Singapore, Singapore Hotels and City Guide

Singapore - Travel Tips

When to Visit Singapore
Value for Sightseeing Money
Local Holidays
Local Customs and Lanugage (incl Tipping)
Health and Security
Tax Refunds

When to Visit Singapore

When to Go
With little variance in the weather, travel at any time of the year except during the Chinese Lunar New Year in January or February. Most Chinese shops, restaurants and businesses close for anything from three days to two weeks. Prior to the Chinese New Year, prices are grossly inflated for everyday items. Asian travel routes and hotels are fully booked, so it’s best not to go at this time when most of Asia takes its annual leave.

Seasons
Due to its location slightly north of the equator, Singapore has no distinguishable seasons, except for the Northeast Monsoon season from November to mid-March when showers can be sudden and heavy and temperatures slightly cooler, and the Southwest Monsoons between June and September when temperatures are much higher. Strangely, the least rains falls during the latter monsoons.

Value for Sightseeing Money

Whilst Singapore may be more expensive to visit then surrounding countries such as Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand, its compact size means that exploring the city's sites is more easily done on a smaller budget or time frame.

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 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

Singapore is a secular City State and because of its multicultural population, it celebrates Chinese, Muslim, Indian, and Christian holidays.

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
The Singapore government recognises four official languages: Mandarin Chinese, Malay, Tamil, and English. English, introduced by the British in 1819, is the first language and is the language of instruction in education, in government administration and in business. There is a strong colloquial dialect, often referred to as “Singlish”, a mix of Malay, Hokkien, Tamil, Punjabi, Teochew, Cantonese, and even some Australian and American slang.

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, however in Singapore this practice is frowned on for the most part.

Health and Security

Singapore is possibly the safest city in the world to visit. Single women can walk along the streets at night. But keep an eye out for pickpockets in crowded areas.

The cleanliness of Singapore has been achieved through stringent laws against spitting, littering, drinking and eating on public transport, and jaywalking. Chewing gum, long since banned, is allowed for medical purposes and obtainable from pharmacies on production of your passport.

Prohibited imports include chewing gum, cigarettes except for one opened packet (not carton),controlled drugs or psychotropic substances, firecrackers, endangered species of wildlife and their by-products, all pornographic films and literature, reproductions of copyright publications, video tapes, video compact discs, laser discs, records or cassettes.

Prohibited exports include arms and ammunition, explosives, animals, telecommunications equipment, films, video tapes, discs, precious metals and stones, drugs and poisons. One can apply for export permits for the above.

Punishment in the form of caning is meted out for crimes such as illegal entry and overstaying a 90-day visa. Never offer a bribe or gratuity to a police officer. Unauthorised possession of firearms, drug trafficking or manufacturing, or merely being in possession carry the death sentence. You can be charged for unauthorised consumption when traces of illicit narcotics are found in your system, even if they were consumed outside the country, which will earn you either a maximum of 10 years in jail, a fine of $20,000, or both. You will also be charged for drug-trafficking if drugs are found in bags in your possession or in your room.

Homosexuality is illegal and in theory is punishable by life in prison and/or caning, a law rarely enforced. Despite this, Singapore has a fairly vibrant gay community.

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.

Hotels in Singapore, Singapore