Insider's hints about flights to Saba

At the time of writing, Winair flights are normally ticketed separately from flights to and from Juliana Airport in St Maarten. Some travellers, though, have found good fares from Travelocity by booking straight through to Saba, airport code SAB.

On some flights into St Maarten, you'll find that if you're changing planes right onto Winair, your bags are routed straight through. Make sure you note this when your bags are checked: St Maarten is SXM, and Saba is SAB.

If your bags are checked through to Saba, avoid St Maarten formalities by going through the transit gate, Gate 10. Then go to the Winair gate, Gate 9. Winair operates on a somewhat more informal basis than most first-time visitors to the Caribbean may be used to. It can be easier (and more interesting) to get into conversation with people near the gate than to try to find things out in a more official way. That's a good introduction to the local culture and ways of doing things. The local people are knowledgeable, polite, helpful, and pleasant.

Getting about on Saba

Car rentals are available, and The Gate House will be happy to make the arrangements for you. But most people choose to take one of the excellent cabs. Distances are short, but the one road is steeply graded and sharply-curved thoughout. The cab drivers know the island very well, and their advice on most island topics is well worth listening to.

You'll see many hitch-hikers on Saba. Locals have no hesitation either about doing it themselves, or in picking people up. Except at the airport, it's thought to be rather impolite not to stop for a hitchhiker!