Singapore, Singapore Hotels and City Guide

Singapore - Travel Tips

When to Visit Singapore

Some like it hot: if you do, Singapore is definitely for you. The city-state is only 137 kilometers or 87 miles from the equator, so the temperature is always balmy. If you enjoy hot weather, any season is fine. Average temperatures hover in the high 20s C (80s F) with humidity levels of 90 percent or more at night and in the morning. Dry days don’t really exist: some days experience 60 percent humidity, and that’s about as dry as you are going to see. The hotter months are March – July, with average temperatures of about 35 C (95 F). The rainy months of November – January get as low as 23 C (73 F).

In terms of travel, the summer months of July and August tend to be slower in the business traveler sector. This is when you might find better deals at hotels and resorts. The peak tourist season is between December and June, and during the mid-December through Chinese New Year, is considered “super peak.” It will be hard to find accommodations unless they are booked well in advance, and you can be virtually assured you will not see bargain prices - or even good prices! This is a major Asian holiday, and everything will be booked and busy.

Value for Sightseeing Money

Is Singapore outrageously expensive? You may have heard this, and it’s both true and not true. It is true in that this island nation is about twice as expensive as Malaysia and Thailand, and it is an incredible three to five times higher than Indonesia. However, visitors from other industrialized nations, such as the United States, Canada, and many European countries, will find prices lower than at home. And, as always, you can always save money by taking advantage of the free and inexpensive attractions.

Walking is always free, and there is something to see everywhere. From window shopping on Orchard Road to strolling through Little India or Arab Street, there is a lot of culture to take in. Simply gazing at the wonderful architecture will entertain you for hours. Singapore also offers free attractions that you will not want to miss: enjoy the incomparable Botanic Gardens and its world famous National Orchid Garden. Escape from the balmy outdoors into the National Singapore Museum. Many exhibits are completely free.

Enrich your knowledge of various world religions: area churches and temples are open to visitors. Leave a small donation if appropriate and enjoy an afternoon marveling at the incredible design of these great buildings. From the Renaissance-style Church of the Good Shepherd and the neo-Gothic St. Andrew’s Cathedral to the Middle Eastern-inspired Sultan Mosque and the famous Sakya Muni Buddha Gaya Temple, you will see the diversity of Singapore’s citizenry through their houses of worship.

You may not be able to afford the S$600+ price tag for a room at the posh Raffles Hotel, but you can certainly enjoy its charm free of charge. Built in 1887, this is the home of the original Singapore Sling. Wander around the museum, which features photos of the hotel’s most famous guests, or look into the Writers’ Bar where literary luminaries like Joseph Conrad and Somerset Maugham visited. Splurge for a Singapore Sling and take in the ambience.

View the art at the Esplanade Theaters on the Bay in Merlion Park, have fun and see some of the best views in Singapore at the City Gallery, stroll along the beautiful Marina Bay and enjoy some inexpensive seafood. Take advantage of the free passes handed out by the Singapore Tourist Authority at Changi Airport, walk through the air-conditioned malls and window shop, eat at hawker centers or in Little India and Chinatown. Stay at inexpensive hostels. You can budget your money and get the most out of your trip to Singapore.

Local Holidays

Note: Many Singaporean holidays are celebrated on different days year to year. For example, the Islamic holy month of Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic Lunar Calendar and the date is determined by moon cycles for the year. The following are the dates for 2010. If you plan to visit for a particular holiday, make sure you know the correct day for that year.

2010
New Year's Day (January 1)
Chinese New Year (February 14-16)
Good Friday (April 2)
Vesak Day (April 28)
Labour Day (May 1)
National Day (August 9)
Hari Raya Puasa (September 10)
Deepavali (November 5)
Hari Raya Haji (November 16)
Christmas Day (December 25)

Local Customs & Language (including Tipping)

Customs

There are many cultural customs to observe when visiting Singapore. There is so much to learn, but the great thing about Singapore is that the people are used to diversity and convergent cultures. They will be more understanding of social blunders as long as you are respectful. And the island nation also cares about its tourism trade, so you will likely be forgiven for mistakes – but do take the time to learn about the area’s wonderful cultures.

Language

Singapore has four official national languages: Mandarin Chinese, Malay, Tamil, and English. English is usually spoken in business and government. There is a strong colloquial dialect, often referred to as “Singlish.” This is what you will hear most often during your travels in Singapore. This can be hard for English-speakers to understand because it mixes English, Malay, Hokkien, Tamil, Punjabi, Teochew, Cantonese, and even some Australian and American slang. It is truly a mixing pot of words. For instance, “This person’s Singlish is very good,” may be heard as:

“Dis guy Singrish si beh powderful sia,” or “Dis guy Singlish damn powerful one leh.”

Business Hours and Banking

Business hours vary throughout the city. In general, you will find most shops and stores open around 10:00am. In their effort to cater to tourists, many businesses remain open until 7:00pm and even later. It is not unusual for stores to be open until midnight, especially during certain parts of the year, such as the Great Singapore Sale. Banking hours also vary: most typical banks open at 9:30am and close at 3:00pm Monday through Friday. Many banks are open from 9:30am to 11:30am on Saturday. Again in an effort to provide the utmost convenience for visitors – and residents – many banks offer extended hours and are open on weekends.

Smoking

Singapore isn’t a smoker-friendly city: tobacco products are taxed heavily, and you are only allowed to bring one pack of cigarettes into the city. You will find smoking bans in all air-conditioned places, including clubs and bars, many hawker centers, and in all public transportation. Outside, smoking can only be done in designated areas, which are usually marked with yellow outlines or signs that read “smoking zone.” And do not even think of flicking a cigarette butt onto the ground.

Tipping Advice

In many parts of the world, wait staff, hairdressers, bellhops, housekeepers, and others in the service industry make the bulk of their income from tips, and citizens are accustomed to giving tips. In Singapore, this practice is frowned on for the most part. When you stay at a hotel or eat at a restaurant, a service charge is added to your bill, which is, in essence, a tip. It may be appropriate to give tips when you are dining with a large party. In this case, give a ten percent tip on top of the service charge. Hairdressers and manicurists are also commonly tipped in Singapore. While taxi drivers will generally take a tip, it may cause some discomfort in the receiver.

Health and Security

Singapore is a safe city. While it does enjoy a low crime rate, that doesn’t mean there is no crime. It is always wise to take precautions no matter where you are. Perhaps the most common issue you may encounter is pickpocketing. In crowds, keep a careful watch on your wallet or purse. It is generally considered unsafe to carry large amounts of cash.

Be aware that Singapore is safe because the police strictly enforce laws. Minor offenses that wouldn’t warrant police attention in most countries, such as jaywalking, spitting, or littering, may very well result in a fine. Singaporeans sometimes joke that their city is a fine city – literally.

It is unwise to break Singaporean law as caning is a common punishment. You may be charged with “unauthorized consumption” if you have any trace of illegal substances in your system, even if you did not take the said substance in Singapore. Be aware of these laws as the punishments are quite stiff. And be careful with whom you travel: if there are drugs found in bags in your possession or room, you can be charged with drug trafficking (the punishment for which is death).

You may also not bring liquor or cigarettes stamped “Singapore duty not paid,” more than one pack of cigarettes, tobacco products with E printed on the package, cigarette lights in the shape of guns, drugs (not including prescription medications), firecrackers, pornographic materials, and pirated CDs, DVDs, and other media.

This isn’t meant to give the impression that Singapore is a police state or unfairly severe: it is a peaceful city but you will be expected to adhere to laws. For visitors, it is best to just read the signs, obey the rules, and have a great visit.

Disabled Travelers

Disabled travelers will find accommodations throughout Singapore, though improvements are needed for better accessibility. The Disabled People’s Association, a nonprofit Singaporean organization, provides more information on services and accommodations. The Disabled Traveler’s Guide also provides information on Singaporean accessibility and encourages more specific questions. SMRT recently added wheel-chair accessible buses.

Tax Refunds

Singapore charges a seven percent sales tax for goods and services. This is refundable for foreign visitors. Look for Premier Tax Free or Global Refund signs when you shop and ask the clerk for a voucher. Make sure to attach your receipts, which must total more than S$100 from a single store. You may get the tax refunded within 60 days of purchase by presenting your voucher, goods, and receipts at Changi Airport Customs counter. Bring the approved documents to the Premier Tax Free or Global Refund counters for your refund.

Visas and Passports

If you are a citizen of Liechtenstein, Monaco, the Netherlands, Switzerland, San Marino, British Commonwealth countries excluding India, or the United States, you do not need a visa to visit Singapore. You will be issued a Social Visit Pass upon arrival in Singapore. British and Irish citizens can use this pass for up to 30 days.

If you are from Austria, Belgium, Finland, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Iceland, Korea, Japan, Luxembourg, Norway, Spain, or Sweden, you do not need a visa for social visits less than ninety days. You will, however, require a Social Visit Pass, which is given if you have a valid passport, funds for your stay, confirmed return tickets, and entry documents for other countries. For nationals of countries listed above excluding Britain and Ireland, the maximum stay is 14 days. You may apply for an extension of up to 90 days when you receive your pass.

To enter the country, you will need a passport. These must be valid for at least six months beyond your planned departure.

Hotels in Singapore, Singapore