Singapore is Asian fusion in action, a mixture of flavours that bursts together in a delicious taste sensation! With the ultimate in slick city living going hand in hand with a range of exciting cultural influences, you can move effortlessly from little India, to a miniature slice of Malay life, to a capsule of Chinese culture all with a western twist.
Singapore is a truly unique destination, a small island that has become an authentic Asian melting pot and has the vibrant mix to prove it. Go shopping crazy in the city malls, have elegant tea at Raffles hotel and take a trip back in time, head down to the quays for a street food extravaganza, or go OTT on Sentosa Island. Then head out of the city and find some beach bliss or a nocturnal safari you’ll never forget!
GMT+8
Singapore Dollar (SGD)
+65
Singapore is so small, the country is in effect dominated by the capital, Singapore City. Most of the activity happens in this vibrant, buzzing city and there’s so much to offer the traveller looking for a modern vibe with a cultural twist.
Food is one of the main reasons for coming to Singapore; with influences from every Asian culture, you will be spoilt for choice in Singapore. If you are inspired by Indian cuisine, head to Little India for a mouth-watering curry, or you can munch on satay street food at Clarke Quay or get your chopsticks out in Chinatown. Make a meal of some Malay cuisine, or have a burst of flavour from some Balinese treats; whatever you are looking for, Singapore will indulge your taste buds until you’ve had your fill. With western influences around too, you won’t have to go far to get a familiar meal if you’re missing a taste of home.
Singapore has a hot and wet climate for most of the year, rarely falling below 20°C and often reaching around 30°C during the day. Humidity is high throughout the year but being a modern city, everywhere is air-conditioned, even the buses, so you won’t melt in the heat for long if you don’t want to. November to January are the wettest months, with the driest being May to July.
Visas may be required in order to enter or transit through certain countries depending on your passport nationality, your reason for travel and how long you intend to stay.
Visa, passport and entry rules are subject to change and you should check the most up-to-date information from the relevant embassy or visa specialist.
To make things easier we have teamed up with The Travel Visa Company who are one of the UK’s leading travel visa specialists. You can use their website, alongside embassy websites, to find out the specific entry requirements for the countries you intend to travel to.
For a fee, their dedicated team of experts can also apply for visas on your behalf, taking away the hassle and streamlining the process for you if you wish. For more details on the services they provide please click here – The Travel Visa Company
Passports must be kept in good condition. Travellers with damaged passports may be refused entry at immigration. It is the responsibility of the traveller to ensure that all travel documents are in good condition before they travel. Most countries will also require at least 6 months of validity on your passport from the time you finish your trip.
Some countries will require proof of certain vaccines, such as yellow fever or covid, in order to gain entry. Please check with the relevant embassy or a visa specialist before travelling.
Official languages in Singapore are English, Malay, Chinese (Mandarin) and Tamil, but due to the high proportion of settlers from across Asia, there are many other dialects spoken in Singapore.
The electricity supply in Singapore is 230V and they use type G plug points, the same as in the UK.
With a diverse range of cultures mixing in Singapore’s melting pot, there will be different cultural considerations depending on which area of the city you are in. In general, Singapore has a traditional hierarchical Asian culture and respect for elders, modesty and good behaviour are expected.
Singapore is hot on rules and regulations, and you can be fined for chewing gum, littering, smoking or jaywalking. Homosexuality is still not widely tolerated. Drink driving is heavily clamped down upon and drugs and drug use are not tolerated and may incur severe penalties.
There have been a few incidents of Dengue Fever in Singapore, which is spread by mosquitoes, so taking anti-malarial precautions is advised. Visit your GP before travel for specific advice and medication. If you are entering Singapore from a country that has Yellow Fever you will need to produce a yellow fever certificate on entry to the country. There have been some incidents of Scarlet Fever during 2011, but this is usually a mild infection. Healthcare in Singapore is of a very high standard so if you do need healthcare, you’ll be in good hands.
Singapore is a well-policed and very safe destination and incidents of crime are rare, although take all sensible precautions with your money and belongings. As with all of this area of Asia, there are possibilities of terrorism but the risk to tourists is low. Be aware of the drug laws and the severe punishments drug offences can incur.
We do not recommend hiring motorbikes, scooters, ATV vehicles, quad bikes or other types of motorised vehicles whilst abroad. Safety and quality of vehicles vary considerably and the traffic conditions can be much more dangerous than what UK travellers are used to. Should you wish to go against this advice, you should ensure you are hiring from a reputable company and that your travel insurance covers you for such activities.
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