Visiting Singapore? Here’s How You Can Make Most of Your Trip!

Singapore! The very name conjures up images of a clean, beautiful country with its pristine waterfront and the iconic Merlion welcoming you into his home. Rising from its humble beginnings as a fishing village, Singapore has become one of the most advanced economies in the world today. When you are visiting Singapore, this country welcomes tourists with open arms. From the well-known Sentosa Island and the Marina Bay hotel to the obscure Haw Par Villa, Singapore is a treasure trove of delight.

Singapore has a well-developed tourist infrastructure that makes exploring the island nation very easy. It has something for everybody. Even though it is a small island, it has a rich cultural diversity. Chief among these are the Chinese, Indian, Malay and European influences. It is an ultra-modern country with a deep-rooted heritage.

Singapore knows how to take care of its visitors. There are ‘Singapore Visitor Centres’ dotting the island where you can get any information regarding the tourist attractions. Along with the information, you can also buy tickets to the many attractions or pick up a souvenir to carry back home. Singaporeans take pride in their country and you can see it in the way the it is kept clean and in how its citizens obey all rules.

There are many interesting and wonderful things to do while you’re in Singapore.

Marina Bay Sands Light and Water Show

Every evening the Marina Bay Sands hotel puts a beautiful light and water show that is free to watch. It is a beautiful ballet of light and water choreographed by modern technology. The lasers from the unique ship-like rooftop of the Marina Bay hotel light up the night sky. The water reflects the colours back beautifully from the rooftop of the hotel’s shopping centre.

In addition to the lights, the singing fountains and the video projections on the splashes is a sight to behold. All this while the night sky and the beautifully lit city skyline make a beautiful backdrop to a beautiful show.

The best part of the show is that it is free for everybody. There are two shows every evening from Sunday to Thursday at 8:00pm and 9:00pm. On Friday and Saturday, there is one additional show at 10:00pm.

Gardens By The Bay: The Cloud Forest

This is the best representation of a concrete jungle. And when we say concrete jungle, we mean a jungle built over concrete. This marvel of vegetation is a conservatory that showcases some rare plants and their fast-disappearing environment.

Amidst this mysterious world veiled in mist, the 35-metre-tall Cloud Forest is home to plant life from tropical highlands to up to 2,000 metres above sea level. It also hosts the world’s tallest indoor waterfall.

It is a marvel of architecture. There were 2,577 glass panels of 690 different shapes used in the construction of its dome. Be sure to set aside ample time to leisurely explore this marvel. Make sure you carry a warm jacket. With the temperature around 23-25 degree Celsius and humidity between 80% – 90%, it gets a bit chilly and moist inside. You can pay for your admission with cash. But you can also pay for the admission with your prepaid forex card.

Singapore Zoo

The Singapore Zoo is one of the main attractions of Singapore. It is also one of the best zoos in the world. It is home to a variety of exotic animals like otters, giant crocodiles, pygmy hippos, zebras, lions and a host of primate species. You can even get your picture taken with a python or an orangutan.

The zoo is made up of four parts:

• Singapore Zoo

The zoo is home to more than 2,800 animals belonging to over 300 species of birds, mammals and reptiles.

• Jurong Bird Park

It is one of the largest free-flying aviaries in the world. It houses more than 5,000 birds across 400 different species. There are bird shows which encourage visitor-participation.

• Night Safari

The night safari gives you the thrill of watching nocturnal animals in their natural habitat. You can roam around the midst of animals going about their usual business.

• River Safari

This river safari is home to one of the largest collections of freshwater fauna in the world. It houses over 6,000 creatures which include no less than 40 threatened species.

The Singapore Zoo can take up your entire day but will not bore you. There are many animal shows which are happening inside at different times. If you are not travelling with kids, do not take the train as the queues are long.

Also Read : 6 Romantic places in Singapore that will give you #CoupleGoals.

You can save some money on your tickets by booking them at least a week in advance. Pay for your tickets with your prepaid forex card for convenience.

Haw Par Villa

Haw Par Villa is one place you will not see on your typical tourist beat. It is one of the most unique theme parks in the world. It is either crazy or artistic, depending on your bent of mind. It has over 1,000 statues and 150 dioramas that depict scenes from Chinese folklore.

There’s a statue of the laughing Buddha, armed monkeys and giant crabs with human faces, just to name a few. One of its most noted dioramas is the “Ten Stages of Hell”.

It is a very unconventional attraction worth your time if you are not squeamish or are not travelling with children. Some of the dioramas are very detailed and grotesque. But, this park is worth visiting for the unique experience. And it is free! Try to visit in the mornings as it gets hot during the afternoons.

Also Read: 3 Day Itinerary for Singapore travellers.

Some Useful Tips

Singapore is a very tourist-friendly country with a very low crime rate. But Singapore enforces its rules and regulations quite strictly. The country loves cleanliness and there are hefty fines for littering. Do you know that chewing gum is banned in Singapore? Unless you have a medical prescription, you cannot buy or possess chewing gum.

Though Singapore is an expensive country, the street food is surprisingly affordable and delicious. You get an endless array of cuisines from around the world and you end up saving money. There are many food courts where the food is delicious and affordable. Use your cash to pay for food here.

Here are a few tips that can make your stay in Singapore a memorable one.

• The Singapore Metro is well-connected. It is also one of the cheapest and the best ways of getting around.
• If you ever travel by a taxi, always pay by cash. Card payments attract an extra surcharge.
• Singapore offers a pleasant shopping experience. But, always compare prices before buying.
• Use your prepaid forex card for making purchases wherever you can. Most of the shops in Singapore accept these cards for payment.
• You will be charged a 7% Goods and Services Tax (GST) on your purchases made in Singapore. But, you can claim it back at the airport if you have spent more than $100 at any participating shops.
• You can get free public Wi-Fi in Singapore. Register for a free public Wi-Fi account with your mobile number at any Wireless@SG hotspot.
• The tap water in Singapore is up to the standards set by the World Health Organization. You can carry a drinking bottle with you which you can refill at any water tap and save money on bottled water.

Remember to follow the rules and respect the local culture. Singapore may be a tiny island, but it will create a wonderful experience and give you memories for life.

Happy journey!