascend the Mt. Scenery Trail to climb to the highest point in the Kingdom of the Netherlands!
Read more
Do & See

Saban Villages: St John's

St John’s is one of Saba’s smaller villages. Before entering our Capital the Bottom you must drive through this quaint neighbourhood. Here you can ask your Taxi to make stops to capture some of our best scenic shots on the island. On a very clear day you can see our neighbouring islands St Eustatius, St Kitts, Nevis and, if you’re really lucky, even Montserrat! From this vantage point high above the Caribbean Sea, ships and boats can be seen coming and going to the Fort Bay Harbor. St John’s played a big role in the island’s history, if a vessel was approaching someone from the village would signal to residents in the Bottom to let them know visitors would soon arrive. Be sure to check out Crispeen trail it will certainly take you back in time and give you a real feeling of the old St John’s.
Read more
Zion's Hill (A.k.a. Hell's Gate)

Zion's Hill (A.k.a. Hell's Gate)

Zion's Hill is the first town you'll reach after leaving the Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport. Hell's Gate was officially named "Zion's Hill" after complaints from the church forced the Island's government to change the name. However, "Hell's Gate" is still used by many Sabans and visiting tourists today. Hell's Gate is home to the Holy Rosary Church, a stone structure built in 1962, as well as a community center where visitors can purchase locally made Saba Lace, also called Spanish Work, and Saba Spice, a locally produced and very potent spiced rum. Hell's Gate is about 1000 feet above sea level. Lower Hell's Gate is home to a now-closed sulfur mine where visitors may explore with caution. Hell's Gate is also the start to the Crispin trail which one can take. The trail takes roughly 2 hours to complete and gives stunning views of Diamond Rock and the Saban coastline.
Read more
Saban Churches

Saban Churches

A vist to this historic churches of Saba is a must on your trip to Saba. There are a number of churches on the island: three Roman Catholic, Two Anglican, one Wesleyan Holiness, one Seventh Day Adventist and one Jehovah Witness Hall. The churches are located throughout the villages on the island, and many offer services on Sundays as well as during the week. The oldest church on Saba (Christ Church, Anglican), is located in the village of The Bottom. The actual date of construction is still unknown, however research has suggested that the church did undergo renovations in the year 1977. It is assumed that the church was on Saba for many years before the renovations took place. Other churches dating back to the 18th century, include the Sacred Heart, Roman Catholic Church (1877) and The Holy Trinity, Anglican Church (1877).
Read more
Sea and Learn

Sea and Learn

Sea & Learn on Saba is a non-profit foundation. Since 2003, a month-long event takes place throught the month of October. Every other night, starting on October 1, a dynamic large screen presentation is provided by one of our invited Experts. These same experts also visit our schools and work with the Saba Conservation and Child Focus after school program to teach our local children the value of Saba's nature and its importance to the region. Local adults and visiting tourists are also invited to join any of the marine and terrestrial field projects that take place. The focus for all events is casual hands-on learning. The month-long event is sponsored by island and regional businesses. With the exception of the school program, all events are open to the public and free of charge.
Read more
Do & See

Saba Day

Saba Day is Saba’s national holiday and is celebrated on the first Friday of December. Although the official holiday is one day, celebrations last from Friday until Sunday and numerous activities are organized for the weekend, including sports, a fishing tournament, food booths, music concerts, games and more. Sabans decided many years ago, that it was necessary to have a special day where we could all commemorate our history, ancestors, culture and more. So if you are on Saba during the first weekend of December, be sure to check out the Saba Day festivities!
Read more