Saba Island Honeymoon
What's a Caribbean island without
beaches? If you're in Saba, it's a quiet but breathtakingly scenic
tropical retreat relatively untrammeled by hordes of tourists.
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Just minutes by air from St. Maarten,
Saba (Say-bah) is a dormant volcano ringed by sheer cliffs, which
probably explains why fewer than 25,000 tourists visit every year. The
island was settled in the early 17th century by the Dutch, and although
many of the European colonial powers contended over it, today it remains
part of the Netherlands Antilles.
The small population of fewer than
1500 permanent residents lives in three main villages: the Bottom, the
island's capital; Windwardside, home to most of the shops; and Hell's
Gate, perched on the edge of a mountain. The villages are populated by
charming white cottages with red roofs and little gardens that also
double as gravesites (there's no land for a cemetery here).
According to people who have been
there, Saba's warm hospitality and natural environment make it well
worth the trip, as long as you're not looking for urban adventures or
long walks on the beach.
Cost
Accommodations range from about $100 -
$600 per night.
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Saba is something of a paradise for
divers, who relish the depths of the Sabo Marine Park with its
underwater pinnacles and boulder gardens.
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Explore Saba's rugged terrain on
any number of trails featuring rare birds, wild orchids, cloud-swept
mountaintops, and expansive vistas. Ecotourism is big here; you can
book a tour through the tourism bureau.
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If you plan your visit for the last
week in July, catch the summer Carnival, which the Saba Tourism
Bureau web site describes as "a week-long celebration of parades,
steel bands, competitions and pure merriment throughout the island,
featuring Carnival village with local food booths."
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One possibility for relatively
inexpensive accommodations are the Ecolodge cottages, which run $65
- $95 per night. As the name suggests, these are environmentally
friendly accommodations where the main attraction is the island's
natural beauty. If the photos on the web site are accurate, these
aren't rough-hewn shacks in the woods—they actually look very
inviting, painted in bright colors. Says the web site: "No phones or
TV sets are in the cabins; you will have to make do with birds,
lizards - and stars and tree frogs at night. The restaurant serves
breakfast, lunch and dinner, using homegrown vegetables as much as
possible. Hiking, bird watching, snorkeling, diving, and relaxing
are about all you will do." Okay, sign us up!
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Saba Tourism Bureau
A comprehensive site
listing all the island's restaurants, attractions, and accommodations.
Click on the "General Information" link for demographic and tourism
details about Saba.
Saba at TripAdvisor
Reviews from travel
professionals and visitors; when we visited, most tourist reviews gave
it five stars while cautioning that the trip "isn't for everyone,"
especially those seeking beaches or vibrant nightlife.
Saba at Fodor's
Fodor's mini-guide
to Saba island; go here after visiting the more comprehensive (and
interesting) Saba Tourism Bureau link.
Saba
at Frommers
Saba island according to Frommers.
Ecolodge Rendez-vous Saba
"Twelve friendly but simple cottages"
about 15 minutes by foot from Windwardside.
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Your honeymoon story
Have you done this trip (whether on
your honeymoon or other travel)? We'd love to hear about your experience
so we can share it with others . . . just
drop us a line.
Last Updated:
November 20, 2008 |
