Singapore – A Perfect Little World?

The city-state of Singapore has grown into one of the world’s leading economic centres. As far as cities go, Singapore is right up there. I think it’s hard to find something about the place that is likeable, apart from maybe the high price tags on everything. But it really does have it all. Good food can be found pretty much everywhere. For every giant skyscraper, there’s a beautiful green area or park to sit in. Beaches, gardens, theme parks and shopping centres are all readily available and all so clean and well maintained. It is a city full of unique little oddities as well. Where else could you be walking among huge skyscrapers to come upon a small little green area with metal swing benches to relax on? This Singapore Travel Guide will hopefully help you experience all the different sides of the country.

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Weather

July to September is the most popular time for tourists to visit Singapore. February is the hottest month of the year with average temperatures of 27°C. Temperatures are at quite a steady temperature throughout the year. There is no winter as such in Singapore. December and January are the cooler months with December being the wettest month of the year. Singapore is also very humid year-round.

Visa Policy

All EU, North and South American citizens are entitled to either 30 days or 90-day visa-free access into Singapore. Oceanic, South East Asian and Central and South African countries are also entitled to this. Eastern European nationals as well as Russians, Chinese and many other central Asian passport holders can apply for an E-Visa. Only passport holders from North Africa and the middle east must apply for a visa before formally visiting Singapore. For full details of Singapore’s visa policy, click here.

Things to See and Do in Singapore

Gardens by the Bay – Located at Marina Bay is the 80 – 160 foot high, fake supertrees that make the gardens so famous. Done as an urban landscaping project, the gardens are spread over 100 hectares. They are also home to over 200 types of tropical plants. Although visited by nearly everyone that travels to Singapore, the vast size of the gardens still make them a peaceful and tranquil place to have a stroll around. Entering the gardens is free of charge. There are additional fees to enter either the Flower Dome or Cloud Forest. Be sure to visit here during your stay in Singapore. Also, don’t forget to return after dark for one of the two nightly light shows that happen here.

Singapore Zoo & Night Safari – Singapore Zoo is home to over 3,500 animals, reptiles and birds spreading over a 70-acre area. The zoo is located just north of the city and very easy to get to by public transport. Along with the zoo, is a river safari and a bird park. For me and most people though, it is the Night Safari that is a must see. The world’s first nocturnal zoo is Singapore’s #1 tourist attraction. Getting to see these animals come alive at night is an opportunity that is hard to pass up. I would highly recommend coming here. You can buy tickets online for all 4 parks, or a ticket that allows entry into 2 of the parks. Tickets can be bought individually as well. If you choose to go to the night safari, don’t make the same mistake I did and miss out on the zoo itself.

Shop until you drop – If shopping is your thing then Singapore is the place for you. Whether it is down by the Marina or on Orchard Road, which is a long stretch of giant shopping malls on either side of the street, Singapore guarantees to meet all your shopping needs. Each mall will have a different feel and theme to it. Some offer more high-end shops, others full of cheaper goods by more local vendors. For a bargain on certain items, especially souvenirs, head to the extravagant Chinatown where prices are at their lowest in the city.

Sentosa Island – Located just off mainland Singapore is the mini city in itself that is Sentosa. A $4SGD return tram ride will get you to any of the three stops on Sentosa. Home to three beaches with Palawan Beach being the most well known and busiest. From here you can cross the bridge to the tiny island which is the most southern point on continental Asia. There really is fun for everyone here. If chilling on the beach is not your thing, why not head to one of the following on the island instead;

• Universal Studios
• Adventure Cove
• Dolphin Island
• iFy Singapore
• Kidzania
• Madame Tussauds
• S.E.A Aquarium

And there are many, many more awesome things to see and do here. It all really depends on what your preference is and also your budget. One thing is for sure, you will not be bored on Sentosa. There is the option to stay on the island, with the many resorts on offer. This is a good option if you are only in Singapore for a holiday and plan to spend most days here. If you are travelling long term, it is not a realistic option with the prices on offer. I feel it is better to see the city and travel to Sentosa, than the other way around.

Explore Chinatown – Located among the skyscrapers in the centre of the city, Chinatown is a small block of streets full of shopping, food and that little bit of craziness that is hard to find anywhere else in Singapore. Prices here are lower than the rest of the city. Whilst it is a little bit touristy, it is a good area to take a walk around and see what is happening here for yourself. Maybe you will pick up a bargain while you are at it. The Buddha Tooth Temple and the Sri Mariamman Temple are also in this area and are worth checking out.

What To Eat in Singapore

Chicken Rice – This is the national dish of Singapore. More complex than it seems and much tastier than it looks. Chicken Rice is predominately boiled chicken that is paired with coconut boiled rice. To add some extra flavour, a spicy sauce is served on the side. It is the tender chicken and the fragrant, perfectly cooked rice that make this dish so good. The best, in my opinion, is from Tian Tian Chicken Rice in the Maxwell Food Centre.

Fish Head Curry – This marvellous dish is the result of different cultures coming together to create one great flavour. An Indian style curry was cooked and a fish head, much loved by the Chinese, was added to it. The end result was a thing of beauty and from then on, it has been an iconic Singaporean dish. It is by no means a cheap dish but if you have the cash, it is worth splurging for.

Laksa – There are many different variations of Laksa that can be found between Singapore and Malaysia. They are based around thick rice noodles, then a curry broth is added with some fish or tofu and then vegetables. Most will have a slightly sour and spicy taste to them. In Singapore, you will find a number of really good Laksa restaurants. Check out Sungei Road Laksa for one of the best.

Rojak – Rojak translates to the mixture. This means a plate of Rojak can consists of pretty much anything. Rojak in Singapore is influenced by both the Chinese and the Indians. A Chinese Rojak will be a bit sweeter and bitter with the use of fruits and vegetables, then a palm sugar and shrimp paste glaze cover it. The Indian Rojak uses more potatoes and can be a bit spicier. Peanuts tend to be thrown into the mix as well. You will find Rojak shops at almost all hawker centres.

Murtabak – Originally an Arab food, Murtabak has long been popular in Singapore. It is roti, stuffed with a meat of your choice, onions and a whole host of different spices. It is then cooked until the roti is golden brown all over and served with a curry sauce. I recommend Singapore Zamzam for the best in the country.

Bak Kut Teh – This translates to Pork Bone Tea. Pork ribs are boiled in water along with a heavy mix of salt, pepper and garlic. This creates tasty soup. Then it is commonly eaten with rice. Tea is in the name as it is usually washed down with a cup of hot tea.

Carrot Cake – All the carrots that exist in this dish are in the name. Strips of daikon radish are mixed with rice flour to form a rice cake. It is then fried in fat and eggs to create a greasy yet tasty snack. I wouldn’t recommend eating it often for cholesterol reasons but it is to be tried at least once in Singapore. You will find at least one popular carrot cake stall at every hawker centre.

Other foods to try in Singapore;

• Hokkien Mee
• Wanton Mee
• Fish Bee Hoon
• Char Kway Teow
• Biryani
• Bak Chor Mee

Typical Costs in Singapore

Accommodation – Hostel prices start at $12SGD and average at $20SGD. You won’t get a whole lot for your money the majority of the time, especially in the cheaper ones. You can expect free breakfast though which is a money saver. For a private room in one of these hostels expect to pay an average of $80SGD. A standard hotel room will cost you a similar price.

Food – Singapore is full of high-end restaurants that will cost you a pretty penny to eat in. More commonly though, are the hawker centres. An average meal there will cost you between $5SGD and $8SGD. This dispels the myth that Singapore has to be expensive. However, if you wanted to pay 10 times this price, that is just as easily done.

Transport – Singapore has an excellent MRT system that can take you anywhere you need to go. A single journey ticket will cost you between $0.80SGD and $2SGD.

How To Save Money in Singapore

Hawker Centers – In a bid to tidy up the streets the Singapore government moved all street food indoors to food courts known as Hawker Centers. There are now over 100 of these centres in the city, some better than others. These are where you will find the best and cheapest food in Singapore. At first, they might seem overwhelming, but pick where and what you want to eat and get in line. If you do not want to research the centres too much to find the recommended stalls, then I would suggest joining the longest queue of locals there is. Meals can be found here for as little as $3/4SGD, which in Singapore is a bargain.

Avoid Alcohol – Alcohol in Singapore is expensive. Even when bars put on special offers the prices are still crazy high. Keep away from the drinking until you are in another country in the region where prices are much much lower. If you do feel the urge to have a drink, at least stick to happy hour where you might save a couple of dollars. A serious night out here will easily cost you upwards of $100SGD and I felt that money was better kept and spent elsewhere.

Tap Water – Singapore is very hot and humid so drinking plenty of water is a must to stay hydrated. As per most things in the country, bottles of water are highly priced. Luckily Singapore has clean drinking water so just keep refilling your bottle from the tap whenever you get a chance.

MRT Pass – It would be good for you to have an idea of how much walking you want to do and how many times you plan to use the very convenient MRT system. A 3-day unlimited pass will cost you $20SGD so if you only plan on using it once or twice a day then there is no point. However, if you feel like you will be hopping on and off constantly then this should be looked into.

I loved Singapore. It has everything you would want from a modern city. There is so much to see and do there and all in a very clean and safe environment. Singapore is ever-evolving and progressing. You can really feel the effort that the people and the government have put into the place to make it what it is today. By no means should you be put off by its reputation of being a bit too pricey. It will cost what you want it to cost and whilst trying to stay in the budget might mean missing out on certain things, you will never be bored. I found Singapore to be a country that nobody could leave feeling unimpressed.