Singapore is a small country with an incredible mix of cultures and quite a bit to offer those who travel here. There is an attractive blend of the old with the new, a city where temples are surrounded by glistening skyscrapers and apartments are located on the edge of green jungles. The foodie scene is huge in Singapore and blends the flavor from many other cultures in its exotic and delicious dishes, and since apartments in Singapore are small, restaurants are an embedded part of Singapore culture. Singapore is also a great place to get world-class plastic surgery and new name-brand electronics at prices incomparable to anywhere else in the world.

 

Getting There And Around
Most passengers arrive in Singapore via air at the country’s award winning international airport, Changi. To enter this country, a passport that is valid for 6 months after the date of entry is required. A visa is not required for leisure travelers coming from the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand the United Kingdom and the European Union.
Public transportation, Mass Rapid Transit (MRT), makes getting around Singapore relatively easy. MRT has coverage to the main parts of the city and also to farther-out areas of the island. Ticket prices are based on the distance traveled but start at around 4 SGD.

 

Money
The official currency in Singapore is the Singapore Dollar (SGD). 2-50 SGD are banknotes, and 0.10-1 SGD are coins. Using a credit card, accessing cash or exchanging currency is no problem at all in the futuristic city-state of Singapore.

 

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Language
As a result of immigration and a mix of cultures throughout Singapore's history, this tiny country has four national languages: English, Mandarin, Tamil and Malay.

 

Housing
Accommodations in Singapore vary from hostels to world-class five star luxury hotels. Popular areas to stay in Singapore are Marina Bay, Chinatown, and Sentosa Island. It isn’t cheap to travel in Singapore, even if you choose to stay in a dorm room. Lodging starts at 35 SGD per night and up depending on the choice of your accommodation, location, and the time of the year.[/ezcol_3fifth_end]

 

Food
Singapore is paradise for food lovers. Eating is a national pastime meant for pleasure and enjoyment. Many cultures have influenced the cuisine of Singapore, including but not limited to, Chinese, Indonesian, Malaysian, Portuguese, Sri Lankan, Indian, and Thai cultures. Singapore is full of hawker centers offering incredible food at reasonable prices, and the country boasts an area called “Glutton’s Bay”. Five dishes define the taste of Singapore: Laksa, Rendang, Chili Crab, Hainanese Rice, and Roti Prata.

 

Save Cash
Singapore is by no means a cheap place to travel, but there are some tricks to saving money while in this country. A Singapore Tourist Pass provides discounts on attractions and unlimited access to public transportation on the island. Singapore Tourists passes can be purchased for time periods starting at 24 hours. Eating at food stalls in Chinatown and Little India are excellent ways to save on food expenses while still enjoying a locally flavored dish, with meals starting at around 6 SGD.

 

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Stay Fit
It’s summer all year long in Singapore, and the heat and humidity here are something you will have to get used to. Common complaints from visitors are heat rash, exhaustion, colds and dehydration. Remember to drink plenty of water beyond thirst when staying in Singapore.
Local Singaporeans enjoy jogging, and East Coast Park features a 10 km long outdoor jogging track. Bukit Timah Nature Reserve has great mountain bike paths, and there are many other bicycle trails in the city and along the beaches. Singapore also has numerous recreational bike clubs which invite visitors to contact them and join up for a cycle around. If the weather doesn’t permit exercising outdoors (sometimes a thunder storm will come out of nowhere), there are a few large gyms (Ray Wilson California Gym and Planet Fitness just to name a couple) with day passes available for purchase.[/ezcol_1half] [ezcol_1half_end id=”2″][/ezcol_1half_end]

 

Stay Connected
Singapore is extremely well connected, with free Wi-Fi available at most hotels, cafes, restaurants and bars. For cheap local and international calling and texting, pre-paid SIM cards can be purchased at the airport or at mobile providers around the city. Purchasing a SIM card provides a Singapore number for local use within the country. Before purchasing a SIM card, make sure your mobile is “unlocked”.

 

What To Do

• Singapore Botanic Gardens
  Founded by Sir Stafford Raffles, Singapore’s national garden dates back to 1822. It is a UNESCO protected site. Admission to Botanic Gardens is free of charge, and is open between 05:00-midnight, daily. Discount prices off admission to National Orchid Garden are offered for seniors and students.

• Singapore Zoo
  Dubbed “The World’s Best Rain Forest Zoo,” Singapore Zoo occupies 28 hectares of land. It is clean, expansive, yet well laid out, and is home to some incredibly unique wildlife. The zoo is open from 08:30-18:00 daily. Ticket prices for the zoo vary.

• Sentosa Island
  An escape from the city for both locals and tourists, Sentosa Island is jam-packed with things to do. There are beaches, golf courses, parks (Universal Studios, Adventure Cove, etc.), museums, shops, restaurants, bars and more on the island. The island is accessed via cable car, bus, metro or taxi. There is a minimal entrance fee for those who visit Sentosa Island.

• The Singapore Flyer
  Enjoy panoramic views of beautiful Singapore on the second largest observation wheel in the world. The Flyer is open daily from 08:30-22:30.

• Chinatown
  Chinatown, comprised of two square kilometers, is located in the heart of the business district. It teems with Chinese traditions and is filled with food stalls, restaurants, shops and temples. It is a great way to see Chinese life in Singapore and to pick up a great bargain.

• Little India
  An escape to India in the middle of Singapore, Little India has the most unique (and inexpensive) souvenirs in the country. Check out its large cafeteria-like restaurant area, and don’t be afraid to dive into your food with your hands traditional Indian style.
• Marina Bay Sands
  Whether splurging for a room at the second most expensive building in the world or not, make a point to get to the Skypark (the large boat-like structure on top of the hotel) and enjoy a view of the marina and glimmering skyline of Singapore. Marina Bay Sands also includes a glamorous casino, prime dining and a mall. Entrance to the Skypark is separate from the hotel and there are admission fees.
• Raffles Hotel
  Enjoy an original fruity Singapore Sling cocktail at the legendary five-star Raffles Hotel, where the drink was created in the early 1900’s.